“What the hell are you even doing here then? It’s supposed to be an intimate gathering with close friends.”
He scoffs and sits up, his boots shifting on the wood floor. His father makes him wear suits to work, so he takes every other opportunity to wear his band T-shirts, leather jacket, and combat boots.
“I happen to be a good friend of Luke’s,” he utters. “He takes care of my baby.”
I roll my eyes as I sit down next to him, and he shifts over to give me room. Declan’s “baby,” of course, is his Ducati Superleggera V4. Not that I know anything about motorcycles, but Declan’s is apparently highly collectible. Most people would probably keep theirs on display in a garage, but Declan rides his into the ground like it’s a four-wheeler and then takes it to Luke to put back together. Not unlike how he and I used to function with girls in high school.
“What did you say to her?” I ask, trading our small talk for the reason I came over here in the first place.
“Nothing she didn’t already know.”
I blow out a breath. “C’mon, Dec. I was venting. I didn’t want you to threaten her.”
He smirks. “What makes you think I threatened her?”
I don’t respond, instead, narrowing my eyes at him in annoyance. “Declan.”
“What? I thought you were over it. It’s been fucking months, dude.”
“I am over it.”
“Sure.” His eyebrows knit together as he stands and lightly slaps my chest with the back of his hand. “Whatever you need to tell yourself, man. Just be careful. That chick has major daddy issues. She even thinks she is a Daddy.”
I blink at him in confusion. I’m not sure I want to know what that means or how he knows it. Either way, I can’t ignore the unintentional sting of his words. Everything she told me that night comes rushing back. She trusted me only to discard me hours later. It didn’t change the overwhelming need to help her. Then she vanished into thin fucking air. Unanswered phone calls, texts. For a month, I tried. Then I just gave up. How long can you seek out someone who doesn’t want to be found?
“What, no comeback about my own daddy issues?” Declan scoffs.
“No, I guess not,” I say quietly.
“Look, man. That girl will set a match to your life. Trust me. I know the type.”
“Because your love life is something I want to model mine after,” I say, sarcasm dripping from my lips.
Declan’s dark eyes meet mine, his mask momentarily slipping, before he quickly pulls it back up. “You know I don’t believe in love. My sex life, on the other hand…is pretty fucking great. So yeah, you should take my advice.” He claps me on the back and shakes his glass. “I need a refill. Don’t sulk all night. It’s weirding me out.” I watch as his boots retreat toward the bar.
He may not have gone about it in the right way, but Declan has a point. I can’t keep this anger going anymore. It’s not healthy. She made her decision that night, and I can’t change the way she feels any more than I can change the way I do. The least I can do is be professional. That guy ordering her around and threatening to fire her? That’s not me.
Excited voices start to chant as a glittering disco ball slowly lowers from the ceiling, and everyone starts to count down.
“Ten,” they yell. I glance over to see Emory excitedly clapping her hands and looking at Luke like he’s everything. I guess they made up since yesterday.
Nine. Luke grabs her face, readying himself for a kiss.
Eight. I glance over at Declan, who now has a blonde woman hanging off his arm, looking at him like he’s her next meal.
Seven. Six. Five. I’ve suddenly never felt so alone in my life. I wish Sky were here, but she must have knownhewould be here.
Four. I contemplate slipping out the door.
Three. It’s too late.
Two.
One.
Cheers erupt as the disco ball reaches the ground. Emory and Luke fuse their mouths together. Declan and his girl have disappeared—probably fucking in a coat closet or something. Everyone else finds someone to hug or kiss, wishing one another a “Happy New Year.”
A throat clears behind me, and I glance back to see Nate hovering. He looks all business in his slim-fitted suit, jet-black hair gelled to the side.
