I Know Better (By Your Side Series Book 1)

by A. P. Watson

  Terayn spun, beaming at him wildly. “I’ve got the solution!”

  I shrugged my shoulders as Ryan stared at me in confusion. “Don’t look at me. I’m as clueless as you are.”

  “Wren hasn’t had sex in eleven months.”

  I groaned inwardly. “Oh, no.”

  “What?” Ryan asked, surprise evident in his tone. “What about Blaine or whatever his name was?”

  “You mean Dane?” I asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “He and I broke things off eleven months ago.”

  “Damn, that was a while ago,” Ryan replied.

  I threw my hands up in the air. “Why don’t we just put it on a billboard for God’s sake?”

  Terayn took a step forward. “Stop being dramatic. Babe, we’re going to hook her up with Jackson!”

  “Ryan’s hot coworker?”

  “Yes!”

  “No, absolutely not,” I spat, shaking my head.

  “Babe! Tell her!”

  Ryan shifted his attention to me. “Actually, it is a feasible possibility. Plus, he’s been wanting to meet you.”

  I laughed sarcastically at the thought. “You’re both insane.”

  “Jackson doesn’t believe in relationships. He’s more of a one-night stand or friends with benefits kind of guy,” Ryan added.

  “Not going to happen.”

  Terayn groaned in exasperation. “You so need a one-night stand, Wren!”

  “No.”

  “One night with a super-hot guy and no strings. It’s exactly what you said you wanted!”

  “So, what if I did? It doesn’t necessarily mean I’d go through with it!” I shouted.

  Ryan leaned against the counter, “Jackson is a nice guy. He would be a gentleman.”

  “Y’all can’t team up against me. It’s not fair!”

  “If you were to approach a guy right now or go on a date with a nice guy, would you feel comfortable talking to him? And what if those interactions led back to the bedroom, would you feel like a goddess at the top of her sexual game?” Ter asked.

  I covered my face with my hands. “I can’t believe this is a real conversation we’re having.”

  Terayn flung her damp hair over her shoulder. “You know if you lie to me I’ll be able to tell.”

  “Ryan, help me out here!”

  “As your friend, I just want you to be happy,” Ryan said, smiling slightly.

  “The date with Jackson could be like a practice run! No pressure, no strings, and it would help ease you back into the dating world.”

  I considered Terayn’s suggestion. I said I wanted a single night of unattached sex, but would I be able to go through with something like that? For a fleeting moment, I thought about the last three guys I seriously dated. Each relationship had been doomed from the start, but I’d been too scared to step outside my comfort zone. That was especially the case with Liam. When I was with him, I’d been so afraid to confront the truth, to accept the fact he’d been cheating on me for so long, I’d almost convinced myself I didn’t deserve anyone better. My comfort zone could go to hell. It was time to take a chance on something. After all, what did I have to lose? “You know what? I’ll do it.”

  Ter’s face lit up like the Fourth of July. “Really?”

  “Yeah. Besides, it’s not like it can be any worse than my date with Syphilis Scott.”

  Ryan tried and failed miserably to hide his amusement at my creative name for my last blind date. “Syphilis Scott, that’s hilarious.”

  “Not helping!” Terayn shouted.

  “Sorry! I’ll go text Jackson and see what he says.”

  “Thanks, Ryan. And both of you, please go finish your shower so we can eat!”

  The three of us ate the sandwiches at the bar. The more I took in the layout of my new home, the more I loved it. Especially the kitchen. It was quickly becoming my second favorite room in the apartment. Not to mention, it’s where we keep the wine. Terayn turned on Netflix while I got everyone something to drink. We listened to a baking show in the background as we finished our food. Because I prepared lunch, Terayn offered to clean up our plates. I decided to hit the shower while she was busy washing dishes.

  After my shower, I barely managed to throw my clothes on when both my roommates barged into my room.

  “Okay, we may need to set some general ground rules about personal space and privacy.”

  Terayn rolled her eyes at my comment. “Shut up! We come bearing good news!”

  “Jackson said he would love to take you out this Saturday if you’re available.” Ryan excitedly said as Terayn glared at him, obviously perturbed he stole some of her thunder.

  “Seriously?”

  “Yes!” Terayn hopped around me in a circle. “Wren’s going on a date!”

  “I’m actually off work this Saturday.” I smiled slightly at my good fortune. “Tell Jackson it’s a date then.”

  Ryan pulled his phone out from his pocket, texting rapidly. In less than a minute, Jackson replied. “He says to meet him at Everest this Saturday at 7:00.”

  “I’ll be there,” I responded. Ryan slipped out of my room, his phone still clutched firmly in his hand. “What is Everest?”

  “It’s a restaurant on the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange Building. They serve French cuisine that’s to die for.”

  “Geez, sounds fancy.”

  “It is! Ry and I went there for our anniversary this year. It’s certainly an impressive place.”

  “I may be out of my league here.”

  “You can’t think like that.” Terayn plopped on my bed, stretching across my comforter. “Besides, you’re stunning.”

  “I’m 95% sure people don’t see me and immediately think of the word stunning.”

  Terayn perked up, instantly glaring at me. “Wren Elizabeth Williams, you are one of the most intelligent, kind, and gorgeous women I know. You’re an amazing nurse and a super sexy pole dancer. This Saturday, you’re going on a date with one of the hottest men in the city, and you are going to own that shit!”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Now, let’s focus on something more productive. What are you going to wear on your date?”

  “Honestly, I have no idea.” I rifled through my closet, desperately hoping a beautiful dress would pop out at me. If this restaurant was as nice as Terayn said, I was going to need a new dress.

  “Sounds like you need to go shopping for a new dress.”

  “I just had the same thought.”

  “Well, you’re in luck because I know where the best boutique is.”

  I sat beside her, twisting the braided, silver cuff wrapped around my wrist. The design was simple and delicate. Terayn gave it to me when we graduated high school. Like my best friend, it was special, and I always had it on. “I’m scared.”

  Her head turned to me so sharply I thought her neck would snap. “Scared?” I nodded, not wanting to repeat my confession. “You’re scared?”

  “Geez, don’t make me repeat it.”

  “Wren, you’re the most fearless person I’ve ever met in my life.” I huffed at her attempt to cheer me up. I wasn’t anything remotely close to the word fearless. “Freshman year of high school, you walked into the boy’s locker room on a dare, and it was filled with only juniors and seniors.”

  “It was a stupid dare. I’m not fearless about things that matter.”

  “You sold your car and worked extra overtime for five months straight so that you could move up here.”

  “Hearing you say it out loud like that makes me realize I’m insane. I sold my car! Who the hell does that?”

  “You! You go all in with everything you do. You commit 110%, no exceptions. It’s inspiring.”

  “You really think so?” I asked uncertainly.

  “I know so,” Terayn replied with a smile. “Ryan agrees with me by the way. Just ask him.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Fine. Ryan!”

  At the sound of my voice, his footsteps padded
down the hall. “What? Are you guys okay?” he asked, glancing at us.

  “Yeah, we’re fine. I just wanted to ask you something.”

  He leaned against the doorway to my room, crossing his arms. “Shoot.”

  “Do you think I’m psychotic for moving all the way up here? Terayn is trying to convince me that I’m fearless, but I’m not biting the hook she’s baiting.”

  “I think moving up here is the best decision you’ve made in the past two years.”

  “All I’ve done is relocate my shit.”

  “You left your home, friends, and job. That’s something not everyone can do. Leaving everything you know behind takes some serious guts,” Ryan countered.

  “I guess you’re right.” I smiled at both of them. They always had my back no matter what. “Thanks for being such amazing friends. I’d be lost if it weren’t for the two of you.”

  Terayn flung her arm around my shoulder. “You know we love you.”

  “True.”

  “I picked up a bottle of wine on my way home from the gym. Do you girls want to watch some Netflix and drink?”

  “You had me at wine!” I yelled.

  Terayn hopped on his back, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “Take me to the wine!”

  We watched four more episodes of the baking show Terayn was obsessed with before calling it a night. It was quite humorous someone so horrendous at cooking would enjoy watching a baking show, but that was just Terayn. Just when you thought you had her figured out, she’d alter her path. Her plans seemed to shift with the phases of the moon. Losing your mom would do that to you though. When nothing is permanent, why not hunt your passions?

  I’d just settled into bed when my phone began to ring. I slid my thumb across the screen and held the phone up to my ear.

  “Hey, Momma.”

  “Hey, baby. How was the move? I wanted to call you yesterday, but I figured it would be best to give you a day to unpack and get settled into your new place.”

  “The move went great. Terayn helped me unpack all my stuff last night. It already feels like home.”

  “That’s wonderful. Is there anything your father or I can do for you?”

  My mom always knew how to ask the loaded questions. I was in desperate need of a car. I’d been scrambling to pay off the remainder of my student loans and save enough money to move up here, so my car was a necessary casualty. I could always buy a new one . . . in a year. My parents had the means to upgrade my transportation status, but I immediately dismissed the thought. I never wanted to be indebted to anyone, my own family included. I’d make my own way, even if working all the overtime I needed to buy a decent car would kill me. “No, I have everything I need.”

  “Are you sure? Sean told us you sold your car.”

  I cringed at her words. So much for that little secret. The next time I saw Sean, he was going to get a piece of my mind. “Yep. I sure did.”

  “But why?”

  “I didn’t want to have a butt load of student loans hanging over my head after I moved, so I worked a bunch of overtime and sold my car to get them paid off.”

  “But won’t you need a car up there? How will you come home to visit us?”

  “I’ll make do without one for a while, and y’all can just come up to the Windy City to visit me.”

  “You’re as stubborn as your father.”

  “You’ve been telling me that my entire life.”

  “Well, it’s true.”

  “Maybe one of these days it’ll pay off.”

  She sniffled slightly into the phone. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  “Yes, Momma.” Her question was one I’d been stewing over for the past few weeks. It popped into my head the moment I taped my first moving box shut. But after being reunited with Terayn and Ryan, I realized Chicago was where I was supposed to be. “I know I’ve only been up here a day, but I love it. This is where I belong right now.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “If I weren’t, do you think I’d admit it?”

  Amusement quieted her sniffling. “Not in a million years. As I said, just like your father.”

  “I’ll be fine up here, and if it makes you feel any better, Terayn and Ryan will be watching over me.”

  “That’s true. Well, I won’t keep you any longer, but if you decide you want to come home, let us know. Your daddy will be on the first flight up there.”

  “I promise you’ll be the first to know if I decide to move back home.”

  “Good. Give Terayn and Ryan all my best.”

  “I will. Give daddy all my love.”

  “I will. I love you, baby.”

  “Love you too, Mom.”

  While I still had my phone handy, I decided to send Sean a quick message.

  Me: I just talked to my mom. FYI, I know where all the major arteries in your body are located.

  Sean: I’m sorry, but you know how your mom is! She went all Manchurian Candidate on my ass.

  Me: No excuses! She was NOT supposed to know about me selling my car.

  Sean: I know, cuz, I know. I am really sorry by the way.

  Me: Yeah, yeah. Just so you know, you forfeit the last slice of Great Aunt Nell’s Christmas cake. Your slice belongs to me now.

  Sean: That’s fair.

  Me: Duh.

  Sean: I’m still your favorite though?

  Me: Of course. All our other cousins are idiots.

  Sean: That’s what I keep saying. Well, I’m off to sleep. Night, cuz.

  Me: Night, cuz.

  My first four days in Chicago were a dream. Orientation at the med center went even better than I expected. The thought of working at the University of Chicago Medical Center was a tad intimidating at first, but thankfully, the charting system was the same one I’d used at my old job. That alone alleviated the majority of my apprehension.

  But by the time Thursday night rolled around, I was unfortunate enough to discover that shit from your past can follow you no matter how far you move away. Usually, I loved Facebook. It allowed me to stay in touch with some of the amazing people I graduated nursing school with. So many of them became travel nurses and didn’t stay in one place too long, so social media was an easy way to keep in touch. But today, the social networking service can go to hell for all I care. When I kicked Liam to the curb, I severed all ties. I changed my phone number, moved apartments, and even created a new Facebook profile, but despite all this, he’s still fucking with my life. That asshole got married today. A mutual Facebook friend liked his pictures, and I got to see a few shots of my perfectly happy ex on his big day. He cheated on me, nearly drove me into financial ruin, and yet still gets a happily ever after? Are you fucking kidding me?

  Thankfully, when I saw the dreaded post, I’d already finished my orientation classes for the day. I was sulking in the back of a cab, headed straight for the townhouse when a red light forced the car to a painstaking stop. I glanced out the window and spotted a pub. The ramshackle building was nothing more than a hole in the wall, but it had everything I needed. It had whiskey.

  “I’ve changed my mind. I’m getting out here. Thank you so much.”

  I tossed a twenty-dollar bill at the driver and jumped out of the cab. After dodging around the next lane of stalled cars, I finally reached Miller’s Pub. The inside was simple, a few booths and tables were scattered around one side of the room while a long bar covered the entire back wall. Liquor bottles of every shape and size lined shelves hanging on the wall behind the bar. Clearly, it was the focal point of the entire establishment. Those bottles stood as a promise to all the pub’s patrons that, for a price, hope was just within their grasp. Peanut shells littered the floor, cracking beneath my shoes as I approached the bar. This place was perfection.

  A few patrons hovered around the bar, downing tall glasses of beer. Every television was tuned to ESPN, and a retro jukebox marked the end of the counter. I plopped on a stool, flinging my purse into the empty seat next to me.

/>   The bartender slid in front of me, his hands busy drying an empty glass. “Rough day?”

  “Not gonna lie, it was pretty damn shitty.”

  “Sounds like you need a drink then. What’s your poison?

  “Whiskey, neat.”

  “Any brand you prefer?”

  “Jack Daniels.”

  He adjusted his glasses. “Ah, Tennessee.”

  “Excuse me?” I asked.

  “I was trying to place your accent, but after you said Jack Daniels, I knew you were from Tennessee.” Amber liquid trickled from the bottle of Jack Daniels as he poured my shot and dropped in a couple of ice cubes.

  “Good guess.” I grabbed the drink he poured for me, downing the entirety of it in a single gulp. “Jack is the only man in my life who has never let me down.”

  “I’ve always admired women who could handle their whiskey.”

  “Honestly, it’s one of my finer qualities.”

  He smiled sympathetically, adjusting the black frame of his glasses. “You want another?”

  “After the day I’ve had, you better leave the bottle.”

  He nodded once, refilling my empty glass. “I can do that as long as you have a ride home.”

  “I’ll call a cab or my roommates.”

  “Done deal.” He left the bottle next to my glass and made his way down to the end of the bar. I watched as he topped off a few beers before finally making his way back to me.

  “I’m Wren, by the way.” I held out my hand to shake his.

  “Robbie.”

  “Nice to meet you, Robbie. You sure pour a nice glass of Jack.”

  He chuckled slightly, his round cheeks crinkling at the corners of his eyes. “A skill I’ve refined on the job.” I held my glass to my lips, savoring the burn as I gulped the rest of my drink. Robbie stopped wiping down the bar to refill my glass. “If you don’t mind me asking, what happened to you today?”

  I sighed heavily, my attention drifting to where my hand wrapped around my drink. Instinctively, my grasp tightened. “I had an ex who had been cheating on me for almost a year before I caught him in the act. Needless to say, I kicked his ass to the curb, but not before he took out several credit cards in my name, unfortunately.”