Free Last Call (Bad Habits Book 3) by Staci Hart Page A

my arms. “It’s been too long, man.”
    He let me go and stepped back, looking me over. “Way too long.” He glanced over at Joel. “Hey, Joel. Shop’s looking good.”
    Joel had the good manners to smile and play along, even though I knew he disapproved. “Thanks. You’re not looking so bad yourself.”
    He smiled back, looking proud and together. “Yeah, well. A lot’s happened.”
    “Looks like it.”
    Seth turned to me. “I was in the neighborhood, wanted to see if you were here. Got a minute?”
    I nodded. “A few. Walk with me to Roasted. We’ll grab coffee for the shop.”
    “Sure.”  
    I pulled off my gloves and tossed them. “Joel, text me what everyone wants.”
    “You got it, Tricky,” he said, watching Seth like a guard dog.
    I took a breath, not sure what to expect as we walked out of the shop and into the sunshine, still battling the shock of seeing him and the wariness I always felt when it came to Seth. Wary, but protective. Because no matter what had happened between us, I loved him. And if I could shake the habit, so could he.  
    I glanced over at my first friend, my oldest friend. My friend who I had been sure had been beyond saving, but was somehow standing next to me with no signs that he was using, twenty pounds heavier than usual, no listing, ringed eyes.
    He looked sober.  
    Seth slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans and looked down at his Converse. “How’s life treating you, Trick?”
    I shrugged. “Can’t complain. You look good, man.”
    “Thanks. I’m straight. For real, this time. The yo-yo’s out of string.”
    I nodded. “How long?”
    “Six months. It’s the longest I’ve ever gone.” His voice was a little distant, touched with wonder. “It feels good, man. I get what you’ve been selling me all these years. The other side.” He waved a hand like he was displaying a movie marquis.  
    I smiled. “Finally. Rehab?”
    “Nah, couldn’t afford it. I went to NarcAnon, made the choice. How many times have we talked about it? A thousand?”
    “At least. How did you handle the come-down?”
    He shook his head. “It was … it was bad, man. Two weeks before I felt like I wasn’t going to die. I tossed my stash, even broke my phone so I couldn’t call anybody. I was too sick for most of it to even get out of bed or I would have found my way to Jared or somebody, anybody. I don’t know how you quit cold turkey like you did.”
    “If I hadn’t had Joel to take care of me, I don’t know how I would have either.”
    His eyes were sad. “Yeah. You’re lucky for that. But anyway, I just wasn’t ready before, you know?” Seth sighed, shaking his head. “I was lying there in my bed, shaking and sweating in between puking into the trashcan next to my bed, and I stared at the ceiling and realized I didn’t want to die, and I’d been killing myself for years. I just didn’t know it. I finally got what you’ve always said. I can’t quit for anyone but me.”
    “Yeah, I know.” And I did. That choice changed the course of my life. Sometimes you find yourself at a crossroad, and the path you choose determines everything — when you find love or lose it, if you live or die. The choice I made, the choice made possible by Joel, was something I woke up thankful for every day.  
    He took a heavy breath and continued. “So, yeah. I got clean, got a real job, scheduling deliveries for a courier company. Basically, I listen to the radio and yell at messengers all day. Life could be way worse.”
    I chuckled.  
    “I mean, not that bussing tables at Bartalotti’s wasn’t swanky as fuck. Remember Bartalotti’s daughter?”
    “How could any of us forget Gia?”
    “Right? The curves alone.” Seth shook his head and sighed, smiling. “You haven’t lived until you’ve nailed Gia Bartalotti in the walk-in.”
    “Next to the tubs of bolognese,” I added.
    “Man, I miss the free bread.”
    I gave him a look. “Pretty sure it wasn’t free.”
    He