She grins and holds up her spatula. “Over easy eggs coming right up.”
“Sans pickles and mustard?”
“You shall see,” she sings out.
I circle the island to start a cup of coffee in the Keurig. “How’d the chat with your brother go?” I talked to Kyle after his conversation with Sierra and assured him I’d look out for her.
“It surprised him, is all.”
“And your parents?”
“I have three missed calls from my father and eight from my mom. They know something. Whether it’s my new job or my leaving Devin, I have no idea."
“You’ll have to tell them eventually.”
“I know. I’m visiting them after this afternoon. Devin is out of town this weekend with his father for a work thing. I texted Kyle this morning and asked if he could help me move my things out.” She stops. “Shoot, I forgot to ask for my schedule. Do I work tonight?”
I shake my head. “Nope. We have the night off.”
“Oh, cool.” She places the eggs on the two plates next to her and slides one along with a fork in front of me. “Do you have any plans?”
“I’m having beers with some friends.”
She leans in, not bothering to touch her food, and places her elbows on the counter. “Do I know them?”
She doesn’t realize it, but her stance is giving me an even better view of her cleavage. She doesn’t have large boobs, but they’re also not small. My hands wouldn’t be full if I played with them.
I shove another bite into my mouth, hoping it distracts me from brainstorming about the things I could do to those breasts.
When I glance back to her face, she’s waiting for me to answer. Shit. I forgot she’d asked me a question.
“My friend Cohen.”
She flinches. “The guy from Twisted Fox?”
“Yes, that guy.”
She nods back and bites into her lower lip, looking disappointed. “Ahh … well, have fun.”
11
Sierra
“I can’t believe Devin is so stupid,” my mom says, squeezing a lemon into a pitcher of lemonade. Even though her face is twisted in disgust, you’d guess she was referring to a sunny day. She has the sweetest voice I’ve ever heard, and no matter how angry she gets, it never rises or changes. “What a little asshole.”
I crack a smile. “Oh my God!” I smack her arm as I walk past her and snag a cookie. “Mom!”
“What?” she asks, wiping her hands down her flowered apron. “He hurt you.”
She was waiting for answers as soon as I walked through the front door. She’d made my favorite cookies—cookies and cream cheesecake—and she was starting on the lemonade—also my favorite. She consoles through stomachs, claiming cookies and hot meals always make someone feel a little happier.
Nancy Lane is the sweetest woman you’ll ever meet. If someone is sick, she’s at their doorstep with chicken soup. If a family is in need of charity, she not only pulls out her checkbook, but she’s also at the family’s side, taking a list of anything they need.
I didn’t bother taking my time to break the news. I blurted out, “Devin cheated,” when I walked in.
She knew what to do—immediately wrapping me up in a hug as I cried for the ending of my marriage. Then, she told me she had cookies waiting for me.
She was right.
It did make me feel better.
Her calling Devin a little asshole puts a cherry on top.
Nancy Lane is not someone who curses on the regular.
She frowns. “I was so excited for you to get married. Maybe I pushed you too hard, and you should’ve waited. I should’ve known he was wrong for you.” She sniffles. “Mothers are supposed to know these things.”
I kiss her cheek. “Don’t worry. I threw something at his head.” I bite into a cookie and savor its yumminess. “Healthy communication at its finest.”
She circles her fingers around the handle of the pitcher, grabbing a few glasses, and I snag the plate of cookies while following her to the kitchen table. We sit down where my sister, Cassidy, is texting on her phone. She’s home from college—most likely so that my mom can do her laundry and send her back with food, so she doesn’t starve.
“Did you ask him why he did it?” my mom asks.
“He slept with someone because he was thinking with the scrawny thing between his legs. That’s the only explanation I have.” I pour myself a glass of lemonade. “No, wait. He told me it wasn’t so bad because it happened at a bachelor party.”
Cassidy drops her phone. “Ew. That’s really what happens at bachelor parties? I thought that was just in the movies.” She shudders. “Devin seriously sucks.”
“No, honey,” my mom says. “That isn’t what happens at all bachelor parties.”
Cassidy and I took after our mom in the looks department—blonde hair, lighter eyes, somewhat on the short side.
Even for her age, my mom is beautiful. She’s made it a full-time job to run charities, help people, work in the kitchen, and keep up with her appearance. She wears makeup and dresses up more than I do.
“Never get married,” I tell Cassidy, snatching another cookie. It seems leaving my husband has led me to turn to carbs, making Devin an even bigger bastard.
“Hey now, marriage is a beautiful thing,” my mom argues. “It’s just … sadly, some aren’t respectful to their vows.”
I reach out and capture her hand, lightly squeezing it, and see the compassion in her eyes. Right now, we’re both suffering through infidelities, but I’d take on my mom’s hurt over mine any day. Her heart is too big for this pain.
I cringe, wondering but too afraid to ask how she can look at dad, knowing what he did. I always saw her as this strong woman and was so proud when she threatened my father with a divorce. Then, I cried the day she told me she changed her mind and was taking him back. As much as I love my father, she didn’t deserve that, and he doesn’t deserve a woman as amazing as her.
“Now that I’ve decided I’m never getting married,” Cassidy says, shooting her attention to me, “what’s going on with you and the hot bartender? Eight people asked me about it at the gym this morning.” She pours herself a glass of lemonade. “And let me put it out there that Maliki Bridges is so much hotter than Devin.”
“Oh my God. People your age are talking about me?”
She shrugs. “You know it’s a small town, and you’re getting it on with the town’s hottest bachelor. People will talk.”
“Cassidy!” my mom shrieks, her tone having a sprinkle of warning in it.
“What?” she asks. “I bet he wouldn’t cheat at a bachelor party.”
I point to her bookbag on the floor. “Go study.”
She shakes her head, pulls out her ponytail, and glides her hand through her hair. “No, this conversation is so much juicier than Anatomy.”
My mom’s awareness slides back to me, her features loaded with concern. “Now that you’ve scared your sister out of marriage, we need to talk about your new job. Devin said you quit his father’s company, and word is, you’ve not only switched jobs, but also moved in with Maliki?” She touches her face and pauses, as if she’s thinking. “Now, honey, you know I don’t judge, but we didn’t spend thousands of dollars in education for you to end up working in a hole-in-the-wall bar. I don’t look down on those in the service industry, but I never want my daughter around drunk people. I’ve read plenty of crime books. Most serial killers prey on women at bars.”
“Yep! I just saw this Netflix documentary. That crap is creepy,” Cassidy cuts in and shuts her mouth when my mom shoots her a disapproving look.
“Cassidy, go study, text, take selfies, something,” she says.
She raises her hands high in surrender. “All right, I’ll keep my mouth shut, but I’m staying. I love hearing lectures that aren’t pointed in my direction.”
“Mom, it’s a transition period until I find another job,” I say in my best voice of reassurance. “I’m usi
ng my degree and renovating the pub, so technically, that’s my job. The bartending is for extra cash to get a new place.”
“You can stay here. Your room is always open. Plus, you know your father and I will help you with any financial issues you’re having.”
“I’m a grown woman. I’m not moving in with my parents or taking money from you.”
“Can I volunteer as tribute with the cash offer?” Cassidy interjects.
Instead of answering her, my mom keeps her focus on me. “Why not? I make amazing banana nut bread, you’ll always have a hot breakfast, and I’m sure I keep a home cleaner than a bachelor.”
“I’ll let you know if I change my mind, okay? But right now, I need to do this on my own. It’s time for me to figure out this new chapter in my life.”
“You’re not on your own if you’re living with another man.” Her words are gentle, but her blow is harsh. She’s trying her hardest to sound sweet, but it’s what she’s feeling at the moment.
“We’re friends.”
“I know you, honey. You wouldn’t just move in with someone like that.”
“We have separate bedrooms. It’s nothing different than when I lived in the dorms at college. I’m renting a room from him. That’s it.”
Cassidy snorts. “For now.”
“You’re right. I’m sure you weren’t an angel in college.” Mom wiggles her finger at me. “And you have fun explaining that to your father. Maliki’s family doesn’t have the best reputation in town.”
“Right now, neither does our family. Maliki is a loyal man, and I trust him more than I did my own husband.”
* * *
Kyle scrubs his hands together and surveys the living room of my condo—well, old condo. “Is that it?” He peeks over at me. “We’re leaving everything else, right?”
“Yes. All I want is my personal stuff,” I answer.
Rex groans and thrusts his arms out toward the living room. “Come on, sis. Take the TV. The couch. Something. That cheating bastard didn’t pay for all this shit himself.”
He’s right. I paid for half of everything—the down payment, the furniture, the bills. When the divorce papers are drawn up, I’ll insist we sell the condo and split the profit.
Easy-peasy.
Ending this divorce shouldn’t be a challenge.
“I don’t have anywhere to put it,” I answer. Nor do I want the memories of shit I shared with Devin. I’d rather buy new furniture.
“You know,” Rex sings, “I wouldn’t mind storing that sixty-inch flat screen in my living room.” He shrugs. “I’m that nice of a brother.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine, you can have the bedroom TV.”
“Hell yeah,” Rex says. His gaze darts around the room again. “What about the fine china? I could use something classier than paper plates.”
“Oh my God, you can have the dishes.”
“And the fridge?”
“Jesus, you’re not taking the fridge.” I push his shoulder. “Come on. I’ll treat you to pizza for being the muscles.”
“Pizza sounds awesome,” Rex says, snapping his fingers. “And speaking of pizza, you have to let your baby brother have that kick-ass pizza oven.”
“What the hell?” Kyle says. “That was my wedding gift.”
Rex slaps Kyle’s stomach. “If I recall, you told her you had the same one and fucking loved it. Your ass doesn’t need another.”
“Fine, you can have the pizza oven too,” I tell him.
* * *
“How’d you find out Devin cheated?” Rex asks, taking a bite of his pizza.
Fred’s Pizzeria is the only pizza joint in town, but even if it wasn’t, it’s still where I’d always come. They have the best pizza, subs, and garlic bread. If you’re looking to stuff yourself with carbs—which, apparently, is my new hobby—Fred’s is the place to go.
I saw the eyes on us when we walked in. That, or I’m so paranoid that I’m convinced anyone who looks in my direction knows what happened with Devin, as if a neon sign were shining above my head.
I take a drink before answering, “He was at a bachelor party and wasn’t smart enough to know that people talk. He had a restroom break with another woman, and when they came out, it was obvious what had happened.”
Rex smooths a hand over his mouth in an attempt to hide a smirk. “He could’ve been drunk and needed help finding his small dick.”
I tear off a piece of crust and toss it at him, giving him the dirtiest look I can muster. “I hate you.”
He holds up his hand. “Jesus, no more bread-throwing, crazy woman. You know I’m kidding.” He leans back and relaxes in his booth. “I was never a Devin fan, so no love lost there. He was lame, and hopefully, your next boyfriend”—he stops to dramatically cough and covers his mouth—“Maliki”—another cough—“has somewhat of a sense of humor.”
I chew on my bottom lip. “Hey, he wasn’t that lame.” I ignore the Maliki comment. Everyone is calling Devin lame, so what does that make me for marrying him? Lame, too?
Rex snags his drink and takes a sip. “You were complacent with him. He did what you wanted … had no balls.”
“He had enough balls to cheat,” I fire back.
“He hardly challenged you, and I know from growing up with your mean ass that you love being challenged. Sure, you liked him, but he was the easy way, not love, love.”
Frustration rattles through me. Not at my brother, but at being so blind. Marrying Devin was a mistake.
I level my elbow on Kyle’s shoulder, who’s next to me in the booth, and narrow my eyes on Rex across from us. “Okay, Dr. Drew, how are you such an expert on relationships? You’ve never even had a serious girlfriend.”
“Coaches don’t play, sister.” He shrugs and pops a pepperoni in his mouth.
I roll my eyes. “You’re dying old and alone.”
“No, I’ll have my booty calls at my funeral, crying at my casket, sad that their favorite screw bit the big one.”
I glance over at Kyle. “Swear to God, you’re taking care of him when the nursing home kicks him out for bad behavior.”
My arm falls when Kyle shifts to look at me. “Nope, dear sister. He’ll shack up with you, considering you’ll both be single.”
“I hate you too,” I grumble, pushing my hand over his hair, messing it up as he attempts to pull away.
“Where are we moving your shit, by the way?” Rex asks.
“You moved my stuff all day and never thought to ask that?” I reply.
Kyle chuckles, shaking his head. He borrowed Gage’s truck, and after dinner, we’re dropping off what I’m not taking to Maliki’s at the storage unit I rented.
A wide grin spreads across Rex’s face. “I was too busy staking out the residence for shit I wanted you to give me.”
I roll my eyes.
“You still haven’t answered my question,” Rex continues. “Are you moving home? I have an extra bedroom at my place if you want to crash there.”
“Hang out with your college buddies?” I ask. “I appreciate the offer, baby bro, but that’s a hard no.”
“You know the offer still stands to stay with me,” Kyle says.
“Your place is full,” I say. “Not to mention, you have so much happening with Chloe and Trey. It’ll be uncomfortable for everyone there.”
Chloe is Kyle’s girlfriend, and Trey is her nephew. Trey is also our half-brother. Chloe never told Kyle that my dad was Trey’s father, even after they started dating. Our family found out at the same time as everyone in town. All thanks to Chloe’s sister, Monica’s boyfriend shouting it out for everyone to hear. That was the night I went to Maliki. The night our family changed. Now, Trey comes around from time to time. Kyle and him are close, given they live together, and Rex bombarded himself into Trey’s life, wanting a relationship with him. Rex felt bad for him, that he’d been handed such a shitty life, and wanted to change that. My brothers have taken him under their wing.
“So, Mom and Dad’s
it is,” Rex says, sipping his Coke.
I shake my head.
His lips form a wide grin. “I know where this is headed. You’re moving in with your side boy toy. I dig it.” He dramatically waggles his eyebrows.
“Shut up. I don’t have a side boy toy.”
Rex snorts. “Who is Maliki to you then, huh? Even when you were with Devin, you had a thing for him.”
“We’ll be roommates for a minute. That’s it,” I answer.
“Holy shit, so you are moving in with him.”
“It isn’t like that,” I argue.
“Keep your head straight, sis,” Kyle says. “Maliki is cool, but as long as I’ve known him, he doesn’t do committed relationships. You’re already dealing with a broken heart, and I have a feeling a broken heart from him will be harder on you.” He shakes his head. “Ki won’t let it get that far though, so you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.”
Kyle’s warning tugs at my heart. He’s not only right about Maliki not doing a committed relationship, but he’s also spot-on with how Maliki has the ability to pulverize my heart.
He did it that night I found him in his office.
It’s a bad idea, moving in with him, but any opportunity I get to be around him, I’ll take, consequences be damned.
“Not to mention, you’d be hooking up with your roommate and boss,” Rex adds.
I groan. “Can we stop talking about my love life now and move on to someone else’s?”
“Trust me, you don’t want to talk about mine,” Kyle says. “We’ll be here all night.”
I smile over at my big brother. “But you and Chloe are happy now, so that’s all that matters.” I clap his shoulder. “How are things with the adoption agency coming?”
He releases a stressed breath, gritting his teeth. “We’re trying, but with her family’s history, it’s proving difficult.” A grim expression falls across his face.
This isn’t the place to discuss his relationship.
So, on to Rex.
“Looks like we’re moving on to you, little brother.”
Just Roommates Page 9
