Turns out, he broke her nose.

He could tell from the corner of his gaze, when she showed up in the club. He swallowed, considering downing his drink and asking for something stronger. Or arsenic.

“What’s wrong?”

Of course his friend could tell something was wrong. He almost wanted to say he wasn’t feeling good. But trying to leave without being noticed would be difficult now. “Eh.” He shrugged. He didn’t want to explain what happened. Maybe she wouldn’t notice him. Just because he broke her nose…

There was the thin line of not thinking it was his fault and that he would do it again if put in the same situation. People didn’t tend to agree with that line of thinking much. If their genders were swapped that would be another matter.

She made a beeline for him. He realized that either she was going to accuse him out loud here or blackmail him with the visual reminder. He considered making her right by chucking his glass at her.

His friend made a big show of yawning and stretching, his long arm smacking her right in the face.

“Whoops,” the other man said.

It was so obvious, but he couldn’t help but wonder if his best friend was the best or the worst.