Page 70 of Then There Was You

“I’ll come with you,” Cade says. “It’s my round.”

I stand and let Paisley out of the booth, sitting back down when she and Cade disappear into the crowds.

“How’ve you been, Seb?” Sophie asks from across the table. I look over and smile. I don’t have that crushing pain in my chest when I look at her anymore. She’s not someone I’m desperately in love with. Instead, she’s Sophie, one of my very best friends, although I haven’t been much of a friend to her lately. I just needed time to heal, even though I know she won’t understand why I’ve been so distant.

“I’ve been good, Soph. What about you? How are you feeling?”

“Come over here, quick!”

My eyes widen and I scramble out of the booth.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

She nods and reaches for my hand, tugging me to sit down next to her. “The baby’s kicking.” She takes my hand and places it on her swollen stomach. When nothing happens, I lift my eyes to hers and she smiles. “Wait.” I hold her gaze, and a few seconds later, I feel a kick on my palm.

“Was that the baby?” I ask in awe, my eyes dropping to where my hand rests.

“Yep. I swear it’s a boy and he’s got the Brookeses’ football gene.”

There’s another ripple of movement under my hand, and I grin. “That’s incredible, Soph. I’m so happy for you and Cade.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Are we good? It feels like you’ve been avoiding me.”

Fuck. I feel like the shittiest person, and I can’t even explain why. I drag my hand through my hair. “I’ve just had some stuff going on. We’re good, though. I’m sorry I’ve been a crappy friend.”

She shakes her head. “You haven’t been a crappy friend—”

“I have,” I tell her, cutting her off.

“If you ever want to talk about anything…” She trails off. “I guess I just miss you.”

I take her hand. “I miss you too.”

“You should stop by the house and see the nursery.”

“I will. I promise.”

“Drinks!” Paisley shouts as she places a tray on the table, interrupting our conversation. “Taylor is killing it behind the bar.”

I laugh. “I should go and take over from her. I don’t want her working the bar all night.”

“She told me to tell you that she’s fine and to drink this first,” Paisley says, sliding another bottle of Bud across the table to me. “She’s loving it. I think you might have to drag her away.”

“Hey! Do you know what I’ve just realized?” Wyatt shouts from across the table. We all turn to look at him. “Cade never had a bachelor party. We should do something.”

Cade shakes his head. “I don’t need a bachelor party.”

“Everyoneneeds a bachelor party,” Wyatt insists. “It doesn’t have to be strippers and shit—”

“No strippers!” Sophie says, cutting him off.

“No strippers,” Wyatt promises. “We could go fishing or something. What do you think?”

“I’m up for that. It’s been forever since we’ve been fishing. Dad could come too,” Nash says.

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