Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Nick
I watched as Luke ran from Sebastian to Leo, and then Leif, and shook my head, sitting back in my seat before I took a sip of my beer. It was warm so I set it aside, figuring I wouldn’t finish it.
“Not in the mood?” Noah asked, and I looked over at Leif’s cousin and shook my head.
“No, I have to drive later, and I wasn’t even sure I wanted a beer. I think I just got it because I wasn’t in the mood for a Coke.”
“Yeah, I have more fun when we’re at the bowling alley when we’re just hanging out like this. With Luke around, though, I don’t want to be the idiot who drinks too much.”
I narrowed my gaze. “Are you even old enough to drink, Noah Montgomery Gallagher?” I asked, my voice a low growl.
Noah just grinned. “I’m as old as I need to be, thank you very much.”
I took that as a no, then looked down at the root beer in Noah’s hands. He winked at me, and I rolled my eyes.
The Montgomerys were rule followers, at least somewhat. Sure they might have a drink or two out in a field after a football game or steal a quick sip when their parents weren’t looking like many normal teenagers did, but they didn’t have fake IDs, and they didn’t get drunk at a bowling alley when we were here with Leif’s soon-to-be kid.
I wasn’t a huge bowling fan, and frankly, I wasn’t good at it, but if this was what Luke wanted to do, this is what we did.
Apparently, the five-year-old ruled us all, and we just went with it. I didn’t mind. The kid was cute as hell, and he made Leif smile. My best friend needed to smile. He deserved everything in the world, and I was glad that he was getting it. Brooke was good for him. I was just annoyed that it had taken him this long to realize it.
“Okay, Noah, you’re up,” Leif said, and Noah got up from his seat and passed by Leif, who had Luke on his shoulders, spinning the kid around as they left the bowling lane.
I looked down at my shoes and cringed. I looked like a damn clown with my size thirteen feet, but it could have been worse. I could own these shoes. Become a professional bowler.
“When did we become bowlers?” I asked.
“Bowling is fun, Uncle Nick,” Luke said as he grinned at me.
I met Leif’s gaze and smiled. I liked being Uncle Nick. I didn’t have any siblings, but I had been friends with Leif since we were teens. We had gone to high school and college together, and now owned a business together. I had stayed over at the Montgomerys’ house more than my own some weeks in high school when things had gotten too rough. Leif’s parents had been at my graduation cheering for me right along with their kid, even though they had been going through tough times of their own. My mom hadn’t even bothered to show up.
I knew later it was because she’d had another episode and had apologized, but I still hated the fact that she hadn’t been there.
But Leif’s family had. And now Leif was doing his best to be the man in Luke’s life, even though I knew he wouldn’t replace Luke’s birth dad.
“His next birthday party he wants a bowling theme, so we’re practicing. He’s not that bad at it.”
“I’m not that bad at it,” the kid parroted, and I grinned.
“Better than me. We don’t even need the bumpers for you.”
“There are bumpers? I should have gotten the bumpers,” Sebastian said as he worked on his tablet.
He was finishing up his homework while he hung out; he hadn’t even wanted to come out tonight. But the kid rarely had time to breathe between school, Marley, impending fatherhood, and working at the shop. But we had dragged him out here because he hadn’t been out on his own for a night with the guys in too long. And him being around Luke would be good for him.
I had no idea how to be a dad or what it entailed, and we were all learning with Luke. And he came pre-done. He was already five. We didn’t have to worry about diapers and midnight feedings and all of that. And we would be here when the kid hit his preteens, and gangly ages, then teenage years and college. We’d be here for all of it. So Luke would be the one that we learned from first.
And then we’d help figure out Sebastian’s brood.
And I would be Uncle Nick. Something I didn’t even realize I wanted. But I liked it.
“Strike!” Noah said as he pumped his fist in the air.
Luke cheered, scrambled off Leif’s hip, and ran towards Noah.
Noah laughed, spun Luke around, and dragged him back to the area.
“You’re up, Gatlin.”
I shuddered, standing up. “Okay. But don’t laugh.”
“We would never laugh at you, Uncle Nick.”
I ran my hands through Luke’s hair and winked. “You might not because you’re a bigger person. These guys? They’re going to laugh.”
“Because we’re laughing with you, not at you,” Leif said as he sat down and pulled Luke with him, so he was out of the way of the balls coming down the chute.
The girls were having an appetizer and wine party at Brooke’s place while we were bowling. Not out partying or doing anything else that people would be doing at our age. But bowling.
I lined up my shot, swung back, and barely missed hitting the gutter.
Noah and Sebastian threw their heads back and laughed. Leif did a valiant job of not laughing as Luke frowned.
“No, Uncle Nick. You’re throwing it at an angle. You don’t need to toss it down, so it makes that loud sound.”
“Yes, Uncle Nick, listen,” Noah teased, and I flipped him off.
Leif growled and put his hands over Luke’s eyes. “Family establishment.”
“Sorry,” I grumbled, and actually was sorry about it. I had forgotten. We were so used to doing that at work and just with each other, I forgot that I was actually in a place where there were kids around. Luckily, I didn’t think anyone had noticed, and there weren’t many kids there tonight.
“It’s okay. Mom said that was for adults. Not me.”
“Good. And I guess you can tell her what Uncle Nick did. Because we don’t keep secrets.”
“Don’t worry, I will.”
I scowled and knew that Brooke wouldn’t say anything, but she would be disappointed. And I hated when she was disappointed.
She and Lake had that perfect look of, not anger, but “I thought you could do better.” And I hated it. Because I usually could do better.
Not that I cared too much about what they thought. I wasn’t dating either one of them. They weren’t my women. And yet, I felt like I was losing my damn mind.
I pulled out my phone and thought about who I shouldn’t be texting as Sebastian went up to the lane. Something was off with her. Something she didn’t want to talk about. And I wanted to know what it was. Why the hell was she avoiding me?
Duh, you asshole. You know exactly why she’s avoiding you. Because you were the one that saw.
Of course, she didn’t want to see you.
I stuffed my phone back into my pocket and ignored it. I wasn’t going to text her. I wasn’t going to ask her how she was doing.
That would just lead to questions and awkward conversations. And that dissapointed look all over again.
We finished out the game and I lost, just like we knew I would. Even the kid had beat me by a good fifteen points. And he did it granny style.
I shook my head in disgust as I got back in my car, the guys ragging on me.
“Don’t worry, Uncle Nick. I’ll teach you before my party.”
I grinned before rolling my eyes over his head at Leif.
I liked being called Uncle Nick all right, but hell, I could use a better refrain than getting last place out of a group of five. Including a five-year-old of all people.
I drove back home, knowing that I had an early morning. I had an appointment that would take all day—a full back piece outline. We would work on the other steps in two or three more sessions, but tomorrow was the big day, and I had to go home early and not be hungover or exhausted.
I got home, got myself a water, then went to work out. Just a few sets on my weights, nothing too strenuous. Only, I knew that wasn’t what I wanted to do.
I wanted to text Lake and ask her what the hell she was thinking. Why she wouldn’t talk to me. But that wouldn’t get anything done. She was far more stubborn than anyone else I knew. If I contacted her and asked her why the hell she wouldn’t talk to me, she would say it was all in my head, which it probably was. And then she would continue not to in response.
I growled, finished my sets, then wiped the sweat off my chest before stomping to the bedroom. I needed to go to bed early.
Instead, I pulled out my phone and did what I told myself I wouldn’t.
Me
Are you coming in to work tomorrow? I got a piece I want to show you.
Not totally a lie, but why the hell was I texting her after nine?
Three little dots popped up on Lake’s name, and I swallowed hard, wondering why I was nervous that she was even texting me back.
At least she had read it, and was thinking about texting me back. For all I knew she was just going to send a thumbs down emoji, or no text at all. And I would have to remain on read until the end of my days. It wasn’t like we owned a business together or anything. Oh wait. We did. Why the hell was she avoiding me?
Why was I wringing myself up in knots for a friend? A coworker.
Lake
Imight. I have a few things to do. Plus I need to pack.
I frowned.
Me
What do you mean pack? Did I know you were going on a business thing?
Lake traveled often for work, and I was proud of her for it. The fact that she was able to travel the world because of her job was pretty fucking awesome. It wasn’t something I ever wanted to do, but she got to see things, experience them. Maybe one day I’d be able to do a couple of those things, but sure as hell not in first-class or at fancy hotels like she did.
Lake
Can I just call you?
I sat up, frowned, and wondered if she had ever asked me to do that before. She had never once asked me, right? We didn’t talk on the phone. That wasn’t who we were. But if she needed me, of course I would talk to her.
Me
Of course.
The phone lit up with her name right away and I swallowed hard, wondering if I should put on my shoes to go pick her up or something. Was she in trouble? Was it her fucking ex?
My hands fisted at my side, but I told myself it was okay.
I was just losing my damn mind.
“Lake? Are you okay?” I asked in rapid staccato as soon as I answered.
She let out a breath, and I groaned, wondering why the hell I was like this. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you think I was in trouble or anything. I’m okay, Nick. Just stressed. I promise.”
It wasn’t disappointment in her tone, but was it shame ? Fuck. Because there was no way that she needed to feel shame. She had done nothing wrong, but no matter what I said, she was never going to believe me.
And that wasn’t on her or me, but on that asshole ex.
“I’ve had a long day, sorry. Plus, we don’t talk, sweet cakes. You know that.”
I heard the little growl over the line and smiled.
“I hate that you sometimes call me random food items. I’m not your sweet cake. Your cupcake. Your butter cake. I’m not cake.”
“What about donut? Like a glazed donut? Oh no, a Boston cream.” I paused, wondering if that was somehow dirty. I had probably crossed a line, but I didn’t care. Because she was laughing and that was all that mattered.
Lake didn’t laugh much these days.
“Okay, now I’m hungry and stressed.”
“What’s going on, Lake?” I asked, my voice serious this time.
“I have to travel for a retreat, and it’s a big fucking deal, especially for a woman in my job, but thanks to the politics of it all, I have to bring a man with me. A date. Or I will be the old crone that showed up without a man. And if I do bring a man, then what is he, a boyfriend, a date, an escort? It’s ridiculous, and I hate the fact that I’m even bothering about this. Because before everything happened, and no, I don’t want to talk about it, but before, I would’ve just brought a friend or him . And it would’ve been fine. Well, not fine, but I wouldn’t have even thought anything about it because he was a boyfriend. Or I would have a boyfriend, and it wouldn’t be a big deal. But everyone else is either married or in serious relationships or bringing some escort or whatever. And I will have no one. Which I should be fine with, and I am fine with, but I can’t be fine with.”
She sounded out of breath when she finished speaking, and I could imagine her pacing around her living room and moving her hands while rambling. It was a very Lake thing to do.
“Okay, first, the more you say ‘fine,’ the more I believe that you’re not anywhere near fine.”
“Shut up.”
“So what is this thing?”
She explained about the retreat, the huge deal, and I blinked. “I’ve heard of that. That’s a big fucking deal, Lake. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. I mean, once I get over the fact that I’m worried about bringing a date with me, I’ll actually be excited about it. It is a big deal. I’m going to be able to help so many more people because of it.”
And, of course, that’s what she would think of. Not herself, not making more money. Even though she had gobs of it already. No, it was about helping others.
Because that was Lake fucking Montgomery.
“So what is it, you need to bring someone with you so that way nobody will wonder why you’re alone?” I cursed. “You know what I mean. Hell, I’m not dating anyone. Most of our friends aren’t. It’s just that time of our lives. Other people just need to get over it.”
“I know. And it’s not that I want to date someone, far from it. I don’t want a relationship. I’m enjoying my family and my career and just trying to tackle everything that I’m doing. And you already know I have too much on my plate.”
“Of course you do. I’ve told you that countless times.”
“I know you do. You love throwing that in my face. But it doesn’t matter right now. Because if I go alone, then that will be a slight against me. And it shouldn’t matter, but it will. And I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. It’s not like I can bring a cousin. Because that will just be weirder.”
“Why don’t I go with you?” I blurted.
The silence was deafening, and I realized I’d actually said the words and not just thought them. What the fuck? I didn’t want to go to this damn thing. It was so far out of my wheelhouse. It would make no sense. What the hell was I thinking?
I didn’t want to go with Lake, to pretend to be her boyfriend, or just to be someone to stand next to her. I wasn’t going to fit in there. I would be this big, tattooed man next to tiny little Lake in her business suits. What the hell would I add to that situation?
“Are you serious?” she asked, her voice breathy.
“Don’t laugh. I’m sorry. I just blurted it. Just trying to fix things like usual. Ignore me.”
More silence.
“That would actually be amazing, Nick, because I wouldn’t have to worry about the whole family thing because technically we’re not family.”
It was a whole lot more than technically, but I wasn’t going to say that.
“And if I were to bring anyone else—that I would have to meet in the next week—that would be really weird because they don’t know me, or they would put too much into the situation. Because there are guys I could ask at work, but then they would either think that I was hitting on them as their boss, or they would want something more. And it wouldn’t be a problem with you. Because we’re friends and we own a company together. This is perfect. It’s like bringing a business partner with me. For a business thing. Oh, Nick, are you serious? I mean, I don’t know about your appointments or anything, so maybe it won’t work out, but if it would, it would mean the world. Seriously.”
She kept going on, talking about the dates, the excitement lifting her voice and the stress slowly began to ease from her.
I couldn’t back out now. Damn it. What the hell was wrong with me?
“I’ll go. You need me, I’ll be there. You know me, Lake. I always am.”
“You are a lifesaver. Thank you so much, Nick. I’ll email over the details, and we’ll double check our schedules to make sure it’ll really work. But oh my gosh, this is the best. Thank you.”
We said a few more things and then she hung up, and I knew she would literally be emailing me right now. She wouldn’t wait, she would get her checklist, there would be a calendar, and then it would be done.
What the hell had I been thinking?
I set my phone down on the nightstand and rested my head in my hands.
Being alone with Lake was going to be a problem. And not just because we annoyed the fuck out of each other.
My doorbell rang and I frowned, with a strange notion thinking it could be Lake with a whole file folder of what I was expected to do. Not that she could work her magic that quickly, but you never knew. She was that amazing.
I stood up and slid a shirt over my head, since I wasn’t about to answer the door shirtless just in case it was Lake.
Even though it wouldn’t be.
I looked through the peephole and saw a woman with dark hair down around her shoulders, a worn face, with her hands folded in front of her.
For an instant, I didn’t recognize her.
I opened the door, not sure why I was, but I couldn’t leave her on the porch.
My mother had aged since I had last seen her, no sleep, too much stress, and the worry of who she had become.
She wasn’t an alcoholic, wasn’t a drug user. But she didn’t take care of herself, and she sure as hell never took care of me.
“Nick. You answered the door. I want to…”
I just shook my head, then slammed the door.
Nope. Not going to do it. I wasn’t even going to bother. She would get back in her car, and she would leave, and I would ignore her, just like she had ignored me.
I went back to the bedroom, checked my security readout to make sure she did indeed leave. Dejected, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t.
A message popped on my phone—a new email from Lake. I just shook my head.
Helping Lake like this would be a mistake.
Me being anywhere near Lake was always a fucking mistake.