Chapter 12
not my circus, not my monkeys
MIA
August
Jeff dives into his plans to try out for the school’s basketball team. They accept very few walk-ons, but he’s got high hopes. He’s a really good player, but unfortunately, he wasn’t offered any scholarships.
“The chances are slim, but it’s better than not even trying.” He smiles ruefully, toying with his straw. “Regardless of what happens, earning a computer science degree is my primary goal.”
“A game designer, a developer, a data analyst,” Chia comments, pointing her finger at me, Jeff, and Tessa in turn. Then, she juts her thumb at herself. “And a journalist. I feel left out.”
“You were destined to be a journalist.” I nudge her with my shoulder. “And maybe all the writing will encourage you to get back into writing short stories like you used to.”
“You used to write?” Tessa asks her.
“Yeah. Some fanfic, some original stories.” She turns to me. “I always figured I’d major in English and you’d major in theater and drama, but look at us now.”
“Drama club was my life.” I can’t help but smile.
“But I’ve always loved painting more. Since I love video games, I figured why not merge my love for art and gaming?
The industry is growing so fast and, realistically, it’s hard to make money as an actor or a painter.
My dream would be to create graphics for a game based on Alice in Wonderland. ”
“You and your love for that story.” Jeff chuckles. “I still can’t believe you have an Alice in Wonderland tattoo.”
“What can I say? We’re all mad here,” I murmur, quoting my tattoo.
And my friends burst into laughter.
When it dies down, Tessa yawns. “We better head back to the dorms. I’m worried I’ll fall asleep at the table if we don’t leave soon.”
“Two minutes.” I scoot closer to Chiara. “I need to use the restroom.”
Chiara slides out of the booth, and I follow.
On my way to the back of the diner, I pass the booth where Dominic still sits with Miles and Remi.
They’re talking about something, three beer bottles on the table along with three mostly empty plates.
Dom sits across from Miles with Remi by his side, her hand wrapped around the back of his neck.
My throat tightens at the sight, but I shake my head, forcing myself to focus on where I’m going. It’s none of my business what he does or who he does it with.
But as I wash my hands, a burning sensation in my chest makes me flatten my lips.
Since I got back, the dynamic between Dominic and me has shifted.
Maybe it’s just that we’re different people.
We’ve both grown up since we last spent any time together, but the way he looks at me?
The way he always shifts closer when we’re in the same room?
I’m not imagining it. Where he used to treat me like an annoyance, he now talks to me in a way that’s playful.
But at the same time, there’s a rough edge to everything he says, like he’s working to maintain distance.
He's always close but never close enough, like there’s an invisible line between us, one he won’t cross.
I don’t get him. And even more, I don’t get why he keeps this girl around if they aren’t together.
The door opens as I’m drying my hands, and Remi walks in. Why am I not surprised?
“Hi,” she coos, closing the door behind her. “I thought we could’ve a little chat.”
“Oh?” I leave it at that. If I could brush her off, I would, but she’s blocking my exit.
“It won’t take long.” She steps closer and holds out her hand. “The keys. I need them.”
I arch an eyebrow, crossing my arms over my chest. “What keys?”
“Don’t play dumb. Give me the keys you took the day I let you into the house.”
“Oh, the keys. Now I get it.” I smile, though I can’t imagine it looks friendly. “There must be some misunderstanding. I tried to give them to Dom so he could give them back to you, but he told me to keep them.”
She blanches. “Why would he say that?”
Satisfaction coursing through me, I shrug. “He said you don’t need them.”
She clenches her jaw, her expression pinched. “Or you’re lying and you never told him you have them.”
I sigh and drop my arms. “You know what? I don’t want to be involved in this. If you want a set of keys, then ask Dom.” I step into her. “Now please, move aside. I need to get back to my friends.”
Expression hard, she studies me in silence. Eventually, though, she takes a step to her right, leaving me a sliver of space to maneuver around her. Fuck that. I push past her, bumping her with my shoulder, and open the door. At the threshold, I turn back to get a better look at her.
“And Remi?”
Her eyes flare to mine.
“I have zero interest in being involved in your drama, so leave me out of it.” I take a step out of the bathroom. “If you have a problem, take it up with Dominic.”
I turn on my heel and stride away before she can get another word in. This time, when I pass Dominic’s booth, I hold my head high and don’t look at him. Remi’s behavior seriously weirds me out, and I have better things to do than get stuck in the middle of their mess.
Mom and I spent the afternoon cooking, and now, as the room fills with laughter, conversation, and the scent of roasted chicken and herbs, I sit back, content.
“So, you spent the day finding your way around Monterey.” Allan’s hazel eyes—the same color as his son’s—dart from Jeff to Tessa, who fit in with my family as if they’ve always been here. “What do you think?”
“Compared to Phoenix, it seems so small,” Jeff chuckles. “But it has its perks. The people are friendlier, and we’ve already found great places to eat. I really like it.”
“I lived in Flagstaff until I was sixteen and my dad got a job in Phoenix.” Tessa smiles. “I’ve always liked small cities better. Monterey feels like a breath of fresh air.”
With a smile, Mom picks up her wineglass. “I love that all three of you want to go into IT. No wonder you get along so well. You must have a lot in common.”
“The IT industry is growing, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.” Matt scoops up a forkful of rice and stuffs it into his mouth.
“And yet, you chose law,” I tease him.
“Every start-up needs an intellectual property patent,” he says, his mouth still full, “meaning they need lawyers. And since the industry is constantly changing, IT companies are constantly turning to lawyers for how to legally collect and store data. Do I need to go on?”
Before I can respond, a familiar voice chimes in. “No, I think you made your point very clear.”
I look over my shoulder to find Dominic standing at the threshold of the dining room, leaning against the doorframe. He’s in a dark blue flannel shirt and well-worn, dark blue jeans. His signature white sneakers complete his outfit.
“Sorry I’m late,” he mutters, fixing his focus on his dad. “Wanted to get Mr. Kirby’s SUV done so he can pick it up tomorrow morning.”
“That’s great.” Allan tips his head at the empty seat beside Matt. “Come have dinner with us. Monica and Mia outdid themselves.”
Nodding, Dominic ambles toward the table. As he sits, our eyes meet. Under his scrutiny, the back of my neck goes hot, and warmth creeps up my cheeks.
I quickly avert my gaze and pick up my water. The first day of school can’t come soon enough. Between my course load and his work at the shop, we shouldn’t see much of each other.
Mom takes a sip of her white wine and sets it down gently. “Dominic, this is Tessa and Jeff,” she says, “Mia’s friends from Phoenix. They’re going to college in Monterey as well.”
“Chia is also starting her freshman year,” I add, “and—”
“Wait,” Dominic says, cutting me off.
I sneak a glance at him. His plate is already full of chicken and rice, and he holds his fork aloft, his eyes glued to Jeff.
“Aren’t you Mia’s ex-boyfriend?”
I bite back a gasp and fidget in my seat, surprised he even knows about our history.
The corners of Jeff’s mouth tip up as he tilts his head. “I am, but we’ve been best friends a lot longer than we dated.” He rests his hand on top of Tessa’s on the table. “Tessa is my girlfriend. We’ve been together for a while.”
Dominic shrugs, the movement easy. “Okay. Sorry for my attire. If I’d known there would be a reunion, I would’ve dressed appropriately.”
“Dude,” Matt hisses under his breath. “What’s up with you?”
“Nothing,” he grits out as he digs into his food.
My cheeks are on literal fire now. Jeff, on the other hand, looks entertained. His gaze keeps shifting between Dominic and me, and the way his grin widens makes my stomach drop.
“Sorry for my son’s attitude,” Allan says, his tone soft. “We had a busy day at the shop, and it looks as though he hasn’t had a chance to relieve the tension yet. Right, Dom?”
“Yeah, something like that.” He cracks a half-hearted smile at Jeff and Tessa. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.”
“No worries. No offense taken.”
When my mom asks Tessa about her parents, the tension drains from my shoulders. All I want now is to make it through dinner without another incident and to ignore Dominic Watson, because he’s grating on my nerves.
I load the plates into the dishwasher, relishing the quiet.
Jeff and Tessa left a little while ago, after thanking Mom and Allan for dinner.
Mom invited them to join us for dinner anytime.
I’d be more keen on the idea if Jeff hadn’t pulled me aside and told me he has questions.
For the first time since we became friends, I’m dreading seeing him again.
There’s no way he won’t hound me when we meet up between classes tomorrow.
Mom, Matt, and Allan cleared the table, but when they tried to help me clean up the kitchen, I waved them off. They all have to be up early tomorrow, and I definitely don’t mind having some time to myself. I start the dishwasher then pad to the back door to lock it for the night.
“Don’t.” The single word startles me, and I whip around.
Dominic shuffles across the kitchen, an unlit cigarette dangling between his lips. “I’ll lock up when I’m done.”
He was the first to disappear after dinner, heading upstairs while the rest of us were still chatting at the table. He said he was tired and wanted to go to sleep, but that was close to two hours ago.
“Couldn’t sleep?” I ask.
He stops, standing a little too close. At five-six, I’m not short, but next to his six-two frame, I feel tiny. “I just woke up.”
“Sure.” Rather than listen to his bullshit, I step aside, intending to go upstairs, change my clothes, and dive into my newest read on my Kindle.
“I have no idea how you can be friends with your ex.”
His snide tone sends my pulse pounding with anger. Wheeling around, I glare at him.
“I guess you wouldn’t, since you prefer to string your ex along so you have someone at your disposal whenever the urge to fuck hits you.”
His irises look gold in this light, anger burning bright in them. “Don’t talk about shit you know nothing about.”
I snort. “Whatever.” I take a step toward him, too fed up with his bullshit to walk away quietly. “And while we’re on the subject of exes, get a handle on yours, please. I’d appreciate it if you could tell her to leave me alone.”
His lips part, and there’s fury in his expression. “What are you talking about?”
“Tell Remi to retract her claws when she’s talking to me.” I pull my shoulders back and lift my chin. “And for fuck’s sake, tell her it was your decision to not return the keys. I want nothing to do with your fucked-up relationship.”
With that, I storm out of the kitchen.
Not my circus, not my monkeys.