My Brother's Keeper by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Author:ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pocket Books

Twenty-one

Eric scanned the top shelf. V.S.O.P. Top-of-the-line bourbon. That’s what he was looking for. He reached up, grabbed the biggest bottle, and headed for the cashier. He stopped and picked up a small bottle of Crown on his way.

“Can I come to the party?” the short, Hispanic clerk asked. She was grinning seductively. She had beautiful, hollow eyes and long, black hair that touched her waist, a gorgeous shape, and full lips that looked ripe for the picking. For a minute, Eric thought about telling her yeah. He and Elise hadn’t made love in almost two months. Part of him wanted to blame it on her being eight months pregnant. But honestly, he hadn’t had much interest in sex, working, or hanging out. He hadn’t had much interest in anything but getting drunk. And he’d been doing his fair share of that. It helped him escape from his fucked-up life. He drank something—whiskey, bourbon, or beer—every single night. Elise had stopped nagging him about it. She just came home from work and went to their room every day. They very seldom talked and they didn’t spend much time together anymore. In fact, Elise had basically decorated the baby’s nursery all by herself. He couldn’t even get excited about the baby. Yeah, sure, he tried to ask her some questions every now and then, but it was almost as if Elise could sense he was just going through the motions.

“You know, beautiful, I would love to invite you to the party, but this is pretty much a private celebration.” Eric knew if he couldn’t get excited for Elise, he sure couldn’t get excited for another woman.

“That’s too bad. I get off from here in an hour and I sure would like to share that bourbon with you.” She ran her tongue across her lips as she put the liquor in a paper bag.

“I bet you say that to all the guys,” Eric said.

“Only the good-looking ones who look like they could use some cheering up.”

“Well, thanks, but I guess I’m going to have to take a rain check.” He handed the clerk his money.

She took it, opened the register, and gave Eric his change. “My name’s Veronica. I’m here every Friday and Saturday night if you change your mind.” She smiled as she handed Eric his bag.

“It was very nice to meet you, Veronica. I’ll keep your schedule in mind.” Eric flashed a smile and headed out to his car. He had no intention of seeing Veronica, since he was already causing Elise major grief by the way he was acting. He definitely wasn’t going to upset her by messing with another woman.

Eric popped his Macy Gray CD into the CD player, rolled his window down, and began his customary Friday night cruise around town. For the past few weeks, it had been the same thing. He’d drive around, alone and drinking. He stayed on back roads, trying to keep away from traffic, since he didn’t want to get stopped and get a DUI.

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