AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re damn right you should have,” he agrees exasperatedly. “Look, it’s not the end of the world. We just have to figure out how to fix it.”
I shake my head. “It’s not your problem to fix, dude.”
“Yeah, fuck that. We’re brothers. We take care of each other.” He pauses, looking anywhere but back at me. “That’s why I called all the companies we owe money to and paid them enough to keep shit running.”
My head whips toward him. “You didwhat?”
He shrugs. “It’s not everything. We’re still in the red. But it’s something for now.”
God, I’m such an asshole. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”
“Andyoudidn’t have to bail me out of jail a couple years ago,” he points out. “This is what we do.”
He puts his fist out and I bump it, feeling a little relieved. The future of the bar was weighing on me, and it still is, but it’s a less intense for now. And it helps knowing I’m not doing it alone anymore.
“Now we just have to figure out how to come up with the rest of the money,” he sighs. “You’re right. The summer months will help, but I don’t think they’ll be enough.”
I shake my head. “Nah, I have another idea.”
It’s something that I’ve been thinking about since last night, when Laiken stood in my doorstep looking every bit like heartbreak incarnated. For the first time, I stopped blocking everything out and started realizing everything she gave up. Everything she walked away from. And it became clear that I have to stop holding onto something that was never actually what I thought it was.
What we had is gone now.
It’s time for me to let go.
“I’m going to sell the house.”
OKAY, SO THE NURSEmay have had a point—my medication is not optional right now. Trying to bartend with sore ribs and a scrape that covers half my side is challenging. And by challenging, I mean it’s fucking torture. Every move I make feels like someone is slicing me open or stabbing me in the chest. But I don’t want to be working while on painkillers. By the time I realized how badly I needed it, it was too late. If I took it then, I wouldn’t be able to take it before I go to sleep.
Somehow, I manage to make it through. Cam and Riley head out, leaving me to close up, but that’s nothing I can’t handle. They took care of the cleaning. The only thing I have to do is the register. Usually, I’d restock, but lifting heavy cases of beer doesn’t sound like a good idea right now.
I’m finishing up when I hear the door open. Cam must have forgotten to lock it when he left.
“Sorry, we’re closed,” I call out.
But there’s no response. I don’t hear the door open, so I know they’re still in here, but unless it’s a fucking ninja about to rob me, they should still be standing by the door.
I spin around, being careful not to twist my body, but the pain comes anyway as I see Laiken standing there. I look her up and down, closing my eyes for a second as I commit the sight of her to memory, and then my walls go up.
“Maybe I didn’t make myself clear yesterday,” I growl. “You’re not getting a divorce. So go ahead and do the little vanishing act you’re so fucking good at because I’m not signing anything.”
Her eyes glisten in the light, revealing that she’s on the verge of tears, but I refuse to let myself care as her shoulders sag in defeat. “I don’t…that’s not why I’m here.”
I shouldn’t be so relieved to hear that. Frankly, I shouldn’t be denying her of a divorce at all. She’s not mine anymore, meaning she’s free to do whatever she wants with whoever she wants.
Yeah, never mind. Fuck that.
I’d still knock someone out for letting their eyes linger on her too long.
“I thought you left,” I mutter.
She sighs heavily. “I tried, but I couldn’t. Cam told me about your mom. I’m so sorry.”
I scoff. “For what? For not being here when she was diagnosed, or for fucking me up so much that I was actually jealous of her death sentence?”
Her hand moves to her chest, showing my words hit their mark. “Hayes.”
Yeah, I can’t do this. Anything she has to say is too damn late. Besides, I’m in enough pain as it is. I really don’t need her adding to it.
