Chapter 21
Twenty-One
“Should we take these drinks out to the patio? I feel like it’s too loud in here to have any real conversations!
” Mae wobbled as she grabbed Lily’s hand.
Girls’ night was in full swing, and it was perfect.
Well, except for the fact that Emma hadn’t been able to make it, but Mae was drinking enough for the both of them.
And the fact that they had chaperones. Because, of course, their protective men wouldn’t let them out of their sight.
Stone and Hawk had stayed behind to go through the paperwork found in Laurel’s hotel room.
And Mae’s favorite fact of the night: Gunner was at home, supervising Embrie as she babysat Sage.
Even with Gage and Nash there, for the first time in weeks, she felt free. Free from the worry. Free from the pain. Free from the heartache.
Was it because she knew Laurel was no longer in town? Maybe. The guys had been freaked out to find her room trashed, but Mae just figured she packed up in a hurry and scrambled off to her next victim's location.
Mae’s hands went above her head as her hips swayed back and forth to the beat of the music. Of course, her hands were wrapped tightly around her two drinks. What a tragedy it would be to spill them when they’d just waited for far too long to send another order in.
“Yes! I have an idea for an absolutely scandalous picture I want to send to my husband.”
“Oh?” Mae laughed.
“I know he’ll be loving the night with Sage even though Embrie is getting in babysitting experience, but why shouldn’t he feel just a little jealous that he’s not on girl guard duty tonight?”
Mae nodded, completely agreeing with her best friend.
The guys sat around a small table next to them, food spread over the surface.
A little dinner at Davney’s was all the pre-gaming they’d managed before venturing to the new bar in Silver Springs.
The Vault, aptly named for the fact that the original building was a bank, and the actual vault was still inside the bar being used as a sort of VIP room, was charming, if not a little too glamorous for the area.
But what did Mae know? It made a nice setting for the girls to get together and the drink menu was much better than the beer served at Davney’s.
“Sounds good to me!” Lacy chimed in.
While it took a few minutes for the giggles to clear so they could navigate their buzzing bodies out under the stars, going outside had been the right decision.
The chilly night air made the perfect backdrop to the fancy concrete and gas fireplaces that were dotted around the outdoor seating area.
Gas lamps were also available at the tables, and that’s where Mae directed her friends to sit.
“I’ll be right over at that table if you need me,” Gage pressed a kiss to Sloane’s temple before walking away.
Lacy smiled, sipping her margarita. “God, I know it’s probably wrong to love how protective and possessive our guys are about us, but there’s just something so…”
“Delicious about it?” Sloane laughed. “I completely agree.”
“I feel like I should have my ‘strong, independent woman’ card revoked, because the minute Gunner growls at me for doing something simple, like opening my car door or trying to change a light bulb, I simply go weak in the knees.” Lily shrugged.
“And then those weak knees take you all the way to your bedroom to give him a proper thanks,” Mae winked.
“Most of the time, yes.” The girls all laughed. “Although, having a rambunctious toddler to run after is certainly making sneaking away a little harder.”
“You can always drop Sage off with us. You know Embrie is obsessed with her! Keeps hinting that having Sage around is good practice for when she’s a big sister.”
“Aw, that is precious.” Mae swirled around the last bit of liquid in her drink before slamming it down her throat. Don’t think about your pregnancy ending. Be a good friend and ask… “Are you guys trying?”
“I think it’s sort of the same situation as Lily and Gunner. I mean, correct me if I’m wrong, Lily, but for Nash and me, we just aren’t trying to prevent it. I had my birth control taken out last week.” Lacy smiled while she wrapped her arms around herself. “So, I guess we’ll see.”
“That is so exciting! I love that Sage has Embrie to play with, and I’m also looking forward to new family members joining us soon.
” As if she heard Mae’s heart drop, Lily turned right to her, her face drained of all color.
A quick ‘sorry’ flashed across her lips, but Mae just smiled and shook her head.
She needed a lot more alcohol in her system before she’d be ready to talk about that emotional bomb again.
Sloane’s eyes bounced between Mae and Lily, a small line forming between her brows, but she must have decided to opt for a more neutral question. “Have you settled on any house plans?”
The women listened to Lily talk about the house they planned to build on land they’d recently purchased just outside Silver Springs. But Mae’s mind wandered.
She hadn’t really let herself think too much about what would happen when Stone’s memories came back. Because she was certain they would. Just because being outside of Dolly’s hadn’t done the trick didn’t mean that nothing ever would. And then he’d know.
He’d know that he wanted to end things with Mae. That her being there, her being the one to take care of him, was actually the last thing he really, truly would have chosen.
She’d been playing with fire. Living a lie of a life on borrowed time. Her skin crawled as she felt the walls caving in around her.
“Mae? Are you okay?” Sloane asked.
“Of course! I’m so excited to help plant that garden, Lily.
To all the exciting things happening for all of you, and to finally having a girls’ night to celebrate them!
” Mae stood up and clanked her glass against Lily’s.
Then Sloane’s, and finally Lacy’s. “We don’t do these enough.
Now that all you ladies are settled down with your man. ”
“What do you mean? You’re settled down with Stone. Now that Hawk knows, that must be such a relief,” Lacy said.
“Oh, yeah… it is, for sure.”
“How is he doing? Really? Every time I see him, he gives such a manly answer.” Sloane asked. “Always the ‘oh, Sloane. I’m fine!’ bravado.”
Mae shrugged.
“What’s going on with you right now?” Lacy asked as she sipped from her glass.
“I can’t,” Mae shook her head, holding onto Lily’s gaze.
“You can. We all want to be here for you. Friends share what is going on in their lives, Mae. The good and the bad. The happy and the sad.”
“Stone wanted to get married,” she blurted out.
“Oh my god! Congratulations—” Sloane smiled so brightly, but Mae shook her head.
“We aren’t engaged. We won’t be getting engaged. I didn’t really answer him… but I would say no if he asked again.”
“What? When did he ask?”
“The night I told him about the baby.” Mae drained her Ranch Water. “About an hour before I started miscarrying.”
“Oh god,” Lacy whispered, her hand coming to rest on Mae’s arm.
“It’s fine. He hasn’t asked again. Why would he? He was only asking because of the baby.” Mae faintly registered Gage, and Nash sitting deathly still as she continued. “But even if he did, I would say no.”
“Why? You love him. And he loves you.” Sloane doubled as Mae’s vision swooped. The heat of the tequila was starting to spread through her body, numbness warming all the painful and sharp edges that were becoming too much to handle.
“You know his doctors told us no big life decisions right now. His body is still healing, and more than that, so is his mind. There’s a huge chunk of time he doesn’t remember, and that includes us breaking up.”
“Mae…”
“No, Lily. Stone made that decision. The morning he was shot. I was literally down on my knees begging him to make another choice, but…” she shrugged.
“He told me to get up, and I did. I walked out of that apartment swearing I’d never be back.
I promised myself I wouldn’t be pathetic.
I wouldn’t go back. And look at me now. He doesn’t remember that he didn’t choose me.
He was so happy when I told him about the baby.
” Her voice pulled, a hiccup forcing the words she was about to spiral out with back down, deep into her soul.
“And all we’ve done is pushed you back to help him.” Sloane’s eyes were wide. “I’m so sorry, Mae. How can we help? What can we do?”
“Order me some more shots?”
“You don’t need more alcohol.” Nash stood and crossed his arms. As if his command was going to stop her from enjoying her night.
“I just want to let loose, dad. I don’t want to feel sad right now. I’m tired of thinking about everything I lost. The baby—”
Tears filled her friends’ eyes. No, shit. She didn’t want that. She turned to smile at the guys, but she was met with that same sadness. That same pity she was trying to outrun.
It was meant to be a fun night out. Mae was the fun friend. She was outgoing, fiery, and funny. She wasn’t sad, and drippy, and she certainly didn’t need coddling.
Mae shook her head. “I need this to not be a sad night. All I’ve been feeling lately is sad. I need to forget. I need to let loose.”
“I’ll go get those shots.” Sloane stood, smiling as Gage got up and walked inside with her.
“Both girls are out like lights,” Hawk smiled as he walked back into the living room. Stone was sitting on the sofa, a beer in his hand as he sifted through the paperwork they were able to get from Lo’s hotel room.
“Well, at least we have a copy of the bogus reports now.” Gunner grunted as he slid a plate of pizza onto the table in front of Stone. “I can see how Laurel would think these were real.”
“This doesn’t make any sense. What is the point of all this?”
Hawk bit into a slice of pizza, talking as he chewed. “I hate to say it, Doc, but I think the point is to destroy you. Not just your credibility, but literally take you out. Was getting shot not enough of a clue for you?”