Page 57 of F*ck Marriage

He texts over the address immediately and I stare at it long and hard. Bad idea?

A burst of laughter leaks underneath my door. I hear Satcher say something and then Jules’ response. I stuff my head underneath my pillow trying to block out the sound of their happiness, and then just as quickly I roll onto my back, phone held above my face.

Okay.I text back.Be there in ten.

The bar is typical: poorly lit, dark wood, a couple of TVs. The guys are lined up with beers in front of them, slouch-shouldered, staring at the screen. Desi spots me first.

“Well, well, well, the prodigal daughter has returned.” He gets off his barstool to hug me. Xavier, who’s never had much to say, gives me a fist bump. I glance at Woods, who is eyeing me up and down, a buzzed smile on his face.

“Hey,” he says. He hooks an arm around my waist and pulls me in, planting a kiss on my cheek.

“You’re drunk.” I laugh, pulling away.

“Not yet.” He turns back to the bartender. “Lemon drop for the lady.”

The bartender makes eye contact with me and I shake my head. No more lemon drops tonight.

“I’ll have a beer,” I say.

He nods and moves away to get my drink. I bullshit with the guys for a few minutes. Desi pulls out his phone and shows me photos of his new baby. His wife and I were friends once upon a time. Woods got custody of the friendship when I left. When the game comes back on, I move down the bar and slide into the seat next to Woods. He nudges my knee with his leg.

“So,” he says.

“So...” I say.

“I heard Satcher and Jules hooked up. What happened between the two of you?” He empties his glass and glances up at the TV to clock the score. He’s enjoying this, I realize.

“What’s it to you?” My beer arrives and I take a sip.

“Oh, you know ... my ex hooks up with my best friend and I’m interested to know what happened…”

“It doesn’t seem like you two are best friends anymore,” I say. “Want to tell me what happened with that?”

Woods bristles. Two spots down, Desi slams his fist down on the bar, his eyes glued to the screen above him.

“He didn’t like what happened with Pearl. We got into it the day after you left town.”

“Into it? Into it, how?”

No one had bothered to mention this to me, including Satcher. I’d even asked him about the tension and he’d brushed off my comments like it was all in my head.

“We fought…”

“Physically?”

“Yes, physically,” he says. “He punched me and I punched back. Come on, Billie—you telling me he never mentioned this? You’d think he would since he’s had a candle burning for you for years.”

I can’t believe what he’s saying. I’m quiet for a minute processing it all.

“It wasn’t like that for Satcher and me. We’ve only ever been friendly…”

“Maybe on your end, but I’ve known Satch his whole life. He’s been in love with you for a very long time.”

I make a face. “Come on. You’re kidding me right now. Satcher, who has commitment issues and has slept with half the women in Manhattan?”

“Women overthink everything and men barely think.” He shakes his head.

“So your tension with Satcher is over me?”

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