Page 49 of Decker

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Get dressed,asshole, we’re going out.” Gunner threw clothes at him as he sat on the couch nursing a hangover from hell. He remembered now why he’d given up drinking, it made him feel like shit and the pain was still there when he woke up.

He glanced at Gunner who was still pissed at him for the way he’d treated Savannah. “Not in the mood.”

“I don’t give a fuck. You’re getting your ass out of this house and coming out with the boys.”

“Why? So you can all tell me what a dick I am again?”

His friends hadn’t pulled their punches when they’d found out what he’d done, and it was his own stupid fault. Savannah hadn’t said a word, it was his own drunken ramblings that had revealed that stellar moment.

Savannah. Just the thought of her made his heart ache with loss. He fucking missed her so much. Her laugh, her touch, the way she made him feel, the way she held him to account, never letting him get away with his shit but not holding a grudge either. She was the best person he knew, and he’d thrown it all away.

He’d never known love like this before. He’d loved his wife and had been happy with her, but this was more, deeper. What he felt for Susie was sweet and gentle, with Savannah it was rip-your-heart-out passion.

“You’re a dick. How anyone could treat a woman like her that way is a fucking crime. But it’s done and a month is long enough for you to wallow. You made your choice, now man the fuck up and live with it.”

A t-shirt landed on his head as Gunner threw it and then stood over him with his hands on his hips. This wasn’t a fight he was going to win so he stood and glared at his friend. He knew deep down the tough love was something he would’ve given him if the reverse were happening, and he’d treated Lacey the way he had Savannah.

“And take a fucking shower. You stink.”

Decker flipped him the bird but did indeed take a shower and felt human for the first time in weeks. He’d been working but other than that he was surviving. He met Gunner at the door and locked up before pointing at his car. “I’ll drive. I think staying sober is a good plan.”

“Fine.” Gunner folded his huge body into the car, his mood still not great but mellowing.

“Where to?”

“The Imperial.”

Decker parked down the road and they walked into the bar ten minutes later. He glanced around for his friends and found them at the bar. Jack waved them over where they had taken over most of the corner.

“Good to see you’re alive. What you drinking?”

“I’ll have a sparkling water, please.”

Jack got Gunner’s order and then turned to the barmaid who was practically salivating at him and got a round in.

Liam came over and grabbed his shoulders. “Deck, did you hear the news?”

“No, what’d I miss?”

“I’m gonna be a daddy!”

The joy on Liam’s face could be seen from space and Decker was genuinely happy for him.

He slapped him on the back as he hugged him. “Congratulations, man, I’m so happy for you both. You’re gonna be great parents.”

“Thanks, man, I’m so excited.”

“It’s the best feeling in the world,” he admitted and glanced across the room, his eyes locking with the woman he loved and had thrown away. She was sitting at a table with all the women and as soon as she saw him, she looked away as if he meant nothing to her. It stung more than he could’ve imagined and the ache for her in his belly knotted tight.

“Sorry, Deck, I didn’t know she’d be here,” Gunner said from beside him as he noticed him stiffen.

Decker shook it off, he’d done this to himself and had nobody to blame for his pain except himself. “It’s fine.” He turned to Blake. “Blake, how is fatherhood treating you?”

Blake beamed despite the bags under his eyes from his two-week-old daughter Ariella keeping him awake. “Best feeling in the world. I never knew I could feel such love for another human.”

“Shit. Don’t let Pax hear you say that. She’ll have your balls.” Jack laughed as he glanced across at his wife and winked. Those two wouldn’t be far behind on this baby train, the love between them was palpable.