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“I could have,” she agreed. “But then I wouldn’t have been able to see my husband’s reaction to this dress.”

I looked over at her husband and saw that his eyes were still on her with zero waver.

“Looks like maybe he could use a closer view, preferably before he kills me,” I said before swallowing more beer.

“He’ll live,” Eddie said. “Now, why do you look like your grandmother died?”

My brows rose.

“Is it because of that bullshit with Chris?” Nettie asked.

I leaned back in my seat, taking my beer with me to rest on my crossed arms.

“One of the issues,” I admitted.

No way was I telling them about Jessamy.

“What about the bad girl that Holly was telling us about?”

I sighed.

Of course, Holly would’ve shared with the other old ladies.

“She wants nothing to do with me,” I admitted. “Can’t say that I blame her, either.”

Eddie frowned. “She has a reputation of her own. I’m sure whatever bullshit that reporter is spewing won’t affect her in any way.”

“Or, it could make it even harder for her,” I said. “And we already know how hard it is for her.”

“We don’t know,” Eddie said. “Because from where I stand, she’s earned that reputation. I think you should ask her again.”

Before I had to tell them for a second time that I wasn’t willing to bring her into my shit, their men came to collect them, seeing that I was getting frustrated.

I jerked my chin up at the two men, going back to drinking my beer alone in silence.

Later that night, when I arrived home, I stood in the middle of my kitchen and wondered how my life had gotten to this point.

I was pushing forty-five, had no wife, the one kid I did have I couldn’t find because I was too scared to look for her, and now I had this bogus rape charge to deal with.

I had no dog. I still rented because I was too afraid to leave the home that Shelby was born in in case she decided to come home. I didn’t even have a truck until just recently because I was loathe to waste money on something that I didn’t use. I had no higher education, though I’d always wanted to go to school to at least get my degree in criminal justice.

I had my club.

They were probably the best part of my life right now.

But I was literally seeing them all get married, have children, and be happy.

Meanwhile, I was stuck in a rut that I kept trying to pull myself out of and couldn’t.

I…

The doorbell rang, and hope leaped in my chest.

That hope died a thousand deaths when I opened the door to find Dempsey on the other side.

She smiled at me, though it was small.

“Do you mind if I come in?” she asked quietly.