Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson) novel Chapter 807

"..."

"Throwing a party without inviting me? That's cold, guys."

Jake always had this carefree vibe, as if the concept of worry was alien to him. He raised his glass for a toast, his cheerfulness almost infectious.

"Feels like you're icing me out."

"Greg, I get it, you're a family man now. But, Dailey, what's your deal? Haven't seen you out for drinks in ages."

"Got yourself a new pack of friends?"

Dailey didn't even glance his way, just kept on sipping his drink in silence.

That's when Jake realized something was off. He turned to Greg, "Hey Greg, did his high school sweetheart dump him again?"

Greg lounged back on the couch, his long fingers making the glass look like a piece of art. "No, that's not it."

Jake scooted closer to Dailey, slinging an arm around his shoulder like the good old days.

"High school sweetheart's still in the picture, so why the long face?"

"I've been through breakups without looking like that."

Dailey stayed quiet, shrugging off his arm.

Jake couldn't help but sigh, "High school love really does hit different."

Something clicked for Greg, "Wait, when did you go through a breakup?"

Jake looked wounded, "Greg, you gonna wait for my funeral to ask?"

"I posted it in our group chat, told you guys I got dumped."

Ah, that. Greg hadn't paid much attention.

Jake didn't press on, just kept talking.

"Man, Christine's into younger guys. I guess I'm just too old for her taste."

A minefield he stepped right into.

Greg couldn't warn him in time.

"What younger guy?"

Jake stood up, a bit too dramatically, "Oh, look who decided to join the conversation."