“Crap. I was hoping you hadn’t left yet. I decided to join you after all.”
“Really?” She sounded delighted. “I thought you were working.”
“I was supposed to, but one of my barbacks asked for extra hours. There’s no reason for me to stick around if he’s here.”
“Then you definitely have to come by. Jessica’s going to be there, and I could use the moral support. One of these days I’m going to lose my temper and break her nose, you know.”
AJ cringed at the memory of Jordan’s shrieky girlfriend. Christ, he had no idea what Brett’s brother saw in the woman. Actually, scratch that. He knew exactly what Jordan saw—a gorgeous blonde with endless legs and a rack liable to make men drool.
AJ had learned a long time ago that looks didn’t make the woman, but unfortunately, he couldn’t exactly say anything to Brett’s brother about it. Jordan had readily admitted to being unable to “quit” the girl, and there wasn’t much anyone could do to change that.
“I’ll be there within the hour,” AJ told her. “Which pub is it again?”
“The one on Cambridge. Donaghy’s—”
A swell of music drowned out Brett’s voice as the office door swung open. When Reed appeared in the doorway, AJ held up his hand, signaling for his friend to wait.
“I’ll be there soon,” he murmured into the phone, then hung up abruptly.
Propping one hip against the doorframe, Reed cast him a meaningful look. “The girlfriend, huh?”
“I already told you, I don’t have a girlfriend,” he said irritably.
In fact, he’d gone to great lengths to keep his friends in the dark about Brett. He hadn’t asked her to come to the club since that first night, and they spent all their time at her apartment in Allston, which meant there was no chance of running into Reed or Gage, who both lived in Southie. It wasn’t that he was ashamed of her—he’d willingly parade her all over the damn city…if they were actually dating.
But they weren’t, and he had no desire to advertise their fling status to his friends, who’d only harass him like crazy if they knew.
“Fine, let’s say you’re not seeing anyone,” Reed said as he strode inside and closed the door behind him. “Then why don’t you explain what’s going on with you? You haven’t been yourself lately.”
AJ was taken aback by the genuine concern in Reed’s blue eyes. He was about to reassure his friend, but found himself tamping the urge. He was always the one offering reassurances, the one who smoothed out whatever issues arose. Hell, it was because of him that Reed and Darcy were even together. If AJ hadn’t stepped in and smacked some sense into them last year, they’d still be wallowing in misery, too blind to see what a good thing they had.
Well, he wasn’t in the mood to take on the make-everyone-else-feel-better role tonight.
“I’m exactly who I’ve always been,” he replied with a shrug.
Reed stood in front of the desk, crossing his muscular arms. “No, you’re not. I barely see you anymore, and we work in the same damn place! You’re constantly ducking out to go see your mysterious non-girlfriend, you hardly talk to us anymore, you don’t hang out with us outside business hours…”
“Maybe I don’t like being a fifth wheel,” AJ pointed out.
His friend looked startled. “Wait, what? Is that really what you feel like?”
AJ didn’t answer for a moment. Truth was, he hadn’t given it much thought, but now that he reflected on this past year, he was shocked to realize he did feel that way. He adored Darcy and Skyler—he really, truly did—but any and all bro-time had ceased to exist once Reed and Gage had gotten into committed relationships.
“Yeah, I guess I do,” he admitted. “I mean, when was the last time you, me, and Gage grabbed drinks at Paddy’s?”
Reed voiced a protest. “Just a few weeks ago. Don’t you rem—”
“Without Darcy and Sky,” he cut in. “I mean, don’t get me wrong. You know I love them, and I’m not saying I don’t want them around, but…” He shrugged again. “You and Gage are in relationship mode now. And I’m not.”
Deep shame furrowed Reed’s rugged features. “Shit. You’re right. We’ve been living in our own little bubble, huh?”
“Sort of. But whatever. It’s cool.” AJ rose from his chair and tucked his cell phone in his pocket.
“No, it’s not.” Reed raked a hand over the stubble on his chin, visibly upset. “We’ve been acting like assholes.”
“Naah, no more than usual.”
The good-natured jab didn’t appease his friend. “We’re assholes,” Reed said firmly. “And screw that. I’m sorry. Starting now, there’ll be no more of this fifth-wheel bullshit. I promise to pull my head out of my ass and be a better friend.”
AJ softened his tone. “You’re a great friend, man. Really. I shouldn’t have implied otherwise.”
“What’s the rush?” Reed demanded as AJ reached for the doorknob. “We’re in the middle of something here.”
“I’ve got somewhere I need to be. We’ll talk later, okay?”
“No, not okay.” Reed made a frustrated noise. “You know, the friend thing goes both ways, bro. You never used to be this fucking secretive. And yeah, fine, I’ll own up to being a preoccupied ass. Gage, too. But we’ve been trying to talk to you for weeks, and you keep pushing us away.”
The familiar weight of guilt bore down on AJ’s shoulders. Damn it. He couldn’t deny the accusation, because it was 100 percent true. He had been pushing them away.
“You’re right.” He dropped his hand from the door and exhaled in a rush. “Look, I am seeing someone, all right?”
“Ha! I knew it!”
“But it’s not serious,” he added, “which is why I haven’t brought her around.”
“It’s not serious?” Reed shook his head skeptically. “Dude, you’re all about serious.”
AJ shook his head right back. “Not this time. Neither one of us wants a relationship.”
“But you’re, like, Mr. Relationship. I was the manwhore in the friendship, remember?” The lines in Reed’s forehead deepened. “Were we Freaky Friday’d and nobody told me?”
AJ had to grin. “Maybe.” He hurried on before Reed could hurl another question his way. “It’s no big deal, okay? I’m having a little fun, and that’s all there is to it.”
“If you say so.” Reed hesitated. “I still feel shitty about that fifth-wheel thing. How about you, me, and Gage grab some beers tomorrow? We can make it a dudes’ night.” He sighed. “God knows Darce and Skyler have enough girls’ nights. It can be our turn to gossip about them.”
“Sounds good.” AJ turned the knob and ducked out of the office. “But I really do have to run now. I’ll text you tomorrow, ’kay?”
Although talking to Reed had succeeded in alleviating the burden of unhappiness he hadn’t even realized he’d been carrying, all thoughts of his friends flew out of AJ’s mind as he left the club. The eagerness to see Brett had quickly taken over, bringing a spring of anticipation to his step.