Page 11 of The Holiday Boyfriend

Felix laughed and clinked his glass with mine again before taking a sip. Apparently, my plan of moderation went out the door since I once again chugged until the glass was empty.

“Whoa, there,” Felix said, snatching away the pitcher before I could get to it. “I'm all for having a good time, but maybe you should get some carbs inside you before you black out.” He pushed over the plate of fries the waiter had brought by a few minutes ago.

I obliged only because fries did sound good right now, and I was the one who ordered them. The crispy potato tasted like heaven in my mouth, which only reminded me of the fact that I'd skipped lunch since I was too busy wallowing over Jim.

Stuffing my mouth with more of the delicious carbs, I half listened as Levi and Felix chatted about the upcoming winter festivals. Apparently Felix's new town also went all out on the holiday cheer, but of course it wouldn't be the same as the one our town hosted. Jim wouldn't be there, for one.

I couldn't imagine enjoying a festival without him. Heck, I was a miserable drunk the one and only year he'd abandoned me for his girlfriend. I hadn't had to suffer the same fate since, but who knew how long that would last?

Jim would eventually find a girl he liked, settle down, and create a new life that didn't include me.

The thought had my stomach turning with knots that had nothing to do with all the alcohol that was currently sloshing around inside me. A sense of loss for something I'd never had came over me and all I could do to keep the despair at bay was to drink more.

NINE

JIM

I jolted awake at my phone's ringtone. It was dark out, and I groggily looked around to find that I'd passed out on the couch. “Austin?” I called out, and my foggy mind remembered that he'd gone to hang out at the pub.

Sitting up, I rubbed the back of my neck in hopes of loosening the stiff muscles that had developed. It was a reminder that I was getting old. Sleeping on two couches in less than twenty-four hours wouldn't have fazed me a few years ago, but now my body ached if I wasn't in a proper bed.

My phone continued to ring, shaking as it buzzed on the coffee table. The screen showed it was Levi calling, and fear that something had happened to Austin shot up my spine. They were out drinking together tonight, and Levi wouldn't have called unless something had happened.

I quickly swiped the phone and answered before he hung up. “Levi? Is everything okay?” I asked as soon as the call connected. Even I could hear the panic in my voice.

“Everything's fine,” Levi said. He sounded calm, so I probably didn't have to worry, but I still didn't let go of the little nugget of worry.

“Is Austin still with you?” I asked as I stood and rushed to the entrance. I quickly slipped on my shoes and was out the door in seconds. Levi had said everything was fine, but the adrenaline from the fear my sleep-clouded mind conjured up didn't ease. I wanted, no, needed to see with my own eyes that Austin was okay.

“Yes, but he's a bit out of it. Would you be able to come pick him up?”

“I'm on my way,” I said and hung up the phone. I was jogging down the stairs and had my truck started within minutes. The pub was only five minutes from the apartment. One of the perks of living in a small town was that everything was usually close by.

Once I parked, I strode into the pub, looking around for a familiar figure. Levi found me first and came up to me. His face was flushed, like he had a couple of drinks in him as well.

“Where is he?” I asked. It was rude to not give him a greeting first, but Levi didn't seem to mind. He pointed to the back where the bar was located, and where I finally found the person I was looking for.

Austin wasperched precariouslyon a stool with his elbow resting on the bar and his head was supported on his hand. His eyes were half-lidded as they stared in front of him. He looked like he would fall over at any second.

I rushed to him, worried that I wouldn't make it in time before he face-planted onto the floor. “Austin, are you okay?”

Austin raised his gaze when I called out to him. When he saw me, he sat up straight, and his eyes sparkled with happiness. Or at least, that was what I hoped the look meant.

“Jim? Am I dreaming?” He sounded unsure and raised a hand to my face. I grabbed it and pressed it against my cheek. His burning hand released all the tension that had built up from the sudden phone call.

“I'm here. I'm real,” I said, but Austin's expression contorted at my last word before he dazedly stared off into space.

Someone cleared their throat behind me, and I turned around to find Jared. I wasn't successful at hiding my scowl if his snort was anything to go by.

“It's a pleasure to see you too, Jim,” he said, but his tone hinted that the dislike was mutual.

I'd never liked the man, and it wasn't because he was Austin's ex and the person he’d dated the longest. That wasn't the reason at all. The guy just rubbed me the wrong way. At least that was the story I was going to stand by.

“I didn't see you there, but don't worry, we'll get out of your way soon,” I said with my arms crossed. I knew I was antagonizing him for no good reason, but merely seeing his face irritated me.

Turning so I didn't have to look at him any longer, I helped Austin to his feet, keeping an arm around him so that he didn't fall. “C'mon, let's go home,” I leaned down beside his ear and whispered. His eyelids flicked closed as he shivered under my breath.

“Actually, we were talking about heading back to my place. Isn't that right, Austin?” His annoying voice grated in my ears and, even worse, he stepped up to grab Austin's hand.

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