“You remember Jess? Stephen fired her too, same reason.”
I’d trained Jess too. From the sharp sneer Andy directs at me, he knows I did. They must have met up, they must’ve talked about it, hating on me for losing them their jobs.
“I’m . . . I’m sorry.”
I don’t know what else to say.
Andy thumps his hand to my shoulder. From the outside its a comforting gesture, but he intends to hurt, and squeezes until my bones ache. “Don’t sweat it. Jess didn’t want to get you in trouble, but I told Stephen you were the one who taught me, that you make the same mistake I did, and he assured me he’ll be reviewing the footage of you and punishing you accordingly.” He smiles. “Then you can join me and Jess looking for another job.” Andy lets me go and walks away with a joyful bounce to his step.
I get into my car and place my order from Benny’s on the passenger seat. My heart thunders beneath my ribs, not in fear of Andy, but at what he said. Stephen would be reviewing the footage of me at work. He’s been off with me for a few months, miserable when I say good morning to him and snappy when he interrupts my attempts at having a break.
Are my days at the company numbered?
I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans at the thought of being unemployed.
I have fifteen thousand pounds of savings, but that was put aside for the wedding. I’ve already surprised Keegan with that too, and no doubt she’s at home right now looking up lavish venues, beautiful dresses, and exotic honeymoons.
If I lose my job, Keegan loses all that.
My phone buzzes, and I tug it out of my jeans.
It’s from Ryker.
Congratulations <3
Liam sends a thumbs-up after his brother’s message.
I thought I’d feel happy at their reactions, but I don’t.
I feel an edge of bitterness that it took them almost twelve hours and there’s no follow-up questions. They don’t ask how, when, or where I proposed. They don’t seem to care.
The shine of excitement over my engagement has gone thanks to my best friends and Andy, and I’m returning to Keegan with a new guilt festering in my body.
The guilt that I might not be able to give her the wedding of her dreams.
4
Ryker
I’d rather be running into a burning building right now than entering this pub to see Freddie. It’s our favourite pub, but notmyfavourite. Mine is about a ten-minute walk down the road, close to the only gay club in town, Achilles. I’ll probably end up in there afterthis.
Thisis going to be traumatic for all involved and I’ll need alcohol and a distraction. There are several options for distractions on my phone within a ten-mile radius, and a few social chats suggest Achilles is the place to be tonight.
Liam goes ahead of me and pushes open the thick wooden door. I linger before following him inside. Freddie’s in our favourite booth in the corner, the one he was sitting in when he asked us to be his best men, but this time there’s only one drink on the table. It’s a beer, half gone, and Freddie has his hand around it.
“I’ll order,” Liam says gruffly, leaving me to approach our best friend. He’s staring solemnly at the amber liquid in his glass, andI don’t think he’s noticed we’ve come inside. We’re not as showy when we’re out of uniform, though we still get looks for thetwinthing, but Freddie not looking up when he’s expecting us is a red flag.
“Hey.”
He startles, then gazes up at me with his big blue eyes. They’re welcoming, excited to see me, but there’s no mistaking the heavy bags that sag his pale skin, and as I lean closer, maybe too close, I see the blood vessels seeping into the whites. He gives me a tired grin, and I collapse down next to him, resisting the urge to drag him in for a more thorough inspection.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
Freddie blows out a breath. He’s slouching, and once he notices I’ve noticed, he straightens up and stretches his arms in front of himself. “It’s been a stressful week.”
“Wedding planning?” I suggest.
“Oh, it’s not that.”
