Page 14 of Fall Apart

IMPECCABLE TIMING

“You’re a hungry boy tonight.”I watch while Ani scarfs down his food. On one hand, it’s probably terrible that he always eats like this. I should really look into one of those slow feeder bowls for him. It cannot be healthy to eat that fast. On the other hand, I need to get going if I’m going to be ready when my Uber gets here so I can meet Collin and Tanner at Wasatch Whiskey Distillery.

He would have to pry the words out of me, but I do love my brother. And Collin, well, he is basically a brother too. I know I should be glad they’re in town, but I’m beat. Work’s been hell. I only like to be two places when I’m not working: at home or at Roxy’s for a beer. At least it’s just going to be the three of us. Tanner said the girls were doing something at the spa. Still, I could just pour a whiskey at home, sit in my office, and crack open a book. That would be an awesome night in and I’d enjoy every second of it.

If I bundled up enough, I could even hang on the deck and just enjoy the view of the mountains by the fire pit. I loved that ideaso muchin fact that I tried to get them to come over here instead, but no. They wanted to go out on the town so I’m being the good little brother and tagging along with them. Namely because if I didn’t go, I’d never hear the end of how I’m being a grumpy, antisocial asshole from my brother and sister.

Sometimes I wish I could just lay it all out there. I don’t enjoy being this way, but I don’t do well around people. It’s not that I don’t want to be around people, especially the ones close to me. But outside of myverysmall circle of friends and family, people suck. They drive me nuts. They let you down and hurt you. Or worse, you let themdown. And I don’t need more of that in my life than I’ve already been through.

If I was goingto be dragged out of my house against my will tonight, I guess Wasatch Whiskey isn’t the worst place. It’s a local distillery with a tasting room and restaurant right off Main Street. The outside blends in perfectly with the old mining town façades of Park City and they do make pretty solid bourbon and rye.

Walking in, I immediately spot Collin and my brother at the corner of the bar.

“Hey, what’s up, asshole?” Tanner calls to me with a raised hand already holding a glass of whiskey.

“Seriously, Tanner. You know, when I greet people like that, it’s just normal,me being me.” I sit down at the stool next to him, but not after punching him in the shoulder probably harder than I should have. “But whenyoudo it, it just sounds like you hate me.”

That gets a laugh out of Collin. “Okay,boys,” he says in a mocking tone. “If I knew you were going to come in hot like this, I’d have gone to the spa with the girls.”

I cock my head to the side, casting Collin a sidelong glare.

Tanner wraps an arm around, trying to pull me into a hug from our bar stools. “Come on. Lighten up.” He takes a sip of his drink before ruffling my perfect hair, only deepening my scowl. “So, you ready to be my best man? That’s a lot of responsibility,little bro.”

“Remind me how I got chosen for this again? And you know I practically run a construction company, right?” I glare at both of them. “How come you didn’t pick him?” I tip my head to Collin.

Tanner turns and smirks at Collin, who’s already grinning ear to ear. It’s always been like this with them. Given how much time he’s been around our family since before I was even born, it was like I had two big brothers every time the Perry twins visited their grandparents. “I have plenty of other duties. Perks of being the bisexual brother of the bride and best friend of the groom. I get to do brideandgroom shit.”

I groan in exasperation and mutter to myself under my breath before placing my order.

After a couple minutes of catching up with them, the bartender comes by, bringing my twelve year old bourbon, served neat - my normal drink here. I’m going to need it to deal with these two tonight.

I grab the crystal rocks glass and notice a table of girls across the bar. They’re all dressed in fancy shit like fur lined jackets and silly boots. They’d probably slip and fall in them the first time they step on the ice outside. Their table is covered in girly cocktails. I know the type. The obnoxious tourists that come in thinking it’s cute to have a wild night and make some waiters night a living hell with over the top, particular orders. They remind me of Lizzy.

I roll my eyes and take a swig of my bourbon. The second it hits my lips, it immediately brings back the memory of that kiss that’s been haunting me.

Ok. Maybe Lizzy is a little different thanthosegirls. At least she can throw back some bourbon.

After bullshittingwith Tanner and Collin over another round, I feel my phone buzz. I check it and smile seeing that it’s Kayleigh.

Kayleigh: Hey. What are you doing later? Can I come over?

Perfect. I needed an excuse to get out of here and Kayleigh is exactly who I need to see tonight. I need to vent and I’d much rather hang out with her at my place.

Me: You have impeccable timing as always.

Kayleigh: Let me guess. You were just going to ask me to save you from being social. Is Lizzy there?

I shake my head and laugh. God I love that she knows me. She’s been my best friend for years for a reason.

Me: Yes. And no, she’s not here. I’ll be home in half an hour. See you there.

I tuck my phone back into my pocket and pat my brother on the back. “As fun as this has been, I need to get home. I’ll see you guys tomorrow for dinner. The Aspen Grove Club, right?”

“Yep. We’re in unit 601.” Tanner stands and gives me a bear hug before Collin fist bumps me.

I know 601 is the Frank unit, Lizzy’s family’s condo. Great. The last thing I want to do is be forced to spend more time with her. Unless…

“Hey. Would it be cool if Kayleigh came along tomorrow?” I ask, knowing Tanner and Collin both know her and the Jensens.

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