Fair Lakes Series Box Set - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,10

that need to be mailed so I can drop them off on my way to the bar. Lucky for me, I pull into the lot just behind Chase.

“Didn’t think you’d show.” He smirks when we’re both out of our trucks.

“A man’s gotta eat, right?”

“See? That’s the spirit.” He slaps me on the shoulder and pushes open the door.

This place is familiarity and sadness. It makes me think of my wife, and if I can’t be with her, this is the next best thing. Not bothering where Chase is headed, I set my eyes on the booth in the back corner, the one we always used to sit at. It’s torture but I sit there anyway. I slide into the booth and grab a menu even though I don’t need it. They’ve served the same things since we started coming here all those years ago. Chase eventually catches on to where I went and slides in across from me.

“What are you feeling?” Chase asks.

Really? Since when is he all about feelings? “I thought we came here to eat and drink?”

He gives me a confused look. “We are. What are you feeling?” He points to the menu.

Well, fuck. “Bacon cheeseburger, and fries,” I say, placing the menu back in its holder.

“Ah,” he says, sitting back in the booth and crossing his arms over his chest. “You thought I was getting all soft on you.”

“It’s been one of those days.”

The waitress comes to take our order before he replies. “You decide what you’re going to do?”

“Can we not do this again?”

He holds his hands up in surrender. “Hey, I’m just trying to help my buddy out.”

“Okay, what exactly do you suggest?”

“Considering finding a new pu… companion,” he corrects himself, “is out of the question, your only options are to be a miserable fuck or fight for her.”

“Tell me, ole wise one, how do I fight for her when she won’t return my calls?”

He shrugs. “Go see her.”

“Stalk her, that’s your answer? Terrific. I’m doomed.” The waitress drops off our food, and we both dive in.

“I don’t know, Harrison. What I do know is that you need to figure your shit out. Work is suffering, you’re suffering.” He gives me a pointed look. “Man up and make a decision. Commit to a plan and make it happen.”

The waitress brings us fresh beers, which is a good time to change the subject. “You find a truck yet?” I ask. He’s been looking to buy a new truck for a few weeks now but can’t seem to find what he wants.

“Nah, just been looking. I’m going tomorrow to drive a couple. You want to come?”

“Sure.” It will do me some good to get out of my apartment and not be at the office either.

“Hey, there,” a sultry voice greets us. Looking up, I see a blonde bombshell. She’s stacked, curves for days, and she’s on the prowl.

“You guys want to join us for a game of pool?” her redheaded friend asks. She too is a looker.

Chase looks across the booth at me and raises his eyebrows, challenging me. “Sure, just let us finish up here.” I grab my beer and down it. “Let me pay the tab, and we’ll be right there.”

“I’ll be waiting.” The blonde rakes her fingernail, which is bright red and pointy, down my arm. Nothing like Winnie’s rounded and white-tipped nails. Talk about sexy as fuck. Nothing hotter.

“That’s what I’m talking about.” Chase holds his fist out for me to bump as soon as the ladies are out of earshot.

“It’s just a game of pool,” I remind him.

“It starts with a game of pool. Next thing you know Harrison’s got his groove back.” He wags his eyebrows.

“Fuck off.” I slide out of the booth and go to the bar to pay our check. I order Chase another beer, but I switch over to water. No way do I want to make the mistake of taking one of them home with me or me going home with them. That’s not what I want.

I want my wife.

“Water?” Chase laughs. “You going soft on me, Drake?” he asks.

“You’re on my team.” The blonde pushes her double Ds out for me to get a better look. It’s so predictable it’s comical. Winnie and I used to people watch on the nights we were here. She would have a field day with blondie.

By the end of the first game, I’m over it. Blondie keeps rubbing her tits on my arm, my back when I’m leaning over the