Free Forever in my Heart: Book 3 in My Heart Series by Aleya Michelle Page A

starts to pour our drinks.
    “Seven bucks even,” he remarks as he places both beers on the mat on the edge of the bar.
    I hand him the money and head back to Pete. I figure I will be seeing Joe quite a few more times before we leave tonight.
    Looking around the pub a group of guys are playing pool and are getting louder; especially the ones losing. Another pair of guys is playing darts, and a few women are seated in the booths chatting away.
    We sit and soak up the atmosphere; it’s our little escape for the night.
    “So how is that little girl of yours Pete?” I would never let him know but that little baby has a piece of my heart already.
    “God Kade, she is amazing. She’s growing so fast, She is laughing now, but so cheeky at bedtime and she is so smart because she will cry when she doesn’t want to be put down,” he gushes over Crystal and I smile. To think we used to talk about cars, boats, and guy stuff and now it’s babies.
    “She is smart like her uncle.” He just chuckles and shakes his head.
    “Very funny,” he retorts.
    “I reckon we should order some food before it gets too busy. What do you want to eat, Kado?” he queries me. It’s perfect timing as my stomach rumbles right then.
    “What about a good old meat pie and chips, Pete?” I reply to him, there is nothing better than a crunchy meat pie with sauce and some chunky hot chips, especially when drinking beer.
    “Awesome pick, I’ll grab the same. How bout I go order.” I put my ten bucks on the table for him, then he strides over to the already packed bistro.
    I hastily drink my ice-cold beer as I notice a pregnant woman walk in holding hands with her boyfriend or husband. They look in love and happy.
    Well fuck, that’s the way it should be, not knocking up a random and being stuck with her in your life.
    On that note I swiftly down the rest of the contents of my beer and trudge to the bar to order another.
    “I’ll grab two Tooheys news and a shot of tequila this time, Joe.” I have every intention of blocking out the vision of a pregnant peroxide skank with as much alcohol as possible.
    Joe positions the shot glass of tequila on the bars edge seconds before I eagerly make a grab for it and down it craving the numbness to take away my wayward thoughts.
    Just maybe it can make me forget just how fucked up things are right now.
    “Make that another shot, Joe,” I tell him instantaneously, the more, the better.
    “You got it, Kade. Rough day at work buddy?” he questions me as I’m sure I look a sight ordering numerous shots. He’s probably seen it all and then some and can tell when a person is drinking to forget, escape, and just have fun.
    “Well yep, something like that, Joe,” I reply, not letting on about my soap opera life. The last thing I need is everyone finding out. Jesus, maybe I should contemplate telling Ebony and John and of course Dad. I wouldn’t want them to find out another way for fucks sake.
    I snatch my beer and take another sip as Joe pours the shot. A man scorned will drink the sorrow away. What’s the expression drinking like a fish?
    “Kate,” I hear Pete call out as I turn to see him sit down at our table, I give him an acknowledging nod as I pay for the drinks and meander back over.
    “You look like you have every intention of making it a big one tonight bro,” he states snickering and I’m assuming he saw me drinking shots at the bar.
    “Want to talk about it?” he questions since he knows Stacey is preggers, he also knows just how much I love Roxy, so I can see in his eyes that he understands my pain.
    “How the fuck do I deal with this Pete?” I question him feeling disheartened.
    “I mean things are amazing with Rox, it is more than I ever wished and thought possible, so why the fuck does something bad always have to happen?” I ask him getting enraged the more I talk about it.
    “God only knows Kade, but whatever happens you guys are in it together. Roxy looks at you the exact