Page 76 of The Biggest Sacrifice

“I know all about it. Just off shift?”

“Yep. Quiet night, just stopping in quick. Don’t worry, I won’t keep you from getting home to Adley.” He gives a wink and goes back around to the front of the bar, saying hello to the gang that’s come out tonight.

Everyone but Adam and Chelsea are out tonight. They found out they’re having another set of twins and Chelsea has been having mini breakdowns. My mom rushed over to talk her off the ledge while my dad and Adam hang with the kids. Honestly, I’m frightened for them. I love my nieces and nephews, but I couldn’t imagine all of them in one house.

Every day.

For the next eighteen years.

I have a hard enough time handling myself.

Adley knows how to handle me, though. Remembering our morning together, I get hard just thinking about seeing her again in less than an hour’s time. If I can get my obnoxious family to leave, that is.

“Alright, alright, we’re out of here. I know that look, Bill.” Tom leans across the bar to say goodbye, and I wave to the rest of them as they file out the door. Coming around from behind the bar, I lock up behind them, dimming the lights and begin turning chairs upside down on the tables.

I fell in love with Adley the moment I saw her. And for a guy like me, who was destined to be an eternal bachelor, that feeling knocked me out of the water.

So I did everything I could to run from it. Ignore it. Replace it with others.

What would she want with me, anyway? I’ve read the guys she writes about. It’s definitely not me. I’m nothing but a fuck up. Yes, I’m working my way back up, but at almost thirty-three years old, I pictured myself anywhere but where I am. Once she really learns about my demons, she’ll run away as fast as she found me.

I’d run too, but last time I did that, it ended with me in a jail cell followed by a rehab clinic.

Sometimes there’s just no escaping yourself, no matter how hard you try.

Read Billyand Adley’s story coming soon …

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