Page 98 of Dreamscape Therapies

“I am being serious.”

“You're never serious.”

“I'm telling Aksel you hit me.”

“I'm having his babies. He can't get mad at me.”

Eric sticks his tongue out, and Hale rolls his eyes.

Despite everything, I laugh. It's shaky and a little hysterical, but it's real.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it out and see a message from Jay.

Jay: Eric just sent me a video of Trent having a meltdown at your bar. Are you okay? Do you need me to come there?

Vincent: I'm okay. He made a scene, but he's gone now.

Jay: I'll be there in ten minutes.

Vincent: You don't have to.

Jay: I know. I want to.

Something in my chest loosens.

I set my phone down, and Eric is already watching me with a knowing grin. “Let me guess. Boyfriend's on his way?”

“Yeah.”

“Good.” He points at me. “You deserve someone who actually gives a shit about you. Not whatever the hell that was.” He jerks his thumb toward the door.

“I know.”

The lunch rush slowly starts again around us. Conversations pick back up, pool balls crack against one another, and someone laughs too loudly near the window. The ordinary sounds of the bar gradually drown out the echo of Trent's voice, and with every passing minute, it becomes a little easier to believe that he really is gone.

Mia appears beside me and sets down a beer. “On the house, Boss.”

“Thanks, Mia,” I say, taking a large gulp of the bitter liquid.

She gives me a small smile before heading back to the bar.

The cold brew settles some of the lingering nerves in my stomach. Across from me, Eric is already replaying the video.

“Oh, man,” he says. “The part where he says you're all his little puppets? Chef's kiss.”

“Please don't make my ex into a meme.”

“Too late. I've already got captions.”

“Eric.”

“Fine, fine. I won't post it publicly.” He pauses. “Yet.”

“Hale.”

“I'm not involved,” Hale says immediately.

The door opens a few minutes later, and I tense automatically. But then I see Jay standing there, his eyes sweeping across the bar until they find me. The relief that crosses his face is immediate, and he walks straight toward me, sliding into the chair beside mine as his hand finds mine beneath the bar.