“Okay, I have time for one more request,” I say to the crowd.
“I have a request,” a male voice yells from the front of the bar. I look for the person to come forward, but no one is moving.
“I have a request, I said!”
“Okay, let’s hear it,” I reply, still waiting for the man to show himself.
“My first request is that you leave my fucking fiancée alone. My second request is that you leave Beaumont and never come back. And my third request of the night is that you tell your son how much of a fucking loser you are so that when you leave, he won’t fucking hate me for driving you out of town.”
Drunk people suck.
Nick is finally in view, he’s swaying from side to side. He has a friend on each side trying to get him to sit down. Everyone in the bar is quiet, half looking at me, the other half at him.
I strum my guitar to get the crowd’s attention.
“Can’t you answer me, Westbury?”
“No, Ashford. This isn’t the time or place.”
“Let’s go outside then hot shot.”
I shake my head and remove my guitar. “Sorry guys, show’s over. But don’t forget about the benefit concert we’ll be doing.”
I pack up my guitar and keyboard as Ralph apologizes in my ear about Nick. I tell him not to worry about Nick, that he’s drunk. I look around the bar for him, but he’s gone so I decide to call it a night.
When I step outside he’s leaning against a truck. I’m in no mood to talk to him if he’s like this. I set my gear in the backseat and turn to face him. He’s sauntering over to me, unable to walk a straight line.
“Where are your buddies?”
“I don’t need them to kick your ass, Westbury.”
“I’m not fighting you,” I say as I move away from my car.
“Well, I want to fight you. I need to fight for my family. Ever since you showed up here, it’s all Liam this and Liam that. My dad this, my dad that. I’m his fucking dad, not you. I raised him. I cleaned up the skinned knees and taught him how to play football all while you were off screwing half the female population.
“And my soon to be wife… god what a bitch she’s been all because of you—”
“Don’t call her a bitch, Nick. You’re drunk and you’re going to regret it.” I pull out my phone and text Josie telling her that she needs to come get him before something bad happens.
“You left her. I picked up the pieces. I waited patiently for her to look in my direction and when she finally did, I was so happy. But no, you had to come back and screw shit up for us. She loves me, not you so why don’t you pack your shit and leave. Do us all a favor and get out of here. I want my family back and you’re in the way.”
“He’s my son, Nick. I didn’t abandon him. He deserves to know me.”
Nick shakes his head and leans against my car, his head hanging. If I didn’t know better I’d think he’s crying. I get where he’s coming from, but there’s no way I’ll give up Noah. Josie – yeah I’ll wait for her, but Noah’s mine and I intend to stay for him.
Josie pulls up, the bright lights from the car shining against Nick. He looks up and shields his eyes. I stand, in the same spot I was in when he started in on me, waiting for her to get out of the car.
“Hey baby,” he says when he sees Josie. She offers me a small smile before pulling Nick into her arms. “I love you, Josephine. Tell me you love me. Tell Westbury that you choose me over him.”
“Come on, Nick, let’s go home.”
“Tell him, Josie. Tell him so he’ll go away and leave us alone. I want my fiancée back.”
“He can hear you. I don’t need to repeat what you’re saying.”
“Did you sleep with him in L.A.?”
“No, Nick. Now come on. You’re drunk and I want to go home.” Josie pulls Nick to her car, helping him inside. She doesn’t look at me before she gets in the driver’s seat or when she pulls out.