Page 55 of All Stars Fall
The animosity between Drew and Will still existed like this disease that refused to fully leave the body, so we left it alone. At least they got along and could be friends again, as long as they didn’t talk about it.
The drugs, the partying, the cheating.
We kept it all under the rug where it belonged.
Where, frankly, Drew protected it like a baby.
He said if he let it out, it made it real.
And he wasn’t sure he could handle his own truth.
I didn’t blame him.
I could barely tolerate mine.
“Am I an asshole?” I asked, probably the wrong person, but whatever.
“Not always,” he said with a shrug. “I would say you’re the least assholey of all of us. How’s that make you feel?”
“Honestly, not well.” I groaned into my hands. “Because you’re a dick.”
“Thanks, man.” Drew released a sinister laugh. “Look, she’s with the kids. In fact, they’ve been gone three hours, they went to Mc Donald’s then the aquarium. If you ask me, she deserves more money than whatever you’re paying her, plus her place is completely ruined. I stopped by today, and she isn’t moving back in, not for a long ass time.” He was quiet and then, “You’re loaded. What could you possibly do that would make this situation better for her? Easier?”
“Uhhhhhh…” My mind drew a blank, but then I suggested, “Buy her a house?”
“Sometimes I wonder why they call you the mature one,” Drew muttered. “No, dumbass, but you could treat her. Flowers aren’t something girls buy for themselves. Hell, you could even give her a raise and demand she go shopping, make her feel special, that’s all I’m saying.”
“I do not know how to do that as her friend,” I admitted. “Not after tasting her—”
“Then—” he interrupted pointedly “—you better figure it out, and soon, because she’s going to be back in about five minutes.”
“Shit.”
“Good luck!” He jumped to his feet and walked to the door. “For what it’s worth, I never stood a chance.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I frowned in his direction.
“She likes you, man.” He sobered. “Hell if I know why she prefers a single dad with three messy kids over this.” He gestured along the length of his body with a laugh. “But she does, so the least you can do is figure your shit out and fast.”
The door slammed behind him.
I stared into the silence.
Hating it even more.
I wanted loud.
I wanted my kids.
I wanted Penny in my kitchen.
I wanted what I was terrified to have.
And I was petrified that if I touched her more, I’d ruin what shaky ground we were already on.
I had kids to think about.
Drew didn’t.
