I laughed at how excited she seemed. “See! I knew you were a natural,” I exclaimed, gathering her into my arms and placing a kiss near her ear.
“You’re drunk,” she said, pulling away from me.
“I am. But that’s not going to stop me from having a good time with you.” I replied, running a hand down her back.
“Is it me you really want, or my boss?” she asked, her bottom lip moving into a pout. “I know she turned you down.”
“Which leaves me all nice and open for you,” I explained, wanting nothing more than to bury my sorrows. I hated the hollowness I was feeling.
“What if she still wants you, too?” she asked, trailing her finger over my pecs.
“She’s made it pretty clear who she wants,” I said, pulling her closer.
“Sometimes the mouth and the heart speak two different languages.”
She’d lost me. “Huh?” I tried to follow what she was saying.
“I’m saying that she may have made her choice, but she looks miserable.” Her eyes traveled over me. “Almost as miserable as you. I think she’s missing you. She’s not happy—not like you’d expect her to be over finding out her fiancé isn’t dead. He doesn’t look too happy either, for that matter.”
Releasing her, I went over to the board and picked out all the darts while I pondered her comments. I wasn’t going to lie, it made me feel great knowing Evie was miserable. Not that I wanted her to be that way, but it was a whole helluva lot better than the scenario that had been playing out in my head for the last week since I’d spoken with her. I kept imagining her wrapped up in his arms as he made passionate love to her. I could hear the soft sounds and the moans she made as he touched her intimately.
Suddenly I needed another drink. I signaled the bartender and he poured me another mug from the tap and slid it down the bar toward me.
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” Misty asked, eyeing me with concern. “I can give you a ride home.”
I snorted. “I’m fine.” I handed some of the darts to her. The last place I wanted to be was home. I hadn’t even been able to sleep in my own bed. Every time I looked at it, I could see Evie there, her hair spread over my pillows and her beautiful body draped languidly across my sheets. I could still hear her laughter over the squeaky springs—laughter that had turned into moans of pleasure for both of us. I hated that bed, now. The first thing I’d done when she left me that day was to order a new bed. Hopefully it would arrive soon. The couch was damn uncomfortable and not nearly long enough for me to stretch out comfortably. And then there were those damn nightmares. Ever since we’d called it quits, they’d come back with a vengeance—but often Evie was in Cami’s place now. I did everything I could to stay awake as long as possible each night.
Throwing my dart, I stepped aside, drinking a large portion of my beer while she took her turn. “Are you sure you’ve never played this before? You seem damn good for a beginner. You’re kicking my butt.”
“I’m not drunk, and you are,” she replied with a laugh. “This is all an illusion, one I’m betting you won’t remember tomorrow.”
My laugh mingled with hers. “You might be right, but that’s fine by me. Just point me in the right direction to find oblivion and I’ll happily go there.”
Sighing, she stared at me. “It’s pitiful seeing you reduced to this, Russ. Catch a cab and go home. Sleep it off for a while.”
“I can’t go home. I see her everywhere.” Angrily, I threw my next dart and it hit the board loudly, bouncing off and clattering to the floor. I stared at the dart before turning to Misty. “She was only at my place a few times, but that was enough. All I see are my memories with her. They keep playing over and over again in my head, and I can’t make them stop.”
“Have you told her this?” Misty asked, and I saw her signal the barkeep to cut me off and he nodded. I was too soused to care.
“No. She made her choice. Besides, there’s no way I can compete with Mr. Hero without looking like a first class jerk.”
Carefully, she removed the darts from my hands and placed them on the bar. “You’re a hero too, Russ. Everyone knows that. You saved Evie, and you saved those kids from that fire.”
“Yeah, but he’s a decorated war hero. He stood in the line of fire and sacrificed himself for his platoon. There’s no comparison between his heroics and mine.”
“You walked into a burning building, risking your own life for those kids. I’m sorry, but I bet their parents would claim your heroics are just as good as his. It’s not a competition. You’re both good men.”
“That might be, but we are both good men in love with the same woman. Unfortunately for me, that woman loves him more. Did you know she hasn’t even told him about me?”
Misty guided me over to a stool at the bar. “Come sit by me.” She gestured to the seat and I sat. “No. I didn’t know that, but it surprises me. Dr. McKnight has always been very forthcoming. She’s not one to keep secrets.”
“She told me to my face that he didn’t know about me. I was supposed to meet her for dinner at her house that night. She was cooking for me when he showed up. And she even came outside to talk to me when I arrived. He had to have asked who I was. Why didn’t she tell him? Did she lie about me then?” Reaching into the bowl of nuts, I pulled out a peanut and began crushing it on the bar in front of me.
Misty placed a hand over mine, stilling me. “I don’t have the answers to that. All I can tell you is that when you started coming around, she was happier than I’d ever seen her. And now that you’re not around anymore, she’s the most unhappy I’ve ever seen her.” She paused for a moment and I stared at her hand that was covering mine. She continued, “I didn’t know her before—you know, when Kory was declared dead—so I can’t compare this with that, but I do know she’s hurting and barely holding it together.”
I didn’t reply, instead just sat there lost in the haze of my own mind. My vision was blurry and the room shifted heavily, causing a wave of dizziness to come over me.
“I need to go home,” I mumbled, feeling like I was going to pass out. Standing, I dug my keys out of my pocket and Misty grabbed them.
“Oh no you don’t. You’re way too drunk to drive.”
“I know that. I was going to ask you to drive me home.”
“Do you even remember how to get there?” she asked, laughing.
“Of course I do. I’m not that drunk.”
“Are you sure? You’re swaying and slurring your words.”
“I am?” I asked, paying special attention to my speech. “I don’t notice anything different.”
She laughed, again. “I’m sure you don’t.” Standing, she reached into her purse and threw a few bills on the table. “Sorry to ditch you,” she said, looking at the other girl . . . what was her name? Sybil? Sherri? It definitely started with an S.
“Nice meeting you . . . .” I trailed off.
“Marie,” she replied, smiling. Damn. I wasn’t even close. “Nice to meet you, too. I hope you have a better night.”
I waved a hand in dismissal. “Nah, I’m fine. Nothing a good nap won’t cure.”
“Come on,” Misty said, slipping her arm around my waist and guiding me toward the door.
“Dang, you’re short,” I said, clutching her as I tried to maintain my balance. “When did you get so short?”
The sound of her laughter tinkled through the room right before we stepped outside. “I’m the same height I’ve always been.”
“Really?” I replied, finding that odd. “You must’ve been a really tall child then.”
She laughed and I did, too, though I couldn’t remember why we were laughing.
“Which car is yours?”
I pointed to the far end of the lot. “That big black truck over by the fence.”
“There are two black trucks by the fence,” she pointed out.
“Mine is the cool one.”
Chuckling, she continued in the direction of the fence.
“And what exactly makes it cool?”
“That awesome fire department sticker in the window,” I replied. “I work for the fire department. Did you know that?”
“Yes, I knew that. We talked about you rescuing Evie and those kids earlier, remember?”
“Oh yeah.” I heard my truck beep; signaling she’d unlocked the doors from the key fob. “That was scary, you know.”
“What was?” Opening the door, she waited patiently for me to climb inside. I leaned my head back against the headrest and she shut the door, suddenly appearing at the other side and climbing in. I couldn’t remember what we were talking about. “Where’s your house?”
“Across the street from the Battery by White Point Garden,” I said, knowing I didn’t need to give her any other directions. Everyone in Charleston knew where the historic Battery was and the role the defensive seawall had played in the Civil War.
“Wow. You live in one of those houses?” Misty asked, clearly impressed.
“I do, along with my two best friends. They live in the bottom two floors of the house and I live on the third floor.”
“That must be awesome. I’d love to live in a place like that. I’ve toured a couple of the homes they have open to the public. They’re incredible.”
“They are,” I agreed, closing my eyes as another wave of nausea threatened me. I’d definitely had too much to drink. “How are you going to get back if you’re driving me?”
“I can call a cab. It’s not a big deal. I just wanted to make sure you got home safely.”
“Oh. Okay. Well, I’ll pay for the cab.” Opening my eyes, I stared at her while she drove. Either she didn’t notice or she was pretending not to. She was really pretty. “Do you have a boyfriend?” I asked.
Glancing at me, she laughed. “Now there’s a random subject change if I ever heard one.”
“Well, do you?”
She shook her head. “Nope. The last guy I went out with was a first class asshole. I decided to take a break from men for a while after him.”
“Hmmm. So you’re trying women out now?”
Loud laughter burst through her lips and I couldn’t help but smiling. “No. I’m not into women either. I’m just doing the solo thing for a while.”
I nodded. “You’re smart to do that. No sense rushing into something else that might end up the same way.”
“This is true.”
I continued to stare at her. “You and me, we should form a club.”
Raising an eyebrow, she cast a sidelong look at me. “What kind of club?”
“A loser’s club. You have to be dumped to join. I don’t want none of those happy romantic people in our club.”
Laughing again, she nodded. “I hear you on that one.”
“It could be fun. We can all hang out together, no reason to hook up with anyone, and we can just kick back and enjoy life.”
“Actually, I have a very nice group of platonic friends. We often go out and do stuff together. We’re going to the lake this weekend if you want to join us.”
“Are you going to the lake?” I asked, referring to the one Evie had nearly drowned in.
She nodded. “We are. Is that a problem?”
Yes. I was tired of seeing things that reminded me of Evie. “No, but you might have to remind me again, later. I’m a little drunk right now.”
“Just a little,” she replied, smiling.
“Turn right here,” I said, gesturing to my street. “It’s the third house on the right, the one with the black Camaro in front of it.”
“I love Camaros. Is it yours?”
“No. It belongs to my best friend, Dylan, and his wife, Cami. This is actually their second black Camaro. He traded in his old one for a newer model. Who does that? Usually people like to mix it up a bit, or at least change the color. Not Dylan. He’s a die-hard black Camaro guy.”
“Well, I think he has great taste.”
“Yeah, he has a truck, too, plus Cami has another car.”
“Three cars? For the two of them?” Misty asked as she pulled in front of the house and parked.
“Yep. They’re loaded.”
“What do they do to make all this money?” she asked. “I know these houses are expensive.”
“Actually, Dylan is a firefighter with me. He got a big inheritance from his dad and he invested a lot of it into some very lucrative projects and made a bundle on his own. He doesn’t have to work, he does it because he wants to. Cami is a stay at home mom. She just had the most beautiful baby.”
“Sounds like they’re great people. I’d love to meet them sometime.”
“I’m sure that can be arranged.”
Misty climbed out of the vehicle and came around to my side, helping me out. Once again, she slipped her arm around my waist. “Where to?”
I pointed to the steep stairs. “That way.”
“You sure you can make it up those?” she asked warily.
“I’m good.”
Together we stumbled toward them and I noticed she clung heavily to the rail with her free hand and she helped me up. When we reached the door she lifted my keys, looking at them. “Which one opens your door?”
“That one,” I replied, pointing it out. She quickly unlocked it and guided me inside.
“Let’s get you tucked into bed, shall we?”
“No! Not the bedroom. I can’t sleep in the bedroom.”
“Okay,” she said, slightly drawing the word out after my neurotic outburst. “Where do you want to go, then?”
“To the couch, please. I’ve been sleeping on the couch lately.”
“It looks like a very comfortable couch.” She guided me in that direction and I plopped down on it.
“Are you going to be all right?” she asked. “Is there anything else I can do for you before I call a cab?”
Staring at her, I couldn’t get over how beautiful she was. “Stay with me,” I said, not caring if I sounded like a fool.
“Excuse me?” she asked, fidgeting nervously.
“I won’t do anything. I just don’t want to be alone right now. Stay with me for a while.” I extended my hand to her, my arm feeling so heavy that it took an extreme amount of effort.
She studied me for a moment. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Just for a little while,” I said, seeing the struggle in her eyes. She wanted to stay. I was sure of it.
Hesitantly, she slipped her hand into mine and I pulled her down onto my lap. A soft gasp of surprise escaped her and I stared at her lips that were now very close to mine. I kind of wanted to kiss her, but I knew that wouldn’t be fair.
“I’m tired,” I said, leaning to the side and taking her with me as I stretched out on the couch. She was stiff for a moment and I pulled her closer. “I just need to hold someone—someone who isn’t her,” I whispered into her ear and she relaxed against me.
The scent of her perfume, or maybe it was her shampoo, filled my senses. She smelled different then Evie, but still so good. They were about as opposite as two women could get as far as coloring went, but they were both beautiful and sweet. And right now, at this moment, Misty felt so good in my arms.
“I wonder what my life would be like right now if I’d met you first?” I whispered, my eyes drifting closed heavily.
If she replied, I never knew it.
Chapter Twenty
Evie
I was doing it again . . . staring off aimlessly into space, that is. Thank goodness my last appointment of the day had come and gone. My mind was all over the place, except for my job. I felt pretty much useless these days.
A soft knock sounded at my door and Misty stepped inside. “Dr. McKnight? Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“My door is always open to you, Misty. You know that. Have a seat.” Gesturing toward one of the leather chairs, I moved around my desk coming to join her.
She sat down, nervously playing with a button on the bottom of her pink blouse. I couldn’t recall a time
I’d ever seen Misty out of sorts. Something was clearly bothering her.
“What’s on your mind?” I asked, suddenly hoping she wasn’t giving me notice. Misty was the best secretary I’d ever had and I really liked her.
“Well, as you know, I occasionally go out for drinks with some of the other secretaries in the building.”
“Yes,” I replied, wondering where she was going with this.
“I went out last night and ran into Russ at the bar.”
Just hearing his name on her lips made my heart clench as my pulse picked up speed. “Oh?” I said, hoping I sounded casual. “How is he?”
Sighing heavily, her shoulders slumped. “Honestly? He’s miserable. He was drunk off his rocker and I had to drive him home so he wouldn’t kill himself or someone else.”
Wow. I didn’t know what I’d been expecting her to say, but it certainly wasn’t that.
“Once I got him home, he asked me to stay with him.”
Again, she was fumbling with the button on her blouse. “Did you sleep with him?” I didn’t want to ask that question, but I couldn’t seem to hold the words in my mouth.
“Oh no! Nothing like that!” She looked horrified. “He just asked me to stay with him. He said he was lonely and he . . . .” Glancing at me hesitantly, she shook her head. “He said he needed to hold someone who wasn’t you.”
Ouch. That stung me hardcore.
“He pulled me down on the couch next to him and wrapped his arms around me. Then he passed out. I stayed with him for another thirty minutes, just to make sure he was really asleep, and then I hid his keys behind his television and typed my number into his phone and told him to call me so I could tell him where they were. After that, I called a cab and went back to the bar to get my car.”
“Did he call you?” I was like a person staring at a horrific train wreck. I didn’t want to see or know the gory details, but I couldn’t manage to look away.
She nodded. “Yes. He called me this morning, apologizing profusely for how he’d behaved. I’m pretty sure he was quite mortified.”
“I’m sure he was,” I replied, my mind not quite able to get the image of Russ holding Misty out of my head. “Is there a reason you’re telling me all this?” I wanted to get this awkward conversation over with.
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