Hate Sober (Love Me Duet 2)

I suck in a breath at her words. He looks dangerous, but holy shit. Then I remember that day with Alec a bit more clearly.

“I don’t know their story, just that they’ve done several deals together on real estate and Jasper likes him. Well, as much as Jasper can like anyone.” She chuckles. “I met Gunner a few times when I was pursuing Jasper.”

“Pursuing?”

“Revenge. I wanted him dead. Your man knew and never told on me.” My eyes go wide at her words. “I know. Change of events and here I am, sleeping with the enemy and all that.” She rolls her eyes. “He isn’t really my enemy, anymore.” She chuckles as she turns to look at me after spilling all that, and I don’t know what to say. “Sorry, was that too much?” She bites her lip. “We don’t really talk to others much. With his line of work, and the fact that most people know who Jasper is, they tend to stay away from me.”

“It’s fine,” I somehow manage to say.

“You would be used to the crazy world then. I mean, Gunner isn’t as crazy as Jasper, I am sure. But I bet he could be just as dangerous.” I almost choke on my water. “I did it again, didn’t I? Shit! Sorry.” She turns and waves. “Look, I better get back. He gets apprehensive when I leave him too long.” She smiles at me. “But if you leave Evergreen and are looking for some fun, come visit us, we’re in the next town over.” She walks off, leaving me standing there as she goes back to join Jasper.

Gunner turns to face me and doesn’t say a word as he leaves them and comes to a stop in front of me. “Everly.”

“Gunner. Mafia,” I hiss. “Really?” I’d heard of them through mentions, but they didn’t come to Evergreen.

His lip twitches at my words. “They came at your father’s invite, bunny.”

I still at his words. When I look back, I see Jasper and Isadora locked together as they make their way back to my father.

“Would it make it better to know right now I want to kill him?” I look at Gunner and see him waiting and watching for my reaction.

“No. And you couldn’t. He’s—”

“I know who he is, and on some level, I respect him. But make no mistake, Everly, I would kill him for you.” He turns and walks off, leaving me with those words.

What do they even mean? And why even say them?

I turn back and order another shot. I drink two of them before my mother finally separates herself from my father and comes to find me.

“This dress,” she says, smiling in approval.

“Why does Papa invite the mafia, Mother?” I ask.

“You know who Jasper is?” she asks, shocked.

I nod my head, it’s all I can do right now.

“They have arrangements. All are on good terms, and we all plan for it to stay that way. So, he invites, wines and dines him.” Of course he does. My father is all about who he can buy or have under his belt.

I turn away from her, picking up a glass of champagne which was placed in front of me.

“Do you think that’s a smart idea? I’ve seen you drinking before… tonight isn’t the night.”

“I’m leaving anyway,” I tell her, drinking the whole glass in one go.

She sighs. I guess it’s all she can do. She can’t hold me here. I’m an adult now, and I made an appearance at something I didn’t even want to come to.

“Please, drink some water and stay.”

I shake my head in answer just as I see Alec. He’s making his way over to me, and I quickly avert my eyes in search for Gunner. Thankfully, I don’t see him anywhere.

“Oh, Alec, thank God you’re here. Maybe you can convince her to stay,” my mother says, then kisses Alec on the cheek. She walks away leaving us both standing at the bar. Now I need another drink, or maybe ten. I haven’t seen Alec in so long that I miss him. I miss who he is. I love Alec. Maybe not in the way he’d hoped, but I do love him in my own way.

“Squirt.”

My lips twitch at his words. I really have missed him. I lean forward and wrap my arms around his waist and breathe him in, it’s nice to feel a sense of normality.

He is my normal, and has been for so long that it was weird when he wasn’t.

He’s my best friend.

I hope one day he can find it in his heart that he can be again.

15

Everly

Seeing Alec makes me smile, it’s been way too long. I wish we could go back to before I ever knew his true feelings for me. But that isn’t fair to either one of us. So, now we have to deal with the what and who we are now. The problem is, I don’t know what we are, and that’s the hard part.