Oh God, how could I forget their party? A party that has happened every year since I can remember. A party my ex insisted we attend while we were together. And a party that of course my mom would invite him to, even now that we’re divorced. “I’m not sure. It depends on my deadlines.” I lie since at this moment I don’t have any.
“It’s one night. I’m sure you can find a way to make it work.” She glances down at her watch then looks around. “Now, show us around. Your dad and I have dinner plans with friends.”
After biting back a curse, I show her and my dad around the house and vow to order some sage tomorrow to rid the space of their vibes.
Chapter 5
Tide
WALKING INTO THE Rusty Rose, I head right for the bar, needing a beer and to clear my head after what went down with Aria. Honestly, I don’t know what the fuck happened. I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did when she told me I should leave. She obviously wasn’t happy about her parents being at her place, but it didn’t change the fact that I was pissed and let it show.
Growing up here, I’ve known the Spencer’s my whole life, and they have never hesitated to judge or belittle any and everyone they come across. I’m sure Aria was trying to save me from being in their presence, but in that moment, it felt like she was embarrassed to be seen with me. The worst part is, it shouldn’t have fucking mattered if she was embarrassed; she’s not my girl. We don’t really know each other. I’m working on her house, nothing else—at least that’s what I keep telling myself.
“What’s up, man?” Colton bumps his fist against mine as I take a seat on the stool across the bar from him. “I thought you said you were working tonight.”
“That was the plan, then shit got fucked up.” Or I fucked shit up, I think, watching as he twists the top off a beer before handing it to me.
“Fucked up how?” He leans against the bar, crossing his arms over his chest and studying me.
“Do you remember Aria Spencer?”
“From high school?” He frowns.
“Yeah.” I take a pull from my beer. “She just moved back. I’ve been doing some work at her place.”
His head tips to the side as his brows drag together. “I thought she was living in San Francisco with her husband, or at least that’s what her dad said the last time he sat right where you are now.”
“She got divorced and bought a place not far from you.”
“I guess that makes sense. Her parents are here in town.” He shrugs, then looks down the bar when someone calls his name. “Give me a minute.” He walks off to fill a drink order, and I pull my cell out of my pocket when it buzzes. When I see a message from my ex, I sigh and open it up. Not surprising, she’s asking for money, claiming that our daughter Olivia needs new shoes and clothes, which she actually doesn’t, since the last time I had her for a week I loaded her up. I’m sure she needs cash to get her hair or nails done, or some other bullshit.
Not wanting to start a fight, I send her a message back, letting her know I’ll get whatever Olivia needs but I’m not giving her cash. Two seconds after I press Send, a bubble appears on the screen, and a second after that, ASSHOLE appears in all caps.
“I’m guessing from your expression you’re talking to Anna,” Colton states, and I flip my cell face-down on the bar.
“She wants money to get Olivia some clothes and shit.”
“Didn’t you just take her shopping last weekend?”
“I did, which is why I told her I wouldn’t send her money but would get Olivia whatever else she needs.”
He smirks. “I’m sure she was happy to hear that.”
“You know I’m an ‘asshole’ when I’m not giving her what she wants.”
“Or you’re just always an asshole.”
“True.” I lift my beer toward him, then take another swig before asking, “How are Gia and Gino?”
At the mention of his wife and son, his expressions softened and he leans against the bar. “They’re good. Mom is at the house with Gia and hopefully forcing her to take a nap.”
“She still having a hard time sleeping?”
“She doesn’t want to miss anything with Gino, and I get it, but she’s exhausted.”
“She’s a good mom.”
“The best mom and wife,” he counters with a shake of his head. “She gives everything she has to me and our son.”
“There are worse problems to have.”
“You’re not wrong, but it’s also my job to take care of her, even if it’s having Mom at the house taking over and forcing her to rest.”
“You really think she’s doing that?” I ask doubtfully, knowing Gia and how stubborn she is.
“Probably not, but if nothing else, Mom will clean up and do laundry and shit so Gia won’t be worried about it,” he says. “Now tell me what’s up with Aria.”
“Nothing’s up. I’m just doing some work on her house.” I take a drink from my beer.
“You’re lying,” he states evenly, and given the fact that we’ve known each other and been best friends since we were kids, I’m not surprised he’s calling me out on it.
“We had a fight.” I set down my beer, then shake my head.
“A fight?” Worry etches his tone, and I know he’s thinking about all the fights Anna and I have had over the years, fights where she usually ends up throwing shit and calling the cops.
“Not a fight like I’d have with Anna, but her parents showed up, and she told me I should leave and I got pissed—”
“Why’d she ask you to leave if you’re working for her?” he cuts me off, sounding far too curious.
“We left to get food. When we got back to her place, they were there waiting for her.”
“You left to get food with her?” His frown deepens, and I pick my beer back up, as he asks, “Like a date?”
“No, she hadn’t eaten yet, and I hadn’t either, so I called in an order for Chinese.”
“You like her.” It’s a statement not a question, and I shake my head.
“Not like that,” I tell him, knowing I’m lying to him—and myself—because fuck if she’s not the first woman in years to pique my interest. She’s beautiful, and cute as fuck when she lets go and relaxes around me, and I wouldn’t mind exploring her body with my hands and mouth. I just know I’m not in the right headspace to even think about exploring things with her, and after listening to her talk about her ex-husband, I don’t think she is either. Or maybe that’s the thing holding me back—I don’t want to come on to her and have her reject me because she’s still fucked up over her ex.
“Keep telling yourself that.” His comment pulls me from my thoughts, and I look up to find a smirk on his face. “When can Gia and I meet her?”
At his question, a plan starts to form in my mind. “What are you guys doing Saturday afternoon?”
“Nothing.”
“All Aria’s shit just got delivered today and is still in boxes, and I told her I’d help her unpack this weekend.”