The Wright Mistake(64)

“But it’s the best season!”

“Give me some Spike! All the Spike!”

Emery muttered something vulgar under her breath with a muffled, “Team Angel,” and then changed the TV to a different season.

Heidi piled up bowls full of ice cream so high, it rivaled Kevin McCallister in Home Alone. We all sat down and dug in.

I was with Heidi. I liked bad-boy Spike. But for me…not Buffy.

And that had been my problem for all of time. I always wanted the bad boys. It was as if I were marked or something. My mind drifted to Dillon, even as I tried to forget him. This was not how I’d wanted this night to go. Not at all.

But I was lucky at least. I had found friends who actually stuck by me. Girlfriends that I’d never had before. Not even close. And a family behind me. Not a family I couldn’t even claim.

I chewed on my fingernail and promised myself that I’d enjoy the rest of this night. Dillon had his own agenda. If I let him interrupt my day, then he’d win. He wanted to throw me off and to make me feel like I was never safe.

Well, I wouldn’t let him win.

Fuck that!

Never again.





Twenty-Six



Austin


Patrick’s birthday was exactly what I needed right now.

Not that I could tell anyone why.

I was so utterly fucked up.

This prick had hurt Julia. For years. She’d been so hurt that she had to run. She’d had to become a new person to get away from him. And then, when she’d finally opened herself up to someone, it had been me.

And what had I done? Fucking hurt her.

She never should have given me a second chance. She had to see Dillon when she looked at me. Fucking asshole addict who used and abused her good graces. That slap she’d hit me with last fall felt so much more weighted. I’d deserved it then. I knew I deserved it more now.

Landon shot me a curious look. “You’re awfully quiet.”

“I don’t like to listen to the sound of my own voice like you do.”

“Whatever, dude. It’s more than that.”

“Let it go, Landon.”

He sat up straighter in his seat as we pulled up to The Shack. It was the best barbeque west of Dallas. Even if my car did hate that it had a gravel parking lot.

“You want to talk about it?” Landon asked.

“No.”

“All right. Well, if you change your mind…”

“Seems unlikely,” I said, stepping out of the car. “We’re here to celebrate my best friend. Not for you to baby me.”

Landon held his hands up. “My bad, dude. Just looking out for you.”

“Well, don’t.”

I locked up my car and headed through the front door, behind Landon. Patrick was already there with a few of the guys from the gym—Evan, Mick, and Connor. I was truly surprised it was this subdued, considering the fact that Patrick was such a life-of-the-party kind of guy. But I wasn’t complaining. I’d rather it just be us anyway.

Landon and I ordered at the front. Landon got brisket while I got ribs. I was obsessed with them and would come to get them all the time if the Shack were closer to the office. I filled up a water cup and then headed for Patrick’s table in the back of the restaurant, near the bar.

My eyes lingered on the shelves of whiskey. I really wanted a drink. One to take the edge off. This felt like a good reason. I’d even take a fucking beer. Anything. Instead, I sat my ass down and just stared longingly instead.

“Happy birthday, man,” I said to Patrick as I waited for my food.

“Good of you two to finally show up!”

“Yeah, sorry. I got hung up.”

Patrick raised his eyebrows. “Why do I have a feeling that wasn’t the only thing hung in this joke?”

I laughed and shrugged. “I’ve got a pretty amazing girlfriend.”

“Aw, my lovesick puppy,” Patrick joked.

“Here we go!” Evan said, carrying four beers in his hands and dropping them on the table.

Mick had two more drinks and passed one to Connor.

“Hey, thanks, man!” Patrick said, grabbing a beer.

Landon took his, and Evan swigged back some of his.

And then there was one.

It was as if Evan had freaking looked into my brain and materialized the exact thing I wanted. But I let it sit there, in front of me, tempting, alluring. I knew exactly how it’d taste. How it’d make me feel.

“That one’s for you, Austin,” Evan said, pressing it over to me.

Patrick and Landon shared a look.

“I’ll just double-fist it,” Patrick said with a laugh.

“It’s just one,” I said, meeting their eyes. “No big deal. Right? It’s your birthday.”

“Austin,” Landon muttered, “are you sure?”