AllFreeNovel
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A few days ago, I received word my case was dismissed, and Stephanie was immediately terminated. I can’t wait to share the news with Samuel. He’ll probably want to stop by her office and gloat…or get one more quick fuck before she leaves.
As I approach The Horney Toad, the large wooden front door swings open and two boys from my Intro to Shakespeare class stumble out, barely making it to the curb before one of them pukes.
“Americans need to learn to hold their liquor,” I mutter.
I catch the heavy door before it closes and head inside, immediately spotting Samuel at a high-top table tucked into the back corner. It’s rather full for it being late afternoon, but it is the start of the semester. The seniors are probably taking a lighter load, preparing for graduation.
“Took your ass long enough, old man.” Samuel pushes a glass of scotch across the table, and I catch it before it hits the floor.
“I ran into someone on my way over,” I mumble before throwing back my drink and signaling the barkeep for another.
“Is your new little girl not putting out or something?”
A rumbling growl fills my chest.
Samuel leans back with fear in his eyes. “Sorry. I won’t bring her up again.”
The barkeep brings over my scotch, but I stop him before he leaves.
“Just bring the whole fucking bottle. I’m going to need it.”
With a nod of understanding, he turns back toward the bar and returns with the bottle. I splash a healthy pour into my glass, toss it back, and repeat the process.
“Julian, you need to slow down.” Samuel reaches out, taking the bottle from my hand. “What the fuck is going on with you? It’s like you’ve lost your mind.”
“It feels that way.” I can hear my words slur. “She’s gone, and it’s all my fault. I couldn’t promise forever. Not yet, anyway.”
“Back the fuck up. Explain yourself.”
I tell him everything. He already knew about the business with Stephanie, but not that I took Meghan to meet my mum.
“You took her to meet your mother? You’ve got it bad for this girl!”
“Don’t you think I know that? I want to spend the rest of my life with her, Samuel. Truly, I do.”
“Yeah, well, you’re acting like a giant pussy.” He signals the barkeep to the table, telling him something in hushed tones before turning back in my direction.
“From everything you’ve told me, Meghan adores you. And you feel the same way. So, what’s the goddamn problem?”
The bartender appears with a huge pitcher of water and a glass.
“Drink this.” Samuel shoves a glass of water in my face before handing the half-empty bottle of scotch and a hundred-dollar bill back to the bartender. “That should cover what he drank from the bottle.”
He stands and pulls his jacket off the back of the chair before sliding his arm into it.
“Where the fuck do you think you are going?” After chugging the water, I feel a little less drunk, but I pour myself another to be on the safe side.
“I’m going to find your little one and see if she’d like a new Daddy,” he says.
I growl. I know Samuel’s testing me, but my fingers tighten around the glass and the alcohol in my system heightens my annoyance.
“Keep your filthy hands away from my little one. She’s mine! Do you fucking hear me? Friend or not, if you go anywhere near her, I will fucking end you.”
“I’d never do that to you, Julian, but if you don’t pull your head out of your ass, someone will come along and take her away from you. If you want to be with her, then do something about it. I doubt she’ll wait around for your sorry ass forever. I wouldn’t.”
He’s right. Meghan shouldn’t have to wait until I figure my shit out for us to be together. I’ve resigned from Danville, and although I can get my position back at Cambridge, is that what I really want?
No. What I want is Meghan.
My little one.
I finish the last of the water, push back from the table, and head out the door. I need to figure out a way to make a promise to her. A promise that, no matter what she decides, I can keep. Because breaking another promise to my little one is not an option.
