Page 22 of Missing Pieces (Men of Manhattan 3)

"I don't like the idea of you seeing her. Last time you two..."

"I'll be fine, Dad. I'm not a kid anymore."

He sighed. "I know, honey."

I swallowed hard and looked up at the stars. Whenever I saw the stars I felt close to him. For some reason I felt the distance tonight, though. And for some reason I knew he wasn't outside looking up at the same stars as me anymore. He was inside. He was sick. I felt like he was slipping away. "How are you feeling?"

"The same."

I put my face in my hand. It was hard talking to him like this, knowing that he had already given up. Knowing that he was angry at me. "I have to go. I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, Hails."

I pressed the end call button and kept my face in my hand. Again I wondered what the fuck I was doing. My dad didn't want me to go see Elena. So why was I disregarding his wishes when he had four months to live? I wiped away my angry tears and pushed off the wall.

Fuck this. Fuck everything. Just for one night I wanted not to think. I wanted not to feel like shit for being so blind. I took a deep breath and made my way back into the restaurant. I walked over to the bar and ordered two shots of tequila. Before the bartender even had a chance to walk away, I downed both of them.

"Two more, please."

He laughed. "Preparing for karaoke night?"

"It's karaoke night?"

"Yup, it starts in ten minutes."

"Then yes, I'm absolutely preparing for karaoke night." I picked up the two shot glasses he had just poured and walked back over to our table. I slid one of the shots over to Tyler.

"I thought you wanted us to keep driving after dinner?"

"That was before I found out that it was karaoke night." I lifted up my glass.

Tyler smiled. "How about you sing and I'll watch?" He slid the shot back over to me.

"Duets always get a better response. Please." I hated the desperation in my voice. And for some reason I felt like I was going to start crying again. "For one night I just want to forget about all my problems. I need this."

His tongue darted across his lower lip as he considered my idea.

I was already feeling the buzz of the tequila. And all I could think about was how good it would feel for his tongue to dart across my lips. I pressed my thighs together. Maybe this was a bad idea. I was so attracted to him. If I drank much more I'd probably throw myself at him.

"Let's both forget," I said before I could overthink it.

"I'll do one song. But that's it." He lifted up his glass, clinked it against mine, and downed his shot.

I smiled as I followed suit. I waved to the bartended and pointed to our shot glasses. "This is going to be so much fun, I promise." I reached across the table and placed my hand on his. The same spark I felt back in Indiana shot up my arm and I immediately removed my hand. God, I was in so much trouble.

***

"Ah, it's our turn!" I grabbed his hand and pulled him up out of his seat.

"You should just go."

"I already signed us both up. We're singing Closer by The Chainsmokers."

He looked so reluctant, despite the fact that I had been forcing shots on him for half an hour.

"There's a boy and a girl part. I can't do it by myself." I gave him an exaggerated frown.

"Fine."

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