“I don’t really have a plan. Being around her is more than I ever thought I’d have again.”
“Yeah, but I know you, Hayes. You’ve pined after this woman long enough. Being near her won’t be enough.”
“It has to be. That’s all she’ll give me.”
“You know she’s supposed to get married?”
“I know.”
“And, as a sane person, you have to let that happen.”
I chug my drink instead of responding.
“Hayes,” he warns.
“I know. Damn, Lochlan. Just kick me when I’m down.”
“Believe it or not, I’m trying to protect you.”
I do believe him because if anyone knows anything aboutme, Lochlan knows that I am not a sane person.
He’s protected me since the day we became cellmates, including saving me from myself.
“The last thing I want to do is cause her more grief in her life. I want her to be happy. If marrying that jerk off will do that, then…” I shrug in indifference, letting my sentence die.
Lochlan only stares into the flames, ignoring my attempt at being an honorable man.
“What’s Jo up to tonight?” They’ve been inside each other’s skin since they made things official. I’m surprised she isn’t curled up on his lap right now.
He finishes his drink instead of responding.
“Loch?”
A deep grumble escapes his chest. “She was invited to a girl… Thing.”
“A girl thing?”
“Yes.”
“Lochlan.” My brute friend does not do coy well.
“She was invited to a bachelorette party.”
“A bachelore–” My thoughts finally catch up to my mouth. “Oh. Liv’s?”
He pauses before taking a drink from his new bottle of beer. “Yeah.”
My skin starts to itch as a thousand-pound boulder weighs on my chest. “What exactly were they doing? Or, where were they going?” I ask as pain grips my throat.
“Nope, not telling you a damn thing.”
“Fuck you, Loch!” I yell, uncharacteristically, and yank at my hair.
He stands from his chair. “Alright, let’s go.”
“No, I’m fine. I’m cool.”
“Get your ass to the garage, or I’ll drag you there myself.”
