He’s trying to be helpful, wants to be a friend, but he doesn’t have a damn clue. I shake my head and stuff my hand into my pocket and pull out my mom’s diamond ring. I hold it up in front of my face. “I was going to ask her to marry me. It’s not something I can fuck out of my system. She was going to be my forever girl.” I swallow down the lump in my throat. My jaw works as I grind my teeth. “I need to give it back to my mom before I lose it.”
Bentley snatches it from my hand and holds it behind his back, his gaze surprised, glaring at someone over my shoulder. “My God, Goldie you are as bright as the sun,” he drawls.
I spin. Sure as shit. There’s Goldie, all perfect hair and makeup. “Good Lord, Mercer, did you sleep in that dumpster last night.” She winces, plugging her nose. “Good to see you, Bentley. Thank you for that compliment, you’re looking as fresh as ever.” Goldie’s accent is almost completely gone now. “You,” she says. “Why aren’t you answering your phone?”
“I don’t have my phone,” I slur, holding a hand on my stomach all the while on alert for Clover. My phone pings from my pocket.
Goldie crosses her arms over her chest and narrows her eyes. “She didn’t see your eloquent escape, but I did. Don’t worry. It’s just us. Bentley, would you excuse us for a moment, I have a bone to pick with this youngin’.”
Bent bows. “Of course, ma’am. Maybe we can catch up later? I’ll buy you a drink.” His eyes are bright and earnest, looking at Goldie in more than a casual way.
Goldie softens. “Sure. That sounds nice.”
Bent celebrates, shaking fists in the air. “Mercer, I’ll wait for you in my truck. Can you find it okay?”
Goldie answers for me. “I’ll make sure he gets to your truck. This will only take a few minutes.”
Why do I feel like I’m about to be tortured? My headache thumps against my skull. My friend abandons me with this scary, perfumed monster. Goldie was always the scary older girl in Greenton. There was a way she would catch your eye, lick her lips, and make you feel like she could kill you without making physical contact. Through the haze, I realize Goldie seems softer, a concern in her gaze that was never there before.
She pulls me away from the dumpster and my pile of puke. “You going to remember this conversation tonight?” she asks.
I sigh. “Depends on what you’re askin’ me to remember, darlin’.”
Goldie smacks me across the face. Hard. It’s going to leave a red mark. I cradle my cheek. “What’s that for?”
“First off, calling me darlin’, it’s not the stone age. And it’s for not calling Clover when you got home from deployment. It’s also because a good thump will help sober your dumb ass up. What’s your deal? Something bad happen to you overseas? Something so awful that you leave your girlfriend pining without even a text?” She holds out one manicured finger. “It better be good, Mercer Ballentine. I better believe it. You don’t know what she’s been going through all these months without you in Cape Cod. There was only so much I could do for her. Your circle is ruthless.”
Swallowing, I realize I’m going to have to do this drunker than Grandpa on Thanksgiving. “Listen,” I whisper. “I didn’t call her when I got home because I wanted to surprise her.” That doesn’t give too much away.
“And? She’s still waiting? You got back four days ago. Four. I know this because Sierra came into the salon the day before you guys rolled in and told me her boyfriend was coming back. I waxed her vagina and put in new highlights. Figured your ass was with him. Clover didn’t hear that of course, but she heard from someone else at the grocery store that you were home. You’re here drunk, so is that her surprise? Man, she’s a lucky woman.” Goldie raises one brow. “There’s a reason beauty is wasted on the young, you’re blooming idiots.”
I turn away to look at the brick wall of the bar, trying to catch a breath without tasting puke. “I’ll just come out with it then. Her fucking neighbor. I saw her with him. Clover had on sexy pajamas. It was really early in the morning.” Vomit rises at the horrible thought—transporting myself back into that moment. “He was shirtless.” I meet Goldie’s eyes. She seems confused, brows furrowing. “They kissed.” I sigh, shaking my head. “I should have killed him right there. I want to kill him right now. Still.”
“Wait,” Goldie says, adjusting her purse strap on her shoulder. “You saw Clover, kissing Jack?”
That’s right. The fucker has a name. An annoying one. The way Goldie says it like she’s surprised makes it more infuriating.
“He saved the bird from the chimney and she kissed him. They both came out of her house. Like he was sleeping there. I saw everything, Goldie. She’s the one who owes explanations. I’m not a bad guy.” I lay my other palm on the wall next to us. “I’m drunk right now, but in no universe am I at fault, you hear me?” My vision is double, and I stagger away from Clover’s cousin out of the alley, toward the street and the parking lot. I need to get out of here. Now that Clover is in Greenton I’ll have to hide out in places less public.
Tannie is walking with a man, heading toward the DR entrance. I don’t recognize the man at first, but he sees me before Tannie does and his gaze locks with mine. It’s the fucking neighbor. I don’t think about anything else this time. I’m on alcohol instead of coffee and that’s all that matters. Jack’s eyes widen as I approach and cock my fist back. I clock him in the face. Tannie screams as the fucker hits the pavement, cradling his eye.
“You are a bastard,” I mutter, eyes glassed over. Goldie runs over and pulls at my arms from the back.
“Mercer,” she screams.
“Ballentine,” Goldie says firmer this time. “Jack is gay. He’s gay! I don’t know what you saw, but it wasn’t what you thought.”
“What?” I spin to face Goldie, adrenaline mixing with bourbon. “No,” I say, shaking my head. “I know what I saw. Don’t try to stick up for her. Clover is a liar.”
Jack releases his eye, hand shaking. It’s already bruising and there’s a split with blood dripping down to his lip. “She’s quite right. I’m gay. One hundred percent gay actually. Don’t worry, you’re not my type if that’s the issue,” he reaffirms. “I’m here to meet a guy Clover is setting me up with. Nice to meet you, by the way. Guessing you’re Mercer Ballentine then?” His voice creaks with pain. Oh, balls.
The bells of the Dizzy Rocket front door jingle and I know I only have a few seconds before everything crashes down around me. “Fuck,” I mutter. Then because I’m a goddamn gentleman, I eat crow and say, “I’m sorry. I really am.”
Then, I run haphazardly, in the opposite direction, to the parking lot on the other side of the building where Bentley’s truck is idling. I get in, whole body shaking. “Fucking drive. Fast and far,” I tell my friend. “I fucked up, Bent.” My breaths are quick, and I can’t catch hold of the erratic pace of my heart.
“Which time?” he asks. “You’re looking mighty sober right now, so my guess is a new fuck up then?” Bent pulls out of the parking lot. He looks right and sees the scene I just left. Except Clover is out there now, fussing over Jack’s face. “Oh wow. Grade A fuck up. Gotcha.”
I blow out a breath. “I don’t even know where to start.”
