Page 186 of Need You To Choose Me

“That’s why I refused to pay her when she asked. If I give in once, there is no guarantee that she won’t come back and ask for more, and I can’t have that. I want her out of our lives, and I want her out for good.” I run my fingers through my hair. “Savannah doesn’t need any more stress than she’s already dealing with. I don’t want her near Sav, or any of the kids for thatmatter.” I glance toward the door, that uneasy feeling spreading inside my gut. She was sitting right behind us. Did she hear what we were talking about? “I think I’ll go. I don’t like this one bit. Savannah is home alone with the boys, and now that I know her mother is still here, I wouldn’t put it past her to cause some trouble.”

“You think she’d do something?” A dark scowl flashes on Aaron’s face. “To Savannah? Or the kids?”

“Physically? No.” I push to my feet, pull out my wallet, and toss a few bills on the table. “Then again, words are her weapon of choice.”

The sound of glass shattering draws our attention.

“I told you to gimme a-another drink, Mick,” the guy slurs loudly, his fist connecting with the bar.

He’s a younger guy, probably around Miguel’s age, but the dark beard covering his jaw makes him look way older. His slacks and dress shirt are wrinkled after a day of work, eyes bloodshot, and his hair a mess. He’s obviously been here for a while.

“And I told you that you’re done for tonight, O’Neil. Go back home before I call your old man to let him know you’re shit-faced, and he needs to come and pick you up.”

“F-f-fuck y-y-you,” he mutters, jumping to his feet. The sudden movement makes the chair fall back with a loudthud. “I’m not shift-f-faced.”

The guy sways on his heels, grabbing the bar at the very last second to steady himself. “You’ll call nofbody. I’m a paying c-customer, Mmmick, and I wanna my d-d-drink.”

Not drunk, my ass. “You know the guy?”

“Unfortunately,” Miguel mutters. “We played ball in high school together.”

The bartender just shakes his head, not fazed in the least. I guess working here, he’s had to deal with his fair share of drunks.

“You’re done, John. And if you don’t want this to be the last time you step foot in my bar, you’ll leave now.”

The guy glares at the bartender, anger flashing in his eyes. “Wh-wh-whateverrr…”

He starts to turn around, but Mick grabs his hand. “Keys.”

I can see legit fumes coming out of John’s ears.

“You know the rules. Hand me the keys. You’re not driving when you’re drunk.”

“S-Screw y-you, Mick,” he spits but puts the keys into his hand before spinning on his heels and running into Miguel.

He looks up and blinks a few times before recognition flashes on his face. “F-F-Fernandez, fancy seeing you h-here.”

“John.” Miguel nods, steadying the man before he takes a step back. “You good?”

“Peachy,” he bites out, his eyes narrowing. “What are you d-doing here? Sh-shouldn’t you be out in Austin playing in the b-big leagues?”

There is bitterness in his tone that’s hard to miss.

“I am. I’m just home for a few days before I have to go back.”

“Home for a few d-days,” the guy scoffs. “Only you’d get a chance to be on the roster and decide to commute. If I w-were you, I wouldn’t get so co-o-ozy in your spot, Fernandez. The NFL is a b-bitch.”

Miguel ignores his silent jab. “You going home? We can give you a ride.”

“I’m f-f-fine.” He turns to the bartender, shooting him an annoyed glare. “I’m going to find somewhere else to drink since Mick is being a p-p-prick.” He shakes his head, chuckling at his own joke before stumbling toward the door.

We stay behind, Miguel’s attention on John’s retreating back before turning his gaze to the guy behind the bar. “He like this often?”

The bartender grunts his agreement, a scowl etched between his brows. “More often lately than before. He just talked to his agent, and the guy dropped him. Said no team wanted him, not even on the practice squad.”

Miguel and I exchange a silent look. We were both aware of how the NFL worked. Even when you were on an active roster, there were no guarantees. The team could cut you at any moment. Nobody was safe. Not really.

“I just hope he gets his shit in order. I really don’t want to call his old man, but I’ll do it if I have to. Somebody needs to put this boy straight before he gets himself or somebody else into an accident.”

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