“I’ll do the work if you promise it’ll be worth it in the end.”

“Define ‘worth it.’”

“Dinner, of course. What’s your dirty mind thinking?”

“Dessert. Does this dinner of yours include dessert?”

“It comes with whatever you want.”

“In that case, do your worst.”

“Game on.”

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Big Mac McCarthy entered the bar at the Beachcomber and took a look around, locating his younger brother at the far end of the long bar.

Chelsea, the bartender, caught his eye. “Thanks for coming, Mr. McCarthy.”

“I’m glad you called, sweetheart. How long has he been here?”

“Couple hours now.”

“Is he talking?”

“Not much. Just drinking. I told him no more after the last one.”

“I’ll take care of it.” Big Mac moved to the far end of the bar and slid onto the stool next to Kevin’s, nudging his brother. “What’s up?”

“What’re you doing here?”

“Same thing as you.” He accepted an icy bottle of light beer from Chelsea with a smile and a wink for her.

“Did she call you?”

“Nope.” He’d never toss Chelsea under the bus for doing the right thing.

“So you just happened to turn up out of the fog? Total coincidence?”

“No fog tonight. Beautiful clear night out there. You want to get out of here and take a look?”

“Nah, I’m happy here.” He noticed his glass was getting low and scowled. “Or I was until she shut me off.”

Despite having consumed a lot of alcohol, Kevin sounded remarkably sober. “You must’ve been here awhile for that to happen.”

Kevin’s shoulder lifted into a shrug. “Nothing else to do.”

“You coulda come to my house. I wouldn’t have shut you off. Lots of empty bedrooms upstairs if you ever need one.”

“You and Linda don’t need your miserable little brother underfoot.”

“Hate to see you this way, Kev.”

“Hate to feel this way. All these years I’ve spent counseling other people on how to save their marriages, and mine went up in flames right before my eyes. And the best part? I didn’t even see it coming. How’s that possible?”

“You didn’t think you had anything to worry about.”

“So I slacked off. I didn’t pay attention. Look at where that got me.”

“Have you talked to her at all?”

“Here and there. Mostly logistics about the house and the bank accounts and filing papers.”

“No talk of reconciliation?”

“Nope. She’s done, and with hindsight, I guess I don’t blame her. She got a better offer with a younger guy, of all things.”

“Is that what bugs you most? That he’s younger?”

“The whole thing bugs me.”

“Do you know the guy?”