“Forget that,” he said, pushing aside my beer and handing me a shot from a tray that had just been delivered. “Drink this.”
I eyed the glass skeptically. “What is it?”
“Who cares? It’s a shot, and it’s my birthday.”
I lifted a shoulder. He was right. At the moment, I didn’t care about much of anything.
“Cheers, old man.” I lifted the glass and then downed it. It burned my throat, hints of vanilla and oak rolling over my tongue.
“You’re not too far behind me,” Chase said. “And have I mentioned that you look like shit?”
I ignored the comment and reached for another shot. Chase patted me on the back. “That’s the spirit.”
How many had he had? When I’d arrived at Hooligan’s, he’d already seemed well on the way to drunk. Hell, at this point, I could barely remember how many drinks I’d consumed. After a punishing run with Max and spending all day working in the shop, my body was spent. It was as if the pain over Scott’s death, my guilt for not helping him, had finally caught up with me. I could see now that I’d been using Audrey to cope. I was drowning in grief, but it was more than that—her betrayal burned like a hot poker. The fact that she’d lied and manipulated me was worse than anything else.
I needed to eat something, but instead, I kept drowning my sorrows. I kept replaying what had happened. I couldn’t believe she’d gone behind my back to list the house. That it had been her plan all along.
And then—because I was a glutton for punishment—I’d replayed every other fucking interaction for clues. Every look, kiss, sigh, conversation. Everything. How could I have been so blind?
The celebration continued around me, and I wondered why I’d even come. I could drink alone at home. Now, on top of it all, I was ruining one of my best friend’s birthdays.
“What’s he doing here?” someone said.
“He has some nerve,” Mackenzie said next, and I wondered who they were talking about.
I glanced over my shoulder and saw Ben walking through the door.Fucker.
It wasn’t enough that he’d taken my girl and my home? Now, he wanted to claim my bar, too?
My girl.I shook my head. Even if Audrey wasn’t Ben’s like Grant claimed, she’d never been mine either. Not then, and certainly not now.
“You know what?” I stood. “I think I’m going to head out.”
“What?” Chase groaned, grabbing my arm. “No.”
“Yeah.” I shrugged out of his hold, and he staggered. I turned to Mackenzie. “Make sure he gets home safely?”
“Why would I go home with him?” Her cheeks flushed. “I mean, yeah—” She shook her head. “Of course.”
Um. Okay.Whatever. If my employees were fucking each other, that was their business. As long as they kept their sex and their drama out of my workshop, they could do whatever—or whomever—they wanted in their personal time.
“You’re seriously going to let that prick be the reason you leave?” This from Chase.
I lifted a shoulder. “I should’ve left a while ago.”
“Fine,” he huffed. “Be safe.”
“I will.” I held up my hand, two fingers raised for peace out.
Once I was outside, the cool night air hit my face like a bucket of ice water. I hadn’t realized how hot or loud it was in there. I grabbed my phone from my pocket, fumbling to find the local ride app.
Behind me, the door opened then closed. I tensed, sensing it was Ben before I even turned around. His designer jeans ended at his ankles, probably to show off his expensive loafers. There was a gleam in his eye, and I decided it would be best to turn back around and ignore him.
A large hand landed on my shoulder, and I was surprised by his strength. “Let’s have a little chat.”
I stared straight ahead, clenching my fists. “Let’s not.” At the far end of the lot, one of the cars from the ride app entered. “Looks like my ride’s here.”
I moved forward to step off the curb, but Ben tightened his grip to the point I knew it would leave a mark.
