Page 102 of Never To Suffer

“Well, I finally got her to open the bathroom door. She’s showering now, and I’m taking her with me to see the guys about the whole court thing. I figure she needs her people right now, even if she won’t admit it.” I stop, pulling him in for a soft, deep kiss. I missed him well past what I tried to convince myself. His lips brush against mine like they don’t want to leave again as we breathe each other’s air. “How did Paris go?”

“Therapeutic, but I need this more.” His hand snakes up my back, taking a handful of my hair as he holds me to him, kissing me harder as he backs me against the wall. Soft whimpers escape as he takes the control away from me, granting me a few moments of reprieve while he sucks on my neck and squeezes my ass. “Glad to see you remember your place like a good boy.”

“You keep talking like that, and I might forget. Maybe you’re a switch and need to open yourself up to the experience, Doc.” The shower turns off in the other room and Theo and I break apart. We’ll finish that later, I’m sure, but right now, there are more pressing matters. “We’ll come by after and pick you up, check out a few of Xander’s local spots.”

“No need. I’ve got a few places I can check, a few numbers I can call. Keep me in the loop if you find anything, and I’ll do the same.” He brushes his knuckle down my cheek, and the weight on my shoulders from the last week lessens a bit. “You’ve done great, Skylar. No matter what you’re thinking up here.”

What I’d hoped to avoid, or at least hoped to handle in my own time, came smashing into my face a few weeks ago. Seeing people from my past was inevitable. They’re all still friends with Dani and Xander, but seeing them all at once? It’s been too long and I’m not sure what to expect. They might be so occupied with Elle’s new charges to remember if they’re mad at me for leaving or not. Or me being here might prove to be the outlet they need after getting that letter, taking out their frustrations with the legal system on me. Either way, I hoped to have backup. But Dani’s mind is somewhere else, and she won’t talk to me about it.

Jamie walks in first, filling the dimly lit bar with more sunlight than it’s seen in a while as he’s followed by Chase. I’m surprised to see Chase since he’s supposed to be filming in Canada, but with his arm still in a sling from the fallout with his stalker, he won’t be filming anytime soon. To my knowledge, Elle never got to him. But he’s the glue that holdsthe group together. Without him, Jamie would live as a recluse in a mountain somewhere, refusing to talk to anyone, and Steve would be…well, who knows where he’d be. Coop pushed Steve to ask me out in our senior year of high school. That seems like yesterday, but also a hundred years ago.

“Skylar?! You’re here? Since when?!” Jamie doesn’t bother reaching out a hand to shake. He pulls me in, much like Coop did, giving me a bear hug that’s damn near cathartic. For both of us. “Fuck’s sake, bro?” He asks Dani, before he turns to me. “Where the hell have you been? We need to hang out so I can catch up on what’s going on. How long have you been back?”

“A few weeks now. I, uhm, I’ve been touring with Dani. She kind of picked me up in Fresno. I’m still working on getting around to seeing everyone again.”

“Have you seen?—”

“No. Not yet. You were next on my list. I wanted to save him for last. Guess that’s pretty much out the window now,” I sigh. “He knows I’m here, though.”

“Wait, touring? You’re back for good, though. Right?” His smile grows wide. “Please tell me you are.”

I take Dani’s hand away from her beer, which she barely notices, and lace my fingers between hers. “Yeah. I’m back for good.”

“What?! Why am I always the last to find this shit out?” Jamie yells at Coop, who shrugs and offers no explanation as he brings over a round for everyone.

“Uh, because you’ve been AWOL in your studio for the last month, working on that commission for the mural downtown.” Coop answers, putting a fresh round of beers in front of everyone. “I tried to call you to come hang with us, but you ghosted me!”

“It’s not ghosting if I’m working. You could come over.”

“You didn’t text me back. That’s at leastfriendlyghosting,” Coop replies.

“That isn’t even a thing,” Jamie sighs.

“It is now!” He laughs, slapping Jamie on the shoulder before turning to Dani. “D, what the shit is up with you?”

“Nothing.”

I shrug, mouthing Xander’s name, and they both give knowing nods. The door opens again, sending my heart racing for my throat, ready to jump clear out of my mouth if I give it the chance. But it’s a false alarm. An older couple, probably regulars, shuffle down to the end of the bar and take their seats.

“Don’t freak on us, Sky. Steve’s gonna be happy to see you. And if Ethan doesn’t have practice and comes with him, you’re gonna love him. That kid gives Steve so much of the shit he deserves.” Coop smirks, shaking his head. “They’re like an old married couple, I swear.”

He means well, but the thought of the situation has me tensing up. I should be able to relate to Ethan, but so much of the relationship with Steve no longer exists in my head. I’m left with mysteries and questions, like how did we treated each other before the accident? Were we happy, did we bicker, were we sappy? Did I tease him, treat him poorly, make him laugh at jokes I don’t remember? Hell, he had to remind me of what we used to do together in bed while desperately trying to ignite that flame again. Instead, one of us would end up on the couch, muffling sobs with the cushions. Only the chaos and unhappiness that came after remains.

The door opens again and a shorter guy, probably just under six feet, steps into the bar. He’s got wild, shaggy hair he’s trying to tame with a backward baseball cap. I side eye Jamie, who nods, telling me what I already know. Steve’s husband—the guy who took my place after I bailed.

“Skylar, this is Ethan.” Coop introduces us as Ethan walks up to greet the group.

We shake, like people do, but I’m sure he’s doing the same thing I am—picturing each other with Steve. We both let out a chuckle. The pair of us are like night and day. I’m tall, tan, thin but muscular, with long brown hair. Ethan’s short, built like a pale Irish brick, with sandy hair. I’m betting we have more in common personality wise, though. Steve has a type. Steve and Dani both have the same type—broken, but still fighting.

“I’ve heard Steve’s back to his old self again,” I break the ice and offer him a smile. “Dani says we have you to thank for that. That’s enough for me.”

“Thanks to you, apparently. The guys tell me you kind of helped shape a better Steve longer before I came along.”

“Oh, come on, what could be better than this?!” Steve strides up, kissing Ethan hard before turning around and freezing. It takes a minute before his smile grows into laughter. He holds his arms out and I nod, knowing it’s better to get this over with now. Steve’s a hugger, and he claps me on the back at first, which makes the following hug a little too butch for either of us, before softening around me. “I missed you, Skylar. You didn’t have to go so damn far away, you know.”

“I did. You needed me to go, too. We both had to navigate the world without each other before we could try it in each other’s way.”

“Always the one with the words.” Steve takes a step back. “God, you’re still gorgeous, no offense, Sweets. I see you didn’t quit working out, eh?”

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