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“He’s what?!” I growl, turning around to find Laurie’s hand nowhere near my woman’s thigh.
Rex bursts out in laughter, provoking me to drink my shot in one go.
“Funny. You’re a barrel of laughs tonight, old man,” I curse before pouring myself another drink.
“Sorry. I couldn’t pass that up.” Rex wipes the tears away from the corner of his eyes. “You should have seen how quickly your head swirled around, kid. “
“Aren’t you supposed to be mingling or something?”
“Aren’t you?” He wiggles his brows.
When I don’t respond, preferring to drink myself blind tonight, he takes pity on me and stops laughing at my pain.
“I did my part at the game with the suits and showed my face here at Roy’s to keep with morale. Now I think it’s time to head home since it’s well past my bedtime. You, on the other hand, should be taking full advantage of the night,” he says, pushing the whiskey bottle away from my grip.
“I’m too old to bother or care,” I mutter, snatching the bottle out of his hand.
“You are never too old to enjoy yourself, kid.”
“Kid? Right,” I grumble. “Well, this kid is close to turning forty in a few years, so maybe it’s well past my bedtime, too, old man.”
“Hogwash. Where’s this coming from now?” Rex asks with concern.
And when my gaze flickers back to Laurie and Piper, he has his answer.
“Ah, I see.” He frowns in sadness. “Yes, he is closer in age to her than you are, but he lacks the wisdom to handle a woman like Ms. Lee. That, dear friend, you have in spades.”
“Right. Wisdom, because that’s what women look for in a man. Sexy,” I mock.
“No more booze for you. The whiskey has officially drowned every brain cell in your head. You’re the one talking nonsense. You’re a catch, Trent.”
“If by catch you mean a man who works long hours and has no time or even privacy to have a personal life, then yes, I’m quite the catch.”
“I’ve never known you to be insecure, so don’t start now,” Rex orders.
Is that what I’m feeling?
Insecurity?
Is that why I feel like a boulder has been placed on my chest since I saw her leave with him after the game?
“Let the girl… I mean, woman,” he quickly corrects, “decide.”
“I think that’s the problem. Piper is having a bit of difficulty deciding what she really wants.”
“Then you just need to be more persuasive and clearer about your intentions. Don’t let the Lawrences of this world make you feel unworthy of what you most desire. I didn’t let anyone get in my way when I wanted to make Martha mine. And believe you me, she had a line of suitors begging for her hand. That didn’t stop me from letting her know that no matter who she was with, she’d be mine in the end. Take it from me, son. In this life, you regret far more things you didn’t do than those you did. So don’t spend your night moping about because Ms. Lee preferred young Preston’s company to yours tonight. Make it known that she can amuse herself with whomever she chooses, just as long as she knows that, in the end, you’re the one she’ll end up with.”
“You know something, old man. Sometimes I forget that you’re a lot smarter than you look.” I pat him on the shoulder before taking another shot.
“Geez, thanks, kid.” He chuckles.
“Don’t mention it. Are you good to go home?”
“I have my driver. Don’t you worry about me.”
“That’s Good. Because I have to go see about a girl.” I wink before turning around to walk over to Piper and Mr. Moneybags.
“Woman!” Rex shouts, laughing.
