Page 44 of Just Another Chance

“Yeah, sure. Don’t worry about it.”Great. Something to look forward to with Owen.I hang up and have two options left: Crew or Sierra. Technically, that’s one option. I hit send and Sierra’s breathy voice comes over the line.

“Well, if it isn’t my perfect, handsome, older brother. What can I do for you?”

I’m thinking it might be good to have a female perspective on all of this because according to Addie I wasn’t seeing things from her point of view.

“Hey, Sierra. Are you in town?” I know she travels a lot because she works in the fashion industry so she could be in Paris right now for all I know.

“Sure am. Just sat down and now I’m deciding between a frozen pizza or, well, nothing. My fridge is empty. What’s up?”

“How about you meet me over at Blarney’s, my treat. I need some female advice.”

“Ooh! I’m in! See you in fifteen.”

We hang up and I’m actually glad it’s Sierra that I’m meeting. Instead of getting stinking drunk, I’ll actually have a helpful conversation to try to help me better understand why Addie did what she did. Even though Sierra is only 28, she’s pretty wise. Besides, I haven’t seen her in a bit and I miss her smart-ass, witty banter.

And right now, I could really use some cheering up.

When I get to the popular Irish pub, Sierra is already there. I spot her up at the bar flirting with the bartender and I roll my eyes.Typical Sierra. With her long, brown hair and bright blue eyes, she’s a stunner and men fall for her charms every single time.

“Hey,” I say and walk up beside her.

“Tanner! OMG give your little sister a hug!” She throws herself at me and I wrap my arms around her. When we pull apart, she turns to the bartender who looks a little jealous. Didn’t he hear her call me her brother? “What do you want to drink?”

“Something strong. Jameson,” I say and the bartender nods.

“Hmm, I can’t wait to hear what’s got you drinking the hard stuff and looking like your dog just died.”

Is that what I look like? Great.I guess, I’ve always been the emotional one of our five siblings.

After I get my drink, we find a table in the corner that’s a little quieter. A waitress brings us a couple of menus, but we already know what we want and order their famous Skillet Shepherd’s Pie.

“How about an appetizer?” I ask. They have a great stuffed Reuben pull-apart bread, and I feel like drowning my sorrows in a million calories right now like some little girl.

But she shakes her head. “I’d rather do dessert. You know I’m already salivating for one of those Guinness cupcakes with Bailey’s frosting.”

“Oh, for sure. We’re definitely getting some of those.”

Sierra leans back against the booth and eyes me closely. “Okay, Tan, spill it. Who’s got your panties in a twist?”

“Addie is back,” I say without preamble.

That’s all I need to say. Her half-smile turns serious, and she leans forward, leaning her elbows on the table. “Oh, shit. I didn’t realize. Addie?”

I nod and start playing with the saltshaker. “Yeah, she moved back around the same time I did. I accidentally bumped into her where she works and…” My voice falters.

Sierra reaches out and pats my arm. “Keep talking. I’m all ears and, if you don’t remember, I’m a very sympathetic listener full of good advice.”

I swallow down a sip of whiskey before continuing. “We sort of picked right back up where we’d left off. We cleared the air, of course, and I told her how Dad set me up with that woman.”

“The hooker?”

I snort out a half-laugh. “Yeah, that’s the one. I also told her about the accident, and she told me that Kayla had told her I wanted to break up with her.”

“What?”

“Don’t ask. I’m still trying to figure that one out.”

“So, you and Addie are back together?”

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