Page 47 of Make Me Whole

The oak counter wasn’t sticky, the air smelled like a men’s cologne instead of stale beer and cigarettes, and everyone from staff to patron was polite. To say the joint was freaky was an understatement. To make matters worse, the pint of beer cost three times what I usually paid at the pub closest to my house.

My eyes bounced from the wall of spotless mirrors behind the bar to the clock. Al was now officially two minutes late—an eternity for me since I had arrived half an hour early and was unbelievably anxious about our meeting.

It was weird being anxious to have a beer with my best friend, but his invitation had been weird AF.

For starters, Al had texted me an invitation yesterday morning even though we had eaten pizza together at the house fewer than twelve hours before. He even had his secretary call to confirm the appointment this morning as if it was something official instead of just beers and talk between friends.

If that wasn’t enough, he chose this weird,Twilight Zonebar because he thought it was a good place to have a serious conversation. We had talked about everything including divorce, death, and illnesses at our usual hole in the wall, so unless the subject was so sensitive he wanted a place where no one knew us or was angry enough that he needed this fancy,Stepford Wivessetting to control his violent impulses, I didn’t see why we had to pay an arm and a leg at this joint for a pint.

And that was where my anxiety came from.

Looking back, I knew I had gotten careless with my flirting on pizza night. Between the amazing afternoon sex, the teasing promise of a blowjob, and my growing feelings for Sky, I was so high on her that my inhibition was all but gone. Also, there was a part of me that was tired of hiding. I liked who I was around her and how she made me feel, and feeling shame for something so good seemed wrong.

Still, I wasn’t fully ready to let go of Marge or risk losing Al’s friendship. At least not until I knew for certain that Sky felt the same, and since she had been the one to suggest our no-strings agreement, I had some serious doubts.

Drumming my fingers on the counter, I returned my gaze to the mirror and continued to watch the front door for Al. I finished my beer and was ordering another when he walked in wearing a navy suit that perfectly blended in with the pub. I told the bartender to bring me two pints instead of one and waved at my friend.

When Al smiled and waved back, my lungs released a tension-heavy breath. I wasn’t out of the woods until I knew the subject of our conversation, but I knew that if Al had asked for this meeting to punch me for flirting with his daughter, he wouldn’t have smiled like that.

“Does this place smell weird?” he asked as he unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat on the stool next to me.

I nodded. “Yeah. It smells like the fucking boutique that sold you that fancy suit instead of a bar. Why did you want to come here?”

The bartender delivered our overpriced beers, and Al took a swing as the man opened two individual bags of peanuts and poured them into clean porcelain containers.What kind of bar does that?

“This is good beer,” Al muttered.

The bartender smiled, nodded politely, and left.

“Of course, it is. It was brewed by virgins in the mountains of Germany.”

Al’s lips quivered. “Really?”

I rolled my eyes. The anxiety to have my question answered made me more impatient and sarcastic than usual. “No, not really. It’s local shit probably brewed by hipsters in a basement or something. I ordered it because it was the cheapest beer they had, and still, if I order another pint, Aiden will have to forgo college so I can pay the tab.”

Al laughed. He was in a good mood. I relaxed a little more.

“Again, why did you want to come here?”

He shrugged. “I brokered the lease like seven months ago and promised the owner I’d stop by but never did. Since it’s close to the reno house, I thought it would be a good idea. That way, you can go back there quickly and Sky won’t be alone for long.”

My shoulders sagged with relief. I took a five-dollar gulp and smiled at Al. “As much as I dislike this place, it was a good idea. I don’t like leaving her alone at the house for too long, either.”

Al sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Thanks for stepping up as a witness and for everything else you’re doing to keep my girl safe. She told me you were the one who took the pictures that day at my house, the one who came up with the plan for this week’s meeting, and an overall good friend and listener to her. She doesn’t open up easily, so I appreciate it.”

Having Al thank me for taking care of his daughter made me uncomfortable. I waved a hand. “She’s a good woman, Al. Caring, loving, smart, funny, and an amazing mother. She doesn’t deserve to be treated how that ass wipe treated her. If it were up to me, he’d pay for every harm he’s caused her.”

“Did he harm her more than the time at my house?”

I felt bad for how uncomfortable Al was asking the question. I also felt sorry for his being in the dark about his daughter’s pain. As a father, the idea of my son being hurt without my knowing enraged me to the point of murder.

Still, his question put me in a tough spot. I didn’t want to lie to him—I was doing too much of that already—but I also wouldn’t betray Sky’s trust. For that reason, my reply was simple and short. “Yes, but I won’t betray her trust.”

“I can respect that.” Al’s eyes were as honest as they were unhappy. “And making the ass wipe pay is why I wanted to meet you. I talked to some Seattle law firms and their fees are pretty high. I’m not sure Sky will be able to afford them, and that girl is stubborn and proud.”

“I wonder who she took after?”

Al flipped the bird at my teasing and continued as if I hadn’t interrupted him. “I’m not sure she’ll allow me to pay for it.”

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