Avery steps around me to reach for the glasses near my hand. It’s Tuesday and the bar is dead at the moment, but that’s because it’s still early at just after six. “You’re a moody asshole when you’re going through a breakup.”
“No, I’m just a moody asshole, full stop,” I mutter.
She stops and raises a brow at me. “No, you’re not. You were nice for about four months there.”
“Have you heard from Callie?” Mum asks, shoving her empty glass at me.
I take the glass. “I’m not making you any more. And no, I haven’t heard from her and I don’t expect to and I don’t want to discuss this.” I resist the urge to throw the glass at the wall, and instead, place it down with as much restraint as I can manage.
“It’s been, what, three weeks now?” Mum continues hounding me about Callie.
“I told you this isn’t up for discussion.”
Mum scowls at me and directs her gaze at Avery. “Will you please make me another Cosmo, Avery? My son is being a bastard and refusing.”
Avery gives me a questioning look.
I exhale loudly trying to force my irritation out. “Oh for fuck’s sake, make her another drink. I’ve got some paperwork to sort out in the office. Come and get me if you need me.”
I stalk into the office and slam the door behind me. I’m wound so tightly tonight and can’t seem to get my shit under control. Then again, it’s no different to the last twenty-one days since Callie walked out of my life.
Taking a seat at my desk, I start going through the bills I need to pay. There aren’t many, though, because I’ve thrown myself into work over the past three weeks and am up-to-date in a way I have never been before.
When I’m done, I try to find something else that requires my attention. After ten minutes of fucking around, I give up and lean back in my chair. Scrubbing my face, I mutter, “Fuck.”
I stare at my phone sitting on the desk. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve reached for it to call Callie. But I can’t bring myself to do it. I’m a stubborn bastard and as much as it pisses me off, I have to keep reminding myself this is for the best. If I’m going to have any chance at holding onto my sanity, I need to keep Callie at arm’s length.
“Luke.” Avery knocks on the office door.
“Yeah.”
She opens the door. “Have you got a minute?”
“Sure.”
I take in the hesitation in her step as she comes towards me and I know this isn’t going to be a conversation I want to have.
She doesn’t sit; rather she stands. “How are you?”
I narrow my eyes. “How do you think I am, Avery?”
“Well, I think you’re angry and moody and not coping to be honest.”
“That about covers it.”
She takes a moment before saying, “Have you thought about changing your mind?”
“Yes, but I won’t.”
“Why? If you’re this unhappy and you’ve thought about it, why won’t you take that step back to her?”
I rub the back of my neck. “Fuck. Do we really need to be having this conversation?”
She sits. “Yes.”
I shake my head. “No, we don’t.”
“God, you are so baffling.”