drink tonight if I’m your DD.”
Emma felt her face contort into a frown. “I had no idea that you had to go through this every time you went out.”
“It’s no big deal.” Jack shrugged. “Really.”
“Then why don’t you just let your friends in on what’s going on with you?”
“I guess it’s like when you tell someone you’re sick. Everyone starts treating you that way. If I tell people I struggle with alcohol, they’ll stop asking me to hang out here at the tavern. Stop asking me to come by and watch the game with them because there’ll be beer. That’s not what I want.”
“I think you’re selling your friends short. But I’m glad you told me. I promise I won’t treat you any differently.”
“Thanks.” The music stopped, and he stepped back. “So we have one hour. Then I’ll give you and your friends a ride.”
Emma nodded. “If you’re sure you don’t mind.”
“I don’t,” he reiterated. “Just come tap my shoulder when you’re ready to leave.”
He headed in one direction, and she headed back to the table where the ladies were waiting for her, wishing that she could fast-forward the next hour. She loved her friends, but she wanted to spend more time with Jack, alone.
* * *
When Jack sat down at the table with the guys, they stopped talking and looked at him.
“We had a bet that you were going to ditch us in favor of Emma,” Granger finally said.
Jack chuckled, noticing the drink in front of him. One of the guys must have ordered it for him when he was dancing with Emma. “Who bet who?” Jack asked.
“I bet Luke his next drink that you would come back and ditch us,” Granger said.
Luke shrugged, sitting next to Jack. “I bet that you wouldn’t. Emma’s with the ladies, and you’re with the guys.”
“Looks like I win,” Jack said. “I’m not leaving just yet. But I did agree to be the DD for Emma and her friends in about an hour. So you both lost and you owe me a drink.”
Granger and Luke gave each other a look that told Jack they’d discussed something privately about him.
“Except you don’t drink, right?”
Jack nodded, willing his body to stay relaxed. “No, I don’t,” he said. Maybe Emma was right, and he was selling his friends short by thinking they’d treat him differently. “I’m a recovering alcoholic.”
Luke frowned at him. “What? Since when?”
“Since college,” Jack said. “I haven’t touched a drink in almost ten years, and I won’t.”
“I’m sorry for inviting you here,” Granger said. “This is the last place you should be.”
Jack shook his head. “If you stop inviting me here, we’re going to have words. I like the tavern. I like hanging out with you guys for some odd reason.” He smiled at his friends. “I get to drink Coke and watch you two make fools of yourselves. It’s a great pastime.”
Granger and Luke stared back at him. Maybe he’d made a mistake in telling them.
A waitress stepped up to the table. “Need anything, guys?”
Jack raised his index fingers. “Yes, matter of fact. These two made a bet and lost, and they owe me a drink. But since I’m the DD, can I get another soda?”
“Sure thing,” she said.
“And these two need another beer,” he added. “I’m buying.”
“You got it.” The waitress walked away, and Jack looked at his friends as if to prove a point. They could still drink with him. Please don’t treat me differently.
“How’s the tree farm?” Luke asked, looking over at Granger.
Granger lowered his gaze to his drink. “Well, let’s see. The fire in the spring wiped out half my lot. It’s an abnormally hot summer, which isn’t helping the surviving trees or the new ones we planted.” He looked up. “Which means this Christmas is looking bleak for sales.” He lifted his drink to his mouth, didn’t give Jack so much as a cursory glance, and took a healthy gulp.
“Anything we can do to help?” Jack asked.
“The Sweetwater Springs Fire Department loves a good cause,” Luke added. “Just say the word.”
Granger shrugged. “Thanks, but unless you have some kind of miracle liquid to pour on the new trees and make them grow into full-grown spruces by the holidays, I don’t think so.”
“Fresh out of miracles,” Luke said with a frown. “I used my miracle quota when I got Brenna to fall in love with me.”
The guys laughed as the waitress placed their fresh drinks in front of them.
“We’ll figure it out,” Granger said. “I’m just glad no