Chapter 19
Tyler
It seems each time we’ve tried to set up a time to meet up, nothing has worked out to talk through the divorce. If I was one to believe in signs, I would say this divorce isn’t meant to be.
I haven’t heard from Indiana since the last time I was at her house.
I played catch with Noah for about an hour until it was time for dinner.
He begged his mom for me to stay, but I could tell Indy was uncomfortable with me in her space, so I came up with an excuse about needing to head out for a work thing.
I think she saw right through my lie, but she seemed okay with it.
Noah is a cute kid and I wanted nothing more than to be around him a little longer.
I don’t know how much time he gets around her boyfriend.
I also won’t lie that the thought of that stings me to my core.
It shouldn’t because I’m the asshole that dug my own grave on that, but I’m self-aware enough to say I fucked up.
When I was playing catch with Noah, the look of excitement each time he caught the ball successfully brought a feeling of pride to my heart.
I know the kid isn’t mine, but fuck did it feel good to see him happy.
Whatever Indy is doing with him, she’s doing a damn fine job raising him.
He’s polite and he’s fun to be around. I hope her boyfriend appreciates what a kindhearted soul Indiana is raising.
I’m meal-prepping in my kitchen, with the camera propped for content I’ll post later this week. My phone rings and I look to see it’s Clay.
Wiping my hands, I swipe and answer, “Hey, Clay, what’s up?”
“Hey, man. Not much. Whatcha up to?” I hear sounds in the background of some giggles I assume are Ella.
“Not much. Just recording some content.” I grab a few more items from the fridge to place on the counter.
“Cool. Abby’s friend Marissa is in town for work and we’re going out to dinner. We thought you’d be interested.”
“Not sure I’m up for being set-up right now, but thanks for thinking of me,” I say. I honestly don’t think I’d be a great date right about now with everything going on. I haven’t been on a date or hooked up with anyone since I ran into Indy.
Clay chuckles. “No, not like that. Um, Marissa’s girlfriend is back in California.
She couldn’t make it out this time around.
Marissa just wants to head out to dinner.
There’s that new spot in town…” I can hear some rustling like he’s covering the phone, but it doesn’t do much to mute the sound while he calls out to his fiancée, “Abby, what’s that place we’re headed to with Marissa tonight? ”
“?Vita!” I can hear her answer in the background.
“?Vita!” he says to me.
“Yes, I heard.”
“I hear it’s hard to get into. I think Kennedy pulled some strings to get reservations.”
“Okay, sounds good. What time should I meet you there?” I put the phone on speaker as I open a few more items on my counter.
“Seven. My mom is watching Ella and Lola. You know how River gets with all his weird instructions for the dog and Ella will be down for the night before we head out.”
We get the plans ironed out before we hang up.
Something about going out, knowing it’s not a date, makes me excited.
I need to distract myself. Workouts, social media posts, and work at the station aren’t cutting it anymore.
All roads lead to Indy—I need something else.
Maybe a night on the town will be just the thing to get my mind off my wife—or shall I say soon-to-be-ex-wife.
Just the thought of that makes my stomach roll. I hate the fact she will divorce me without knowing the real truth as to why I made her walk away from me five years ago. But it is what it is. She’s probably better off. I’m no good for her. Whoever this boyfriend is—he’s most likely a better fit.
?Vita! is so busy that it feels like a fire code violation. From the moment we walk in, I feel claustrophobic. Kennedy looks to be in her element, but it’s thanks to her we got ourselves a table to begin with. She knows Sergio, the owner of the swanky new spot.
We’re currently being ushered to our table by the owner himself, who is showing us all the intricacies of the restaurant as we pass them.
He has kept some of the old pieces of the building, trying to preserve old parts of Boston, while filtering in new things to make it more relevant to appeal to the newer generation.
The moment he saw me, he recognized me from my content. I promised I’d tag his restaurant in my stories tonight. The further we move through the restaurant, the more I realize how appealing this restaurant is. It has a nice feeling to it.
Abby’s best friend Marissa is a whole other factor altogether. From the moment I met her, I could tell she is—a lot. She is energetic and when she saw me, she took hold of my arm and hasn’t let go. Malloy’s smile grew and he hasn’t stopped smirking.
I know she isn’t attracted to me, but I know she’s trouble with a capital T.
We are walking deeper into the restaurant, and Marissa is pointing at a sconce that’s high up on the wall.
The glass has a beautiful rainbow effect of colors mixed in, a reflection on the wall that just adds to the ambiance of the dining experience.
I’m enthralled by the restaurant’s atmosphere, I’m not looking at any of the people around me until I hear my name being called.
“Tyler?” I hear a female’s voice calling.
I look to my left and that’s when I see Indiana sitting at a nearby table with a group of five people in a booth. Marissa and I both stop. It’s then I notice a gentleman sitting closer than the rest of those at the table. I assume it’s her boyfriend.
“Hey, Indiana,” I say, an easy-going smile taking over my face.
“What are you doing here?” she says, her eyes looking over at Marissa, landing on where we are joined.
“Oh, we’re here for dinner with my friends,” I jut my chin in the direction where Kennedy, River, Clay, Abby, Malloy, and Baylee walked off. “This is Marissa. Marissa, this is Indiana.”
Marissa doesn’t let go of where we are linked, but gives her the biggest smile. “It’s a pleasure. Isn’t this place amazing? Hunter has been promising to bring me here for the longest time. Right, baby?”
Then out of nowhere Marissa looks my way and nuzzles her face into my neck, and whispers under her breath, “Just go with it.”
I keep my gaze on Indy and I can see her assessing us. “This doesn’t seem like your scene, Ty.”
“Are you kidding? Hunter and I go out all the time. This guy doesn’t stop showing me off. I mean, he loves dancing all over town. This is just the appetizer tonight. Right, babe?” Marissa is too fucking much. I don’t know how Abby handles her as a best friend.
“Right, shnookums,” I ooze sarcasm, but I may as well have fun with it. The hell with the serious side of this whole thing. I wanted to have fun with my night; and Marissa is all about finding amusement in this moment, so I’ll join her.
“I’m Roger,” the gentleman to Indy’s right says.
Indiana seems to snap out of her assessment of Marissa and gains her composure. “I’m so sorry. This is my boyfriend, Roger.”
“Great to meet you, Roger. I’m Marissa and this is my hot-as-fuck man, Hunter,” she says as she runs her hand down my chest. She has no filter whatsoever.
It’s hard to contain my laugh. I swear one of the other guys at the table nearly chokes mid-sip of his beer as a result of Marissa’s crass language.
I shake Roger’s hand, then he proceeds to introduce us to everyone at the table.
“You know, before both of you walked by, we were in a heated discussion that both of you could help us with,” Roger begins.
“Oh, sweetie, I doubt they want to get involved in that discussion,” Indy says, embarrassment evident in her tone.
“No, I think they could help,” Roger is adamant.
“Sure, we can help, can’t we, Hunter, baby?” Marissa side-eyes me.
I shrug.
“Well, you see, at work, we have to do all these presentations. And the guys and I were discussing the exciting differences between Excel and Sheets. We are split between which is better. Indy doesn’t really care between either. Do either of you feel you can weigh in on which is best?” Roger asks.
At first, Marissa and I stand there, thinking he’s fucking with us, but after a few seconds, we realize he’s serious.
“Oh, you’re not fucking with us,” Marissa responds.
She laughs, encouraging the rest of the table to join in, although they aren’t feeling as jovial.
I’m looking between Roger and Indy, wondering what she sees in this guy because there’s nothing charismatic or fun about him.
This is what she has chosen in a partner?
“I guess, gun to my head, I’d choose Sheets?
” she says it more as a question, whereas I remain silent.
In all honesty, I couldn’t give two shits.
I’ve never thought of either platform for longer than a second in my lifetime and this guy is wasting an entire conversation while he has the most beautiful woman sitting next to him? I don’t get it.
Indy has a tight smile as she watches me and I can’t help, but take in the entire interaction. She knows this is bullshit and this guy isn’t right for her, but she’s so damn stubborn, she won’t admit it. Who am I to judge though?
I’m allowing Marissa to stand by me and caress me and pretend we’re dating while she has a girlfriend back home. I’m pushing Indy’s buttons and I’m liking that it’s getting a reaction from her. I can see it in the way she’s watching Marissa’s hand move along my chest.
“Listen, we’ve got to catch up to our friends. It was a pleasure meeting all of you. Indiana,” I nod at my wife, finding some pleasure in knowing I still hold that title over her for a little longer.
She nods in my direction. I don’t look at anyone else. Roger seems more perturbed Marissa chose Sheets over Excel versus my connection to Indy, but I couldn’t care less at this point.