Page 51 of Spreading Her Wings

I’m sorry. I’ll claim you.

I held my phone to my chest, waiting for the alert that never came, until my eyes flickered shut.

The gin didn’t taste as sweet as normal, but it was every bit as sour and bitter. I grimaced but swallowed it anyway.I can’t.

“Son of a bitch!”

I slammed the glass tumbler back on the desk as the door to the office swung open. Ash stood in the entry, leaning against the doorway with a mixture of judgment and concern on his face. “You’ve been in here pitying yourself for an hour now. That bottle of Hendrick’s is nearly gone. You ready to talk about it yet?”

“Nope.” I swallowed the last gulp in the glass and refilled it, realizing Ash was right. The bottle had maybe one more shot left in it, and I became more aware of the fuzz that created a filter in the corners of my vision.

He rolled his eyes, dropping into the chair across from the desk but not taking the glass from me. “I’ve never seen you pout like this before, but I’ve also never seen you in love. So what is it? A fight with the missus?”

“Fuck off, Ash. It doesn’t matter. None of it was real.” Even I could hear the pathetic lull to my voice when I said it. Did I really believe that?

“I think we both know that’s not true. Every bit was real, whether it wasrealor not.”

I grumbled, clenching my hands on the desk. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

“Maybe, or maybe I’m not a complete dumbass. I have seen the way the two of you look at each other. You’re in love with her, and anyone can see it, but if you want to hang here and pout instead of fighting for your girl? Be my guest.” He shrugged, standing from the chair and casually exiting the office. Ash had no qualms saying something honest and then walking away. It was why we tended to let him deliver the hard messages amongst our group.Probably why he was back here.

The door shut, and I accompanied it with the sound of the empty bottle against the desk when I poured the last of it into the glass. I swirled the liquor as it lazily kissed the rim. A small drop danced over the edge, dripping from the side and onto my fingers. I stopped swirling the glass, bringing my hand to my mouth and turning it to lick the gin off without setting my drink down.

When the door opened again, I groaned. “Seriously, Ash. I told you that I’mfine.”

“Do I look like Ash to you?” The feminine voice was familiar, and when I looked up, I saw the light blonde hair paired with the dark roots. The managed-unmanaged look Sky always wore.

The room swirled slightly when I stood quickly from the chair, rounding the desk and meeting her in the middle of the room for a hug. “When did you get here?”

“A few minutes ago. Ash said you were pouting back here because you had a fight with your wife.” She tilted her head, putting her hands on her hips. “Excuse me, butyour wife?When the fuck did you get awife, Auston? Last I heard, she was a girlfriend.” Sky laughed, dropping onto the desk and grabbing the glass holding the last of the gin.

“It’s a long goddamn story,” I said, reaching out for the drink in her hand.

She moved her hand, holding it out of my reach, and laughed. “I think we’ve got time. Tell me about this girl.” Sky took a drink. “Now.”

“It’s my sister’s best friend.”

The words hadn’t left my mouth before Sky gasped. “Oh shit. So real complicated, then.”

“You can say that.” I groaned, dropping my head into my hands. “It’s all just a big mistake.”

Sky set the glass on the desk. “It doesn’t look like it was a mistake. It looks like you love this chick.”

I ran my hands through my hair, tugging at the roots. “She doesn’t want it. I’m not going to force her into something she doesn’t want.” My stomach soured, and I swallowed, willing the gin swirling in my stomach to stay down. “If she changes her mind, she can come find me.”

“What if she doesn’t?”

Glaring at her, I put my hands on the desk and stood up. “Then I guess she doesn’t. Like I said, it was a mistake.”

“Well, that’s fucking stupid.” She scoffed, picking up the glass and shooting the last of the gin.

I grabbed my keys from the desk, tucking them in my pocket and grabbing my phone to order a taxi. “Good to see you too, Sky.”

“Give me your damn keys.” She grabbed roughly at my hands, pulling them back and reaching into my pocket to grab the keyring.

Reaching to snatch it back, I groaned at her. “I wasn’t going to drive. I’m going to order a taxi. I’m not stupid.”

“You’re not ordering shit. I’ll drive you home and then I’m crashing on your couch.”

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