Page 88 of This Broken Heart

58.

Josh

The trouble with taking Erin to a party is that she has absolutely no idea what she looks like.

She could have worn a garbage bag and still had fans.

But she decided to pull out all the stops. I have had more than one person ask me if she’s a country star.

Which is kind of funny, because I know country music is not her favorite.

The way she sang that last song, though, she could have a future in it. I don’t know if she picked that one on purpose, or if Bo chose it, but it hit me right between the eyes.

I guess I know pretending we’re not a couple isn’t ideal. It’s not fair to her, even if it is in the kids’ best interest. But if we were just talking about what Erin deserves, it would be some other man.

Somebody who had a whole heart to give away. All I have to offer is this broken heart.

I’m not sure if it’s enough.

It just surprises me that I even have the capacity to care about another woman like this.

After Ana, I just figured everybody only gets one great love in life and I had mine.

It feels selfish to want Erin, too. And it feels like I’m leaving Ana behind.

“You do realize this is a party, right?” Skyler bellies up to the bar.

“When’d you get here?”

“Somewhere between I Hate This and It’s Five O’clock somewhere.” Skyler laughs. “Who’s going to tell Dusty he’s completely tone deaf?”

I laugh. “I think he’s fully aware and just doesn’t give a damn.”

“Erin, though.” He whistles. “Did you know she had that in her?”

“Yes, actually.” I turn to watch Erin. She’s talking to a few girls from our graduating class. This girl makes friends wherever she goes. “She’s always singing around the house.”

“Singing like that?”

I smile fondly. “More or less.”

“In that case, I’d say you better nail that down.”

I give him a sharp look.

He laughs, swigging his beer. “You’re a terrible actor, Josh. I can see right through you. What I don’t understand is why you’re pretending you’re not into her.”

“The kids…”

“The kids love her.”

I frown at him. “Exactly. What if it doesn’t work out? I can’t rip another person out of their lives.”

Skyler’s smile fades. “Life ain’t easy, is it?”

“You can say that again.”

He turns to watch Erin over my shoulder. “But, meanwhile, if you aren’t careful, somebody else might swoop in and take her from you.”