Page 111 of Heart Over Heels

Jack raised his glass. “Damn straight. We might creak and crack, but we don’t break easy.”

Their laughter warmed the room, and I let it wash over me. It didn’t fix anything, but it steadied something in me that had been shaking loose all week.

After the humor petered out, I found my voice again. “It might’ve been better if Ihadtold you,” I admitted. “Things may have turned out differently.” I stared down at my half-empty mug, watching the foam collapse into the amber brew as I concluded. “I just want to make it right.”

Jack nodded slowly, eyes on the glass in his hand. “Can’t very well do that by sittin’ here drinkin’ about it.” He paused then looked at me again. “You want some advice?”

I shrugged. “I’ll take whatever you’ve got.”

He gestured toward the TV in the corner. The camera panned over towering stacks of chips and players leering from behind black-lensed sunglasses. “If something’s worth hurting over, then it’s worth fixing.”

“I don’t know where to start,” I admitted.

Jack gave me that same kind look. “Just show up, son. Not with words. Not with gifts. Just…you. The man who’s sorry. The man who cares about him. And if that little demon’s the kind of person you say he is, he’ll see the try in you. He might not trust it right away, but he’ll feel it.”

Earl nodded along. “Or just buy him a dishwasher. Can’t hurt your odds.”

That earned a laugh from all three of us, though mine left my chest aching.

I looked at the ceiling fan overhead, its dusty blades turning as slowly as the thoughts churning in my head.

“Not tonight,” I said finally. “I think he needs time. And maybe I do too. But tomorrow…” I exhaled and regripped the beer mug sweating between my hands. “Tomorrow, I’ll go.”

Jack nodded, approval and worry wrapped up in that simple gesture. “You need backup, soldier?”

Earl grinned from the other side of Jack. “We’ve got your six, be it squaring up against some mobster angels or cleaning a messy club.”

It was more of a comfort than they knew. A small piece of what I’d been missing, or maybe a reminder of what I’d had all along.

“I appreciate it, both of you. But I think I need to show up.” I leveled Jack with a meaningful look. “Just me.”

Jack dipped his chin in agreement before Earl cut in.

“Well, if youdoneed support,” he began. “I wouldn’t mind tagging along. And I especially wouldn’t mind seeing some demon girls in their fancy drawers.”

If I’d been drinking at that moment, I might have choked on my beer. “They’re all men, Earl.”

“Do what?”

“The strip club. The demons. They’re all men,” I said. Then I thought of Zephyr and Darby challenging the concept of genderone spandex bodysuit or ruffled corset at a time, and I couldn’t help but add, “Though a couple of them could fool you.”

Earl squinted, trying to picture it. “So they’remenwearing fancy drawers?”

I laughed. “Yeah.”

His eyes went wide, utterly mystified. “Well, ain’t that something?”

Jack snorted into his beer while I returned to my thoughts.

Maybe I’d already lost Darby. But if there was a chance—any chance at all—then I’d do what Jack said. I’d show up.

Tomorrow night.

I’d find a way in.

It didn’t matter if the locks had changed or if Colette was guarding the door with all her hellhound fury. I’d stand outside if I had to. Hold down the sidewalk. Keep watch from the lot.

I just wanted to be there, and to do something that meant more than the mess I’d made.