This is our first night out as a couple, showing the world who we are, and this is how he prepares for it? I guess the marriage idea is a little more traumatizing for him than I expected it to be.

I shift my attention to Vince.

“Hi.” I say the word and then realize how stupid it sounds, but at least I stop short of officially introducing myself. I have an audience of women who should assume that since I married Jase, I’d have already met his bandmates.

It seems by the way Vince takes in the room around me that he understands this too. “Hendrix.” His eyes hold mine and he just nods as our unofficial introduction to one another.

It’s a weird feeling to be stunned by who his friends are when he’s of the same status, but I have to admit if there wasn’t worry mixed with relief, then I might be a little more starstruck.

“Cookie,” Jase says, the syllables slurring as he tries to take a step and Vince steadies him.

He’s not just drunk. He’s blitzed drunk.

Fucking perfect.

Anger fires in my blood. Memories of growing up with my alcoholic stepdad flash back.

“You’re home late. Again,” my mom yells. “And you reek of cheap perfume. Who was it tonight?”

“Oh shut the fuck up, Sandra. You’re such a stuck-up bitch. Can’t a man have a night to himself every now and then?”

“Right. Clearly, you’ve forgotten I’m your wife. Again.”

“And you wonder why I don’t come home,” he yells.

I hate when he does this to my mom. I hate the fighting. I hate how he treats her. If the walls weren’t paper-thin, I wouldn’t have to hear it at all. So, I do what I always do when I need to hide. I grab my headphones and head toward the kitchen. I have a new recipe I want to try and now seems like a better time than any.

I think I’ve blocked so much of those days from my mind, but it comes back with a vengeance when Jase meets my eyes. There’s defiance there, shame, and an unfettered not giving a fuck. Guess there’s my answer.

And the chuckle he emits? The one that almost sounds apologetic over whatever he’s done? That guts me.

“Tiger can’t change its spots,” he says. “Told you I’d fuck things up when they’re going good. Push. Push. Push.”

Vince sighs and mutters for him to shut up before looking back at me. “He had a rough day.”