Page 45 of Beautiful Crazy

Graham:How are you out, Emmett? Bardstown pretty much shut down today with all this snow.

Asher:Not Woods. He’s always open. I’m working right now.

Beckham:Lot of people there, Ash?

Asher:Nah. Maybe ten? Ivy didn’t come in though. *frown emoji*

Graham:Sorry about your luck, Ash.

Me:I needed some air. Found a dive bar. Never been here before, but they have bourbon so winner, winner, bourbon dinner.

Beckham:You need air? Does Louisville turn into Denver when it snows or is Emily throwing down all the random facts about toe fungus and guinea pig habitats?

Asher:Or is she cooking again? *smirk emoji*

Me:Very funny assholes. Actually, she did cook dinner and it smelled delicious, but we had an argument, and I needed a minute.

Graham:An argument? I didn’t know arguing was a thing the two of you ever did. #perfectcouple #bestfriends #friendstolovers

Beckham sends a GIF of Chris Hemsworth pointing up above him with the word THIS flashing on the screen.

Me:I guess we don’t really fight. It was more of a miscommunication. I came on to her this morning. I decided to break the rules.

Beckham:*GIF of Chris Pratt from Parks and Rec with a surprised grin*Aaaaaand?

Me:She assumed that meant friends with benefits and told me she doesn’t want a relationship with me because I’m a player who breaks girls’ hearts and she doesn’t want me to hurt her that way.

Asher:Fucking ouch, man. What did you say?

Me:I told her she was wrong about me and then I may have said a few not so nice things that I shouldn’t have said because she’s right. I’ve always been a player.

Graham:But what if Emily is the one to make you not a player anymore?

Me:She IS the one to make me not a player anymore. I just have to convince her of that somehow.

Beckham:Don’t beat yourself up too hard Emmett. We’ve all said stupid things to the ones we have feelings for. And if Asher hasn’t yet he will.

Me:Yeah. I just put myself in a time out before I said anything else I know I’ll regret in the morning.

Beckham:Good for you. Enjoy your drink and then go make up. She’ll forgive you. She loves you.

I don’t say good night to my brothers. I merely slide my phone back into my pocket and swallow down the rest of my bourbon.

And then I order another.

And another.

And another.

“Hey, I’m not sure the cabs are working tonight but is there someone I can call to come get you?” The bartender leans over the bar and eyes me with raised brows expecting an answer. He’s cutting me off at four bourbons. Or maybe because it’s now eleven-thirty and I’ve been sitting here for God knows how long. Several hours at least. It may have been a tiny screen, but the hockey game playing overhead was a nice distraction from my woes.

Reaching into my pocket I pull out a few twenties I knew were in there from earlier today. I put them on the bar and then grab my coat.

“S’alright. I juss live over there.” I gesture to the north. “I walked.”

The bartender nods. “Well, be careful out there. Watch the ice.”

I wave a hand as I shuffle out the door. “Night.”

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