He shakes his head. “Not this time. It’s another girl and another time. Another loss.”

I can usually understand Jack’s ramblings, but he’s got me totally lost this time. I have no idea what girl and what loss he’s going on about.

“Talk to me, man. What the hell happened that caused you to drink a bottle of whiskey?”

His eyes drift open and closed and a low sigh comes from him. “She likes me still, and I don’t want to like her. I can’t like her. I can’t be who she wants.”

“Who is she?”

Jack flops back on the bed, his legs still hanging over the side. Then I hear a loud snore come from his mouth. Great.

I move him around so he’s at least on the bed and shove some pillows under his head. I shake my head, looking at my best friend who is going to hate himself in the morning.

Once in my room, I grab my phone and video call Jess, needing to see her.

“Hey,” she answers with a sleepy smile.

“Did I wake you?”

“No, no.” Her voice is quiet, and it’s clear I did wake her. “How is Melia?”

“Better, I think. Low fever today, but she was in a much better mood.”

She smiles. “Good. I’m glad to hear it.”

“But, while I got one person on the mend, another showed up on my doorstep requiring aid.”

“Oh?” she asks with surprise.

“Yeah, Jack is passed out in the guest room—drunk. He kept talking about a girl, but won’t say her name.”

Jess’s eyes widen just a touch. “That’s . . . wow. Who do you think it is?”

There’s something going on that people are aware of, I can feel it. The tone in her voice says she isn’t telling me the truth. “Who is it, Jess?”

“I have no idea. I’m just surprised.”

I lean back in bed, watching her. “Why don’t I believe you?”

She rolls her eyes. “I don’t know. Could it maybe be Delia? She mentioned something about him.”

Now it’s my turn to react. “Delia? No. Not a chance.”

“I know she was meeting him tonight.”

“Shit. Then maybe it is.” I scratch my head. For him to be so torn up like that about her would be . . . strange. Delia has been in love with Joshua for as long as I can remember. Jack has never given any indication that he had feelings for her, but maybe it was her. If she shot him down, I could see him being pissed enough to drink a bottle.

“Well, I’ll find out tomorrow when he sobers up. Anyway, how are you? I feel like we haven’t had any chance to talk.”

Jess smiles warmly. “You’ve been a bit busy.”

“Are you feeling neglected?” I say with a smirk.