Chapter 27
CHAPTER
TWENTY-SEVEN
TESSA
Just so you know. Weddings make me horny. You’re missing out. – Linc x
I smile at his message. I get the feeling that he doesn’t hear the word no very often. But there’s just no way I was going to his brother’s wedding when I’ve never met his family.
What exactly is it about watching a family member say ‘I do’ that fires your libido up? – Tessa x
I hit the send button then lift the cloth back up. Now that the water is back on I’m putting the finishing touches to the living room. Angela is here helping me, though she’s been talking more than she’s been cleaning up.
“So then Lisa told me she was on her period,” Angela continues. She’s been trying to tell me this story for the last ten minutes but we keep getting interrupted. First by Zoe stopping home on her way to brunch with Jared and his parents, because she had to wear the skirt that she bought from some previously-loved clothes app the other day. Then by Linc who insisted on sending me a photograph of him in his tux.
And yes, he looks amazing. Even Angela looked a little flustered when I showed her.
“Are you even listening to me?” Angela asks.
I look at her, blinking. “You were telling me about Lisa’s period.”
“I told you that three times. And then I told you that Ryan told her that PMS is no excuse for the other three weeks out of four that she’s a bitch and then she actually body tackled him to the ground.”
“At work?” I murmur. “Wow.”
“No, not at work. This was at a conference for work. And they’re definitely fucking.” Angela shakes her head. “Anyway, it’s a boring story. I only started telling you it because you told me to stop asking you about Linc.”
I bite down a smile. I did ask her that, mostly because she’s had way too many questions I don’t have the answers to.
Before I can say anything else, another message flashes on my phone. I go to look at it but Angela snatches my phone from me, grinning as she reads whatever Linc’s decided to put as a reply to my question about weddings making him horny.
What makes me horny is the thought of you in a dress in my cabin, bent over my bed while I fuck you until you scream my name. – Linc x
Angela reads every word out loud. I roll my eyes at her. “Give me that,” I say, grabbing it back from her.
And then somebody clears their throat.
My first thought is that it’s Zoe. She only just left, so she’s almost certainly forgotten something. And the poor kid definitely doesn’t need to hear that about her mom. I turn to apologize to her, but instead Jared is standing in the doorway.
“Oops.” Angela puts my phone on the mantlepiece above the fireplace.
“Zoe already left,” I tell him, my voice thick. “Did she not come back to the car?”
“Yeah, she’s waiting for me there.” Jared’s voice is slow. “Can I have a word, please?”
I glance over at Angela, who seems very interested in her nails. She’s turning her hand this way and that, staring at it like she might find all the answers to the meaning of life in her cuticles.
“Now?” I ask, my voice lifting with alarm. “Aren’t you going to be late to meet your parents?”
“It won’t take long.”
“Don’t mind me,” Angela says lightly. “I’ll go make us another coffee.”
“Not for me,” Jared says.
“I wasn’t offering you one.” She rolls her eyes at him and leaves the room, her footsteps padding toward the kitchen.
“I see your friends are delightful as usual.” Jared lifts a brow as he looks around the living room. “How long until the rest of this place is done?”
“A couple more months.” I can already feel the annoyance rising in me. I know I shouldn’t let him get to me, but somehow he always does.
“It’s not good for Zoe to live like this.”
My jaw tightens. “What can I do for you, Jared?”
He lets out a long breath, like being near me is actually painful for him. “Zoe said she stayed at another man’s house with you last Saturday night. Isn’t that something you should have consulted me about?”
“We stayed at a friend’s house,” I correct him. “In his spare room because we had a problem with the bathroom here. There was nothing to consult about.”
“A friend from work?”
“That’s right.” I hate that I have to explain myself to him. Especially after he spent time in another woman’s bed while we were married .
And truth be told, I’m lying. I didn’t just stay in his guest room. Linc came in there with me. My cheeks pink up at the memory of what we did.
“Why didn’t you call me?” Jared asks, looking totally serious.
“Why would I call you?” It’s a genuine question.
“Because if my daughter needs a place to stay, I’d like to know. I could have spoken to Melissa. We could have let you stay in our spare room.”
I can’t help it, I start to laugh. “Seriously?” The thought of me staying with him and his new partner is unbelievable. He can’t mean it.
“I’m completely serious, Tessa. I don’t want you taking my daughter to strangers’ houses.”
“He isn’t a stranger. I told you, he’s a friend.”
“A friend that you fuck?”
His words feel like a slap to my face. This is so like him. His standards aren’t just double, they’re cubed.
“That’s none of your business,” I tell him, hating the way my face is going red.
“Of course it’s my business. Anybody who spends time around Zoe is my business. Who is this guy? How do I know he’s suitable to have around my child?”
“I don’t remember you worrying about that when you and Melissa were spending nights in hotel rooms all over town. ”
It’s his turn to redden. “That’s got nothing to do with this.”
“So it’s okay for you to have an affair, while we were married, but it’s not okay for me to date somebody when I’m free?” The gall of this man. I hate the way he manages to rile me up every time.
“Everything okay here?” Angela asks, putting her head around the doorway. Her eyes search for mine, as though she’s trying to see if I need help. I give her the slightest shake of my head.
“Can’t we have a conversation without her getting involved?” Jared shoots Angela a dirty look.
“No, you can’t. Not when you’re being an asshole.” Angela rolls her eyes at him. “And by the way, she’s right and you know it. You don’t have a leg to stand on. Not when you and Melissa were fucking like rabbits without a thought for Tessa, let alone Zoe.”
“Angela…” I shoot her a pleading look. I know she means the best, but it’s not helping.
“Maybe if I’d been fulfilled in my marriage I wouldn’t have had to look elsewhere,” Jared counters.
“Maybe if you didn’t have such a tiny dick, you would’ve had better luck,” Angela shoots back.
Ouch .
I’m half inclined to leave and let these two go at it. But the only person who matters in all of this is Zoe.
“Can you both be quiet?” I ask. “Jared, do not come into my house and start shouting. Angela, thank you for trying to stand up for me, but I’ve got this.”
She lets out a growl but says nothing.
And this is why I love her.
“Honey?” I say to her. “Can you go make those coffees?”
“I guess.” She glares at Jared. “But I’m around if you need me.”
“I know you are.” I smile at her. This girl always has my back. As soon as she’s stomped out of the room – again – I turn to look at Jared.
“What I do in my life has nothing to do with you,” I say, my voice low.
He opens his mouth to respond, but I put up my hand.
“But I agree. What happens in Zoe’s life is both of our concerns. She will always be my first priority.” I look at him pointedly. “She always has been. So she won’t be spending nights anywhere else unless there’s an emergency. Which there was.”
“Good.”
Oh he’s so smug. I hate it.
“But as for me,” I tell him. “What I do in the privacy of my own time is up to me. So don’t you ever come into my house and accuse me of the exact things you were doing, except when you were doing them, you were wrecking a marriage.”
“That’s not fair…”
But I’m not finished. I’ve spent years trying to keep the peace with this man. “I’ll date whoever I want to date. And when I’m ready to introduce them to Zoe as my boyfriend, then I’ll do so. But unlike you, I’ll do you the courtesy of letting you know first.”
He inhales sharply, his dark eyes on me.
“What if I don’t like him?”
“I don’t give a rat’s ass,” I tell him. “You don’t have to like him. You just have to trust my judgment that I know he’s a safe person to spend time with Zoe.”
And the stupid thing is, I know Linc’s safe. He’s kind. He’s funny. He genuinely likes my kid.
“I’d want to meet him.”
“That’s your prerogative,” I say, keeping my head high. “Anything else you want to talk about? Or can I get back to cleaning up my floors now?”
“You know it won’t last, right? Zoe said he has no kids. That he’s younger than you. He’s just using you, that’s all. Any single guy worth anything isn’t gonna saddle himself with a single mom. Especially not one approaching forty.”
I let out a long breath. “Fuck off, Jared.”
He blinks as though I’ve just struck him. But seriously, who does he think he is?
“Who I see is my business,” I say again. “Now don’t you want to go and spend some time with our child?”
“Fine.” He turns on his heel and walks out of the door. A moment later, Angela walks back in carrying two cups of coffee.
“Where’s assface?” she asks.
“He’s gone.”
“Good riddance.”
My phone lights up again with another message from Linc. This time Angela doesn’t do anything to hide the fact that she’s reading it over my shoulder.
I’ve organized for a car to pick you and Angela up at seven. Dinner will be served to you both at my place. If I can’t have you in my bed at least I can have you safely in my apartment for the night. – Linc x.
“Ooh,” Angela says. “That man is one smooth talker. Does he have any brothers?” she asks.
“You have no idea.”
But this one is mine. And he’s giving me all the sweet feels.
LIN C
“Darling, come dance with me.” My mom holds her hand out to me as the band strikes up another song. The rest of the family are on the dance floor already. Holden and Blair are in the center, the two of them swaying softly, as Holden whispers something in her ear. Blair smiles and I’m almost certain whatever he said to her was dirty.
Truth is, I don’t feel much like dancing. Which is weird, because I’ve always loved to dance. But I’m feeling stupidly moody and I’m missing Tessa.
I stand and take my mom’s hand and lead her over to the rest of the family. Myles and Ava are dancing and laughing. Liam and Sophie are staring into each other’s eyes. Eli and Mackenzie are clinging to each other like they never want to let go.
Even Brooks is dancing with some pretty woman he was sitting next to at dinner.
It doesn’t escape my attention that I’m the only brother who is alone tonight.
“You’re very quiet tonight,” Mom says. “Is everything okay?”
Immediately, my gut tightens.
“Everything is fine,” I say, pasting on a smile. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
She says nothing for a moment. From the corner of my eye I see my father and Julia, his wife, dancing. She’s actually his fourth wife, though no one ever talks about his first wife. But the others are here. Linda was his second wife – she’s the mother of Myles, Liam, Eli, and Holden and she’s currently dancing with Francie, my little sister.
I used to hate how complicated our family was. I blamed my mom’s attempt at leaving the world on that.
Now that I’m grown up I’ve realized that everybody’s life is complicated. Just in different ways.
“I heard through the grapevine that you’ve been seeing somebody,” she says as the band segues into another song. It’s a little faster, but nothing we can’t handle.
“Yep.”
She takes a deep breath. “And she’s a single mother?”
Her eyes catch mine and I frown. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
There’s a softness to her mouth as she gives me the smallest of smiles. “I didn’t mean to sound like that. It’s just…” she trails off. “I suppose I was surprised when Linda told me.”
“Linda told you?” My older brothers’ mom and my own are close. But I’m still surprised Linda knew about this.
“Apparently Ava let it slip,” Mom says. “Not that anything can stay secret for long.”
“Some things can,” I point out and she winces. And yeah, we start avoiding that subject again.
“So tell me about this woman. What’s her name?” Mom asks.
“Tessa Carmichael.” I can’t help but smile as I say her name.
“And you work with her?” There’s still no expression on her face. I can’t read her at all.
“Sort of. We both work for Roman. I didn’t really get to know her until a a little over a month ago.”
A look of relief catches Mom’s face. “Oh, I thought it was more serious than that.”
“It is,” I say firmly. “I’m very serious about her.”
She blows out a mouthful of air again. “How many children does she have?”
“One. Zoe. She’s thirteen.”
“She has a teenager?” Mom’s voice rises. “How old is this woman?”
The way she’s questioning makes me grit my teeth. Of all people, I didn’t expect this kind of response from my mom. “ She’s a couple of years older than me. And I’m surprised at you.”
“What do you mean?” she asks, sounding genuinely confused.
“I mean you’ve been a single mom for a long time. I thought you’d be on her side.”
“There are no sides, darling,” she says smoothly. “And if there were, I’d always be on yours. I’m just concerned, that’s all. You’ve gone from zero to a hundred with this woman. Do you really know her? Have you considered how difficult it will be if you become serious? I just feel like you’re rushing this, that’s all. She’s a mom. You’ll never be number one in her life.”
“I wouldn’t want to be,” I tell her. “Kids should always come first.”
She winces again. “I know I let you down. I just…” she sighs. “I don’t want to see you repeating any patterns.”
“What kind of patterns?” I’m getting annoyed with her.
“The kind where you try to save the single mom all over again.”
“Jesus, Mom. I’ve no idea where you’re getting all this pop psychology from, but I’m not trying to save anybody. Now can we change the subject, please?” I ask.
Her gaze catches mine. “I’m sorry. I just care…”
“I know you do.” I give her a tight nod. “But now I need you to back off.”
“Okay.” She nods.
And now I feel like a douche for hurting her feelings. “When you meet her you’ll understand,” I tell her.
And then I lead us to the side of the dance floor, smoothly handing Mom over to Liam, who just happens to be standing there, watching his wife dance with our dad.
Turning my back on them all, I go stand at the bar. Even though I might not be feeling this wedding, I love my brother to the moon and back, and it’s his day so he deserves to be celebrated.
By the time I can sneak away and call Tessa it’s almost eight and the sun is starting to fade over the lake. More people are on the dance floor now. The band has finished playing and a DJ has taken over, much to the younger contingent’s delight.
In the corner, my mom, Linda, and Julia are sitting together, gossiping. Francie and a couple of my nephews are sitting on their laps. My brothers are hanging out at the bar and their partners are dancing to Beyoncé.
And I’m standing on the edge of the pier, watching the reflection of the moon along the surface of the lake. My dad used to say that when the moon and sun could be seen at the same time, all your wishes could come true.
“Hi.” Tessa’s voice when she answers the phone makes my chest feel warm. “How was the wedding?”
“Good.”
She starts to laugh. “Is that it? No description of the bride, no gushing over their vows? What kind of flowers did they have?”
“If you’d been here you’d know.” Oh boy, that came out more pissy than I’d meant. “I’m sorry. I miss you.”
There’s a pause. “I miss you, too. Thank you for arranging dinner for Angela and me. She just left.” Which means Tessa is still at my place, alone. I insisted, because her place still isn’t habitable.
“It was a pleasure.” It was the most fun I had today. “How’s the clean up going?”
“Pretty good.” Tessa let out a breath. “By the way, Jared came to see me today.”
“Your ex?” I frown. “What did he want? ”
“He found out that we stayed with you last weekend. He wasn’t happy.”
“Why did it matter to him?” I ask, feeling annoyed now. The thought of her talking to him makes my hands curl into fists. I’ve never met the guy but I dislike him intensely.
“He’s Zoe’s dad,” Tessa reminds me.
“When it suits him. I hope you told him off.” Or I will. Because I’m not letting that asshole come between us. Not when things are already complicated enough.
“I told him that if things get serious between us I’ll let him know.”
“What do you mean ‘if’?” I ask her. A bird swoops down into the water, creating ripples across the surface. “We are serious, Tessa.”
“It’s only been a few weeks.”
“We’ve known each other for years.”
“We’ve disliked each other for years. And that’s not what I meant. Please don’t get mad at me. Dealing with Jared was bad enough.”
“I’m sorry. I just don’t like the guy.” And I hate the idea of him being around her.
“Me either. But I have to co-parent with him. And sometimes that involves doing things I don’t particularly like. For example, talking to him.”
“I can talk to him for you. Just say the word.”
She laughs and it feels like music coming through the phone. “I know you could. But I’ve got this.” She lets out a sigh. “I wish I’d just come and hidden in your cabin. We could have spent tonight together.”
Why the hell didn’t I think of that? “Fuck. I should have gotten us a hotel room.”
“Yeah, but I did need to get some cleaning done. The living room is almost finished.”
“It is? Send me a photo,” I instruct her. “And make sure you’re naked in it. ”
She laughs again. “I’ve been looking at your picture all day. I’ve never seen a man fill a tux so perfectly.”
“You should see me out of it.”
“I wish I could.”
I swallow hard, because if I thought I missed her before, now it’s at another level.
“Linc? Myles is looking for you,” Julia calls out from the shore. “Something about Holden and Blair’s gift.”
We’ve all gone in on their honeymoon together. Of all the places in the world, they chose Alaska. I guess they want to be alone. Myles plans to give it to them tonight.
“Okay,” I say, nodding at my stepmom. “I gotta go. Call you later?”
“I’ll probably be in bed by ten,” Tessa says. “I’m exhausted.”
I check my watch. “I’ll call you in an hour then.”
And I don’t care what my mom thinks. I don’t care what Jared thinks either.
I’m fucking obsessed with this woman. And I’m not letting anybody ruin that.