Hate Sober (Love Me Duet 2)

I look at her, surprised. I thought that she was over him, and that he was just a phase she went through. Maybe I’m wrong.

“I met his fiancée. She’s good for him.”

A blush takes over her cheeks as she waves me off. “That’s good. I’m happy for him.” She doesn’t seem happy at all for him, but I don’t question her. I had that my whole life, so I know what it’s like to be questioned about every move you make. “You’ll tell me if you go back to Gunner, right? I won’t have to find out elsewhere?”

I nod my head, smiling. “Of course I will.” I don’t blame her for asking, there’s a lot I’ve kept from her lately. She’s my best friend, and even if I can’t tell her about my whole world, I can share some of it with her. I learned that early on. It’s one of the reasons Alec and I were so close. I could share everything with him and have no worries about consequences because he’s part of the family. Obviously, he didn’t share everything with me, though. I see that now.

Alec lives close to my parents, he always has. I pull up to his house before I head to my parents’. He’s waiting at the door for me with a smile on his face when I walk up. I called ahead to see if he was home.

“Squirt, it’s good to see you.”

I throw my arms around his chest and I hear him breathe me in. Pulling back, I give him a huge smile.

“Are you coming for dinner?” I ask in the hopes he is, but he shakes his head.

“Jacinta’s family gets me on Sundays now.”

The smile drops from my face. I didn’t expect to not have him around anymore. He touches my chin, lifting it up to look at him in the eyes. “You know I’ll always be here for you, right? No matter what, you come first.”

A tear leaves my eye and runs slowly down my cheek. “That will change. And maybe it needs to. But I appreciate you saying it nonetheless.”

He smiles one of his friendly smiles at me, the one I have come to love throughout my life. “Squirt…” He steps closer, just as I hear a car pull up. “If you need to run, say the word.” He says the words in a low voice as footsteps come up behind me. Turning around, I see Jacinta who looks uneasy with us standing so close together, but she covers her insecurity with a smile as I step back.

“Everly, we didn’t expect you.”

Before I can say anything, Alec does instead, “She told me she was coming by before dinner with her parents.”

“Oh,” she says, and I can feel the disappointment in her voice. She steps past me and up the steps until she’s next to Alec. “Why don’t you come in?”

“I should get going.” I turn, pointing to my car.

“Just one drink. We have to head off soon anyway.” She looks at the time, and I nod my head. Jacinta walks in first, and Alec waits for me to go in after her. I look back at him and raise my eyebrow, but he simply smiles and shrugs his shoulders. Sitting in his living room, Jacinta makes a drink then brings it over to me. “Alec said you like to drink this.” She hands me a tequila on ice.

I smile, holding the tumbler in my hand, but not drinking it. She pours Alec a scotch and sits next to him, her hand going directly to his leg as she stares at me.

“How have you been?” I ask in an attempt to make small talk.

Damn! This is uncomfortable.

Clearly, she doesn’t want me here.

But being around Alec is normal for me.

Well, I can see how it used to be my normal, but maybe not now, because I don’t want to intrude on their life and cause issues for her. Jacinta’s a good person, and if I make her uncomfortable, then I shouldn’t be here.

“Good,” she replies. “I guess it’s best I tell you both because you will tell her anyway.” She crosses her hands in her lap and looks from me then to Alec.

“What’s wrong?” Alec asks, unsure of what’s happening.

She looks down to the floor, and when she looks back up, she has a smile so wide it really does look good on her. “I’m pregnant.”

I’m sure my jaw hits the floor, and I’m fumbling around trying to find it to pick it up.

Did she just say?

Holy shit.

I look at Alec to see he’s having the same reaction as me. He stands, then sits, then stands again.

“You’re sure?” he finally manages to say.

Jacinta nods her head, her blonde hair bouncing as she stands and throws her arms around Alec’s shoulders. He hugs her back, but looks at me with his eyes wide. I manage to close my mouth and offer him a small smile.