Page 86 of The Love Hoax

Caroline clicks something on her phone and in the ensuing minutes, neither of us speaks until Paul is back in my living room, handing her the crutches.

Caroline hobbles to the door and across the threshold, speaking softer than I thought she was capable of. “Once you calm down, ask yourself two questions. Is Adam the faithful sort?”

I don’t want to push for more but can’t help it. “What’s the second question?”

Caroline turns toward the elevator. “How will you feel if you never see him again?”

Once Paul closes the door behind him, I throw the deadbolt. A sob escapes my lips. The next thing I know, I’m completely falling apart.

Chapter Sixty-One

Adam

Islam the empty shot glass onto the oak bar harder than I intended. “Another JD, straight up. Make it a double . . . please.”

Yosemite Sam’s bartender gives me a sympathetic look and then turns to Zane, who shakes his head.

“Sorry, mate. Your tab is closed.”

I blink away the fuzziness, unable to conjure up any anger for being cut off. I know I hit my limit several drinks ago.

To the bartender, Zane says, “Before you close the tab, can I get a double espresso to go?”

When he is served, Zane takes hold of my elbow. “Time to go, buddy. I’ll give you a ride home.”

Zane helps me into the passenger seat of his car then hands over the takeaway cup. “Drink it up, bro. Better than hair of the dog.”

Back at my place, Zane forces me into the shower, fully clothed, and blasts on the cold water.

I shriek. “Why are you doing this to me!”

“Because you would do the same for me. Correction, youhavedone the same for me. Best cure for the lovelorn.”

Fifteen minutes later, I am on the sofa shivering in an old pair of sweatpants and a Broncos t-shirt. My hair is still wet.

Zane hands me a second cup of steaming coffee. “It’s been two weeks, bro. Time to move on.”

I shake my head and take a careful sip of the beverage. “Not gonna happen. She’s the one, Zane. But she’s gone,” I say, noting I sound like a Garth Brooks’ song. “I called, texted. She wants nothing to do with me. I don’t know what else to do.”

I look out the window. A few flurries are beginning their descent. I think back to the morning after the wedding. I was saying goodbye to my parents even as Mom avoided eye contact with me. Thankfully, the newlyweds were sleeping in. The last thing I wanted was another run-in with Steph. That’s when a wedding attendant returned the ring I gave to Evie. It was a karate kick to my gut.

After kissing my mother’s cheek and offering my third apology, my dad walked me to the Honda and put an arm around my shoulder.

“You blew it, big time, son. But give her time. She’ll forgive you.”

I wasn’t sure if Dad meant Steph or Mom. Six of one. “Right. Okay,” I’d said.

My father caught my eye. “It doesn’t matter how old she is.”

At first confused, it dawned on me that he was talking about Evie.

“Nor does it matter that she has grown kids. And despite what you both did, she is something special. What does matter is that you love her.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“As the nose on your lovesick face.”

“Thanks, Dad. But she left.”