“Thanks, Nancy.”
**P**
Monday afternoon, I unbuttoned my heather gray blazer and sat in the plush, green satin chair at a long table along the back wall. Silence surrounded me at the Aria.
My eyes were glued to my phone. Messy Mandy’s recent post had over five hundred comments.
Fuck.
I felt like I was standing in the middle of a typhoon.
“Nephew, you look good. All things considering.”
I stood, embracing uncle Bo under a large oval decorative light fixture hanging overhead.
“Thanks for opening the restaurant for me.”
He stepped back. “If it were anyone else, they’d have to wait until dinner.”
He wore a pair of dark slacks and a green button-down dress shirt rolled up below his elbows.
“How could I say no to my nephew? The greatest wide receiver to ever play the game of football.”
He flashed a grin.
My heavy hand landed on his shoulder. “I’m thankful my aunt and uncle own this exclusive piece of heaven.” Expensive oil paintings rested on the golden-brown walls throughout.
“Flattery will get you everywhere. Have a seat.”
He sat beside me. “Tell me what happened and don’t leave anything out.”
My brows rose, and I took a deep breath before hashing out my secret relationship with Deacon’s sister to the women and the baby drama.
He sat back in the chair. “The moment this happened you should’ve come to me.”
“I violently grabbed him in front of a room full of people.”
“Listen, I know a guy. He’ll take care of the problem.” Uncle Bo swiped his hands together. “Finito. Finished,” he stated.
There were whispers that my great uncle Julianno was in the mafia. My dad and uncle Bo always downplayed the rumor. Maybe because I was a kid at the time. Might’ve been true after all.
“I’ll talk to him. We’ll agree on a date and time to meet here.” His index finger slammed against the table.
“Nessuno parla con mio nipote. No one talks down to my nephew,” uncle Bo growled.
“Love you, uncle Bo.”
He stood and patted the back of my head like he did when I was a boy.
“Hey, Deacon, how’s it going?”
He smiled as he approached. “Good, Mr. Oakley.”
“Have a seat. Look over the menu. I’ll be back soon.”
Deacon rubbed his hands together. “I’m starving. I can’t wait to eat.”
A devilish grin stretched across his face as he unbuttoned his navy blazer, sitting across from me.
“Let’s order first before we talk.”
His smile withered. “Talk about what?”
I shook my head. “The horrible lies Messy Mandy reported about me and these so-called baby mamas on her Facebook posts. They are out of control. Everyone’s tearing me a new asshole on that blog.”
He bent over laughing. “Oh, yeah. I’ve kept tabs on those posts. Someone posted a meme of you carrying a baby on your back and one clinging to your chest. The other two babies were in a double stroller.” Deacon couldn’t contain his laughter.
Happy he found humor in my nightmare.
After looking at the menu, uncle Bo returned to take our order. He left bottles of Johnny Blue, Grey Goose, and two short glasses filled with ice.
“How was your flight back?” I wasted no time pouring my favorite scotch whisky in my glass.
“Lakelyn was distant. Not her usual talkative self. She didn’t laugh once when I made fun of your situation.”
Some best friend you are. Asshole.
The weight of the world teetered on my shoulders. The woman I loved with every ounce of my being was in pain because of me. My aching heart felt like a mutilated piece of flesh. I never wanted to hurt Lakelyn.
He sat the vodka bottle on the table after filling his glass.
“Now that I think about it, I’m not sure I’ve seen my sister happy in a long time.” He downed the harsh contents in one swallow.
“Thanks for your support, Deac.”
I sucked down the whisky scotch.
Two months ago, was the last time I made her laugh. Those big brown eyes beamed with love. For me.
I had to make this right. No way could I lose Lakelyn forever.
“Hanging out this weekend?”
“Nope. You?”
“Not sure. I’ve hung out with the same woman for a month straight now. You remember that Bella chick I told you about months ago?” his face lit up.
“Yeah, I remember.” Sitting back in the chair, stretching my back a smile picked up at the corner of my lips.
“Wow, still excited about the same woman for months now. This is new.”
“Let it go, Wyatt.”
I couldn’t stop grinning.
He poured another glass of vodka just as uncle Bo placed four hot dishes before us.
Deacon and I always shared the starters. My mouth watered at the sight of the butter braised Maine lobster with truffled potatoes.
“I know you didn’t cook all this yourself, uncle Bo. Tell aunt Aria I need to give her a big kiss. The crisped duck confit looks and smells delicious.”
“Mr. Oakley, I’m about to devour the pan seared sea scallops and sweet potatoes.” He rubbed his stomach.
“By the time auntie steps to the table my mountain trout may be in my belly.”
Uncle Bo and Deacon burst into laughter.
“Aria, baby, get out here.”
She jogged toward the table, dressed in a chef jacket. Her mousy brown hair was hidden under the chef hat.
Deacon and I stood and kissed her cheeks. We’ve always shown her love whenever we ate her delicious meals.
“Auntie, the duck with the raspberries are scrumptious.”
“Wyatt and Deacon, I’m so happy you guys love the dishes. I’ll send some extras home with you guys.”
Deacon picked her up and spun her around. “Thanks, aunt Aria.”
Uncle Bo and I laughed.
“I’ll let you get back to your meal if you need anything give us a shout.” The laugh lines at the edges of her blue eyes danced.
“We will.”
Deacon and I raved about our meals as we ate.
I sat back in an effort to make room for dessert.
“Deacon, we need to talk about that night.”
His brows rustled together. “What night?”
I threw my hand in the air. “The night we talked to Johnny.”
He sighed. “What about him?”
Leaning forward, I circled my finger before him. “He set this shit in motion with the women. I’ve never slept with them. You know that.”
His brows rose. “How would I know that?” He stretched his hand out.
“Deacon, we left the party together,” I spat out in frustration.
“We did. Then we had drinks at Bucky’s Bar until two. Did you see the Addicted chick or did you meet up with those ladies? You were fucked up when Fosco picked you up.” He brought the glass to his lips.
“Deacon, I didn’t see Addicted.”
“So, no one can account for your whereabouts.” He popped a sea scallop into his mouth.
“Is this what you’re doing now? Turning your back on your best friend. You know me, Deacon. I survived college and five years in the NFL without getting a woman pregnant. Why would I slip up now?” I shook my head.