Kevin shook his head. “Someone she met through work, I guess. She swears nothing happened between them until she left me, but she’s talking physically. She’s been having an emotional affair with him for a while now.”

Big Mac signaled to Chelsea to bring Kevin one more drink, pointing to himself to let her know that he’d take responsibility for him.

A short glass of bourbon landed on the bar in front of Kevin.

He looked up, seeming surprised. “How’d that happen?”

“It’s all in who you know around here, my friend.”

“Another one of your groupies?” Kevin asked with the first hint of amusement Mac had seen in him.

“I like to call them friends.”

Snorting, Kevin said, “You always were popular with the ladies.”

“We’re not talking about me here. We’re talking about you and how we’re going to get you out of this funk you’re in. Your sons are worried about you.”

That got his attention. “They are? How do you know?”

“They’ve told me so. You haven’t been yourself since things went south with Deb. They’ve noticed it. We all have. I told them you’re grieving the end of something that meant a lot to you, and in time you’ll be back to your old self. I suggested they give you a little space to work things out.”

“Is that what you’re doing? Giving me some space?”

“I’m making sure you don’t do something stupid like get behind the wheel of a car after you’ve been here for hours.”

“I wouldn’t do that.”

“Good to know.”

“Always the big brother.”

“I take my responsibilities seriously,” Mac said with a grin. “What can I do, Kev? How can I help you through this?”

“Damned if I know.”

“It’s going to take some time, but you’ll get past it. We’ll make sure of it.”

“What would you do if Linda suddenly up and left you for a younger guy?”

The very thought of it was like an arrow filled with fear landing in the vicinity of Big Mac’s heart. “I, um…”

“Sorry,” Kevin said. “That was unfair. She’s not going anywhere. She’s as crazy about you today as she was the day you married her a long-ass time ago.”

“Gonna be forty years this Christmas.”

“I remember. I was twelve. Had my first beer at your wedding. Did you know that?”

“How’d you get that by Dad?”

“I waited until he’d had at least six and wasn’t paying attention anymore.”

Big Mac laughed at the memory of their late father. “He did love a good party.”

“And that was a great party. I remember it vividly. My first time in a monkey suit, too.” He ventured a sideways glance at Mac. “Mom and Dad thought you were too young to get married. Did you know that?”