“I’m too old for this.”
“You’re too tired for this,” he corrects, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “But that’s exactly why you need to come. One night. We laugh, we hydrate poorly, we mock local karaoke. It’s therapy. But with worse lighting.”
I should say no.
I want to say no.
But I’m tired of this ache in my chest. Tired of pretending I don’t feel like I’m losing Josie one slow inch at a time.
Maybe a night out would help. Maybe noise, and lights, and not being alone with my damn thoughts for once would be a relief.
“Okay, fine. Whatever.”
Jace lets out a cheer. “Atta boy! See? You’re already having fun.”
No. But I guess I might.
Because honestly?
Going out with my best friend sounds a hell of a lot easier than sitting alone, wondering how I lost the one person I was starting to believe in again.
By the time we step into the Howling Moose Tavern, the place is already humming. Fire’s crackling in the hearth, old rock music plays loud enough to feel it in your ribs, and a group of locals are arguing about chili recipes near the bar like it’s a contact sport.
Jace charges ahead like he owns the place, flinging open the door and soaking up the crowd like he’s about to deliver a TED Talk on party excellence. Nova follows, muttering something about how she better get fries out of this.
I trail behind them, slower, shoulders tight and jaw clenched.
It’s warm in here. Familiar. Smells like cider and spilled beer and wood smoke. But my chest still feels hollow.
Jace’s voice booms from the bar. “Drinks for my loyal followers! The gains squad isin!”
Someone actually cheers. Someone else boos. Typical Moose energy.
I drop into a barstool, resting my elbows on the counter and trying not to look like a guy who’d rather be anywhere else.I know I agreed to this, but now that I’m here, it just makes everything more intense. The empty feeling. The fact that she’s not here.
And then Nova slides onto the stool next to me, scrolling her phone.
She snorts. “Guess who texted me?”
I don’t answer. Just look over.
“Josie,” she says, too casually. “Apparently, Dee convinced her, Maya, and Gracie to come out tonight.”
I sit up straighter.
“What?”
Nova grins, watching me too closely. “She asked if we were here. Said they’d probably head over in a bit. Gracie wants cider, and Maya’s on the hunt for pool tables and attractive mistakes.”
My pulse kicks.
Josie’s coming here?
I try to play it cool, but Nova arches a brow.
“Don’t pretend like that didn’t light you up like a Christmas tree.”
“I’m not—” I start, but she holds up a finger.
