Page 131 of Stolen Moments

Eli takes the seat next to me, the wood creaking under his weight as he scoops up the half empty bottle of gin by my feet.

I had a hard time trying to convince the guy at the front desk to put it on my room’s tab. Maybe it was the promise of a tip or the deranged desperation in my eyes—could be either, at this point—that eventually had him handing it over.

Since I finished listening to Emery’s message, I’ve been sitting out here, drowning myself in the juniper spirit, wishing like hell it could erase the last couple of months.

My heavy head rolls to the side as I take in my brother’s appearance. He’s in jeans and a sweater, freshly shaved, and ready for the day.

“Fuck, what time is it?” I mumble.

“Early. I was worried about you.”

“I’m fine.”

“Clearly.” He rolls his eyes at me.

“How’d you know I was here?”

“I didn’t. I banged on your door for twenty minutes before going to the front desk and asking the guy there if he saw you. He pointed me in this direction.”

“Ah.” Of course he did.

“Talk to me. What’s going on?” Eli’s phone buzzes. “Hold that thought. Yo.” He pauses, Cameron’s muffled voice coming through on the other end. “Yeah. I found him.” My kid brother chatters on some more, and I know they are talking about me.

I couldn’t care less. My life is ruined. I lost my girl and, as punishment, I have to watch her on the arm of another man.

“Yeah. Oh, and bring the hangover cure. Mase is gonna need some help this morning.”

“Fuck off. I do not need help.” I grumble like the surly bastard I am. I do need help, but not the kind he wants to give me. Right now, all I want to do is sulk.

Eli looks at me and shakes his head. He laughs at something Cameron jabbers on about. “I’ll take that action,” he says before ending the call and shoving his phone in his pocket. He holds up the bottle of booze. “This yours?”

I look at the mostly empty bottle and shrug.

“Did you drink this by yourself?” he asks, waiting for me to answer.

“It is, and yes,” I confess. No use in lying. Closing my eyes, I turn my face to the sky.

Eli sits quietly beside me, a calming presence before the storm that is Cam arrives. I blindly reach out for the bottle, but he slaps my hand away, clicking his tongue at me in disappointment. No one is more disappointed than me.

I tuck my hands into my pocket and wait. More crunching gravel catches my attention, but I sit still.

“What the fuck are you guys doing out here?” Cameron huffs.

“I was enjoying the silence until you showed up,” I groan.

“Fuck off, Mister I’m Too Quiet and Broody to Talk About My Man-feels.” Ei chuckles at Cameron’s taunts. “Newsflash, we’re in this bromance together, so start talking, ass wipe.”

I open my eyes for the second time to find Cameron sitting in the Adirondack chair on my other side, his arms crossed, waiting. It reminds me of the morning we went to Jace’s place to help him get out of his funk and chase after the woman he loved.

Too bad you won’t be getting your girl back, numb nuts.

“Let’s see…” I hold up my fingers, ticking off my transgressions. “I’m an asshole, I lost the only woman I ever truly loved, and I’m an asshole.”

“You said asshole twice.” Cameron leans forward and places a red drink near my nose.

Nausea rolls through me as the smell of pickles and spice hits my nostrils.

“First, drink.”

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