I lift my brows in question.
“Whatever it is that upset you, I doubt he did it on purpose. Maybe hear him out, or better yet, open up to him and be honest. I know that’s hard for you, but I think you’ll regret it if you push him away.”
He’s right, and I fucking hate when Wade is right.
37
JOSIAH
“Josiah! Fuck, it’s been a long time. How the hell have you been, man?” Chevy wraps his arms around me, giving me a big bear hug before we take a seat at the table.
A couple of days ago, for whatever reason, I decided to hit up my old buddy, Chevy, to see what he’s been up to. I told him I was back in Nevada, and shocking to me, he told me he’d make the drive from Utah to catch up with me a bit before I head back to Nashville.
Chevy and I haven’t seen each other in close to two years. I haven’t been back to Utah since Lana’s funeral, but Chevy used to make annual trips up to Vegas with his friends from back home, and I would make that drive to meet them. He settled down and got married a few years back, and he and his wife had a baby, which is why I haven’t seen him. I was honestly surprised he was able to make the trip this time with how busy he is, especially on such short notice.
It's honestly working out perfect, though, since I fly back to Nashville in the morning. It’s been a long and stressful two weeks. I’ll be so happy to be home, but getting to catch up with an old friend beforehand is nice.
“I know. It’s been way too long. How are things with you? How’s Charlee and the baby?”
“Char is good,” he replies with that same goofy grin he always gets when he talks about his wife. “She finally decided to go back to work about six months ago.”
“She’s a nurse, right?”
“Yeah, a labor and delivery nurse.”
“You guys are at the same hospital?”
“Yeah, but we hardly ever see each other while we’re at work.”
“And how’s the baby?”
Another huge, lovesick grin. “The baby is getting so damn big. He’ll be two in a couple months. Time flies.” Like the typical proud dad, Chevy pulls out his phone and shows me a string of pictures of the kid, full of drool and gummy smiles. “So, how are things with you? How’s Nashville?”
“I’ve been good,” I mutter before taking a swig of the beer the server just dropped off. “Nashville is different than here… but also not. I can’t explain it. I’m definitely enjoying living there.”
“And the new shop is doing well?”
“It is, actually. I haven’t sat and compared numbers yet, but I want to say it’s doing better than the one here.”
“That’s awesome, man. I’m happy for you.”
Chevy is so genuine with everything he does. We’ve been friends for as long as I can remember, and he’s always been such a stand-up guy. He’s also one of the most non-judgmental people I’ve ever met. Which is why it makes no sense why I’m as nervous as I am to say what I am next.
“So, guess who I’ve been hanging out with quite a bit lately.”
He chuckles. “Fuck if I know. Who?”
“Segan.”
Chevy chokes on his beer, eyes going wide. “Bradley?”
“Uh, yeah.” I laugh. “Do you know any other Segans?”
“Well, no, but isn’t he like some huge musician now?”
I nod. “He lives in Nashville, too.”
Our food comes, both of us digging in like we haven’t eaten all day. I quickly glance at my phone, hoping to see a notification I know isn’t there. It’s no less of a disappointment, though, when I see I’m right. I had a feeling me coming here would be hard for Segan, given our past, but it still sucks.
