“Just waiting on you, Drew,” Jackie announced the second she appeared beside my lounge chair. When I didn’t respond, she began tapping her foot.

“Actually, Jackie,” I murmured while pushing my sunglasses up on my nose, “I’ve decided not to go to therapy today.”

Her lips pursed as she stared at me. “Oh, did you? And what makes you think you can make that determination? You’re still here. You still have to play the game until we officially discharge you.”

I dropped my chin so I could stare up at her from over the rim of my glasses. “In case I was unclear, I’m not going.”

“Oh, you were clear. Now, let me make sure you understand my position. You go to therapy or you don’t go home.” Jackie shrugged, then turned on her heels and disappeared down the path to the main building.

Damn, I hated for her to win, but even more, I hated the idea of being stuck here a split second longer than absolutely necessary. Still, I didn’t have to rush after her like some freaking puppy dog, either. So, I leisurely stood and stretched. Then I yanked my towel off the lounger and wrapped it around the back of my neck. Finally, I took several long drinks from the iced water on the side table. With a sigh, I traipsed down the path on the way to the building. When I entered Jackie’s office, the receptionist waved me in and hid her face in some paperwork. That should’ve been my first indication all was not as it should be. I paused a few seconds so she would know I hadn’t rushed in after her, then I opened the door and strolled into the room.

There was a gorgeous woman sitting in one of the chairs across from Jackie. Her legs were crossed; make that her beautiful, fit legs. Long, dark, straight hair cascaded down her back past her shoulders. When she heard the door open, she glanced my direction, and calmly stared at me with big brown eyes, even as I registered a hint of recognition.

“Wow.” I stared at her, suddenly shy. I’d never been shy before. I didn’t have to be, ever. See, in the past, I had alcohol and drugs. They made me so smart, so witty, so confident, I could talk to anyone. I’d been bold and fearless. Now, I had to swallow a few times and truly concentrate to see if I was still breathing. I felt like I was gasping for air. “I’m sorry for interrupting,” I mumbled. I started to back out of the room, but Jackie stopped me.

“You’re in the right place.” She motioned for me to take the empty seat beside the woman I could barely take my eyes off of.

I swear it took every ounce of effort I had left to walk the few feet from the door to the chair. I think I even talked myself through it. One step. There you go, Drew. Just one foot in front of the other. No big deal. You’ve been doing it for years. Should be easier sober! By the time I sat down, I had broken out into a sweat. I dabbed at my forehead with my towel. “Okay, now what?” The words came out sounding far sharper than I intended. I glanced at the woman beside me to see her reaction.

“Now we talk.” Ty’s voice boomed from behind me.

I whipped around and saw him reclining on the couch a few feet away, his arms folded behind his head. “What are you doing here?” I scowled. Obviously, this was a set up. And whatever hopes I’d had for the woman beside me, they were now dashed. I turned to face Jackie again and slumped in the chair.

I could hear the leather couch groan, followed by footsteps, and I realized Ty was coming closer. When he walked around the desk and pulled a chair over to the end near Jackie, I glared at him. Seriously, this guy had abandoned me. The minute he had a woman in his life, he’d checked out on his friends. I studied the female beside me again. No rings. Clothes were off the rack. This was a natural beauty, no plastic surgery, yet sheer perfection.

“Are you married to this loser?” I asked cockily. “You know, if you’d have held out for me, you’d have snagged the richest guy in the group.” I shrugged. “Your loss, pussycat.”

“This isn’t my wife.” Ty sighed.

In an instant, I sat up and leaned towards her. “And you’re back in the running. Hi, I’m Drew.” I grinned, knowing my tan and my pearly whites had enthralled many a female before, hoping they’d work this time too.

“Hi, I’m Talia.” She nodded seriously.

“Talia. That’s a great name. Let’s get to know one another.” I leaned on my elbow and stared at her. She was seriously the hottest chick I’d seen in well over ninety days.

“We’ve met before, at the casino.” She turned toward me and I knew she meant to remind me.

I frowned. “Wow. I must’ve been really drunk. You’re pretty unforgettable, and yet, I have no memory of you.”

This time, she smiled. “Don’t worry. We’ll have plenty of time to catch up. I’m your date for the weekend.”

“My date?” I glanced at Jackie. “Is this a service you provide all your VIP clients?” I waggled my brow at her. “Nicely done. Out of a catalog of a million women, this is the one I would’ve chosen too.”

Jackie rolled her eyes. “You aren’t a VIP. We don’t have VIPs here. And I didn’t find her for you. Mr. George did.”

My eyes widened as I stared at Ty. “Wow. I almost want to shake your hand. Oh, but you’ve known my type forever, haven’t you?” I grinned. “So, what’s the plan? I can be packed and ready to go in less than ten minutes.”

“You’re still leaving tomorrow. That’s the plan,” Jackie reminded me.

“Is twenty-four hours going to make that much difference? Really?” I gave her my best pleading look.

“Rules. You have to learn to follow some rules.” Jackie leaned forward and nodded at me with a frown on her face.

I leaned toward her. “Rules. They’re meant to be broken.” I winked at Talia. “What’s say we blow this joint, pussycat?”

“I say, I’ll pick you up tomorrow, when the facility releases you.” She shrugged.

“So, why bring me a date today, Ty?” I frowned.

“This was more of a meet and greet session. Talia will be there for you during the wedding. She’ll even see to it you make it home.” He clapped his hands together, which always meant he’d made his decision and it was set in stone.

“Awesome. This must be some special kind of hooker.” I chuckled. “Sorry, I had no idea you were on the payroll.” I watched in fascination as she licked her lips.

“Oh, I’m on the payroll, but I’m not a hooker.” Her brow shot up in challenge.

“I’m sorry. Do you girls prefer being called escorts?” I grinned playfully.

Her nostrils flared. “Actually, I prefer being referred to as your sobriety coach, but you can still call me Talia.”

Now it was my turn to be angry. I fumed at the guy I thought was my friend. “What the absolute fuck, Ty? I don’t need a sobriety coach. So, like…she’s going to make the wedding a more painful experience than it already will be? I won’t even be able to toast?” I stomped my foot and stood. “Not happening. I don’t need a babysitter.”

“You’re a grown man. If you need a babysitter, I’m not your girl.” Talia opened her mouth to continue, but I cut her off.

“You’re not my girl to begin with. I don’t need some goddam killjoy ruining what’s left of my miserable life.” I glared at Ty. “You tricked me. I thought we were friends.”

“We are, Drew.” He sighed.

“Really? A friend wouldn’t pawn me off on some stranger so he could enjoy a wedding without having to deal with me.” I gestured angrily. “You’ve been doing it for years. First it was Harry, now it’s some sobriety Nazi. I fucking hate you for doing this. This is some bullshit, man.” I strode over to the door and prepared to open it. My fingers had closed around the handle, when Ty grabbed my shoulder and whipped me around to face him.

“You want to talk about some bullshit? How about the fact that you’ve lost fifteen years of your life to your demons?” He growled at me. “You better figure out how to get rid of them, or you won’t last another fifteen.” He raked his hands through his hair and I could’ve sworn I saw some tears in his eyes.

“What the hell are you talking about?” I crossed my arms over my body. “I’m fine. I’m fucking awesome.”

“No, you aren’t. And you’re hurting everyone who cares about you. Harry wears a shroud of guilt. I have a worried brow. At least, that’s what Kate calls it. Lines. At my age.” Ty inhaled sharply. “I want you to be better. I need you to be healthy and safe. I worry all the time whether you’re going to kill yourself with drugs and alcohol, or if you’re going to kill someone else while you’re under the influence.” He leaned heavily against the wall before speaking more quietly. “I’m gonna be a father, Drew. Kate’s having a baby. I want you to be a part of our life. Harry wants it too. Only, you can’t be around unless you’re sober.”

I stiffened. “What does that mean? You don’t want me around? You’re cutting me off? I don’t understand.”

“Yeah. We’ve been through two other rounds of rehab with you, Drew. Nothing changed. Not for you, anyway. Meanwhile, we’re tense, miserable, and aging faster than we should.” He pointed to his forehead. “Lines.”

“You mentioned them before. Sorry to ruin your face,” I muttered. “This is stupid. I thought you two were my friends.”

“I thought so too. Only friendship is a two-way street and if you were our friend, you wouldn’t care more about getting drunk than you care about hanging out with us.” Ty shook his head sadly. “Be a friend, Drew.”

I stood quietly, my side pressed against the door. His words had struck a chord. I couldn’t imagine the rest of my life without them in it. I could handle sharing them with wives, but I couldn’t survive losing them forever. After some thought, I finally spoke. “What do I have to do?”

Ty smirked. “For starters? Let Talia be your date for the weekend.”