Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“Your usual, Mr. Volkov?” he asked Kon.
“Please.”
“Very good, sir.”
As soon as the host walked away, I gave Kon a puzzled look. “Do you come here a lot?”
“I do actually. I love the food. It’s almost as good as yours.”
I laughed and shook my head. “You don’t have to flatter me.”
“I’m being honest. I love your cooking.”
I warmed at his compliment. “Thank you. I’ve always loved cooking.”
“What are your plans for tomorrow?”
I sighed. “I bought the stuff to cook for me and Sawyer, because he still hasn’t decided if he wants to go to Wes and Hadley’s house yet for Thanksgiving.”
“Was he okay today?”
“He was. He’s eating more and feeling better every day. I think the worst might be behind us.”
“I hope so.”
Our server had just arrived at the table with Kon’s drink and a basket of bread when Kon’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen and grimaced.
“Boone. I need to answer.”
“I’ll come back,” the server said, leaving.
Boone was at Sawyer’s house, watching him for the evening. I held my breath as Kon spoke to him.
“For how long?” He groaned. “Okay…no, don’t do that…we’re on our way.”
He hung up the phone and met my gaze across the table. “Sawyer locked himself in the bathroom with a bottle of something, but Boone doesn’t know what. He asked if he should break down the door but I said no.”
“Oh my god.” I got up from my seat, grabbed my bag, and headed for the door, my coat forgotten.
So much for the worst being behind us.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Kon
Sawyer was still locked in the bathroom when we got home, and I hung back with Boone as Lucy ran forward, lightly knocking on the door.
“Sawyer? It’s me. Please open the door.”
To my surprise, Sawyer opened the door as soon as she asked.
He looked…defeated. That was the only word I could think of. He wasn’t as pale anymore, his hair was freshly washed, and his face clean-shaven, but the look in his eyes was something I’d seen before. And it was devastating for me to see it in my good-hearted, strong, athletic friend.
“Sawyer?” Lucy must have sensed it too as she pulled the unopened bottle of Jack Daniels from his hand. “What happened? What’s wrong? You didn’t have any Jack, did you?”
“No.” He shook his head and then leaned against the wall, slumping down a little.
“Then why the fuck wouldn’t you come out for me?” Boone demanded, scowling.
“You guys don’t get it.” He looked from one to the other, letting out a heavy sigh.
“What don’t we get?” Lucy asked gently.
“It’s not that I’m an alcoholic. I’m not. I don’t have an addictive personality. Yeah, I’d been drinking so much my body had a reaction when I stopped, but this isn’t about not being able to stop. It’s about not wanting to. Losing Annie wasn’t just the loss of my life partner and soul mate—it’s like my reason for living is gone. I truly couldn’t give a shit about hockey, my future, none of it. If it wasn’t for Nate threatening you, Luce, I would’ve already been drinking again. And that’s the only reason I didn’t start up again tonight.”
“Sawyer.” Lucy looked as heartbroken as I felt, but I didn’t know what to say.
“This pain, the hole in my life since Annie’s been gone, is never going away.” Sawyer looked away, as if it embarrassed him to say that. “So neither will my need to drink, because that’s the only time I don’t feel it.” He waved a hand as Lucy started to say something. “Please don’t. Okay? I’m fine. I’m not going to drink. I’m not going to do anything. Not now anyway. I appreciate all of you, but I’m not the man I used to be. And the sooner you come to terms with that, the easier it will be all around.”
“Sawyer, you have friends who care about you. A lucrative career. Me.” She gave him a sweet smile. “You have a lot more to live for than you think. And one day—”
“Please don’t do that. I can’t think about what might happen someday. I can barely figure out what’s happening today.”
“Fine.” Lucy lifted her chin, changing tactics. “How about tomorrow? Are we going to Wes and Hadley’s?”
“You can. I have no desire to be around a bunch of people, especially people who knew Annie.” He motioned impatiently. “Look, I’m going to bed. Sorry I messed up your evening.” He gave me a pointed look that told me he knew damn well Lucy hadn’t been out with Sheridan.
Then he turned and disappeared up the stairs, the click of his bedroom door closing coming a few seconds later.
“Fuck.” Boone held up his hands. “I don’t even know what the fuck to say to all that.”
“There’s nothing to say,” I said quietly. “He will eventually move past the grief, but I think it will take a long time.”