Page 107 of Love, Luck & Clusterf*ck

I was walking away from the table when I heard Kate say, “What’s that all about?”

“It looks like Perry has found herself a new complication.”

“Stephen?”

I stepped through the front door. I wasn’t sure if he was home since I didn’t check the garage; I only knew his car wasn’t at the Brewhouse.

“In here.” I went through the mudroom, kicking off my shoes along the way. “You’re home early,” he said.

“So are you.” I neared the couch and stopped cold. “Stephen!” I rushed over. He was using another ice pack, but this time on his hand.

“It’s nothing, Perry.”

I switched on the lamp and was immediately drawn to his jaw. I tilted his face towards the light. There was a slight bruise forming.

“My God, Stephen. What the hell happened?” I didn’t wait for him to answer; it was a useless question anyway. “Why did you fight Dre?”

“I was just there to talk. He was the one to throw the first punch.”

If only I’d trusted my instincts and gone searching for him right away. “But why? Why would you want to talk to him?”

“To make sure he left you the fuck alone.”

I dropped my head. “Oh, Stephen. You didn’t need to do that.”

“You can defend me, but I can’t defend you? Or maybe you’d rather have Adam do it.”

My mouth dropped. “First of all, I wasn’t defending you, per se, but all the managers.” Although, I did have Stephen in my head the entire time I was ranting. “And the comment about Adam… what the hell? We’re just friends, you know that.”

“Friends like we’re friends?”

No. I didn’t answer. I didn’t knowhowto answer since I wasn’t sure exactly what was going through his mind when he’d asked.

“I’m sorry,” he finally said. “Not that it’s an excuse, but I’ve just had a really fucked-up day.”

“I’m sorry too.” I touched his jaw and he flinched. “Do you need some ice for this?”

“No, he just grazed me. It’ll be fine.”

I sighed, sitting down beside him. “I never meant you shouldn’t have defended me,” I said softly. “I… I just didn’t understand why you did it. He left right away when I asked him to.”

“He hurt you, Perry. Isn’t that enough?”

This man. “Yes, he hurt me, but Christa hurt me far, far worse. Are you planning on going after her too?” I smiled but he didn’t return it. I took his uninjured hand in mine. “But thank you. It means a lot to know I have someone looking out for me.”

“What are friends for, right?”

His voice was a bit flat, and I needed to make sure everything was good between us. “I was wondering… when we no longer see each other at work every day, and I’m no longer staying here, will we still hang out together?”

He turned his head towards me. “Do you want that?”

“Of course, I do. You’re too much a part of my life to let go.” I nudged him with my shoulder. “I consider you my best friend.”

He faced forward, leaning his head back. I gave his hand a squeeze.

“That’s what you tell me.”

“You’re in love with her.”

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