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Prologue

Have you ever done so over you like the darkest, heaviest cloud? Blurring your judg you can see, hear or think about?

I have I’ve done a lot of things I regret, that fillI did yesterday

I left the girl I love alone, nad in her bed Like soirl for sex and then leaves her--that’s uy

But I’irl I left alone nad in her bed I just don’t deserve her

And I know it

Chapter One

Sometimes you have to stand alone, just to make sure you still can – Unknown

Fable

Twomonths I mean, who does that to a person? Who spends theand shares their hts, their craziest, darkest secrets, has sex with a person--and we’re talking a sex--leaves them a note that says I love you and then bails? I’ll tell you who

Drew I’ to kick him in the balls next time I see him Callahan

I’ve moved on Well, I tell myself that But time doesn’t stop just because my heart does, so I take care of my responsibilities I’ve stretched the three thousand dollars I earned for irlfriend pretty well I still have soht otfor Christ Owen made me a shallol he created in his ceraive it to ushed over it The kid wrapped it in bright Christ I was bloay that he took the ti for s in it

At least soive Mo Which--shalloitch that I am--pleasedNew year, new goals, resolutions, whatever you want to call them, where a person should be hopeful with all that unchartered territory spread out before them I tried my best to be positive when the New Year came, but I cried That clock struck twelve and I was all bydown irl sobbing into her sweatshirt, one and that’s fine But the realization hit le day that coure out what I’ to do with my life and then actually do it I’d leave if I could, but I can’t ditch Owen Without me, I have no idea ould happen to him and I can’t risk it

So I stay I vow toinsorry forto shake ive two shits about Oh, and that she also needs to find a job Sleeping all day and partying all night with Larry the Loser isn’t the way to deal

And I’ the loss of a beautiful, fucked-up o

Yeah, I’hts out offor o, a blur of a tall man who moved quickly, dressed too nicely for a Thursday ht, full of college kids drinking the the day? Mostly buo and the occasional person coers are decent so they’re a draw

"What can I get you?" I ask once I stop in front of the table,out my order pad

"Your attention maybe?"

His question--spoken in a velvety deep voice--lance up from my notepad

Into the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen Bluer than Drew’s, if that’s possible

"Um, sorry" I offer him a tentative sood-looking Like beyond gorgeous, with dark blond hair that falls over his forehead, and classic bone structure Strong jaw, sharp cheekbones, straight nose--he could’ve walked right off a billboard "Are you ready to order?"

He s even white teeth, and I cla open I didn’t know eous, I can aduy…he puts all other men to shame His face is too damn perfect

"I’ll take a Pale Ale" He flicks his chin at the tatteredfro Beyond the burgers, I wouldn’t recommend any food La Salle’s serves to this ideal ht taint him "What are you in thea brow, he picks up themine "Nachos?"

I shake my head "The beef is rarely cooked all the way" More like it coross

"Potato skins?" He winces

I wince back "So nineties, don’t you think?"

"How about the buffalo wings?"

"If you want to set yoursure no one--as in est the café down the street They have great sandwiches"

He laughs and shakes his head The rich, vibrant sound washes over e dose of wariness I don’t react like this to guys The only other one who could earn this sort of reaction out ofup on him?

Maybe because you’re still in love with hi little voice that pops up at the most inopportune times into the back of my brain

"I like your honesty," theover me "I’ll just take the beer, then"

"Sht back"