Page 53 of Rumor Has It

“He’s home five minutes and already found his drawl.” Chord laughs.

I roll my eyes. “I never lost it, no reason to.”

“We’re gonna get drunk, talk shit, and look at women!” Riley boasts.

“Whatever. I’m just happy to hang out and catch up.” Walker side-eyes him. “By the way, little brother… I recorded that for Ava.”

Riley glares at him. “You better delete that or I’ll tell Reese you were being mean to me.”

“Good to see not much has changed!” I slap Chord’s outreached hand as we burst with laughter.

It is good to be home. I’ve missed this bunch. It’s great to see they’re all still friends and living amazing lives. At one point, none of us thought we’d ever find happiness. I’m glad they did.

Riley pulls into a sports bar about thirty minutes from my parents’; so much for walking home if I need to. It’s a new place in town, well at least to me. Across the street, I see a garage, and my chest tightens.

“I don’t think I remember any of these places.” I stand beside the vehicle, checking out the buildings. “I know that wasn’t there, coincidence?”

Walker leans against the door, while the other two get out and join us. “Nope, it’s not.”

“It’s Grandpa Mack’s. He opened it up last year.” Chord’s eyes flicker to the others.

I nod. “Is the old one still there?”

“Yup, Ridge helps run it.” Riley chimes in. I’m not sure what it is, but something doesn’t feel right. Oh, yeah. It’s the knot forming in the pit of my stomach.

“Drinks! Food! And laughter! Oh my!” Riley begins to chant, and the others play along until I finally join in, all the way into the bar.

We order food, catching up on everything. I can’t believe they all have families. I’m happy for them, but I feel old. Once the drinks start coming, the phones come out, and I’m inundated with photos of everything that either winks, coos, or craps.

“Let me get this straight.” I shake my head. “So you and Brannon actually get along?”

“Of course we do. We’re raising a child together,” Riley replies without hesitation or making a joke.

I blink rapidly. “You’re not kidding.”

“No, he’s a good guy.” Riley nods. “Even better dad.”

I pick up Chord’s phone, studying his pictures. “I’m thrilled you found Sutton … Sarah. I’m sorry I wasn’t around for Silas. I hate that for you both.”

“Naw, man.” Chord leans over, staring at the screen. “We’re good. I appreciated your card and flowers.”

“I should’ve been here, I’m sorry.”

Chord stretches, wiping away a stray tear on the sly. “I feel old, considering his eighth birthday wasn’t long ago.”

“You feel old? Andi’s twelve!” Riley gushes about his step-daughter. His wife, Ava, is Walker’s age.

“That’s what you get for marrying an old woman.” Chord cracks himself up. “Don’t tell her I said that.” He glares at Walker. My chest feels heavy with the talk of all the kids and birthdays; it actually makes me bitter.

Walker studies me, drawing my attention. “So, how are you? How’s your dad and mom getting along?”

“Dad’s on the mend, and obviously, Mom is doing good.”

They exchange glances, and I suppose Chord gets the short straw. “And you? What’s new with you?”

“Work is good. I have a great house.” I take a big swig of my liquor. The amber burns as it goes down, warming my cold, dead heart. “Livin’ the life!” I hold my glass up, waiting for them to toast me.

Riley clinks his with mine, followed closely by the others. “Hell, yes! Get it, dude!” Walker and Chord add a few ‘woots’ and we move on from my boring life. It’s cool they didn’t call me out on it, and I think even my parents can see it.