8. Michael
“Tell me exactly why you’re doing this? I thought we were having a low-key Fourth of July at the beach.
” Lexi raises a brow, setting down two beach chairs on the white sand next to the four I already set up.
She eyes me skeptically when she should be monitoring her kids as they play catch with a football.
I mean, she’s acting like this whole thing is a huge deal when it’s not.
At least that’s what I’m telling everyone.
“This is low-key,” I lie, hoping my aviators hide the anxiety in my eyes.
She looks meaningfully at the portable Weber grill I bought for the occasion, the new umbrellas and towels I got from Costco yesterday, the beach games I borrowed for the afternoon from my neighbor, and the three coolers full of food and beverages I spent all last night preparing.
“Bagged sandwiches and sodas and water in a cooler is low-key. A whole barbecue, fire pit, and prepared foods is not low-key,” Lexi’s wife, Lauren, adds.
“Not to mention the amount of people you invited. It’s crazy. Call it what it is—this is basically a full-on party at this point.”
“It isn’t a party. And I only invited people who are close to us.”
“Right. And this new woman in your life.” Lauren snorts.
I wipe a bead of sweat from my forehead before laying out the blankets and beach towels.
“Can you help with these, please? And she’s not a new woman in my life.
I didn’t invite her. Yes, she’s become a sort of friend—kinda.
” Maybe? “But it’s only because her daughters are Rachel’s best friends at the moment.
I invited them. And considering everything Rachel’s been through this past year, I am super grateful for their existence.
” The fact that Diana is their mom is just a bonus.
A very hot one. “Last year was super difficult for Rach—it was a new school and she didn’t have many friends. This summer has been great for her.”
Lexi gives me a hesitant smile. “That’s great that they’ve gotten so close. Though aren’t you concerned about what it will do to her at the end of the summer when they go back home? Because they aren’t from around here, right? So, it’s not like these will be permanent friends.”
“Yeah, what happens when they leave?” Lauren asks.
I frown, readjusting the umbrellas for the millionth time now for maximum coverage.
“I know. They’re from Denver.” I almost spit out the word like it’s a dirty one.
“But I’m trying to focus on the now. If this is what makes Rachel happy, then I’m not going to stand in her way.
Her well-being is my number one priority.
We’ll deal with her friends leaving when it comes.
” Lexi grins at me, so I groan. “What now?”
“Nothing.” She shakes her head with a smile on her face. “It’s just so nice to see you this way. Being a parent definitely suits you.”
My heart swells with pride, but I can’t help the bout of imposter syndrome I feel every day. “She’s an amazing kid. It’s all her. And hopefully, last year was just a fluke, and the kids at her new school will realize this, too.”
God, I hope so. I can’t stand the thought of my daughter hurting even more than she is. Though we haven’t spoken much about it. I’ve been patiently waiting for her to come to me—to talk to me about what’s been going on.
“I’m sure they will.” Lexi pats me on the back. “And I’m sure she’s excited you set up this party. And hopefully you’re also excited for it?” She smirks.
I roll my eyes. “I never should’ve told you guys about Diana. Admitting I found Rachel’s friends’ mom attractive was the worst mistake of my life.”
Lexi snorts. “Really? The worst mistake of your life? I’ve known you forever; are you sure you don’t want to include the ridiculous frosted tip hairstyle you had in high school?”
I cringe. Thank god I’ve gotten rid of all the photos from back then, all evidence of that horrible hair color gone from existence.
“Or that time you thought it would be a great idea to go rock climbing with absolutely no training whatsoever, and ended up with a broken arm and leg? Not to mention the stitches on your forehead!”
My fingers unconsciously reach for the scar just above my right eyebrow, barely visible to anyone but me. “Those were questionable choices, not mistakes.”
“Oh, buddy. Believe me when I say that hair was a serious mistake—far from questionable. The only questionable thing is whether or not we’re even related.”
“It was the aughts. Everyone was doing it. And I was going through my rebellious phase.”
Lexi scoffs. “And the rock climbing?”
“That was…” A cry for help? I almost say.
Something I didn’t realize until well into adulthood.
Maybe part of me wanted to see if my parents gave a shit about whether I hurt or not.
What they really gave a shit about was the medical bill that stunt I pulled came with. “That was a stupid thing to do.”
“Understatement of the century,” she mutters, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
I hear Lauren gasp behind me. “Michael. Are… are those flowers sticking out of that beach tote? Did you bring flowers to a beach barbecue?”
I flush bright red, staring at the white daisy arrangement I picked up on my way here. “I… I wanted the set-up to look nice,” I say, trying to act cool but all too aware of the defensiveness in my tone.
“Oh, Michael. No,” Lexi says softly, shaking her head.
“Will you just help me finish setting up these umbrellas?” I ask with a huff.
“Pretty sure you’ve moved them in every statistically possible position, but okay.”
It’s not long after that the others begin to trickle in, joining me and the women. Vinny, the Castelli sibling closest to my age, helps me heat up the grill while Danielle, his wife, wrangles their children.
“You’re tense,” Matt, Vinny’s old college buddy and his little sister’s husband, whispers. When he slaps me on the back, I flinch a little. “And jumpy. What’s with you?”
I look nervously around us, making sure Lexi and Lauren are out of earshot, and therefore able to keep their noses out of my business. I’m not safe from them giving me shit. “I’m fine. Just trying to make sure everything is set for today and tonight. I want everyone to have a good time.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “You sure?”
“Of course I’m—” But my words turn to ash on my tongue when my eyes fall on Diana. She’s a vision—a fucking dream—walking toward us from the path between the dunes in denim shorts, a white tank, and with what looks like a red bikini underneath.
Lord, give me strength.
I try to swallow the rock in my throat once.
Twice. Three fucking times. But fail miserably as my eyes stay fixed on Diana’s moving figure, her lithe, curvy body walking through the sand, beach tote in one hand, sandals dangling from her fingers on the other.
My concentration only breaks when her girls come barreling toward us, screaming for my daughter.
The girls crash into each other in a group hug, and for the first time, I wonder whether my cousin and her wife were right.
Whether this friendship I thought was a blessing might end up being a curse—for all of us.
Because I’m realizing that Rachel has come alive since making new friends, and maybe this thing I have for Diana is definitely more of a crush.
How high school of me.
A drum beating against my ribs, I can’t help my smile when I greet her with a simple, “Hey.”
“Hey back.” She grins, eyes fixed on mine.
After what could’ve been an hour or a second, Matt breaks through our silence—thank god—by sticking his hand out to her. “Hey I’m Matt, by the way. Matt Wilson.”
Diana greets him with her most beautiful smile, making me have to calm down the sudden feelings of jealousy coursing through me.
I realize it’s irrational for so many reasons—we’re not dating and most of our interactions up until now have been tense.
Not to mention the fact that Matt is married, for Christ’s sake—but it’s instinctual.
My lizard brain yearns to yell Mine! and take her by the hand, maybe sneak a make-out session by the dunes.
It’s a new feeling, this possessiveness—it catches me off guard. In general, I’ve never been a jealous guy. The idea of barking the words “Get your hands off my girl” has never even crossed my mind. And yet, the second their hands meet, I feel a shift inside me.
Idiot, Michael. You’re an idiot.
“Hey, yeah. We’ve actually met. At Barbara’s wedding?” She smiles at Matt, who blushes in embarrassment.
“Oh, man. You’re right. I’m so sorry.” He facepalms.
Diana shakes her head softly, the wind blowing at the loose, soft tendrils framing her face.
“No—don’t worry about it. It was a busy night, and we only spoke for five seconds.
” She’s being way too kind to him. I can’t imagine anyone meeting Diana and forgetting about her—even if it was only after a five second conversation.
“I also met your wife, who’s great, by the way. ”
Matt smiles wildly, a goofy grin. I realize in that moment my jealousy is even dumber than I thought, because Matt is still head over heels for his girl and everyone knows it. “Yeah, Liza really is,” he tells her with a sigh.
“So how has your summer been?” he asks.
She blows a puff of air. “Well, it’s been good. Barbara has been amazing in letting us borrow her guest house—which, like, is the size of a normal-sized house, if you ask me.” The three of us chuckle in agreement. “I’m really bummed she couldn’t make it today, though.”
“That’s the life of a movie star,” he says with a grin.
“Ha. I guess so. I just feel bad because she’s been so good to us, and I have no idea how to even thank her.
My daughters have been having an amazing time at camp and stuff this summer, and I definitely owe that to her.
I mean, just ask Michael! They’ve definitely kept themselves busy with Rachel, too. ”
“So we covered your daughters. But how has your summer been?”