Page 33 of Hot Chicken

Hell. Last weekend sucked. Mom was fine, but I was a wreck. I’d committed to watching her on Saturday and Sunday so Harry could have a breather and enjoy his beach house. Since the new nurse he hired stays overnight Monday through Friday, we decided to go out for drinks to shoot the shit Friday night.

Then I saw her.

I knew it was a possibility. But I wasn’t mentally prepared to see men hitting on her. And god, she looked so pretty. She was wearing the same outfit from our date. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. It was pathetic.

I’d already had more than a few drinks before she arrived. So it didn’t take many more to start the bad decisions flowing. First, I called the bar attempting to page her like some possessive A-hole. I don’t know what I was thinking beyond hoping it would pull her away from her admirer long enough that he’d set his sights on someone else. Then when the douchecanoe wouldn’t take the hint, I almost face-planted on the floor trying to climb over the table to get to her. Thankfully, since Harry was there, cooler heads prevailed.

“You haven’t seemed like yourself since you got back.” Trevor interrupts my mental smackdown. “Is it your mom or something else?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Yeah. You’re one of the most easygoing guys I’ve met. It’s not like you to be so broody.”

“Broody?” I give him a glare.

“Okay, that’s an Addisonism. But it fits.”

Broody? Have I beenthatbad? “I don’t know, man. Going back home makes you think. I’m twenty-eight. I want to settle down and have kids. But I left Candy Cane Key for a reason. There’s just too many bad memories to want to return there and make it my home. I love it here. But… well, things haven’t turned out the way I planned.”

“I get it. I count my lucky stars I found Addie. I know I don’t deserve her. But I intend to do everything in my power to keep her happy enough she can’t see straight. I’m not giving her a reason to discover there’s anyone better.”

My head drops into my hands, wishing things could be different. Because I was happy when I was with Ellie.Like, really fucking happy.And I’m pretty sure she was too.

Trevor rests his hand on my shoulder. “You met a girl there, didn’t ya?”

“Yeah.”

“I knew it,” he bellows.

“Keep it down, will you? The last thing I need is all of C shift teaming up on me with their advice. You’re the only one with a successful relationship. I’m not taking any direction from those losers.”

Trevor chuckles. “Well, Dr. Laurence is at your service.”

“Oh, lord.”

“What is it? She doesn’t want to do the long-distance thing?”

“I never even asked her. We’d had one date, Trev.”

Trevor scratches the back of his neck. “Wow, man. You fell this hard for someone you met and dated once? Sure it wasn’t the sex talking?”

“No. I didn’t sleep with her for that very reason. I was attracted to her back in high school. But that was a really shitty time in my life. I couldn’t get out of town fast enough. And except for my brother, mother, and this girl, I’m not interested in going back.”

“And you don’t think if you took it slow and dated awhile, she’d come around and move here?”

“I have no idea. But she takes care of her grandpa. He’s pretty sick. I know she’d never leave him. And I wouldn’t want her to. I mean, how many years could we live this way? Dating states apart?”

Trevor unscrews the cap on his vitamin water and takes a long pull. Without a word, he screws the top back on and stands from his seat.Wow. Some counselor. He’s already given up on me.He starts to walk away and stops before turning to look back at me. “As best I can tell. You aren’t really living.”

Chapter 30

Ellie

The big day is here. I’m so nervous I’m going to wear myself out before the festival can get underway. I take a deep breath and try to collect myself. I’ve planned for this for months and have everything I need.

You can do this, Ellie Albright. The Best on the Beach prize is already yours!

“I’m here reporting for duty,” Jo says.

---