“I was wondering how long it would take one of you to come over here.”
“One of us?”
Drew glances my way, and then over to where Beau, Adrian, and Noah still sit. “You’re Darren’s friends, right? Or three friends and an ex-husband?”
Since he already has his answers, I ignore him and nod toward the stage. “What’s his name?”
“Sebastian. You think he’s good?”
I almost ignore that question too, but the truth is that Sebastian is very good—the whole band is—and whatever frustration I feel has nothing to do with him. Besides, it was my decision to sit here, and I don’t think it was my intention to bite my tongue for the rest of the night.
“He is,” I agree. “His voice is great, the energy is right for a place like this, and it’s obvious that his charisma is off the charts. The two of you are close?”
“Incredibly close, but not in whatever way you’re imagining.”
“Don’t tell me he’s like the son you never had.”
Drew’s laugh is derisive at best. “Wasn’t planning on telling you anything.”
“How much have you shared with Riley?” I ask.
“About Sebastian? I'm almost positive anything those two want to know about each other doesn’t require my presence at all.”
So, he’s noticed their mutual interest, too. Of course,Iknow Riley’s only a month out of a bad relationship, and that Sebastian is good friends with a man with a knack for walking away without a proper goodbye, so any enthusiasm I might have had remains dulled for now. I look at the nearly empty glass in Drew’s hand and wonder whether he wants another, then give up my concern to listen to Supine for a blessedly peaceful few minutes. I’m biased, probably, because they play the sort of acoustic country-rock-blues I love, but it creates quite a conflict for me when I open my mouth again.
“If they get hired, are you going to be here every week?”
“I doubt it, but some of that will depend on Darren. Any idea how long he’ll keep me on the opposite side of the bar?”
“I’ve heard good parents tend to know when their kids want them around.”
“Ah, good parents,” Drew nods. “Like you, of course. You havea son, too?”
I flinch at the quick assumption. “No, a daughter. And she doesn’t work this hard to avoid lunch with me.”
“Darren only postponed lunch until after the auditions. We’re going out on Thursday.” I flinch again, and he clocks it. “Oh, did he not tell you that? I wonder whether that’s because he realized you’re less interested in protecting him and more concerned with how I’ve ruined the reputation of parents everywhere.”
I’m trying to figure out whether Darren lied to me or simply elided the details well, but all of it makes my stomach turn, and I take a few moments to breathe through it before I sigh.
“Where have you been? How were you able to stay away?”
Drew sighs too, his weariness unfair. “Okay, look, how about we agree you don’t owe me a damn thing about Darren, and I don’t owe you a damn thing about me?”
“Fine.”
“Great.”
I stand and look at Riley for a long time.
I turn my head and watch Supine for another few seconds.
I don’t spare a glance for Drew Barrett, and return to my side of the bar instead.
Three of them stop their conversation to look at me from their stools, but I have something I need to say before I do anything else. Darren pushes a full pint glass my way, and I wrap my fingers around it when I meet his cautious stare and open my mouth.
“Now you’ve got an obligation.”