Page 65 of Mr. Brightside
“Thanks,” I offer amicably. I meet her gaze and smile, trying to reach out and connect with my best friend. We’ve barely talked in weeks, and I miss her.
“Did your husband buy that for you?”
I drag in a long breath and put on my proverbial button covers. Lia and I have been friends for five years. I know all her defense mechanisms. But I refuse to let her push my buttons about this.
“He did,” I reply honestly. “Listen, I have to get in there now, but do you think we could hang out and talk this—”
She stops in her tracks and hits me with a look that makes me cower. “You have to get in there?” she challenges. “Being married to the boss isn’t enough of an excuse to show up late to work?”
Her vitriol shocks me. I knew she was annoyed, but I didn’t expect her to be hateful about this whole thing.
“That was low, even for you,” I lob at her. “I understand that you’re upset, but you don’t know the first thing about—”
“You’re right,” she spits out as she takes several heated steps toward me. “I don’t know a damn thing about what’s going on with you, because you won’t talk to me!”
My eyes widen as I process her words.
“Wait. You’re not upset that I’m with him?” I’ve spent the last few weeks worrying about marrying a man I’d originally sworn off because of her. On the surface, I didn’t do anything wrong—but deep down, it feels like a betrayal.
She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms before hitting me with an unamused glare. “I couldn’t care less that you’re letting Jake Whitely get it in.”
Heat explodes like napalm in my chest, coursing through my veins and rushing all the blood to my head. “Watch it,” I warn, taking two steps of my own so we’re standing toe to toe. “That’s my husband you’re talking about.”
She smirks and shakes her head.
“That. That right there.Thatreaction is what I’m upset about, Cory. Somehow, in the blink of an eye, you went from secretly marrying Jake for what—money? Tuition payments? To somehow getting dick-drunk and sappy over a man you’ve crushed on for years.”
I blink in slow motion as her words sink in.
“Did you forget how he dropped me without any warning or context? Or how he acted like nothing ever happened between you two when you stopped taking his calls? He may be your husband, but we both know Jake’s a hell of a piece of work. But you’ve let his charm blind you from that. I’m worried about you, Cor. Worried you’re in too deep… that he’s going to hurt you.”
My body was on fire a moment ago. But now it feels like she’s doused me with a five-gallon bucket of ice.
“Look,” she tightens her messy bun and rolls out her shoulders, “I miss you. I hate this. I would love to get together soon and catch up. But you have to understand where I’m coming from. This whole thing is crazy. I don’t want to see you get swept up in something that isn’t going to last. It’s Jake, Cory. Jake. He needs something from you right now, and I know that probably feels good. But he won’t need you forever. And I just worry about you falling for someone who’s clearly using you.”
That shocks me into silence, and I’m left standing in the parking lot in a daze. Lia stands there and stares right back at me, willing me to reply. Willing me to dispute her argument.
It’s not until my phone vibrates in my pocket that I realize I’m officially late for work.
Jake: Hey, baby. Where are you? Mitch said you haven’t shown up for your shift yet. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.
“Gotta go,” I murmur as I lift the phone in her direction. “The man who’s supposedly using me just checked in to make sure I’m all right.” I level her with a glare, then turn on my heel to head inside.
Jake’s message was filled with nothing but genuine concern—I know that. Ifeelthat, even through a text. But with an attitude like that, there’s no way Lia can be convinced of the depth of what I’m going through. It’s a lost cause.
“Cory,” she calls out as I walk away. But she was out of line. And I’m already late for work. I raise one hand over my head dismissively and keep walking.
Chapter 29
Jake
Tonight,TheOakison fire. Not literal fire. This kind of fire casts a spell over a room and makes a place just feel good. This is why I love what I do. It’s the energy. It’s creating an atmosphere where people can let loose and have fun.
The whole place feels like a party. Every seat is filled, every high top claimed. The booths along the back are overflowing. I’ve done a physical head count twice so far—we’re really that crowded, and I have no interest in having the fire Marshall show up. The guys are working their asses off but having fun with it, and it shows. The whole room has this higher vibration. It’d be impossible to walk into my bar right now and not smile.
I’ve been on my feet for hours, but I have no interest in slowing down anytime soon. I get so energized by nights like tonight. I wish I could bottle up this feeling and sell it as an energy drink.
Some people find their calling in medicine or teaching, in ministry or the arts. But this right here is my domain. Creating a space where people want to be is my passion.