“Figured it was going to be one of those nights.” She sat the rocks glass on a black bar napkin with awink.
“You are the best damn bartender in the entire city, you know that?” I forced a wide grin. One thing I always tried to do was leave my freaking job at the precinct, especially on the rougher days. Bringing that shit home with me would drive me fuckinginsane.
“This joint really needs to start making some damn food or something. I’m starving,” Gavin grumbled, shoving peanuts into his mouth before chucking one at myhead.
I just rolled my eyes.At least he has better aim on the ice.“One week left of singlehood—man, are you ready?” I laughed a little at the thought. His wedding was going to be a fucking joke or a trainwreck.
He shrugged off the sarcasm in my tone. “As ready as I’ll ever fucking be. I’m just ready to get this whole thing overwith.”
Slapping him on the shoulder, I lied through my gritted teeth, “It’s going to be great. I’m really excited for you andMarsheila.”
With a mouth full of cherries, he called me out on my bullshit right away. “You fucking hate her. You’re not foolinganyone.”
Gasping dramatically, I grabbed my chest. “When have I ever said anything of the sort?” I enunciated every wordloudly.
“Come on, dude, you know I’m right. How about every fucking time you’ve been drunk since the day I told you I was going to ask Marsheila to marry me? It’s been nonstop slurs of ‘You’re making a huge mistake, man. Don’t do it, dude. That old ball and chain is going to ruin your fucking life.’” He was right—I had been a complete dick and totallyunsupportive.
“Me? No, I would never.” I flashed a quick smirk, but it was met with a tight-lipped glare—I was pushing too many buttons, that was for fucking sure. “What kind of best friend would I be if I didn’t question the biggest decision of yourlife?”
Finally, Gavin started to loosen up. “A crappy one, I guess, but still, we’re a week away. I think we both know this is going tohappen.”
I threw up my hands. “You’re right. I was only looking out for your best interest. If that’s marrying the Wicked Witch of the West, then by all means, be myguest.”
“You barely even know her.” He slammed his empty glass down. “Bar temptress,another.”
She pushed her short black pixie-style hair away from her face with the back of her hand, giving both of us the stink eye. “You know I cannot stand it when you call me that, Gavin.” Jordan could be one sassy bitch, and I fucking loved her forit.
She started to make Gavin another Manhattan, giving us a coy smile. “Oh come on, Jordan, you know I’m just messing with you,” Gavin remarked as he took the drink from one of our bestfriends.
“You haven’t changed one bit since high school. You’re still the same pompous jerkoff you’ve always been,” sheteased.
“Yes, and that’s why you love me.” He blew her a kiss, and I laughed at their banter. It was just the distraction I needed from the shit-storm of a day I’dhad.
Jordan grabbed her stomach as she let out a deep laugh, slapping her tiny hand on the counter. “In your fucking dreams, Gavin. In your fuckingdreams.”
For a few seconds, I was brought back to when we were little kids and met for the firsttime.
“Mom? Can I…”I started to ask my mom if I was allowed to go play with Gavin as she nodded and bobbed on the couch. She was having another one of her episodes from her medication. Even at my young age, I could see the signs and knew that even asking was pointless—she wouldn’t remember or be able to respond. I just kissed her on the forehead like always and made my way into thekitchen.
I scribbled a note on the yellow pad that was magnetized to the refrigerator in the best handwriting I could muster, hoping that my mom would see it when she woke up from her nap and not worry aboutme.
Playing with Gavin. Be back fordinner.
“Can Gavin out and come play?”I asked Mrs. Hayes as she opened their giant frontdoor.
After flashing me a kind smile, she called up the stairs, “Gavin, Sean is here. Come ondown.”
Gavin trotted down the steps, leaping from the last one all the way to the door. “See ya later, Ma,” he called back as we both started running for our bikes in thedriveway.
“Be home before dark,” Mrs. Hayes hollered before shutting the door behindher.
“Fine!” Gavinanswered.
“Bet I can beat you to the end of the block,” I challenged Gavin as we started to ride down thesidewalk.
“You’re on!” he yelled as his legs started to pedal at lightningspeed.
We raced down the sidewalk until we had to come to a screeching halt. There was a little girl coloring with chalk on the cement, and she screamed as our tires got too close for comfort to her masterpiece—a disproportioned rainbow missing the orange layer with a goofy-looking smiling sun peeking through someclouds.