“I can’t believe you’re dating my brother. It’s so weird. I mean, he’s my brother, Amber.”
“I know. I’m really sorry for keeping it from you.” Amber reached over to grab her friend’s hand. They were in a cute Mexican restaurant and had ordered some tacos for lunch.
“Don’t worry. The way I’ve been freaking out over my brother I’m not surprised you’ve kept it to yourself.”
Happiness filled Amber from Heather’s lack of reaction. She’d always expected Heather to get angry or something bad to happen.
“I do love him.”
“I can see it in your eyes. Every time his name is mentioned you brighten up. I imagine that’s how I look when Julian enters a room. I love him so much, and I know you, Amber. You’ll love my brother with so much passion. He’s a lucky guy. I hope he realizes how damn lucky he is.”
“I’ll make sure he knows it.”
Her cell phone chimed again. Elijah was always texting her. Rolling her eyes, she quickly read the text.
Elijah: This weekend, get it off. I want you to myself for the weekend. I’ve got lots planned.
“What’s he saying?” Heather asked.
“I’ve got a hot weekend planned. He’s your brother, and I don’t want to give you the juicy details.”
Heather groaned, covering her ears. “I do not need to hear all the sordid details. You can keep those to yourself.”
They finished lunch together, and Amber made her way to the address of the bar that Ashley had given her. She wanted to see her friend to let Ashley know everything was okay.
The bar was quiet when she entered. She spotted Ashley at the bar, cleaning glasses.
“Hey, honey.”
Her friend jerked at the sound of her voice. Amber waved toward her.
“Amber, what are you doing here?”
She came from behind the bar and pulled Amber into a hug.
“I came to see my best friend. How are you doing?” Amber asked.
“I’m doing good.” Ashley took her to the bar and went back to work.
“I told Heather the truth about me and Elijah,” said Amber.
“That’s good.”
For several minutes Amber watched her friend. She’d never seen Ashley look nervous or scared, but she looked it now.
“Honey, what’s going on?”
“Nothing. Nothing is going on. The bar is always slow during the day. I change my shifts every week. This week I’m working the day shift, and next week I’m doing the night shift.” Ashley was rambling, which was something she never did.
“Ashley, when you’re done with the glasses you’re needed in the back.”
The glass her friend had been holding shattered as it hit the floor.
Amber looked toward the voice and recognized the guy instantly. “Jonathan Cook?”
His gaze hit her. “Amber Phelps?”
“Yeah, what are you doing here?” Amber asked. She glanced at her friend to see Ashley had gone pale.
“I own this place.”
“Yeah, could you go, Jonathan? I’ve got this.”
He looked undecided, but he left without a word.
“The captain of the football team is your boss? Why didn’t you say anything?” Amber asked, turning her attention back to her friend.
“He’s a fucking jackass, and I’m looking for a different place to work. If nothing comes through soon I’m going to take Wade up on his offer.” Ashley threw the towel down on the counter. “I’m fine. There’s nothing wrong with the way I handle him. The past is in the past. You shouldn’t worry about me at all.”
“He broke your heart.”
Ashley snorted. “He smashed my heart to smithereens and laughed while he did it, Amber. I’m never going to forgive him for what he did to me, but I moved on.” She shrugged. “I’m living the high life, honey.”
“You’re fucking everything that walks and never opening up to another man. You’re not living a high life, Ashley. You’re just getting by.”
They stared at each other for several minutes. “I love you, Amber. You’re my best friend, but please, stay out of this.”
“I worry about you.”
“Don’t. The last thing you need to do is worry about me. I’m good.”
Amber watched Ashley walk in the same direction of Jonathan. Her friend was dying inside and had been since high school. Why hadn’t she seen it before? She’d been so caught up in her own drama she’d not even considered what her friend was going through.
Grabbing her purse, she headed out the door. She got back to work and made a list of all the things she’d need to pack for that weekend. There was nothing she could do to save Ashley. Her friend would come to her when she was ready to receive help.