Page 14 of As the Years Pass

I sigh, ready to head back to my car when the door pulls open. I startle, stumbling back, but my chest floods with hope. This could be Emmet. Who else would be here today at this time?

Only it isn’t Emmet. It’s someone I don’t recognize at all, and I wonder who they are and why they’re here.

“Oh, sorry,” they say quickly, making their way onto the sidewalk and pulling out a cigarette. “They’re closed,” he adds, and I can tell by the way he’s saying it thatsomethingis going on in there that isn’t supposed to be happening.

“No worries. I was actually looking for someone.” A strong gust of wind blows, ripping the sign from the door. It flies down the street, landing in a puddle. “Emmet?” I add.

“The new owner?” I nod. “He’s not here tonight,” he says carefully. “Uh… and we, uh—well, we’re—“

“I won’t say anything, don’t worry.”

This bar is a comfort place for a few people. Though I don’t come here often, I’ve been here enough to know the vibe.

He blows out a breath. “Thanks, man.”

“It’s no problem. Just do me a favor and don’t mention me showing up.”

“Of course,” he says with a smile, and I turn to head back to my car.

“I hear he comes by first thing in the mornings!”

I look at the guy over my opened car door. “Thank you!” I call back with a smile, then get in and finish the drive home.

Chapter Five

Emmet

Dominic

Can you fucking answer me already?

With a sigh, I press the call button by his name.

“For fuck’s sake. I thought you were dead.”

“I’m alive,” I say. “What do you want?”

“To make sure you’re alive.”

“Well, I am. So I guess—“

“No. Nice try though.”

I groan in annoyance.

Dominic is one of my previous foster brothers, and one of my favorite people. He’s one of the only guys I became really close with while they lived with my family, and stayed in touchwith after. Many kids came and went, all boys so my parents wouldn’t have to worry about issues between girls and boys, but something about Dominic caught my eye. Not in the same way Adam did, of course, but in the brotherly sort of way. We’ve stayed in touch after all these years and we tell everyone we’re brothers. He’s the closest I’ve ever had to a real one.

“What do you want, Dominic?” I repeat, because even though I love him, I don’t want to talk.

“Are you okay?” he asks, this time in a softer voice.

“Things are great,” I say. “The bar is doing well. I’m keeping busy.”

He’s silent on the other end as I wait for him to give me some kind of pep talk. Dominic has so much big brother energy mixed with Golden Retriever. It’s exhausting, but he means well, so I let him get away with it.

“I don’t believe that for a second, but I know harassing you over it won’t get me anywhere either. So I’m just going to say that you better call me if you need me, and I’ll be on the first plane there.”

“Yeah, got it.”