I flash the phone atRaven.
“I guess I’m going to theBlackBear.”
IwishI could say I haven’t been to the Black Bear since my law school days, but in truth Axel, Brody, and I sat right here in one of these booths less than a year ago as we conceived the idea for our own bar and eatery. I spot Chip at the end of the bar and head on over. The atmosphere here is lively, the band is screaming their lungs out while girls in short skirts hop up and down to the rhythm. The Black Bear is fun as hell, and if it wasn’t overrun with so many elementary school kids—and sadly that’s exactly what the coeds look like to me now—my buddies and I may never have yearned for a place where grown-ups might choose toventure.
“What’s up?” Chip slaps the seat next to his. “Belly up to the bar, buddy. You need a stiffdrink.”
“ThatIdo.”
He nods, and our old friend Cole comes over with a grin on his face and two beers in hand. “Checking out the competition?” He slams the beers down between us. “On thehouse.”
“Nothing’s free,” I lament. After running The Pelican into the ground these last few months, I of all people know that all too well. “I’m paying.” I give a quick wink. “And believe me, we’re no competition for you. In fact, we’re already closed for thenight.”
“Really?” He glances to his phone a second. “It’s not even close to nine. Are you catering to the geriatriccrowd?”
“Somethinglikethat.”
He offers a sympathetic nod. “It’s tough. This place isn’t mine, but I see the headaches my buddies go through. They should be around. If I see them, I’ll send them over to sayhello.”
“That’d be great.” I wait until Cole takes off. “Can’t wait for them to rub this shit inmyface.”
Chip slaps me over the back and gives my shoulder a jostle. “The Sloppy Pelican is going to do fine. Stupid as shit name, but loyal customers tend to overlook thatstuff.”
I can tell by that expression on his face he’s only half-kidding.
“So, where’s Mer?” I give a quick scan of the place, but come up void of my ex-bitterhalf.
“Home. Maxie needed her, and she actually sounded like she wanted to be with Maxie, too. I guess motherhood is takingafterall.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it.” My heart strums through my ears, and soon my entire body is thumping with its echo. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to get off my chest for awhilenow.”
Chip touches his beer to mine. “Shoot.”
“I wanted tothankyou.”
His brows hike, and he nearly chokes on his beer. “Youwant tothankme?”
“Yeah.” Thoughts of that terrible time close to two years ago come back to me. “You were there for Meredith when I couldn’t be. I was a failure as a husband, and you were the friend she needed—and then some—but I think we’re past thatpartnow.”
“Are we?” He pushes his drink back as if he’s had enough of just about everythingtonight.
“I think so.” I stare down at the dark granite counter and lose myself for a moment. “When we lost the baby, I guess you could say I lost myself, too. She needed me, and I shut her out, along with the rest of the world. And then—Mer and I did what we were best at. Weargued.”
“And that was the beginning of the end?” Chip looks up at me with that pleading look on his face because we both know he wants tohearit.
“No.” I glare at him a moment before softening and letting him off the hook one last time. “Mer and I were over long before that.” I land my arm over his back a moment. “You and I both know it.” It’s true. I vented to Chip as much as she did. It was always one of us crying on his shoulder over our lousy state of affairs—which in turn led to their lousy affair. And it was Chip that I told first that my marriage was on the brink. I told him the counseling wasn’t working—that Mer and I were about to call it quits. And then, after I found out about the affair, I wondered if my own words worked against me. The day I found out—Chip and I fought like dogs, threw some seriouspunches.
“You told me it was over.” He takes a sip of his beer, his lids hanging low as if the conversation depressed the hell out of him. Itdoesme.
“It wasn’t an invitation,” I growl out the words. “You know, as fucked up as it sounds, I could have found it in me to get behind the two of you. ButafterMer and I were through with the divorce. Not during.” My voice rises a notch. “Anyway, this is where we’re at. You’ve got Mer, andthebaby.”
“And you’ve got screwed once again.” Chip leans in, those hound dog eyes trying their hardest to hold my gaze. “But Evie—Low, whatever her name is—she loves you. You know how I can tell? By the way she looks at you. No offense, but Meredith never looked at you like that.” He winces. “She’s not looking at me like that anymoreeither.”
My heart sinks because this is exactly what I was afraid of. “So,it’sover?”
He picks up his beer and raises it as if he’s toasting me. “It’sover.”
“I’m sorry, man.” I sling my arm over his shoulders and pull him in. “I really am. I’m not just saying that. What aboutMaxie?”
