Chapter 26
Ethan
More crowded than usual, I push through the crowd at Ollie’s Pub, nodding at people on my way to the long oak bar.
With his back against the wood-paneled wall, Will knocks back a bottle of Heineken.
The skinny blonde on the barstool beside him giggles as if he said something funny.
He wasn’t even talking to her, which makes me laugh.
His eyes widen when I stop in front of him. Setting the beer on the bar, Will whispers something to the girl, who quickly slides off the stool. She smiles as she leaves, flashing pearly white teeth that are too perfect to be real.
“You showed.” Will pats the open seat. “Drink with me.”
Concern bubbles up in my chest. Will is far too calm after his reaction this morning. I sit beside him and prop my elbow on the bar, leaning over it to catch the bartender’s attention. She takes my order and then disappears.
“About this morning,” I start. “Look, I’m sorry you had to find out about us that way. I never wanted to sneak around with Mia behind your back, but it happened. I didn’t plan it out. I wanted to tell you so many times and pussied out.”
Will raises his hand to silence me. “I started drinking after I left Mia’s apartment and haven’t stopped.
” He slurs some of his words, though he’s not shitfaced.
Will can handle his alcohol. “My sister loves you. I thought long and hard about this all day. I’m pissed at you for lying to my face and fucking my sister.
But I only care about one thing. If you love her back, then I can try and get used to the idea of the two of you being together.
But if this is just a hookup for you, I’ll bash your fucking head in with this bottle. ”
“Kinda harsh, don’t you think?”
The bartender returns with my beer, and I hand her my credit card to start a tab.
Will presses his lips together, his jaw clenched. “Answer the question. Do you love my sister?”
I pound half the bottle in one gulp and set it back on the bar. Serious conversations require a lot of alcohol. “Yes. I told her this morning after you stormed off.”
Will pinches the bridge of his nose between his fingers and sighs. “Okay… fuck.” He mutters something to himself under his breath. “I guess it’s better than Mia hooking up with someone I hate. But you know what this means, right?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “No.”
“Our friendship won’t survive if you hurt her because I’ll kill you. So, don’t break her heart.”
I give his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I promise to take good care of Mia. This is what you’ve wanted for her all along. Someone to look out for her.”
He takes a sip from his beer, staring at me, expressionless.
A beat passes between us before he bobs his head in agreement.
“Yeah, I guess so. All I care about is her happiness. If you both want this, I don’t have to like it, but I can accept it.
Maybe the idea of you two will grow on me over time. ”
“That’s all I can ask for,” I mutter. “I’m glad it didn’t come down to us beating the shit out of each other.”
Will laughs. “Why? Because you know I would kick the shit out of your punk ass.”
I smirk. “No, I would’ve let you do it to release your anger.”
Like I let my dad do when I was a kid.
“Now that’s stupid.” He shakes his head, amused. “We move back to our condo tomorrow. What are you planning to do about Mia? Is she moving in with us? Like, what the hell is going on with you two?”
“We’re dating, not getting married. At least not anytime soon. This is almost as new for us as it is for you.”
“Promise me one thing,” Will says.
“Anything.”
“Don’t fuck my sister while I’m home. I’ll need lots of fucking therapy if you do.”
I nudge him in the arm and laugh. “You already need lots of therapy.”
“True, but I’d need a lobotomy if I had to hear that shit. Seeing your bare ass in Mia’s bed this morning was bad enough.”
We break out into a fit of laughter. My friend returns with each swig of beer.
“I can do that,” I promise.
“This sucks.” Will scans the wall of expensive liquor bottles behind the bar. “No more chasing after women with you. I need a new wingman.”
“Liam would be happy to take a few girls off your hands. You can always give him a call. Just because I’m with your sister doesn’t mean I’m dead. I’m still your wingman, only in a different capacity now.”
“You got that right,” he hisses. “If I ever see a woman around you that doesn’t share my DNA, I’ll kick your ass.”
I smile at his threat. “Duly noted.”
“Enough talk about my sister.” Will raises his beer to tap the bottle in my hand. “Drink up, motherfucker. Tomorrow is moving day.”
And my last night at Mia’s apartment.