Page 9

Finding parking in the lot of The Copper Exchange is tricky. It’s busy, but after a couple of rounds through the lot, I manage to snag a spot not too far from the entrance. Pocketing my wallet and keys, I grab my phone and climb out of the car. Then I make my way to the door and pull it open, taking in my surroundings.

The place is nice. It’s sort of a mix between a pub and club. The main room has a stage set in the middle, raised slightly so you can see the band from all areas of the bar. In the back of the room, there are couches and chairs with lower tables, and in the front of the room sits a huge bar, backed by what looks like hundreds of bottles lining a lighted mirror. High-top tables are set sporadically around the room, and several pool tables and a dartboard are just visible in an enclave on the opposite end of the building. It’s clean and just dark enough that the fluorescent lights aren’t blinding, yet there’s still a distinct, cozy bar-type feeling.

I spot Chris setting up on the stage, and even though I haven’t seen him for a few years, he’s easily recognizable. I walk over, and he sees me, a huge smile spreading across his face. He jumps down from the stage and gives me a hug.

“Lev!” he says, squeezing my shoulder as he pulls away. His eyes instantly morph to hold that pity behind them that makes a familiar anger stir in my gut.

Chris always pitied me after Nate died. I’ve worked hard to get out of the slump Nate’s death forced me into, and I hate that people still immediately assume my need is for them to offer condolences or sympathy. So, I pretend I didn’t see what I know I did, and I clap my hand on his back.

“How are you doing? It’s been a long time.” I say, forcing a smile.

“I’m good, man. Things are going well.” He grabs his beer and takes a long drink. “You look good. How does it feel to be back?”

“It’s good, it’s good. I took over my uncle’s motorcycle shop. Working there and just making my way again.” I hear my name being yelled from the back of the room, and a big, bulky guy with curly hair comes barreling toward me. I immediately recognize Caleb as he grabs me in a bear hug, letting out a howl. You know . . .Wolf Pack . . . howls. Yeah, we were teenagers. Apparently, some people are hanging on to that a little too tightly. I shake my head as I pull myself from him.

“Lev!!! What is up, man! It’s so good to see you!!”

“Caleb,” I say with a smile. “You look great! How have you been?” As much as I enjoyed Caleb when we were teenagers, I didn’t keep in touch with him much after Nate died. Since his house was the house where the party was, it was always a little bit awkward to be around him after the accident happened.

“I’m fantastic, man. You know, living the single life, partying.” He lifts his beer like he’s going to make a toast. “It’s been great! Hey, I have a table over by the door with Nolan and his fiancée and Chris’s lady. Come over! I’m going to the bar first, but meet me there? What do you want, my man?”

“Just a tonic and lime for me,” I answer.

He side-eyes me, but I just shrug. I don’t drink much anymore. The dark path I took right after Nate died scared the shit out of me. Losing your best friend at sixteen can really mess you up. That was one of the reasons I left for Sheltonville—to get my shit together and get out of this trap.

Caleb of all people should understand.

He gives me a nod and then heads off in the direction of the bar, and I blow out a breath to release some more of the tension building in my shoulders. Then I make my way over to the table to meet up with the others.

Nolan and his fiancée are there, as is Chris’s wife. Outside of Nate, Nolan and I were probably the closest in the Pack, and we kept in touch through social media and occasional text messages. He’s a good-looking guy, and people always teased that we should hook up. However, Nolan is about as straight as they make them. He was upset when I told him I was moving to Sheltonville, but he understood why I did it.

“Well, well, well. Look who we have here!” Nolan exclaims when he sees me. He puts his drink down and comes around the table to give me a hug. “Chris said you were coming. It’s good to see you, Lev.” Nolan’s greeting is so genuine that my heart warms.

Caleb squeezes up beside me and Nolan. “Did you meet the ladies?” he asks, handing out our drinks.

“Nolan was just getting to that, I think,” I say as Nolan nods and puts his arm around the woman beside him.

“Lev, this is my fiancée, Michelle. And this is Chris’s wife, Sydney. Lev’s part of the Wolf Pack and was Nate’s like, best friend,” he tells them, and I smile.

“Yeah, like blood brothers,” Caleb jumps in.

I chuckle. “We all had some fun back then,” I say, looking around at my old group of friends. Their faces are full of memories and caring sentiments. I drum my fingers on the table with another smile. “Well, I’m back now, so hopefully we can hang more often.”

“More often!?” Nolan laughs. “How about we literally can hang out. Dude, you haven’t really been back since you left.”

“Touché,” I concede. He’s right, after all. In the entire six years I was gone, I only came back a handful of times. My parents and Lindsey visited me in Sheltonville several times, since they knew how hard it was for me to be back here. Mostly, though, I just stayed away, needing the time and space. “But at least I kept in touch, sort of,” I tease, pushing Caleb’s shoulder. “Unlike this one!”

“I’ve been . . . I was busy!” he laughs. “Hey, hey. Doesn’t matter. What matters is we’re all here now. Wolf Pack forever!” Caleb lets out a loud howl, and we all laugh and cower in fond embarrassment, feeling both at the same time.

Garrett and Chris join us shortly after the conversation dies off, bringing a round of drinks for us all. Handing me my water and lime, Garrett says, “You guys look like you’re having fun.”

“Just reliving some old times,” I tell him.

“Ah,” Garrett says with a chuckle. “Good or bad?”

“Uh, well, good so far . . .” I trail off, arching my eyebrows in confusion.

“He’s talking about all the shit that went down after,” Caleb says with an edge to his voice.