18. Melanie #2
“I didn’t even know they were planning on live music tonight,” Jaz says excitedly, pointing at the instruments already set up on the stage. “How’s that for good timing?”
From my other side, Rosie asks, “Who’s playing?” She grabs her beer, tipping the glass to her lips, looking more relaxed than I’ve seen her in a while.
“It’s a local band, The Swinging Hammers,” Jaz drops casually. Rosie’s eyes widen as I snort.
“I’m sorry,” Rosie demands, smacking her glass back down on the table. “Did you say The Swinging Hammers?”
“Yep!” Jaz’s eyes are dancing, her smile impish. “Might be because two of them are construction workers, but there could also be other reasons.” She finishes her drink just as the red-headed server swishes past our table. Jaz whistles loudly, catching her attention. “Randi, another round, please!”
The server sends her a scathing look. “Do I look like a goddamn dog, Jaz?”
She blinks rapidly. “I’m not sure I should answer that.”
Randi’s mouth twitches as she shakes her head. “You’re a bitch. You’re lucky I don’t mind you.”
“Love you, too, girl!” Jaz bangs her fist on the table, chanting, “Beer, beer, beer!”
Randi narrows her eyes. “I’ll kick you out. Don’t push me.” She turns and strides away, her ass swinging in her tight jeans.
I point a finger at Jaz. “If she spits in my beer, you’re drinking it.”
She shrugs. “Okay.”
I laugh before tipping my head toward the stage, asking curiously, “You know the band?”
“The drummer is Cale’s best friend. Garth. They’ve been joined at the hip since grade school.”
“I know him,” I admit, pursing my lips, hating that even the mention of her brother makes my heart trip all over itself. “I owe him money, actually. But he’s been dodging my calls.”
Her brows climb her forehead. “Why d’you owe him money?”
“He fixed my bathroom floor. And he was the one who fixed things up after my house was broken into.”
Something like understanding flashes across her expression. Her eyes dip away from mine, focusing on Rosie. “Who’s got Nell tonight?”
I squint at the less-than-subtle change of subject, shrugging it off when Rosie tells her, “My mom. She lives in a small in-law unit behind my house. Nell loves having impromptu sleepovers.”
“I love that. One of the reasons Lanie and I moved back was because my family is here. Although I wish I had a little space.” She grimaces. “Never thought I’d be living with my parents again in my thirties, yet here we are.”
“I’ll switch with you,” I joke. “Can’t even remember the last time I saw my parents, and Oak’s got no relationship with them at all.”
“How is Oakley?” Rosie asks, tone concerned. I’d already shared everything that went down with Davis and Oakley’s reluctance to leave with him. “Have you heard from him at all?”
Uneasiness beats at me as I pull my phone out, but there are still no messages. “No, nothing. I called earlier, and Davis sent me to voicemail.” I look up, meeting her eyes. “I hate that I couldn’t just tell him to fuck off.”
“Was he always like this?” Jaz asks.
“No, not really. He’s always had issues.
He was abandoned as a baby and spent his whole childhood in foster care.
Physical affection didn’t come easily to him, or even telling Oakley that he loved him.
He seemed happy, though…until last year.
I don’t even know what changed for him, but he was spending more and more time at work.
Even when he was home, he wasn’t really there.
” I tap my fingers to my temple, hating the bitterness that’s swelling.
“He’d be on his phone or coming up with any reason he could to not spend any time with us. ”
Rosie shuffles her chair closer to me, leaning against my side. “It’s not your fault,” she tells me sincerely. “Everything he’s done, not a single ounce of it is a reflection on you.”
I swallow thickly, my throat feeling tight. “Logically, I know that—”
“But tell that to your self-esteem,” Jaz cuts in, her mouth twisted, clearly thinking of her own ex.
She sighs heavily, focusing back on me. “Can you go back to the courts and stop Oakley’s visits with him?
If Oakley doesn’t want to go, and Davis rarely shows up…
plus you add in the issues with Clarissa… ”
“I’m terrified that if I go to the courts, Davis will drag it out, forcing me to spend money I don’t have. He wants me to sell my house or buy him out, and”—I squeeze my eyes shut, his earlier threat ringing in my ears—“he’d be underhanded enough to use custody as a way to force me to do it.”
“What happens if you sell?” Jaz asks. “Realistically.”
I look up at her. “I couldn’t afford to buy another place, so I’d have to rent, and the market in Sterling Creek is…”
“Bone-dry,” Jaz says. “Believe me, I know. It’s not actually out of choice that Lanie and I are still with my parents.”
“I don’t want to uproot Oakley, you know? All our memories are in that house, and it’s the only home he’s ever known. But…”
“But?” Rosie prods.
“Maybe it would be better if I got him away from Davis and all this shit happening with Clarissa and Marcy.” I wet my lips, staring down at my drink. “I want to do what’s right for Oakley, and I am terrified that every move is the wrong one.”