Page 54 of Betrayed

“Which is what you would have done if your friend hadn’t come by?”

Logan nodded.

“Man, it’s not worth it. And I know you know that. I’ve been down that road, especially when the woman you love, that isn’t quite yours anymore, is in danger.”

Logan nodded again. He knew Adam’s story.

“Now, I suggest you run that bottle down the drain before my wife finds it.”

Logan chuckled. “Ella poured yours out?”

“Yep. And I haven’t had a drop since. You have to lean on Christ in the midst of the hard stuff. The bottle isn’t actually numbing anything except your ability to hear His voice. Don’t let that happen. Take it to Him. He can handle it.”

Why did everyone have to butt in? He appreciated Adam’s advice, and he knew he was right, but it wasn’t as easy as Adam made it sound.

He nodded, wanting Adam to think he was letting it soak in. In one sense he was, but it felt like Adam had taken a meat tenderizer to his tough heart.

Adam stood. “Let me know if you need anything. I’m just down the street. Seriously, even if it’s simply to sit on the back deck and toss a ball with Rusty here instead of drinking. Got it?”

“Will do. Thank you.” He shook Adam’s hand and gave Rusty another rub.

They left and Logan turned back to the kitchen table. He contemplated the bottle. He’d already had too much, but he wasn’t ready to pour it down the drain.

After putting the whiskey away in the cabinet, he went to the hallway and stopped in front of Bree’s closed door. He’d kept her room like it had been. He went in and cleaned it regularly, but he couldn’t remove any of the things without AJ. It wouldn’t be right.

He opened the door and let the light from the hall be enough. He walked in and picked up her stuffed hippo from the bed, then sat down.

Adam was right. The alcohol didn’t affect the emotions Logan had hoped to kill.

“I’m sorry, baby girl. I’m sorry I keep trying to smother the feeling of missing you.”