Need You Now (Love in Unknown) - By Taylor M. Lunsford Page 0,79

in a blur of work and women. Breaking up with Portia put everything back in focus.

Gage leaned over to start racking up the pool balls. "Stupid is right. Portia was awful. Still don't see how you ever proposed to her."

“Not sure I ever actually did. She and Olivia just assumed we were getting married." Caine looked around the bar. Guys he'd gone to high school with were now local business owners. The same group of old men who'd sat at that bar when his grandpa would come in still sat at the same corner, eyes glued on the baseball game. Country music alternated with classic rock on the speakers, the volume just loud enough to be heard without overpowering conversation. "Soon as I realized just how close she and Olivia were, I ended things."

Micah still looked concerned. Understandable. If positions were reversed, Caine knew he'd worry that his sister was with a guy who’d become engaged to someone he didn't love. Certainly wasn't the best recommendation. "Well, if she's anything like my ex, I guess you're lucky to be rid of her."

“Jax's mom? Yeah, Portia could probably hold her own against her," Gage said, leaning three pool cues against the table. Caine felt the small jab. Yet another reminder of how far he and Micah had to go in rebuilding their friendship. No one had told him about Jax's mother, other than she was an addict. He'd missed a lot, but being reminded of that fact still sucked.

Time to change the subject. This was supposed to be guys’ night out. "So, Micah, we gonna see Jax on the six and under team next year?"

His friend chuckled and shook his head. "I hope so. I love being a dad and I love getting to have him with me full time, but I just don't understand that kid half the time. If it weren't for baseball, I think he might have found some way to physically attach that Gameboy to his hands."

“Maybe he'll get better once school starts. Still pretty new in town. Friends can make all the difference," Caine said. "Look at us. We'd have been bored to tears without each other."

MIcah nodded, eating a handful of bar mix. "Ain't that the truth. Of course, I didn't think I'd be stuck with you for so long when I asked you to come play after school that day."

Gage snickered into his beer. "You sure as hell never thought he'd be in a position to be your brother-in-law one day."

Caine glared at his brother. "How 'bout we focus on your love lives for a change? I can't be the only one of us with a willing woman in my bed."

Both of the other men winced. Served them right. He didn't need anyone jinxing things with Mel by getting ahead of themselves with marriage talk. Every room in this town had ears, and all it took was one word for a rumor to start. He and Mel still had a ways to go before she and the town were ready for an engagement.

Gage recovered first. "You know me, big brother. I've got a few discreet friends with benefits around if I want a good time. Although, with you off the market, I'm gonna need to find someone to keep the Fan Club off of me."

“Maybe they'll pick on Micah for a change of pace. Single dad with a cute kid? He's bound to attract some attention." Caine smirked. He leaned over the pool table and took his first shot. “Especially once we convince him to coach Jax's team next year."

His friend gave a little shudder of disgust. He glanced warily around the room. "You guys throw me to the piranhas, I will make you pay. I'm not looking for any kind of relationship right now. I've got enough on my plate as it is. Those women are too high maintenance. Give me a simple girl any day of the week."

“Amen," Gage said, clinking his beer bottle with Micah's. He nodded to Caine. "I swear, man, you already got the best girl in town. Both of us are just gonna have to hold our breaths and pray we get some new blood in Unknown soon."

Caine smiled. He really did have the best girl in town. Maybe it was the satisfaction of regular sex with a woman he adored, but he wanted his brother and his best friend to be happy, too. Then again, he reflected, finishing off his beer, not everyone met their soul mates