Chapter 16 #2
Katherine mentioned that they’d met for lunch last weekend. It took all he had not to ask if she’d asked about him. Mentioned him. Said she wanted him back.
The mug hit the table, jerking him back into the conversation. Both men were staring at him. Had he missed something? “What?”
Lucas’s gaze stayed steady. “I asked how you’re doing, but you were spaced out.”
“Fine. I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine. Ever heard of scissors?” Lucas’s own hair was close cropped. The server approached. “Trina here might be able to tell you a good place to get a shave.” His light brown eyes glinted as he waited for her reaction.
Trina’s brown hair was trimmed short. Not quite a buzz cut, but barely long enough to style. It suited her don’t-fuck-with-me vibe better than her longer hair had.
Her glare could’ve melted the stool from under Lucas. It lightened when she looked at him and Caleb. He was only mildly interested in what was going on between the two, and only because he wanted to know if anyone was as miserable as him. “Can I get you two anything?”
“Not going to ask me?” Lucas waggled his mug.
She ignored him. “More of the same?”
Caleb handed her a twenty. “We’ll each take one more. Even jackass over here.”
Lucas’s expression sobered. “Thanks, but I’ll pass. I gotta be up early in the morning.” His sudden shift made them all give him a second glance, even Trina.
When she left, Caleb scowled at Lucas. “Is this one of those times they talk about the boy being mean because he likes the girl?”
Lucas shook his head. “I can’t get a reaction out of her for the life of me. We grew up next to each other.”
“Everyone thought you two would end up together. Until you married Shaylee.” Caleb shot him a bemused look. “That wedding was legend.”
Lucas snorted. “It should’ve been a sign that the marriage was doomed.” He shook his head, his gaze trailing after Trina, who’d disappeared behind the bar. “She won’t talk to me unless she’s forced to take my order.”
A spark of jealousy flared. At least there was still a reason for Lucas to talk to her.
But Justin wouldn’t cross paths with Priya—ever.
They lived on opposite sides of town. All her patients were women.
She hardly went to bars. He hardly went out.
The only thing binding them together was their friendship.
He missed it. Maybe that’s why he was reeling his way past their argument. He missed his friend. How calm she was when Isaiah was bringing down the house around them. Her love of baking. The food she cooked.
Over a month had gone by and at home, he picked up his socks, hung up his towels, and gave Isaiah’s toys a regular wash.
She’d been right. The shower was easier to clean with that fancy soap.
He’d never been a slob, but maybe he’d let things go out of spite.
The ultramodern, sanitized life wasn’t him, but neither was how he’d lived since returning to Moore.
Earlier today, Justin had wandered through his kitchen, noting the age and inconvenience of everything.
The space could use a major upgrade beyond new appliances.
The house was forty years old. He could have part of a wall removed and open up the kitchen to the dining room.
Make it airy and inviting. Modern. Moore modern. Not upscale-Denver modern.
“Holy shit.” Lucas’s voice broke through. “Something’s going on with you. Who is she?”
Justin’s brows dropped. Had Lucas heard something?
It didn’t matter, did it? What would happen if people knew he and Priya had slept together? Nothing. She’d go to work. He’d ranch. It wasn’t like they were some adored couple that had broken up.
Exclusive friends with benefits. They’d been casual. Because he had no place in his life for a relationship.
Yeah. That was it.
Caleb watched him as he took a swig. When had their new drinks been dropped off? Anyway, the man knew the whole sordid story but he wasn’t giving up Justin. And Justin trusted him not to. There weren’t many people he trusted. At all.
He never used to be like that, but he’d handed that power over to Gabrielle, too. And Maisy. He’d let their behavior convince him that he couldn’t trust anyone. He’d become a borderline hermit.
“Priya Patel.” Saying her name was like flipping the release on a pressure cooker.
Caleb sputtered against his bottle. He wasn’t the only one surprised that Justin had opened his mouth and told someone about part of his life.
“We were sleeping together, trying to keep it casual, and when she wanted more, I…”
“Lost your shit,” Lucas supplied as if he’d been there himself.
“Not that bad. Look, do you know what Maisy was like?”
Lucas’s gaze strayed to Caleb, like he was seeking permission to answer honestly. Caleb dipped his head and Lucas finally answered. “No offense to the dead, but she was crazy. I don’t mean it superficially, but she was a narcissist.”
He wasn’t expecting Lucas’s clarity. The more he was around, the more Justin realized he’d underestimated the guy.
“And the woman I dated before her was exactly the same, only sophisticated about it. White-collar manipulation, and she played me well. It was a very one-sided relationship.”
Lucas traced a finger through the condensation of his beer mug. “Relationships where one party holds the power can be toxic.”
It sounded like Lucas was better off divorced. But Justin didn’t feel better off without Priya. “That’s the thing. I felt balanced with Priya. We were friends. Nothing more.”
This time Caleb chimed in. “But you were sleeping together.”
Then Lucas. “Did you hang out and talk?”
Justin grudgingly answered. “We like the same wine and yeah, I mean, we talked.” A lot. “Like I said, we were friends.”
“Let me get this straight.” Lucas’s attention was lost for a second and Justin didn’t have to look to know Trina was walking by.
“You two hung out, had sex, and played around with your kid together. You probably talked about future plans—just not future plans together—and now that she’s gone you feel like your heart’s been ripped out, stomped on, and fed to the pigs. ”
The sympathy in Caleb’s gaze unnerved Justin. If he was looking at Justin with pity, there was a reason. “That, my friend, is what you call a relationship.”
Misery hung heavy on his shoulders. “I suppose you’re going to say ‘I told you so.’”
“Nope,” Caleb answered. “I do have a few questions though. Are you crazy about her?”
Justin clenched his jaw, afraid to answer.
“Okay. Do you think the risks of a real relationship are worth having her in your life?”
He had to look away. “You said it yourself. She’d make a horrible rancher’s wife. She hates my house, wears brand-name clothing, and, honestly, is a tiny bit high-maintenance.”
The next words of wisdom came from Lucas.
“She’s not the rancher. You are. She’s a doctor and can buy herself brand-name clothing.
I would if I had to look at vaginas all day.
I mean, dudes joke about how awesome that would be, but…
” He sat back with a shrug. “And all women are a tiny bit high-maintenance.”
“Even your sister,” Caleb added.
“I don’t want to hear about you and Brigit.” Though he was slightly curious about how they’d overcome their obstacles. Caleb and Brigit had had a rocky start, but they were a tight couple.
“Brigit organizes the shop,” Caleb said. “I dare you to park the riding lawn mower in the wrong spot and leave your tools out after an oil change. I dare you.”
A hesitant smile lifted his lips. So maybe he was more open to a relationship than he’d thought. “I ruined it. I’m done with the on-again, off-again.”
Lucas spread his hands. “But you said you were never on. So ask her to go steady.”
Both guys grinned at him like it was the perfect solution.
“I can’t just walk up to her door and say, ‘Hey, I’m ready to be a thing now.’”
“Nope,” Lucas agreed. “You get yourself a haircut, trim the shaggy beard, and find something that doesn’t have sheep shit smeared on it. Win her back.”
Caleb sat forward. If Justin wasn’t careful, these two guys were going to plan the whole affair without him. “Brigit said Priya had some fancy fund-raiser coming up.”
“Wait. Brigit talked to Pri?”
“They’re friends.” Caleb smirked. “Only like, real friends and not—”
“Finish,” Justin growled.
“Well, you were a big-shot business guy. Get out your finest suit, knot that tie, and go close the deal.”
Close the deal. He’d never been one to back down when his future was riding on the outcome.