Free Twice Her Age by Abby Wood

cabinet, and pulled out a half-filled bottle of the finest whiskey. Skipping the shot glass, he lifted his arm and swallowed a healthy drop. He planned to get stone drunk tonight and worry about the trip tomorrow, when it was time to shove off and leave his life with Debbie behind.

    “Argh!” He squeezed his eyes shut and let the warmth burn away the knot in his stomach.

    He mourned the loss of finding someone so perfect for him and sending her away. He damned the way she wasn’t able to give up her independence and rely on him, to trust him. Lifting the bottle, he drank a healthier dose. He closed his eyes for a moment and wished for numbness to wash over him.

    It didn’t come. It never would. He’d lost her.

    Sitting in the same position on the edge of the bed, he chugged back another swallow, grimaced, and hung his head. “Damn her.”

Chapter Ten

     

    Debbie languished in bed, half caught up in an erotic dream involving Mick, and wondering what the hell was making that banging noise. She threw off her covers, grabbed her robe, and marched out to the living room.

    Juanita and Barb stood in the kitchen talking to Doreen, and Ali, who taught down at the preschool with them. She frowned. “What’s going on, guys? A little early to wake someone up, huh?”

    “Sorry!” Juanita threw her arm around Doreen. “We just got home, and I had this wonderful idea to make my best friends in the whole wide freaking world pancakes for breakfast.” She let go of Doreen and hurried over to Debbie. “That.” She poked Debbie in the chest. “Includes.” Juanita grabbed her cheeks and kissed her full on the lips. “You!”

    “You’re drunk.” Debbie wiggled away.

    “Why…yes, I am.” Juanita swayed back into the kitchen.

    Debbie plopped down on the sofa and rubbed her hands over her face. She might as well stay up. No way would she get back to sleep now.

    Laying her head back, she turned her neck from one side to the other, straightened with a jerk, and came off the couch. “Oh my God. What time is it?”

    She hurried over to read the clock on the oven. “Shit.”

    “What’s wrong?” Barb caught her arm, stopping her.

    “I’ve got to go find Mick.” She yanked her arm away and scurried into the bedroom. “I’m going to tell him I’m sorry,” she yelled.

    A round of cheers broke out in the other room. Debbie dressed, grabbed her purse, and headed back out to the living room to find her boots. She didn’t want to go another day without Mick, and the sooner she begged him to take her back, the better.

    “Here!” Juanita handed her boots to her and pushed her down on the sofa.

    Barb sat down on the couch beside her, grabbed her leg, and helped her pull one of her boots on. “You’ve finally come to your senses.” She patted Debbie’s leg. “You go, girlfriend.”

    Debbie paused and turned to her friend. “What do you mean? It seemed like you only tolerated him for my benefit and were against our relationship from the start. Remember all the old-person jokes you threw my way?”

    Her friend’s scoffed. “Are you crazy?” Barb leaned over and bumped her with her shoulder. “We like Mick well enough, but more important, he made you happy, so he can’t be that bad of a guy. You can’t fault your friends for trying to convert you to younger men, can you?”

    “Yeah, for a senior citizen and AARP member, he’s decent.” Juanita grinned. “It’s not like you have to stay home with him when we all go out. You’re strong enough to push his wheelchair so he can come dancing with us too.”

    “You guys are pathetic when you’ve been drinking.” Deb wrinkled her nose. “It sure would have been easier”—she paused to tuck in her shirt—“if you had told me how you really felt earlier into the relationship. I thought you guys believed he was a pervert.”

    A chorus of nos filled the room. She swallowed. “I’ve been stupid.”

    “No. You’ve been human. Now go get your