Page 21 of Shattered
As I made my way to the far end, I spotted Brett in deep conversation with Lola, the bartender. As her name suggested she looked like a pin-up from a 50s magazine—dark hair, bright red lips—she also sported some incredible ink on her arms, and her body as her black crop top suggested.
I was half tempted to turn around and walk out of the bar. I was in no mood to pick up the conversation Brett and I had had a few days ago. Like Harper was avoiding me, I'd been avoiding my best friend.
"Haven't seen you in ages! The usual?" I cocked my head to the right to find Caleb grinning at me.Too late to leave now.
"Yeah, the usual," I said as I slid onto the nearest stool. "And a shot of tequila too."
Caleb's blonde brows shot up in surprise. "It's one of those nights?" Without waiting for an answer he moved away to fill my drink order while I turned my attention back to Brett and Lola.
It was no secret that those two were leaving the bar together tonight, and it was also no secret that Brett would be leaving with someone else tomorrow night. At that moment right there, I envied my friend. I'd give just about anything to go back to a place where I could engage in a meaningless tryst.
A place before Harper.
That woman was screwing with my mind in the cruelest way. She'd given me just enough for me to know that there's something there and then she'd shut down. It was like dangling a piece of meat just out of reach of a starved lion.
Before my mind went down this hell-path again, Caleb placed my stout and shot on a coaster and moved it toward me. As soon as it was within reach, I grabbed the tequila and threw it down my throat, marveling in the burn—now was not the time to mess about with salt and lemon.
"Another," I tapped the glass twice against the wooden surface then held it out for Caleb to refill.
"Funny seeing you here since I haven't seen you at the shop in a few days." Brett had abandoned his flirtation with Lola and made himself comfortable next to me.
Refusing to look at him I focused on the bottles of alcohol neatly stacked behind the bar while I grunted a greeting.
Brett stayed quiet for a long minute before I sensed him lean closer. "Look, man, about the other day-"
"Leave it." My mood left a lot to be desired, and I really didn't want to get into it with my friend, not when all I kept seeing were those unguarded eyes and tiny frame asleep in her bed. Impatiently I tapped the shot glass again. "Can I get another bloody shot?"
To my complete surprise, neither Brett nor Caleb said anything about my tone. They did share a look though. After another tequila burned its way down my throat, I turned to face the man I'd come to think of as a brother.
He spoke before I even had a chance to open my mouth, "I didn't know it was like that." He dragged his fingers through his hair and gave me a pointed look.
I knew what he meant. Brett had told me once that he'd met the woman he was supposed to spend the rest of his life with a long time ago. He'd said that the first day he'd seen her; he'd known she was going to be his. I don't know what happened between them. Whatever it was had landed him in jail.
That's where we met.
"Yeah well," I brought my stout to my lips and took a deep swallow, trying my best not think of how the rich dark color reminded me of Harper's hair.
"I don't know what the deal is with the two of you," Brett said from behind his beer. "But I do know that you're not one to give up. And usually, when there isn't a way, you make one."
If ever I had a moment of clarity, this was it. Discarding the rest of my drink I stood and smacked Brett on the back.
I threw a "Thanks man" over my shoulder as I headed back out. I was going to bulldoze my way straight through those six-foot walls.
Sugar, I'm coming for you!
"You sure you should be here?"
"I'm fine," I said to Chase as I closedthe door behind me. "Besides, I'll go nuts if I spend another day in bed."Yeah, I'd go nuts thinking about Logan.
"At least we won't be too busy today. I'm heading out to the farms in about two hours." Chase always took one day a month to visit some of the farms to make sure the animals were still fine. I nodded as Chase pulled his cell phone from his pocket and fired off a text.
As I busiedmyself with starting up my computer and getting the few patient files of the day ready, I spotted the care package that Chase always made up when someone adopted a pet. "Did one of the animals get a forever home?"
For some reason,Chase looked sheepish when he answered. "Uh…yeah,they did." Refusing to meet my eyes he rubbed the back of his neck and eyed the door.
"Who?"
"Huh?"
