“Tell you what. Tomorrow night is trivia night at The Den. Come with. You can meet Drew for yourself; see just how much we annoy each other. Then you can put this crazy idea to bed.” I ushered her away from my desk so I could get back to work. She rolled her eyes.

“You say annoyance, I say sexual tension.” She waved at me over her shoulder as she headed to her office. I shook my head and returned to my desk. God, I hope she doesn’t bring this up around Drew.

***

I was just walking through my front door when my phone rang. I dropped my keys on the hook by the door and set my bag on the barstool to rummage for my phone. My bag had this little pocket for my cell phone conveniently sewn into the lining to eliminate this whole little dance of frantically searching for it before you missed the call, but I’d be damned if I ever used it. Just one more genius invention that goes unused, like portable purse hooks.

I finally located the phone and slid my finger across it to answer.

“Hey,” I said, sounding a bit out of breath.

“You should get a smaller purse, then maybe you would be able to find your phone faster,” Drew replied. I could hear the smirk in his voice.

“No can do. I can’t fit everything I need in this one.”

“What do you need with all that stuff anyway? That bag is dangerous. It should be labeled a weapon of mass destruction.” He chuckled.

“Hey, I’ll remember that the next time you ask me to sneak candy into the movie theater for you.”

He took a breath and continued. “So, last night, you passed out on me.”

“Yeah, sorry. Guess I’m a cheaper drunk then I used to be. I woke up with the worst hangover. No more Tequila Mondays for me, okay?”

“Okay,” he said, sounding a little confused. “You don’t remember anything?”

“Not really. Why? Did I talk in my sleep? I didn’t say anything stupid, did I?”

“No,” he said, “you were fine.”

“Good.” I started to unload my bag, taking out the concept drawings I brought home. “Oh, I invited a friend from work to trivia tomorrow.”

“She hot?”

“No!”

“No, she’s not hot? That’s not very nice, Red,” he scolded.

“No. She’s great, but no screwing my work friends! It creates too much drama for me when you stop returning their calls. She is off limits, got it?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. I got it.”

“Good.” I nodded. “Well, I would love to shoot the shit with you, but I have some work to do. See you tomorrow?”

“Yeah.” He dragged the word out a bit. “Red?”

“Yeah.”

“You really don’t remember anything?”

I panicked. Shit! Did I say something about him in my sleep? Oh God, what did I say? Play dumb. He will let it go. “Nope.”

Drew stayed quiet and I started sweating. Dear God, please let him just let this go!

“Okay, I’ll see you at The Den.”

I let out a big sigh of relief and rushed to get off the phone before it got awkward. “Okay, see you then. Bye.”

I hung up and placed my phone on the counter, leaning against it for support. I didn’t know what was up with me, but I needed to get it under control, and fast.

***

The Den was only a few blocks down from my apartment. It was a tiny little English pub, owned by Drew’s dad, Jack. Our little group affectionately called him Papa Jack. Papa Jack was a broad, burly, bear of a man, but his eyes gave away his sweet and gentle demeanor. His mess of dark hair was just like Drew’s, but gray was beginning to pepper through the dark strands. A scruffy beard covered most of his face, making his expressions a little hard to read and slightly more intimidating. Those of us he loved always knew where we stood with Papa Jack. Once he claimed you as one of his own, he would always have your back.

Drew and his brother, David, got their looks from their mother. I only met her a few times in college before she passed, but she was kind, beautiful, and the most genuine person I have ever met. Drew is so much like her. His kindness, compassion, and thoughtful charm all came from her. His sarcastic nature, sharp wit, and sense of humor was all Papa Jack.

I asked his mom once how she handled being around so much testosterone. She smiled, wrapped her arm around my shoulder, and said, “I treasure every gray hair they gave me. You’ll understand when you have a Collins boy of your own.”

She was always convinced Drew and I belonged together. I wish I’d had more time to get to know her, but, then again, to know her was to know her boys.

The air in The Den was always heavy with the smell of beer and fried food, making my heart full and my mouth water. Papa Jack made the best fish and chips in the city. Of course I was a little biased.

I made my way through the bar and headed to our usual table in the back, smiling at Papa Jack as I passed him in his usual place behind the bar. I swear the man never leaves this place.

Papa Jack looked up at me from the sink where he was washing some glasses and said, “I’ll send Bridget with your usual, Alex.”

“Thanks, Pop!” I shouted to him over my shoulder as I dropped into my usual chair facing the door.

A few minutes later, Bridget dropped a Bud Light and a basket of fish and chips in front of me with a nod and took off to deliver some more drinks.

“Papa Jack! My man!”

I lifted my head as Sean came through the bar. He slapped his hand against Papa Jack’s and made his way to me. Sean, Drew, and I stayed close after college. Now, Sean and Drew work at the same graphic design firm downtown. Sean and I had our differences over the years, but he was someone I could always count on. The man was in a class all by himself. He’s larger than life and always the one to stand out, but he is fiercely loyal.

Sean dropped down in the chair across from me, grabbed a fry from my basket, and popped it in his mouth.

“Hey, beautiful,” he said with a wink. He pursed his lips in my direction. He always was a shameless flirt.

“Hey, Sean.” I giggled. “Where is your partner in crime?”

“On his way. He said something about picking up his tux for Friday.”

He reached to grab another fry. I swatted at his hand. Bridget came by and set a Sam Adam’s in front of him. He looked up at her with a thousand-watt smile. She rolled her eyes and hurried past him. I covered my mouth to stifle the laugh. Poor Sean. He’s been trying to get Bridget to go out with him for years with absolutely no success. You had to admire his blind determination.

Don’t get me wrong, Sean is a good-looking guy. Tall, with a lean but muscular build and short blond hair styled into a faux hawk. He wore thick rimmed, black hipster glasses, and his smile was completely infectious. You couldn’t help but have fun when he was around.

Drew came in a little while later, followed closely by his brother, David. “Hey, Pops,” Drew said, throwing his hand up to Papa Jack.

Papa Jack nodded at him and turned to David. “Where’s my beautiful daughter-in-law?”

“She’s at the store. She wanted to take care of inventory before the baby comes.” David sighed and made his way back to our table.

“You don’t deserve that girl,” Papa Jack called back to him.

“I know, Dad.” David grinned. “I know.”

David kissed my cheek and said a quick hello before moving to the other side of the table, slipping off his suit jacket, and taking his seat next to Sean. Drew slid into the chair next to me with his back to the wall. He leaned over and plucked a fry from my basket.

“Hey, get your own.” I smacked the back of his hand. Completely un-phased, he just smiled and plucked another fry.

Bridget came back with her tray and set two pints of Guinness down for Drew and David and a basket of fish and chips for each of the boys. She set an extra basket of fries in front of me with a wink. I made a mental note to add a little extra to her tip tonight.

I picked up the malt vinegar and handed it to David. We’ve all been friends for such a long time that we had each other’s likes and dislikes down to a science. When I met Drew back in college, this motley group of misfits came along with him. They accepted me immediately and made me feel like a member of the family, something I will be eternally grateful for.