Page 103 of Tequila Tuesdays

Olivia looked between us and sat her coffee mug down. “I just remembered I have… stuff at Mom’s house.”

I pointed at her. “No you don’t, big liar.”

“Yes, I do. Stuff like eating breakfast and waiting for you to come over and tell me what the hell’s going on.” She started easing toward the front door.

I didn’t want her to leave. “Ollie, I need you. I found texts from Damien’s girlfriend on his phone the other night. Will you please stay? I don’t want to do this alone.”

Olivia stopped in her tracks and stared at Damien. “You motherfucker,” she whispered hoarsely.

He stood up, folded his arms, and looked at both of us. “It was myoldgirlfriend. You sure you want to do this with an audience, Legs?”

I involuntarily flinched at the endearment. “I don’t want to do ‘this’ at all, Dimples.”

“You didn’t read the whole text, and you left before getting the entire story.” He stepped toward me cautiously. “I won’t lie to you, and I won’t make excuses. But we both deserve for you to have all the facts before you decide anything.”

Olivia stood there, watching us both carefully. I suddenly felt sorry for dragging her into this. I shifted uncomfortably and absently rubbed the scar on my cheek.

She watched me rub the scar and smiled sadly. “I’d do anything for you, Har. If you want me to try and kick his ass to the curb, I will. But if it were me, I’d want to hear what he has to say first.”

I stared at him. My heart hurt and I didn’t want to feel that kind of pain ever again. I’d had enough of it in my life, and I was heartily sick of it. But Olivia was right. I knew if I didn’t hear him out, I’d always regret it.

Nodding slightly, I reached over and squeezed her hand. “Okay, I’ll call you later. Love you.”

She looked at Damien. “Don’t lie to her and don’t leave anything out. She deserves the whole truth.” She walked out, leaving us alone.

Damien watched me. My body locked, as if bracing for more pain. He cautiously pulled his phone out of his pocket and pulled up his texts, then he slid it over the counter to me. After a moment, I picked it up and read the text chain.

Sadie: Hey, baby, it was so nice to see you the other day. I hope you’re having a good Christmas. If you want me to come over again so we can continue our talk, please let me know. I understand you’ve moved on and I’m sorry I got so emotional. I only want the best for you. Even if it isn’t me.

Sadie: I’m home tonight if you need anything at all.

He waited for me to look up at him. “She came to the office a week ago because I stopped taking her calls. I’d already told her I was seeing you and it was fucking serious.”

I carefully set his phone back down on the counter.

He continued. “I told her before we hooked up in October that it was a one-time thing. Her grandma had just died, and Sadie said she wanted… some comfort.”

My eyes narrowed. “Sebastian knew you’d gotten back together with her, didn’t he? At Laurel’s house on Monday. He knew.”

“Goddamn it, I didn’t get back with her,” he bit off.

“Okay, that you’d started having sex again and talking with her,” I amended.

He folded his arms and scowled. “He suspected we’d hooked up. But when Sadie came into the office and made a scene, Sebastian called me a fucking moron.”

Humiliation and hurt slid through me knowing Damien’s friends were aware of what was happening with Sadie, but I’d been clueless. Sebastian calling him a fucking moron made me feel a little better.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Sadie started crying after I told her—again—there was no way I’d ever get back with her. Then I told her I was dead serious about you, and she started crying and yelling in the office.”

He put his hands on his hips and shook his head. “When Zeke found out, he told me if I was really that stupid, he’d have to re-think our friendship.”

I smiled faintly for the first time in a while. “I’ve always liked Zeke.”

“She’s myoldgirlfriend, Legs. I’m not fucking her or talking to her, and we haven’t gotten back together. We split up almost four years ago, then she moved away. But she moved back a few months ago, and we hooked up. She thought it meant more than it did.”

I stared at him. “How many times have you ‘hooked up’ since you broke things off?”

“Are you direct examining me, counselor?”

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