“I’m putting these here.” He placed a glass of water and a bottle of Tylenol on one of the matching nightstands. I didn’t tell him it was Neil’s side.
“Thanks, Jack.” My throat felt tight, and I let my eyes shut so he wouldn’t see me blubber again.
His warm hand brushed over my cheek and back into my hair before pulling away. “Get some sleep, Hailey.”
I listened until I couldn’t hear his footsteps anymore, making out the beginning rumble of the garage lowering before exhaustion dragged me under.
Chapter 14
The Eighth Friday
Icouldn’t look at Sean quite the same, my steps slowing as I approached the bar. It wasn’t because I knew he was married. He’d called the morning after our drunken binge, blaming me for his hangover like I’d told him he could. My own head had pounded despite taking the Tylenol Jack had left for me.
Sean apologized for not telling me about Derrick, and we’d talked about his marriage and about his poly relationship style. I remembered what he’d once told me about open relationships and how they could work. What he had with Derrick and his metamour, the term they used for a platonic relationship with their partner’s partner, sounded complicated but very loving. About a year ago, Sean had another partner as well, but she had decided to pursue something more traditional.
I was still wrapping my head around it, but their relationship sounded more solid than whatever Neil and I were doing. WhenI’d brought up our rule about not spending the night anywhere, Neil had told me I was just jealous and he again brought up how I’d let Isaiah kick him out of the hotel. He was still bitter about that.
I’d called him earlier today because I’d needed help with a problem I’d been hoping not to face alone, but he hadn’t come. Not that I’d really expected him to. I’d thought about calling Sean or Jack, but that didn’t seem right. It was my problem, like Neil said. I’d handled it.
At least, I hoped I had.
Staring at Sean, I wished I’d given in and called him anyway. I was sure he would have come. He’d told me he loved me.
Neither of us had brought that up when we talked everything else through. I worried he didn’t remember saying it and wondered if that was for the best.
Walking closer to him, I couldn’t help but hear the words again, and my chest squeezed. Besides my foster parents, Neil was the only one who had said he loved me. After his initial confession, he’d taken to saying it all the time. He’d say it even while telling me I could be a better girlfriend. The words had kind of lost their meaning.
Sean saying it had sounded different.
“Hey,” he said as I drew closer. To my surprise, he drew me in for a quick hug, kissing the top of my head. “Everything okay?”
I forced a smile as I pulled back. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
He didn’t return the smile. “Not sure. You seem, I don’t know, like you needed a hug.”
Music started playing inside. I’d timed my arrival well and let it pull my attention toward the stage. “I’m going to take my seat,” I told Sean, moving inside. I didn’t glance back at him, worried I’d see him frowning. My chest grew even tighter. If he did remember telling me he loved me, maybe he regretted it.
A brown-haired man with a small nose sat on the barstool next to my regular spot, and he turned my way with a half smile as I sat. He wore a blue polo shirt with the collar not quite lying flat. “Hi. I’m Brad.”
I hesitated but then nodded. “Hailey,” I offered.
“I think I’ve seen you in here a few times.” I didn’t remember seeing him before. He nodded toward the stage. “What do you think about the band this week?”
Tonight’s singer was a woman with a sultry voice surrounded by male band members, with the lead guitarist singing duet with her in a deep baritone. “They’re not bad.” I didn’t immediately want to add them to my playlist, though. I’d give it a few more songs before I decided for sure.
“Can I buy you a drink?” Brad asked.
I gripped the edge of the bar, giving him the same forced smile I had tried to use on Sean. “Sorry, I’ve had kind of a bad day and don’t feel up to this kind of thing.” I waved a hand toward him and then me. “Maybe another time?”
He leaned in. “I’m sorry your day was rough. Want a stranger to listen? Sometimes opening up to someone who doesn’t have a leg in the game can be cathartic.”
“What are you having?” Jack asked, his hand resting on the bar in front of me.
I reached forward to pat his hand, still looking at Brad. “If I’m telling anyone about my day, it’ll be my bartender. You know what they say; bartenders are like priests.”
Brad gave a stiff nod. “Sure. Can I get a rum and Coke?”
I didn’t regret turning him down after hearing his order. His getting the same drink as Neil felt like a bad sign.
