Noah barked a laugh and pointed at the glass in Reece’s hand. “Dude, I think it’s as clean as it’s going to get. Give it a rest before you break it.”
“Fuck you.”
“Oh,there’sa brilliant comeback.”
Reece was being an ass—heknewthat. But somehow he couldn’t stop himself. He reminded himself of victims’ loved ones, who sometimes lashed out at the rescue team because they were hurting and wanted to bury that hurt under mounds of anger. Thank God Dixie chose that moment to appear beside him because her sudden presence startled him out of his wallowing.
She took the glass from his hand. “If ya’ll ask me, I think he’s just tired of them supermodels he’s always running around with. Neve’s got to be a fresh breath after them airheads.”
What the hell was she talking about? “What supermodels, andwho’stired of them?”
Dixie blinked. “Neve’s future husband. Leo Cantrell, of course.”
Noah leaned back against the bar. “How do you know he dates supermodels, Dix?”
“I hear things.” She pointed a wicked nail at him. “From your ex-girlfriend, for one.”
Noah straightened so fast he nearly launched himself. “Since when have you been talking toher?”
“Since she came back into town for your wedding.” Dixie beamed him a sly smile.
“But she’s not invited,” he spluttered.
Reece stifled a laugh. It was fun to watch someone besides him on the hot seat. Noah and Ursula had been athingsince childhood—kind of like him and Neve—but Noah had finally wised up and broken it off in time for Hailey to crash into his life. And it had been the best thing to ever happen to his brother, hands down.
“Maybe she’s inviting herself,” Reece offered. “That’s her style, which means she’ll show up whether you want her there or not.”
Wait. Neve and I haven’t been anything. Ever.
God, he needed an uninterrupted night’s sleep. Ever since he’d stepped away from search and rescue, he hadn’t slept more than two hours in a row. Shane thought he was suffering from some kind of PTSD, but Shane didn’t know shit.
“Yeah, that would be just like Ursula,” Charlie chuffed.
“Who’s Ursula?” asked Joy.
The discussion took off, and judging by the pained look on Noah’s face, he was not enjoying the jaunt down memory lane led by Charlie and Dixie. Reece was too wrung out to jump on the train, and he stepped into the back vestibule that led to Noah’s office and the stairs leading to the upper apartment. He looked up longingly toward the refuge beckoning at the top of the steps.
Patrons must have noticed him stepping away because their calls to come back rang from the bar, but he had no interest in rejoining them. He was shredded, and he needed to retreat and recharge, so he slunk upstairs, flinching each time a wooden tread groaned under his weight.
“Where are you going, bro?” Noah called from below.
Reece paused, not looking down. “I’m tired. I need to get some shut-eye.”
“I’m pulling out the good bourbon.” Reece could practically hear his brother’s eyebrows bounce up and down. When Reece didn’t bite, Noah continued. “Besides, I owe you your pay and tips.”
“Keep ’em, or give them to Luanne. With the way her kid eats, I’m sure she could use the extra.”
“She’ll appreciate that.” Noah cocked his head to the side. “Everything okay?”
“Yep. Living the dream.”
Before Noah could toss any more questions at him, Reece took the steps two at a time and bolted the door behind him, as if he could barricade himself against the demons chasing him.
Once he was safely locked inside, the unfortunate reality of his situation took him by the shoulders and shook him hard. He missedrealsearch and rescue so damn much. Funny thing, though. He didn’t miss Chelsea.
And another realization dawned: If he wanted to get back to his first passion, he couldn’t hang around Fall River filling his time with this or that odd volunteer job.
The time had come to get serious about moving on.
