Page 20 of Shattered Dreams

“Can I get you guys anything else?” the waitress asks as she comes up to the table.

“Another beer. You?” Paul says.

“Definitely.”

She nods and takes off, bringing our beers back a few moments later.

Paul and I stay until close. We split the bill without question. Everything is just so easy all the time with him. Like we don’t even have to talk. We just act. We just know. It’s a relief. Every time I’m with him, I don’t feel like I have to be on. I can do what I need to do and be done with it.

“So, going home to an empty house,” Paul says as we get to our cars.

“Most parents would enjoy it,” I say. “You good to drive?”

“Yeah, I didn’t even drink that much. You?”

“Had the same as you.”

“Yeah, but you’re a lightweight.” He gives me a small shove and we both laugh.

“Next time we should just drink at my house then. I have a nice patio with a heated pool and—”

“Yeah, yeah. Stop showing off.”

“I’m just saying you should reap the benefits of having a rich best friend.” I wink, giving him a playful shove back.

Paul smiles. I smile. We stare at each other, and I’m unable to pull away. Something about this moment, right here outside of this bar, under the clear sky on a warm summer night, everything just feels so… good. Calm. Like everything in the world is okay.

“Next week, then. It’s a date.”

I smirk. “It’s a date.”

Chapter Eight

Paul

“Maddox! Come on, it’s time to go!” I holler as I grab my keys off the hook. Ten seconds later, it sounds like a stampede of elephants in my apartment as Maddox zooms out from the hall.

“Where’s your bag?”

He looks up at me like I’m speaking gibberish, but this is hardly the first time we’ve done this.

“Go.” I nod towards his room. “Hurry up, or we’re going to be late.”

He lets out an aggravated huff as he trudges off to his room to grab his things.

Technically, he doesn’t need an overnight bag, but after the first hundred drop offs because he wanted something or forgot it, or left it at his mom’s, it was just easier on both Amelia and I to make sure he packs everything he wants to take with him in his backpack. I’m sure Amelia won’t care if we are a few minutes late, but I don’t want to make a habit of it. Plus, I told Dre I’d be over around one and it’s already nearing twelve thirty.

A few seconds later, Maddox barrels down the hall and nearly knocks the wind out of me when his backpack hits me in the stomach, almost knocking my duffel off my shoulder.

“Sorry!” he calls out as I catch my breath and lock the door just as he’s climbing into the back of the Jeep.

I toss my duffel in the front seat before getting into the driver’s seat.

“Are you going somewhere?” he asks curiously.

“Huh?”

“Your bag,” he says, narrowing his gaze at me.