CHAPTER FIFTEEN #2
“Morning, Connie. Don’t worry. It’s a long story.”
I note Max staring at her like a wounded puppy. Do I have to talk to him about this again? I’ll wait until I’ve got the lowdown from Connie. I can’t concentrate on anything else until I know Angie is okay, and I’m hoping Connie might give me the answers I’m looking for.
“How was babysitting last night?” I ask her, hoping I sound laidback.
“It was fine, thanks. Josh slept all night, so I didn’t really see him,” she says over her shoulder while stirring porridge.
“Good.”
“Daddy, can I watch TV please.”
“Yeah, sure buddy. We’ll call you when your breakfast is ready,” I say absentmindedly, while I try to work out how to ask questions without being obvious. “I hope Angie didn’t keep you there all night.” I try again.
“It was okay. I was happy reading my book.”
Fuck. How late was she? “Sure, but it must have been pretty late. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Just ask her what time Angie came home, for fuck's sake,” Max growls into his coffee cup. “Even I can see what you’re getting at.”
I stare at him. “Hey, are you okay, man? It’s just you look like shit and don’t smell too fresh either, which is a little out there considering you said you were going for a walk on the beach last night. Did you go to that club or just the local brewery?”
He stares back, grumpy as all hell. I can’t remember the last time I saw him in such a state. “I had a change of plan and went for a few drinks.” Then a smirk appears on his face. “Actually, I bumped into an old friend. You remember Jade, right?”
A cold shiver runs down my spine. “Jesus, I’d prefer not to.”
He laughs. “She just likes a good time. You know that better than anyone.”
“Not me, thank fuck. She was more Ash’s type. That girl was trouble years ago and she hasn’t changed… so I’m told.”
“Oh, yeah. She’s very, very bad.” He smirks.
“I’ll just take Oz into the garden to eat his porridge, Tommy. It’s a beautiful day,” Connie interrupts, picking up the bowl and then calling for Oz. He runs into the kitchen, but she guides him out of the back door at lightning speed.
“What the hell was that?” I look at Max, a little pissed off. “Why did you talk shit in front of Connie? You’ve embarrassed the crap out of her. Did you have to?”
“Living with you, I’m sure she’s heard worse,” he says, staring into his coffee.
“I’m a married man. Remember that. At least, I was.
” My voice fades as I take a step back. I’m single again.
I should get used to it. “Anyway, tell me nothing happened with Jade last night. You know she has history with Ash, and Calla can’t stand her.
Come to think of it, Angie will have something to say about it—”
“Jesus, I get it. She’s not the most popular girl in town.”
“Not with the female population of Braebeach, no.” I raise my brow. That’s an understatement.
“Don’t sweat it, Tommy. I binned her after a couple of drinks. Her voice was grating on me.”
“Then what was all that about?”
“Just winding you up, that’s all. Do you think I don’t know how everyone feels about her? I just wanted to see the look on your face.”
Part of me doesn’t believe that show was for my benefit. “So, you weren’t trying to make Connie jealous?”
“What? No! It’s got nothing to do with Miss Goody Two Shoes.”
“Hey, she’s a good girl. There’s nothing wrong with that.” What the hell has got into him? “And get cleaned up, dude. You stink.”
“Love you too,” he mumbles, then gives me the finger. I get the message. It’s better to leave him with his fragile head and shit mood.
I step outside the garden door, taking in the wooden veranda, blue sky, and sea. It’s pretty mild this morning compared to the cold rain of the last few days. Connie is sitting at the outdoor table, listening to Oz chat away while he eats.
“Hey, you two.” I grin.
“Hey,” they say in unison, but Oz soon gets back to his porridge and I take a seat beside him. “I hope Max didn’t make you feel uncomfortable,” I ask Connie.
Her lips form a straight line. “No, he’s fine. I wasn’t really listening.”
Thank fuck for that. “Actually, I just wanted to ask you something without big ears in there making it into something it’s not.”
“Ahh, you want an update on Angie. She got home around one-thirty.”
I grin, loving how direct Connie is. “And she seemed okay to you?”
“Yeah. She was… okay, and the guy who took her out seemed nice.”
From my viewpoint, the guy sounds dull as shit. “Did you talk to him?”
“Yeah. He came back for coffee.”
My chest burns at the thought and I scratch my stubble jaw, hoping it was just coffee and nothing more.
“Anyway, I was beat by then, so I left.”
My eyes widen, but I stop myself from asking why she left them alone. I didn’t send Connie as a chaperone, although inside, I could smash something. Did they kiss? What time did he leave? That’s if he left. Fuck. I’m going over there.
“Was there anything else, Tommy? It’s just that I planned a playdate for Oz and Josh today.”
“No, you go ahead,” I say, a little lost in my thoughts. “But make sure Oz is back by three. We’re going swimming.” I smile at my boy and he gives me the biggest grin.
Connie gets up from her seat at the table and Oz does the same. “Say goodbye to Daddy, then go inside and brush your teeth. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Okay,” he sings, skipping towards me. “See you later, Dad.” Since when did he call me Dad? My little dude is growing up too quickly.
“Bye, buddy. Be good today.” I kiss the top of his head before he runs inside.
“Is everything okay?” Connie asks.
“Huh? Oh, yeah, all good,” I answer, still lost in thoughts of Angie. “Are you and Angie taking the boys somewhere special today?” I ask while she clears the breakfast bowls.
“Oh, Angie isn’t joining me. She has a lot of work to do, so I’m doing her a favour and taking Josh with us for a few hours. I’ve discovered a new indoor play barn in town. Should be fun, and I hope to meet a few other nannies too.”
My ears prick up at the first part of that sentence. Angie will be on her own all morning, so now is the perfect opportunity to get over there and put my mind at rest. The thought brings a smile to my face.
Before I leave, I should grab a shower. After sleeping all night on the floor, I smell like shit. I bet new guy never smelt like shit in his life.