Jake
Oh no, you don’t. He’ll be asleep soon, and Miles and I are fine watching a game on the TV. Go have some fun. Your old ass needs it.
Travis
Your only two years younger than me, asshole.
Jake
Well, you act like an old man most of the time. Seriously, go have some fun. We’ve got Max.
I guess going out for a drink wouldn’t hurt. Finding some company later might be just what I need to unwind and lose some of this tension I’ve been carrying for the past few days.
Travis
Okay, you win. Maybe I do need to loosen up a bit.
Jake
A bit? You walk around like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders and have to do it all alone. We’ve got you, brother.
Jake has always taken on the caretaker role for all of us. It’s in his nature to make sure everyone is taken care of. He’s the most selfless person I know, and I’ll never be able to repay him for everything he’s done for Max and me.
Travis
I know you do. I’ll be home before Max wakes up. Love you, brother.
Jake
Love you too. And Travis?
Travis
Yeah
Jake
I better not see your ugly ass before midnight. You’re not a dad tonight. You’re Travis fucking Montgomery. Now go let off some steam and make me proud.
I shake my head and laugh out loud.
Travis
Will do.
I put my phone in my pocket and start my bike up. The engine beneath me roars to life as I cruise out of the parking lot.As if on autopilot, I pull up to the restaurant on the water a little while later and turn off my engine.
I ignore the part of my mind that wonders why I chose this place. I just need to get a glimpse again. She won’t even know I’m here. I’ve got to eat anyway, and they do have good food. I keep repeating the lies over and over in my head, hoping I’ll eventually start to believe them.
I walk up to Rusty’s and take a seat at the bar. It’s crowded tonight with the band and it being a Saturday. The bartender comes right over as soon as I sit down. She smiles as her eyes roam down my body.
“What can I get you?” She asks.
She’s blond and blue-eyed and probably has the guys falling at her feet every night she works here. Unfortunately, my mind is elsewhere tonight as I scan the bar and restaurant area, looking for the one person I need to get out of my system.
I turn my gaze back to the bartender. “I’ll have a beer. Whatever IPA you have on tap is fine.”
“You got it.” She gives me a wink and a smile before going over to pour the beer. I glance at the menu and place an order when she comes back with my drink. I take a sip and still when a laugh as sweet as honey fills my ears. I look over to my right and see her sitting with two girlfriends. I recognize the blonde, Bella, who is engaged to her brother, but I’ve never seen the brunette one that she’s talking to.
