Travis’s face crumbled, and then his head fell forward. After a full minute, he rubbed the back of his neck and looked at me. “I’ll think about it,” he said, walking toward the door.

“Travis,” Thomas said, taking a step.

“I said I’ll think about it.”

I touched Thomas’s arm and then startled when the door slammed.

Thomas grabbed his knees, gasping for air, and then he collapsed onto the floor. I sat on the floor beside him, tightly holding him, while he quietly sobbed.

I nodded to Anthony again, insisting that he pour Thomas another drink. He hadn’t spoken after Travis agreed to recruitment or when we drove from the hotel to the airport. He hadn’t spoken a word during the plane ride. He’d merely gestured that we share a cab for the short ride to our building.

I hadn’t asked, but I’d told him that we were going to Cutter’s. It had been easy to convince him of things when he refused to protest.

“Jesus,” Val said quietly as she maneuvered her purse off her shoulder. She sat down. “He looks like hell.”

Marks sat on the other side of Thomas, allowing his friend to get drunk in peace. He popped a few peanuts into his mouth and stared at the television.

“He’ll be okay,” I said. “How’s Sawyer?”

Val made a face. “How would I know?”

“Really?” I deadpanned. “Are you really going to try to lie to me?”

She glared at the back of Thomas’s head. “Maddox told you?” she hissed.

“Yes, and he’s had a shitty weekend, so you can’t be mad at him. I, however, can be extremely pissed at you for holding back something so monumental when you’ve insisted on knowing every morsel of information about me.”

Val pouted. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to know. I don’t want anyone to know. I wish it never happened.”

“It might help you to forget if you didn’t live with him,” I said.

“He won’t sign the divorce papers, and if I move out, I lose the condo.”

“So?”

“I lived there first!”

“Move in with me,” I said.

“Really?” she asked, her eyes softening. “You would do that for me?”

“Yes. What a nightmare. And besides, it would be nice to share the bills. I could buy a car, and until then, ride with you to work.”

“I appreciate that,” Val said, tilting her head to the side. “I really do, but I’m not losing the condo. It’s mine, and his ass is moving, not me.”

“Why don’t you want to ride to work with me anymore?” Thomas slurred.

It was the first time he’d spoken in hours, and the sound of his voice surprised me as if he’d just shown up.