He leans back on the sunbed and stares up to the sky. “It’s why I had the party then and not near Christmas, so I could spend more time with my parents. Something’s going on with my dad. I know it’s not good, but he’s not giving me all the deets. Said he’d talk to me if there’s a problem and not to be worried.” He glances at me and shakes his head. “He’s hiding something because he doesn’t want us to be concerned.”
“Sorry, mate.” I lean forward and pat his back. “Life can be a kick in the guts sometimes.”
“Yeah.” He stands and strips down before jumping into the water. Thankfully the pool is screened from the house as he would have mooned my mother. He surfaces and leans his forearms over the edge. “So, what’s going on with you and Mace?”
“She kissed Brody on Christmas eve. The boys sent me a photo. Caught them in the act.” The abbreviated version, and I still want to punch something thinking about it.
“Doesn’t sound like her.”
“Didn’t sound like Felicity either when I told you she was lying about being pregnant.”
“Felicity is a whole different level to Mace. What did they say when you questioned them?”
“Brody said he doesn’t remember it because he was drunk and it was just a kiss.” Asshole. I roll my hands down my cheeks. “I told Macy we’re done and sent her the photo.”
“You didn’t give her a chance to explain?”
“Didn’t need to. Had all the evidence I needed and…” I give him a pointed look, “… I’m not going down the same road again.”
“All I’m saying is you should’ve heard her out. I got to know Macy on the road trip and mate, she’s not that kind of girl.”
“You think you know her better than me?” I snap.
“Not at all. You’re hurting. I’m trying to see it in a clearer light.”
I shake my head. “She had me fooled. I would’ve done anything for her. Doesn’t matter. I needed the shake-up to focus because one more season, and I’m back here. So, it wouldn’t have worked out for us anyway.”
“You mean because of her being like a caregiver for her dad?”
“Yeah, in a way. Can we drop it now?”
“Yeah, but I think you need to hear her out.”
“Whatever. Now can I get you a beer?” Because damn him, I need something to help take my mind off Macy.
Chapter Twenty-One
REEF
After meeting Chance for an early morning surf, I head home and dress before swinging by to collect him for a lunch gathering—one that will no doubt continue into the night. This time it’s a twenty-fifth birthday bash. Dakota went to the same private school as Chance and me. Dakota and I excelled at AFL football and were both drafted from school. He was picked up by a Melbourne team when I was drafted to Adelaide.
I told Chance I’d drive because I didn’t intend to have more than a couple of beers. Yesterday’s comments about my drinking habits the past week is not the only reason I want to keep my wits about me. Felicity will be at the party. Her father is the president of the Devils Football Club, the team Dakota plays for, and many of the guests will be from his team.
“Here we go again,” I say to Chance when we enter Dakota’s house—a three-level beachside residence with a pool. “Seems like all I do lately is attend functions and parties if I’m not training.”
“Yeah, it’s a tough life,” Chance chuckles.
“It is when you’re an introvert as much as an extrovert.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” he says, and I follow him down the hall to the backyard where there’s a marquee set up by the pool.
“Let’s say I’m more of an extrovert when I drink. Things have changed since the good ol’ days, man.” I pat his shoulder. “Most days now, I want to hide away when training is done or surf. I was going to move out on my own last year, but thought it would be a waste of time to move again if I’m relocating in a matter of months.”
“I still don’t classify you as an introvert.”
I shrug. “Maybe it’s because you’ve always known me. If we’re in a crowd and I’m with you, then I’m okay with it.”
Or it could be a trust thing after moving to a city where I didn’t know anyone. After Felicity, something inside of me changed. At least her stunt helped me to know what my future holds, so I can deal with it mentally.
“You might be feeling out of it because you know… Felicity’s parents will be here. Have you seen them since you told her to go to hell?”
“No. Only the text messages from her mother. Man, she’s weird. She said she still believes Felicity and I will end up together. Felicity lied to her, too. Why would she think I’d want to get back with someone as deceitful as her daughter?”
“Stepdaughter,” Chance adds. “Yet, they have similar personalities. It’s the whole nature versus emotional environment thing.”
“Nature versus nurture. Whatever it is, they’re two of a kind.”
We head out to the marquee to find Dakota and wish him a happy birthday.
We chat and catch up on old times until we’re joined by Felicity and her father.
“Chance, Reef… good to see you.” He shakes our hands. At least he has the decency to move on to Dakota. Felicity hugs us both. “Great party the other night,” she says to Chance.
Her mother appears by her side. “Boys, it’s lovely to see you again,” she drawls.
“Always a pleasure, Sylvia,” Chance says and kisses her cheek.
I allow her to hug me and kiss my cheek under sufferance. “Hope you had an enjoyable Christmas, Mrs Muirhead.” She gives me a pointed look since she prefers being called by her first name as Mrs Muirhead sounds old. I say it for kicks.
“Ignore Reef. A girl…” She raises an eyebrow. “Is her name, Macy? Yeah, anyway, she broke his heart. We all know how fragile his little heart is,” Felicity, says in her best sarcastic tone.
Mrs Muirhead’s eyes widen. “Really. And what does this Macy do?”
“No concern of yours. Or mine now,” I say with equal sarcasm. I turn to Chance. “Can I get you a beer?”
“Yeah, mate.”
As I leave, I hear both women question Chance about Macy. I want to tell him to give them nothing. It’s Chance, and he sees only the good in people, so I trust him to say a few nice things about Mace and then drop it.
My gut tightens thinking about her good qualities and what Chance said to me yesterday. Should I have allowed her to tell her side of the story? The way I’m hurting, I’d love nothing more than for it to be a big mistake and pick up where we left off. Only I was a douchebag to her and doubt she’ll ever talk to me again.
Weaving through the crowd, I take a sip of my beer thinking about my return to Adelaide. Maybe I could arrange for Chance to help me work things out with Macy. When I reach the spot where I left him, I’m relieved to see Felicity and her mother have moved on to another group of football players.
Chance takes the beer and pops the lid. “Mate, I need this after the barrage of questions fired at me.”