“No problem. Beryl’s going to take Ruthie for her next feeding and said she’ll walk Bunny, if need be.”
“That’s nice of her.” They were going to miss Beryl when she went home. Joyce would, too, of course, but Beryl had really pitched in. With Kyle and Ruthie here, her help had made a difference. “See you in a bit.”
Kyle nodded and went back to the book.
Mitch waved at Ruthie, then went out to the kitchen. Joyce and Beryl were sitting together at the kitchen table, having a cup of tea and looking over some cookbooks. “Have to go out. Back soon.”
“Mitch,” Joyce said, lifting her head. “Do you have a moment? I was hoping I could talk to you.”
He shook his head. “Not right now. When I get back.” She probably wanted another day off to spend with Beryl. He didn’t mind that. It was only natural that Joyce would want to spend time with her sister while she was here.
At the front door, he sent Jack a quick text.On my way.
Then he left, cutting through the path between the houses but going to the guest house instead. He took the exterior steps, which brought him to the balcony that connected with the breezeway. If he kept going, he’d end up at the main house.
He was about to knock when Jack opened the door. “Hey, brother, good to see you.” Jack pulled him into a hug, clapping a hand on Mitch’s back.
“You, too. It’s been a while, huh?”
Jack stepped back, nodding. “Yeah, it has. Come on in. Thanks for coming. I’m grateful. I asked Harper to join us. You two are the only ones who know what’s going on, so I thought it would be good to have you both here.”
“Of course.” Through the windows, he saw her leaving the house. Just the sight of her in those cut-off denim shorts madehim want to smile, but he contained himself. He was here for Jack, not himself.
Once Harper came in, they all sat. Jack took the big chair, Harper and Mitch found seats on the couch.
Jack took a deep breath, laced his fingers together and looked at Mitch. “Harper told you what’s going on?”
Mitch nodded. “She did. I’m really sorry you’re going through this.”
“Thanks. It’s been a real wake-up call. About all kinds of things. This past year hasn’t been great for me, man. It all started with losing my dad. That was…so hard.”
Mitch swallowed. “I can understand that.”
“Yeah, no doubt, you can.” Jack’s eyes held a pain that Mitch recognized. “It’s been tough. There have been some good days, some okay days, but a lot of bad ones. You know, right?”
Mitch just nodded. He knew all too well.
Jack went on. “Some days I feel like…like what was the point?” He shook his head and looked away. “I thought going to Comic-Con and being around people would help me, you know? Like maybe it was what I needed. Something else to focus on. But all it did was make me feel more alone. I drank too much that night, but that was nothing new. I’d been drinking too much most nights.”
Mitch had had a few of those nights, too.
Jack sighed and sat back. “Haven’t touched a drop since that night.”
“Good for you,” Harper said softly.
“But now I have this woman to deal with. Monica.” Jack frowned.
Mitch leaned forward. “Are you sure you slept with her?”
“No, I’m not. She said we did. That I forced her.” Jack stared at them, eyes pleading. “I’m not that kind of guy. I swear it.”
Harper nodded. “I know you’re not.”
Mitch’s writer brain churned away in the background, running through all kinds of different scenarios. “And so far, she’s contacted you how?”
“Once in person. Outside my house.” Jack shrugged. “It’s not hard to find out where I live. Or any celebrity, for that matter. But mostly by phone. She texted me the pictures she has. It’s me in her bed and the two of us together.”
“Togethertogether?” Mitch needed to know.
