I reach for the door handle. “With what?”
“Cody’s all pissed off, Mason’s stressed out, Dad’s—”
“Mason? Why the hell’s he stressed?” My tone comes out a little hostile.
Addison’s expression is taken back. We head inside, and she shuts the door behind her.
“Because… Cody made him go along to the airport to pick the clients up after he just worked a ten-hour shift.”
My heart drops slightly. I’m angry at myself for not following through with my job. Instead, I broke up with my girlfriend. Had I known that’s what was going to happen, I definitelycould’ve waited.
I reach for a bottle of whiskey on top of my fridge. “I’ll make it up to him.”
“What are you doing?” Addison worries when she sees me bring the entire spout to my lips. “Jesse!” she scolds.
I take a swig and put it away before answering. “Lexie and I broke up.”
The room is silent for a minute until Addison shouts at me, “And?! She was terrible!”
“Well, I really liked her,” I argue.
She shakes her head. “You just liked the idea of a girlfriend,” she mutters and leaves.
I look over at all three dogs lying in the living room, watching me, and huff. “Back to the four musketeers, I suppose.”
Chapter 6
Jesse
It’s been a few days since the breakup. I’m sitting in the church pew trying to listen to the message and apply it to my life as best I can. Pastor Charlies voice resonates through the speakers as he preaches about letting go and trusting God’s plan. Amen to that.
When the service is over and we’re dismissed, I do a double take. Addison is across the room, up a few rows, talking to Ella. It’s funny to see Addie all grown, conversing with her. Since she was only in elementary school when we dated, they didn’t have much of a relationship.
I’d like to go talk to Ella as well, but not today. I’m not feeling up for it with the breakup weighing on my shoulders. Maybe next week I’ll be a little happier.
Mason stands beside me and whispers, “What’s she talking to her about?”
I shake my head. “I don’t even wanna know.” I walk out to the main hall, and he follows.
“I’m off tomorrow morning if you need a fourth guy to helpset up decoys,” he says.
“Up to you. I know you’re working tonight.”
“No, I’m not. I got switched.”
“Switched?”
“Yeah, doing days now for a while. Another guy wants to work night shift.”
“Oh, nice. That’ll be good for you to get back on a normal schedule then.” I give him a pat on the back.
“You’re telling me. I gotta run out for Mom, but I’ll be back for lunch. You’re not skipping, right?” he asks.
My eyebrows furrow. I’m notthatdepressed about the breakup. “No, I’ll be there.”
“Okay, wasn’t sure with everything—”
“I’m fine.”
