Tim notices Chance eyeing a rundown late model truck as they walk across the parking lot toward the club, holding hands. Patch and Kirstie were just a few feet in front of them.

He knew that Chance had a love for classic trucks and cars, but this? This junk was no classic. Just a run-down piece of sh*t.

"Something wrong?" Tim asks as he sees Chance's furrowed brow.

"Uh, I'm not sure but I think that might be Darrell's truck." Chance answers.

"That rust bucket?" Tim couldn't help but chuckle. It honestly looked as if it wouldn't even start. "No wonder he had his sights on my money. Actually, it makes me feel sorry for the guy."

"Really? And why's that?" Kirstie asks, looking back over her shoulder.

"Because he's worse off now than he was." Tim answers with a slight shrug. "He's living with a money-hungry bitch. And he's stuck because he got her knocked-up."

"She would eat his ass up with child support if he ever tried to leave her." Kirstie says as they reach the entrance to the club.

"Oh, she definitely would." Tim nods.

Patch opens the door and allows Kirstie to walk in. The sound of blaring music, people chatting loudly, and the noises from the pool/game room reach their ears.

The club was dark except for the dance floor and some lighting at the bar. Patch leads the way through the crowd in search of a table. Spotting a booth that a waitress was cleaning off, he hurries over in that direction, pulling his wife along with him.

"D*mn, it's kinda hard following two short people through a crowd." Chance laughs as he and Tim try to keep up, squeezing through the crowd of people.

"I think they're heading for that booth over there." Tim says, dodging an elbow from a dancing drunk. "Wild crowd tonight." He adds with a chuckle.

By the time they make it over to the table, Patch and Kirstie had already given the waitress their drink order.

"You guys alright?" Kirstie laughs at the two out of breath men as they sat down.

"Besides having my feet stepped on and almost getting elbowed in the face, I'm fine." Tim chuckles as he tries to catch his breath.

"What could I get you guys to drink?" The waitress smiles.

"I'll take a beer." Chance answers.

"Uh... I'll have a..." Tim glances around at the other tables while he thinks. He had quit drinking since he started his diet and even though all the alcohol was tempting, he knew he couldn't allow himself to break. "I'll just have a glass of water with lemon."

"Gotcha. I'll be right back." The waitress says before leaving and disappearing into the crowd.

"We're proud of you, Tim." Kirstie smiles and Patch nods.

"Well, I've managed this far, ain't gonna quit now." Tim says with a shake of his head.

"Chance? I thought that was you." A familiar voice shouts over the music. "How the hell are ya?"

Chance looks up to see his ex-husband and a blonde-headed guy standing next to him.

"Couldn't be better, Austin. How bout yourself?" Chance replies as he ex gives him a quick friendly hug.

"I'm doing great! I just asked this handsome man to marry me." Austin smiles as he looks around at the guy next to him.

"He said yes, I suppose?" Chance chuckles.

"How could I say no." The guy smiles. "I'm Nate."

"Pleased to finally meet you." Chance smiles as he shakes the blonde's hand.

Austin grins, holding out his hand to the brown-eyed man who was staring up at him. "Tim? Man, it's been a while."

"It's good to see you, Austin." Tim says as he shakes the red head's hand.

Patch and Kirstie sit quietly as they watch the interactions going on at the table. So far, so good.

"So are you two back together?" Austin asks with a smile.

"Yeah." Chance answers as he smiles at Tim and takes his hand. "Yes, we are."

"Wow, that's amazing! I'm so happy for you guys." Austin says with an honest reply. "But beware, guys. Tim, I saw your ex here."

"Oh, that's terrific." Tim says in a sarcastic tone as he runs a hand through his hair.

"Yep, pregnant as ever and guzzling beer like it was going out of style." Nate joins in, shaking his head.

"Wow, she's never been the brightest candle on the cake." Tim chuckles.

"And that boyfriend of hers was following her around like a whooped puppy." Austin adds.

"Well, he wanted her. He got her." Tim says coldly, shrugging his shoulders. "And he can have her."

"Well, listen, we need to get back over here to our table." Austin chuckles. "Just wanted to see if that was you and to say hey."

"I'm glad you did." Chance nods with a smile.

"Y'all could join us if you want."  Tim says, receiving shocked looks from everyone around the table, including Austin and Nate. "What? Y'all don't think I can be civil to my boyfriend's ex?" He adds with raised brows.

"No, it's not that. It's just a little unusual and kinda surprised us." Chance chuckles.

"I mean... if it's okay with you. It's obvious that he's very happy with Nate. And we're happy together so what's the big deal of us hanging out together." Tim says with a shrug.

"I'm okay with it if you are." Chance shrugs.

"Bama, I was the one that suggested it." Tim chuckles.

Kirstie rolls her eyes and shakes her head, "Austin, we would love for you and Nate to join us. If you wait for an answer from these two, you'll be waiting all night."

"Actually, we'd love to." Austin smiles.

"Great." Kirstie giggles as she scoots over closer to Tim to give Patch room to move over to make room for the couple. "We haven't been properly introduced." She says, looking around Patch at Nate. "I'm Kristie and this is my husband, Patch. He only speaks in sign language."

"Pleased to meet you." Nate smiles as he shakes their hands. "I'm sorry but I don't know any sign language."

"Someone will translate for you." Kirstie says.

"Wait a minute..." Tim says, giving Austin a puzzled look. "How did you know I was divorced?"

"It's a small town, Tim. News travels fast. Especially, when your ex-wife comes back telling everyone just how bad you have done her. Nate, what were some of the stories we've heard?" Austin asks, looking around at his fiance.

"Let's see. Uh, oh, you were very abusive and an alcoholic." Nate says.

"Oh, sh*t." Tim groans as he hangs his head.

"And that you were having affairs with both Kirstie and Chance." Austin adds.

"D*mn! I've been busy." Tim chuckles.

"Hell, they had already split up by the time I moved to Florida." Chance says, shaking his head.

"Babe, she was always jealous of you." Tim replies.

"That b*tch ain't gonna always be pregnant. I will make a special trip back here just to kick her ass." Kirstie growls.

"Down tiger." Patch smiles.

"Can I sell tickets?" Austin laughs. "She's not exactly well liked around here."

"Can we change the subject? She's not exactly my favorite topic of conversation." Patch signs.

"Patch wants to change the subject." Kirstie smiles.

"Are you working anywhere, Austin?" Tim asks.

"Yeah, as a matter of fact, you're looking at the owners of A & N Comics." Austin says proudly as he drapes his arm around Nate's shoulder.

"A comic book store?" Chance laughs.

"Hey, don't laugh. We're doing d*mn good. Business is great." Austin grins.

Tim ordered another round of drinks for the table. While Tim, Chance, and Austin laughed and talked Kirstie, Patch and Nate got to know each other better. Kirstie was being Patch's interpreter.

"You wanna go dance?" Chance asks as a slow song begins to play.

"I'd love to." Tim smiles and scoots out of the booth after Chance stands up.

Kirstie and Patch follow suit as did Austin and Nate.

They take their significate other in their arms and begins to dance.

"You having fun?" Patch asks before slipping his arms back around his wife's waist.

"I'm having a blast." Kirstie giggles.

Patch's smile fades as he looks past his wife and sees her walking across the dance floor.

*******

Until next time .... ✌️