The tone of his voice let me know he was talking to his son. That was my cue to leave. I opened the door. They were talking about the plane flight. Apparently, even first class suffers turbulence. Evan took hold of my hand, the phone still pressed to his ear. He gave me a warm look and brought my hand to hismouth. He kissed the back of it and then focused back on the call.
I closed the door. The phone call wasn't a red flag, but it sure was a big fat thorn. The man might have been mostly estranged from his wife, but there were kids. He had children, and they counted on him being there. I wouldn't just be a mistress. I'd be a damn home-wrecker.
I pulled out my phone and dashed off a quick text to Ronan.
Sorry if I was short this morning. I've got a lot going on. We'll reconnect soon.
I needed to get my head straight, and the men in my life were only making that harder. I needed to focus on me and on my little boy and our future.
twenty-six
. . .
Ronan
Colin opened the door before I put my key in the lock. "Where've you been? We've been waiting for you."
I sidled past him. "I was having a beer with the old man." Bucky and his friend, Gary, were hunched over controllers as they finished up a game.
"You smell like horse. Get showered and we'll head out."
The beer with Dad had helped dull the pain in my hand. I'd considered not going, but since I wasn't driving it meant I could slam down enough beers to numb all the other pain, too. I'd sent a text to Doris hoping she could find something for me to do on the site, but she told me under no circumstances could she allow an injured worker onto the worksite. She told me she'd hold the position for three weeks, and that was only because she liked me.
I pulled my phone out of my jacket and placed it on my nightstand next to the pink hairband Rachel had left there the last time she was here. I noticed a text notification on my phone. I'd been checking it constantly, but while talking to Dad, I'd left it in my pocket and hadn't looked at it since. I read the text, especially the last part "we'll reconnect soon." I wasn't a grand master at relationships, mostly because I avoided them, but that sure sounded like a finale.
I dropped the phone on the nightstand and went in to shower. Maybe it was time to bring back black sheep Ronan. This doing it the right way shit was for the birds.
Igulped down two more beers while Bucky and his pal finished their game. We all headed down to Colin's car. He was the designated driver tonight, but only because he was leaving early in the morning for a business trip. I had nothing to get up early for, so my Monday wouldn't be too affected by the hangover that I planned to earn.
We piled into the car. I had no idea what the plans were, and I didn't care as long as there was beer and maybe a few shots of whiskey to sweeten the deal … and the future hangover.
I climbed into the backseat with Gary. Colin pulled out of the parking lot. "What did the old man have to say?"
"He said you weren't his favorite."
Bucky laughed. "Who is? I'll bet it's Zander. What's he been up to? Is he still with Nevada?"
"Yeah, he's hooked for life," Colin said. "I'm glad. We all love Nev." Colin looked in the rearview and found me. "So, he threw out his back?"
"Zander threw out his back?" Bucky asked.
"No, idiot," Colin said.
"Hey, I don't think you're supposed to call a guy an idiot on his birthday." Bucky reached forward and cranked up the volume, effectively putting an end to the conversation in the car. I was glad.
Colin pulled into a dimly lit parking lot that was already filled with cars. "Never been to this place."
"You've never been to Tommy's?" Bucky asked. "Shit, dude, you're in for a nice surprise. Tommy's has the hottest dancers in town."
I leaned forward to look at the building. The siding was rustic wood and a dim glow came through the darkly tinted windows. "A strip joint?" I asked.
Bucky turned back with a big, cringey grin. "My birthday gift to myself. C'mon, let's go. Colin's buying the first round."
"I am?" Colin asked as we climbed out of the car.
"It's my birthday," Bucky reminded him for the millionth time. Bucky shot across the parking lot and took a selfie in front of a shiny Maserati. We caught up to him, and he motioned to the fancy car. "Told you this was a great place. Even rich people hang here."
Colin laughed as he surveyed the squat building with its plain exterior and faded wood façade. "Yeah, it's got a real Manhattan swank vibe," he said with a laugh.