Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
Riley
She’s been with him for over two years ? Shit. This definitely throws a wrench into my plans to get her back. Drew said she and Nathan are living with him, so Devyn and Jackson are obviously not that serious, but still. I grit my teeth when I think about where she spent the night last night. Now I really don’t like the guy.
I need to figure out exactly where they stand so I can plan my next move. I may have gone through a series of casual flings back in the day, but I would never condone cheating. I’ve always said if you’re unhappy enough to even think about cheating, you need to fix whatever shit is going on with your partner, or leave the relationship before you step over any lines. Not to mention the fact that I wouldn’t dream of sharing Devyn once I finally had her. No fucking way.
I pick up my phone and dial Brody as something comes to mind .
“Hey, asshole! Are you done unpacking yet?”
“Almost,” I tell him. “I still have to hang photos and stuff but other than that, I’m done. Are you planning to watch the games tomorrow?”
“Do you have to ask? What’s up? You wanna hang?”
“My surround-sound system isn’t hooked up yet, so I was hoping I could tag along with you. Maybe you can see what Drew and his sister are up to and ask them to join us?”
Brody laughs. “Ah, I get it now. Well, lucky for you my plans happen to include hanging out at Drew’s house. I’m sure he won’t mind an extra guest. The hot sister should be there for your viewing pleasure.”
“What? I don’t want to see the sister! I’m just looking for a place to watch football.”
“Right, buddy. FYI, subtlety is not your strong suit. Are you in, or what?”
I smile. “Yeah, I’m definitely in.”
Devyn
I’m just about to walk out the door when Drew says, “Hey, a couple of the guys are coming over to watch the games. They should be here in about an hour. Will you grab some extra chips and beer while you’re at the store?”
I freeze with my hand on the doorknob. “ Which couple of guys?”
“Brody and that guy you knew in college. ”
“Riley?” I shriek.
“Yeah. Why? Is that not okay? I know he was kind of a dick, but he promised he’d behave next time he saw you.”
I look down at the faded sweatpants and threadbare Goldminers T-shirt I’m wearing. “Drew! Why didn’t you tell me earlier? We can’t have people over when I look like this! I don’t have time to get ready and shop for groceries!”
He gives me a fleeting glance. “Who cares what you’re wearing?”
I groan and look down the hall to make sure Nathan is still playing in his room. “Drew, there’s something you need to know about Riley.”
“What?”
I blow a hair out of my face. “Well, there’s no good way to say it. Other than to come straight out with it, I guess.”
Drew’s brows furrow. “What are you rambling about?”
I take a deep breath and exhale. “Riley is the dark lord. You know, the one we never discuss?”
“What do fantasy villains have to do with this? You’re not making any sense.”
I tap my foot impatiently. “Think about that for a second. Riley is the guy I’ve never named because we never talk about him .” I give him a few seconds but he still looks lost. “Oh god, fine! Riley is Nathan’s father . Is that clear enough? ”
“What. The. Fuck!?” he bellows. “Are you shitting me right now?”
“Keep your voice down!” I whisper-shout. “Nathan doesn’t know yet. And I just told Riley yesterday.”
“Yesterday? You saw him? Where? And what do you mean, you just told him yesterday ? I thought he bolted when he found out you were pregnant!”
“At the coffee shop across from Jackson’s house. He and Riley apparently live in the same building. And I didn’t exactly get the chance to tell him I was pregnant. We never even dated. We were friends…and we hooked up one night. He didn’t know I ever had a child until you told him.”
Drew laughs. “Oh, this is fucking priceless. Does Jackson know?”
“Yes, Jackson knows. Well, about the paternity thing. Not that they both live at the Marselle.”
“So what the hell are you going to do? Am I supposed to pretend I don’t know?”
“No, you don’t need to pretend. Lorraine knows too. Just don’t be open about it with everyone until we’ve figured out how to tell Nathan. I need some time.”
Drew stands up and grabs his keys off the kitchen counter. “Go do whatever girly shit you need to do. I’ll go to the store.”
I smile and kiss him on the cheek. “Have I told you lately you’re the best big brother ever?”
“Yeah, yeah,” he mutters.