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“Hey, wait…”

“What’s up?” My eyebrows drew together.

“Who cares what she does for a living, man. If you like her, truly like her, then go for it. You deserve to be happy.”

With a tight-lipped smile, I nodded, appreciating his understanding.

Andi was going to be a hard one to get. She’d given me hell from the very beginning, and I didn’t expect it to get any easier with her. But at thirty-nine years old, too many years of therapy to recall, and a scarred past, I think I was finally ready to hop back on the dating train. Not just any dating train, but the one where I got to know Andi better. The one where I’d show her that I was a good man, and hopefully, she wouldn’t take that for granted and leave me like Sarah had in my past.

Even after all the inner work, I don’t think I’d be able to handle it if I gave my heart to someone again and never got it back.

It had been a week since that night with Hunter, and almost two since he came into the club. After days of no texts, I didn’t know if I was supposed to be relieved or disappointed.

On one hand, I wanted him to text me so I could let him know we’d never go down that road again. Just bite the bullet and get it over with. On the other hand, part of me thought his whole “I want to talk and get to know you” spiel was intriguing, even though that’s all it could ever be.

After working the night shift, I was ready to scrub off all my makeup, and relax with Peyton and Avery for a girl’s night in. When I opened the front door, to my surprise, both of my best friends were already sitting on the couch waiting for me.

“Oh my God, is that Avery?” I dropped my jaw, pretending to be shocked. “Spencer broke the dick spell he had you under to hang out with little ol’ us for one night?”

Avery threw a pillow in my direction, rolled her eyes, and answered me sarcastically, “And I miss it already.”

Quick on my feet, I dodged the pillow, tackling her in a hug. The sweet smell of cherries invaded my space when my nose buried itself in her midnight-black hair.

“You act like you didn’t just see me last Sunday for family dinner.”

Every Sunday, we got together at her and Spencer’s penthouse for a big dinner with our closest friends. It had become a ritual for us, and honestly, I’d never say no to a catered meal.

“Yeah, but this time, I get you without Spencer’s big dick energy in the room.” I kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll be right back. Gotta change and scrub off this body glitter.”

Leaving Peyton and Avery to talk amongst themselves, I took a quick shower, changed into my Calvin’s and an oversized flannel, and stopped by the kitchen before returning to the living room.

After hours of dancing and torturing my feet in a pair of heels, I was starving, craving the pizza Peyton had ordered hours ago.

Loading up a plate full of carbs, I threw it in the microwave, my senses immediately coming to life when the spacious kitchen around me filled with scents of garlic and peppers. While I waited, the stack of mail off to the side caught my attention.

Sifting through it, there was a handwritten letter addressed to me, and without seeing the entire envelope, I already had the sinking suspicion that this letter had to be from my brother. When I stopped answering his calls, it was only a matter of time before he started writing.

Sure enough, when I pulled the letter from the stack of mail, the white envelope had been stamped, accepted, and sent from the Nevada State Prison.

Suddenly losing my appetite, I ditched the pizza and carried the letter close to my chest as I met my girls in the living room.

Avery and Peyton were lost in chatter as I silently sat on the couch, curling my legs underneath a blanket. Catching on to my unusual silence, they stopped mid-conversation, looking at me with worry written all over their features.

“What’s up, babe?” Peyton’s eyebrows drew together.

“I got a letter from my brother.” I turned the unopened envelope toward my friends.

“I haven’t heard you talk about your brother in … I don’t even know how long.” Peyton squinted her eyes in an attempt to read the words on the envelope better.

“Honestly, I didn’t even know you had a brother, and I’ve known you for a few years now.” Avery’s face morphed into a bit of sadness.

It didn’t shock me that she was unaware. I’d chosen to keep this part of my life more private. The only reason Peyton knew anything was because we had lived together for so long, and she was around when I was dodging calls from him. Not to mention the time he showed up on our doorstep before he went away.

“There isn’t much to tell, as of lately.” My gaze dropped to the letter as I ran my fingers over the smeared black ink.

“Are you going to open that?” Peyton nodded hesitantly to the white envelope in my hands.

“I’m not sure.” I sighed, my shoulders dropping in defeat.