Chapter 48
48
William
Few people can upend my schedule with a single call saying they need me. I left one on the sidewalk in front of her game bar earlier today when I kissed Opal goodbye.
I’m currently staring at my siblings. I’d include them in the short list of individuals who can expect me to act as soon as they are in need. However, after the setup they arranged to get me here, I’m crossing them off the list.
We’re sitting on the patio of a restaurant. I’d classify it more as a few tables and chairs set up on a sidewalk in an attempt to lure tourists to spend their vacation money on overpriced cocktails and food that belongs in a dumpster.
Bauer and Scout are indulging in both in the form of chili cheese fries and whiskey sours that are too heavy on the sour. I know because I sampled Bauer’s when I sat down. That’s what drove me to order a glass of sparkling water, but I’ve yet to touch it since the glass clearly hasn’t seen the interior of any dishwasher recently.
I don’t bother glancing in the direction of a symphony of horns, all sounding their displeasure at another driver. Leave it to the people of Manhattan to serenade everyone within hearing distance with the blunt blast of a car or truck horn and the occasional audible “ fuck you , asshole, ” tossed into the mix for good measure.
“Why am I here?” I ask for the third time since I sat down.
The first two times I tossed the question into the air, no one answered. Instead, Scout rattled on about work, and Bauer pretended to listen attentively. I know my brother well enough to sense when he’s focused on a project he has in the works. He’ll stare just past your face as you talk. To the untrained eye, it would appear he’s engaged in what you’re saying, but I know better.
Since my sister was the one who texted me telling me she needed me, I look right at her as I wait for an actual answer.
Scout sighs heavily. “We need to plan Mom and Dad’s anniversary party. You keep putting it off.”
“They don’t want a party,” I point out for the fifth or sixth time since Scout first presented the idea to me weeks ago. “They’re having a blast traveling to all the places they never thought they’d get to.”
“So, let’s fly to one of them and surprise them with an anniversary dinner,” she suggests. “Bauer can make the time.”
Bauer glances at her but says nothing.
“Right, Bauer?” she eggs him on with a push of her hand against his bicep.
Both of my siblings are dressed casually. I can’t say I’m surprised Bauer is wearing jeans and a black T-shirt. I didn’t expect to find Scout in a matching outfit since she’s generally dressed to the nines for work.
“Sure, yeah,” Bauer responds.
“Why aren’t you at work?” I ask my sister not only to get more information on what she has going on today but also to change the subject.
Leaving Manhattan now to jet off to the unknown won’t fit into my schedule at the moment. I have too many clients depending on me, and beyond that, I have no fucking idea when Opal will decide to pull the rug out from under me and end this casual relationship of ours. I want as much time with her as possible before she decides to move on.
“I have a day off,” she snaps. “Unlike you, some of us don’t work twenty four seven, William.”
I silently stare at her. That works as it always does to lure even more information from her.
“There’s a big auction on Saturday, so my boss gave me the day off today to do as I please, “ she explains. “I wanted to spend it with my two favorite guys.”
“Who?” Bauer decides to reenter the conversation. “We’re your two favorite guys?”
With the wind whipping a few strands of her hair against her cheek, her gaze volleys between us. “I guess I have three favorite guys because Dad is one of a kind.”
She’s right about that. Our father is one of a kind. Arguably, part of his irrefutable charm is his stubbornness. I know he’s in no hurry to return to New York with our mom for a party or anything else, and us crashing their trip may not go over well since they consider this the extended honeymoon they never had thirty-five years ago when they first married.
“I’ll talk to Dad,” I offer. “I’ll see where his head is at regarding their anniversary. It may be best to wait to celebrate when they’re back home.”
Scout pouts. “Fine, but be discrete about it.”
I’m an expert at that, so I see no problem with it. “I will.”
“Speaking of discretion, what’s happening with you and the woman?” Bauer shoots me a look with a cocked brow. “Is that still a thing?”
I’m not about to share details about my relationship with Opal with these two, so I answer curtly, “Yes.”
Scout takes a sip of her drink, cringing as she swallows. “Give us more than that, William.”
I point at her glass. “You don’t have to drink that.”
“Bauer paid for it, so I should.”
“It’s shit,” Bauer says, pushing his almost full glass away from him. “Once we wrap this up, I’ll take you to Tin Anchor for a whiskey sour that will blow your socks off.”
“Deal.” She beams with a smile. “I picked this place because I saw good reviews online for it. It’s the last time I trust other people’s opinions.”
I laugh. “Good call. Those fries are a greasy mess.”
“You’ll come with us to Tin Anchor, won’t you, William?” She pushes back from the small circular table we’ve been seated around. “You love that pub.”
I’m fond of it. It’s an eclectic bar in Greenwich Village that I used to meet these two at before Scout took off for London. I’m mildly surprised she didn’t arrange for us to gather there today. It seems her curiosity about this restaurant’s chili cheese fries and whiskey sours won out over nostalgia.
“I can’t.” I shake my head. “I’ve got work to take care of.”
“I understand,” Scout whispers. “Will you do something for me, William?”
“Anything,” I say without any hesitation. “Name it.”
She looks into my eyes. “Be selfish.”
“Selfish?” Bauer questions. “That’s the last thing William has ever been.”
“I know.” She shoots him a look. “He needs to be now, though, Bauer. I think he’s in love.”
“What?” I bark out an exaggerated laugh.
She pats the top of my hand. “Your face says it all. There’s this profound happiness in your eyes I’ve never seen before, and your smile is brighter.”
I shouldn’t be surprised that she’s picked up on the happiness I’ve been feeling since I met Opal. I like Opal a hell of a lot, but she’s made it clear I’m nothing but a fun fucking stop on her life journey. Literally.
“I know you haven’t said much about her.” She pauses to shake her head. “Or anything at all, but she means something to you, so be selfish. Make time for her even if it means blowing off work or us.”
Arguing with her will be useless, so I take her hand in mine for a squeeze. “I will.”
“Promise you’ll introduce me to her before you propose.” She slides her hand from mine. “I can’t wait to help plan your wedding.”
Bauer chuckles. “You’re jumping the gun, Scout. Take a breath.”
She ignores him and focuses solely on me. “Promise.”
It can’t hurt to promise something that has no possibility of ever coming to fruition. Opal has made it very clear that our relationship is casual. I haven’t lost sight of the fact that I’m her temporary lover, so I give my sister what she wants. “I promise.”