AllFreeNovel
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“Oh, yeah. Sorry. Did I miss much?”
“Not really. I can show you what we covered. Are you okay?”
Nick forced a smile. “Sure. Just, uh... Just family stuff.”
“Your brother?” Jackson asked.
Nick frowned. “How do you know about my brother?”
“You told me,” he said. “His bar got broken into. Sounds like he was a bit shaken up afterwards.”
“Oh, the bar. Yeah, that’s it.”
Jackson frowned. “You mentioned it when we were at the girls’ house the other day. Unless there’s something else?”
“No, that’s it,” Nick said. “Sorry, I’m just distracted. How are you?”
Jackson took a sip of his drink. “I feel like you’re changing the subject.”
Nick considered trying to lie, but Jackson clearly wasn’t fooled by his weak attempts to act normal. “I might be.”
Jackson shrugged. “Alright. None of my business, anyway. If you want to share, let me know. And I’m good. I’m actually meeting Quinn here for a drink.”
“Oh, I’m crashing your date,” Nick said. “I’ll get out of your way.”
“No, it’s fine,” Jackson laughed. “She’s not even here, yet. Besides, I’m pretty sure Julia is coming, too. They’re inseparable. Cara might be coming, too.”
That definitely wasn’t happening, but Nick didn’t say anything.
“I think the others are joining us in a while,” Jackson said. “Why don’t you come along? We would’ve invited you, but I got the impression that you wanted some space.”
“I’ve just been busy. Sorry for being weird.”
“It’s okay, man, no worries.”
Jackson moved on to discussing college and mutual friends, and Nick was grateful that he didn’t ask anything else about Nick acting strange. He had known Jackson for a while, but he’d never spent a lot of time with him, and he was actually starting to like him.
They ate and drank and talked, and Nick didn’t realise how relaxed he was until he found himself laughing at one of Jackson’s stories. He felt almost normal, for the first time in what felt like forever. And then he got hit by a wave of guilt. His brother was still out there somewhere while he was sitting here having a good time.
Quinn and Julia arrived soon after that, and Jackson waved to get their attention.
“Hey, guys!” Quinn said. “Didn’t expect to see you here, Nick.”
“I’m not really here,” he said. “Jackson and I ran into each other. I should be heading off.”
“Why?” Quinn asked.
Julia smiled apologetically. “Leave him alone, Quinn.”
“I’ve got some family stuff I need to take care of,” Nick said.
“Is it urgent?” Quinn asked.
Nick hesitated, and Quinn kept talking.
“I’m sure you have time for one more drink. Come on, I’m buying this round.” She glanced at the drinks on the table. “Same again? I’ll be right back.”
She turned and slipped through the crowd before anyone could say anything else.
