Chapter Sixty
Linc
M el had her eight-month checkup yesterday, and Millie is right on track and healthy. We moved to seeing the doctor every two weeks last month, and it feels like we’re in the home stretch. We spend a little time each evening on Millie’s room. There’s been a lot of laundry and rearranging boxes of diapers in the hall closet, but it’s starting to come together.
We invited everyone over for dinner this evening. Marcus was sworn to secrecy when we told him about our relationship, so tonight, we will tell the rest of the crew.
Marcus and Mel are sitting at the island while I finish the steaks on the stove when the doorbell rings. Mel gets up and opens the door for Gigi and Lewis to walk in. I’m sort of shocked Lewis came this evening, but I’m excited to hang out with him for a bit. Hopefully, no one scares him away. Our group can be suffocating sometimes.
Gigi comes into the kitchen with ginger ale in hand and gives me a hug. She passes by Marcus with a “Hey.” Marcus nods his head in return, not even acknowledging Lewis.
“Hey Lewis, good to see you, man.” I extend my hand to him, and he shakes it with no response.
He stays by Gigi’s side; she motions toward me. “You remember Linc from the night we met?”
“Yeah, good to see you again.”
“It’s been a while; glad you could make it for dinner tonight. Can I get you something to drink?”
“Beer’s good.”
“Oh, sorry, we don’t keep alcohol in the place with Mel being pregnant. But we have a bunch of other choices.”
“Water’s fine.”
“You got it.” I hand him a water from the fridge.
Marcus finally speaks, but keeps his eyes on the soda in front of him. “How’s the job hunt going?” I didn’t know Lewis was out of work.
Lewis looks annoyed by the question, then gives him a short answer that’s becoming his trademark. “All right.”
Marcus nods, and I see the tattoos on his forearm flex.
Gigi smiles and rubs Lewis’ back. “He has two interviews this week.”
I glance at him as I take the roasted vegetables out of the oven. “What field are you in? I might have some people I could reach out to.”
“IT.” It’s like pulling teeth with this guy.
“Have Gigi give you my email and send me your resume. I can see if anyone I know has openings.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
I’m thankful when I hear the doorbell. Lewis has the personality of dry toast, and Marcus won’t give him or Gigi the time of day. I can understand him not talking to Lewis, but I’ve never seen him give Gigi the cold shoulder.
Mel answers the door as Marcus finally looks at Lewis. “Hopefully, one of the interviews pans out. Five months is a long time to be out of work.”
Shit, five months?
“He’ll do fine, Marcus.” Gigi steers Lewis toward Audrey and Jax as they enter the room.
I step closer to Marcus as the others are distracted. “He’s been out of work for that long?”
He just nods.
“How’s he getting by?”
“Daddy’s money.”
“Shit, must be nice.”
“Right?” He shakes his head.
“That doesn’t bother G?”
“It’s a sore spot for her. That’s why I brought it up.”
“So, you were just being a dick?”
He shrugs. “I don’t like him, Linc.”
“I can see that.”
Marcus stands to greet Jax and Audrey, and I go back to the stove.
Everyone grabs a plate and finds a spot either at our small kitchen table or at the island. Looking around, I think about how, in a couple years, Mel and I should look for a house where we can accommodate everyone. Maybe a patio where I can have a grill, a dining room where we can have a big table. I smile at the thought of Millie running around the backyard with Jax and Audrey’s child.
“So, what’s the occasion for a dinner party?” Audrey asks as she cuts her steak.
I smile and put my hand on Melonie’s thigh under the table. “We wanted everyone here because Mel and I want to let you know we’re officially in a relationship.”
Audrey smiles, and Jax has a look on his face like a child on Christmas morning. Gigi squeals and claps her hands while Marcus just grins.
“This is awesome.” Jax gets up to slap my back and give Mel a side hug in her chair.
“You two finally got your shit together,” Gigi says, then she turns to the group. “Pay up everybody, it’s my month. Venmo or cash accepted.”
Mel and I watch everyone pull out their phones and send Gigi money. I look at Mel and laugh loudly. She shakes her head.
“They’re ridiculous.”