AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her eyes narrow. “But you could be better.”
“Couldn’t we all?
“Of course,” she scoffs. “There just so happens to be a simple solution for you.”
My captive audience hums in agreement. I face the group that’s gathered to review my mistakes under the guise that they care. It’s still a mystery as to why my love life is so damn interesting. Roosters might as well be the stage for a reality show. Although to be fair, nobody busted my balls until Grace entered the scene.
“I’m allergic to romance, remember? Committed relationships give me hives.” I scratch at my arm for emphasis.
“You don’t think people already assume you’re blissfully shackled to Grace? They can’t stop talking about the girl who tamed our beloved bachelor.”
“That’s a bit extreme,” I mutter.
Harper flings a rag over her shoulder. “Is it? You kissed Grace in public.”
“That was actually for my benefit to chase off Jasmine.”
“What about her wearing your clothes?”
“She didn’t want to recycle her dress from the night before,” I explain.
“Might as well pee on her,” Cole laughs.
“At least I didn’t find out she was pregnant with my baby six months later.” I glare at the guy who was my friend until he knocked up my sister.
“Low blow,” he snarls.
“What do you call this?” I thrust my arms out to indicate the current pressure cooker.
“Okay, okay. We don’t need to get heated,” Joy chides. The warning in her eyes moves from her fiancé to me. “You’re not a jerk, Garrett. Quit acting like one.”
The knot that’s been festering in my gut triples in size. It’s bad enough that Grace hasn’t responded to my texts for days. I don’t need those I rely on for support to come at me from all angles.
My irritation burns a path across the meddlesome bunch. “This is beginning to feel like an intervention.”
“That’s because it is one. Mom and Dad should arrive shortly.” Joy beams at me while bouncing Belle in her arms.
“You have a baby in my bar.” Not that I mind seeing my niece, but I’m grasping at flimsy defenses.
“Wouldn’t be the first time. How’s that changing station coming along?”
I silently fume at her for several beats before swerving to avoid that losing battle. The newest addition to our staff seems as good a target as any. “How about earning that paycheck, Harps?”
The blonde snaps her gum but doesn’t move otherwise. “Do you have an issue with my productivity?”
“The ice could probably use…” But my suggestion meets an abrupt end at the sight of the full bin.
“Nice try.” She leans against the counter in a show of parking her ass for the foreseeable future.
“How about that couple? Maybe they need a refill.” I motion toward a pair cuddled in the corner booth.
“For the record, everyone is in tip-top shape. We’re very entertained by this conversation. Please continue.” She beckons to her fellow meddlers.
My skin begins to crawl under their intense scrutiny. “I’d rather you didn’t.”
“Grace isn’t a random girl you’ll forget tomorrow,” Drake chimes in.
Shame prickles the back of my neck. “I’m aware.”
