page40 (2/2)

"Excuse lanced at Max and saw that he knehatever Jules was talking about, and he even er

"You told Stephanie that she'd fuck up her child the way her parents fucked her up," Jules hissed atmore shitty in my life, and you should be ashamed of yourself"

Siasped behind me and I have no clue what Van's reaction was, because my eyes were pinned on Jules I wanted to be incensed she'd even butt into uilt flash boilingI've ever said to anyone in my life, and it'sabout it It's why I've been trying to stay drunk in my downtime

But I wasn't about to be attacked, because that uilt worse, so I went on the offensive and became a total douche when I said, "HeyI call it as I see it"

Jules's mouth dropped open, Max's eyes rounded in disappointment at me, and Simone sucked in a breath behindas I engaged in a staring ith Jules Finally she just turned her back onout so she could have yelled at me

My gaze cut to Max's and I was gutted when he turned his back onher from behind

"I'rowled, and stormed out of the house To etting in nition and warned both of theht"

They were both silent until now, and it seeo to Stephanie and apologize to her That's awful to say so like that, especially as sensitive as she is to those issues"

I turn aze from Simone back to the blonde across the bar She licks her lips and I count that as a very clear indication I'ht God knows I need it, as I've been in a total dry spell since Stephanie and I parted ways

Another stab of guilt hitssilent for the past teeks I haven't even bothered to see if she's doing okay, and that makes me feel shittier about myself

The bartender brings my drink back, and I shove soe"

"Thanks, man," he says, and walks away

I pick upa chunk of ice and chewing on it I don't look back to the blonde just yet, because she's not the only game in here and I don't want her to think it's a sure bet, because Ibetter

"Lucas," Sie to my shoulder "I think we should talk about it You and Stephanie had soood and you both can't throw your hands up and quit yet"

I spin on her and she takes a step backward, running into Van, who is just watching silently He's only out with us tonight because he likes to get drunk and bang loose woive Simone room as I snarl at her, "I'm not the one that quit the relationship That was all Stephanie, so I'uy here"

"You are if you said those things to her," she retorts "If there was a chance to work it out, you probably shot that to shit with those nasty things you said to her"

Fuck yeahI know that's the truth, which uilty, but I' so stupid All of these era

vated oing to erupt, and she's not going to like it

"Maybe if you went over to see her and apologized, you could get back on track You are still having a baby with her, you know"

Si to be involved in Stephanie's life but not the way I want it to be pushes lass back, and in four powerful ss I empty it

My head spins and I look down at Si business, and I et out of my house"

Siuilty too So I turn away from her and look at the blonde as I pull my car keys out of my pocket I thrust theot s to do with my time"

I risk a quick glance at Sinore it and start across the bar toward the blonde, who smiles at me in lustful welcome

"Lucas," Simone calls out to me

I ignore her

"Lucas, you don't want to do this"

I continue to ignore her

"Lucas, look at me damn it," she yells, and I twist my head to look over my shoulder at her

"Guess what?" she asks tauntingly

Iabout