“And do what in the meantime?”
“Look around for someone I want to be with more than her.”
Trick shrugs, looking like he’s got more on his mind than he’s saying.
“What’s up, man? What’s the rush?” I ask.
“You guys are right together. That’s a fact. I’ve seen you with a lot of women over the years, C. Not once have you come close to a serious relationship with anyone other than her. On the first night you were with Zoe, you brought her home with you and moved her in. The first night.” He flips a hand to emphasize his point. “Plus, you’ve got a billion dollars, C. You need helpspending some of that. You’re gonna have kids, right? Now’s a good time.”
That makes me laugh. “Now we’re getting to the bottom line. You think I should have kids now because you and ‘Vil are.”
Trick nods, tapping his thumb on the bar. “C Crue pool parties and barbecues are gonna be lit.”
“Is that right? That’s the replacement for sex clubs and raves, huh?” I blow out a breath and shake my head. “I’m not sure I’m gonna have kids at all. If I do, it definitely won’t be right away.”
Trick stares at me like I’ve said I’m not sure whether I’ll torch my house.
“For someone so wild, you’ve gotten very domestic very fast, man,” I say.
“No kids? What the hell are you gonna do with your money?”
“Buy apartments that no one lives in,” I say dryly. “Did you always know you wanted kids?”
“Always.” Trick pops his knuckles. “No kids?” he muses, shaking his head. “I think you’ll change your mind. You should’ve seen ‘Vil with Irina tonight. If any of us wasn’t gonna have kids, I would’ve put my money on him. Now look at him. Irina is legit adorable, and he’s here for it.”
“If you’re looking for kids from me soon, you’re backing the wrong girl, Trick. Zoe wants to be a performer. She’s taking voice lessons, acting lessons, the whole nine. She’s not gonna put her career on hold to have babies when it’s just taking off.”
“Condoms break. My pregnant wife’s proof of that.”
I exhale. “All right, enoughModern Familytalk. Let’s get to it. If I wanna hit a dungeon tonight, you up for that?”
“To play? No way.” He stands and stretches. “But I’ll come as the C Crue gun that’s covering you.”
I roll my eyes. “And do what? Sit in the corner and play on your phone while I go at it?”
“Probably.”
“Really? You’re serious about no dungeons again ever?”
“I mean… not without Laurelyn, and she’d have to suggest it. Dungeons are hardcore. That’s not someplace I’d take her unless she said she was curious and wanted to check it out.”
“Do you think she would eventually?”
“I doubt it.” He smiles and rubs his wedding ring. “She’s a good girl. That kind needs to be corrupted in private. Luckily, all the things I really like I can do in my own house. Getting back to a dungeon is not a priority for me.”
I rub the back of my neck, thinking about what that was like. When I had Zoe in my bed I didn’t care about going to dungeons either. Tonight’s different. Tonight, I need an outlet so I don’t chase her around New York.
Chapter
Sixteen
ZOE
Hanging poolside with Rachel in her dad’s backyard was something I always loved when we were younger. Now that she has a heated pool in her own yard, it’s natural that we revisit our favorite pastime. I didn’t expect to be doing it in September, but we’re having a weird heatwave. It’s eighty-five degrees and sunny, like the weather hasn’t gotten the memo about summer being over.
Because of the heat, I was happy to escape New York for the weekend. A Friday afternoon with Rach is just perfect, and it’s great to have Laurel join us, too, because her sense of humor has turned out to be more wicked than I expected. I like it.
The problem with Laurelyn being with us is that then Trick, who apparently texts with her all day long, finds out. So after the C Crue workday in the main house finishes up, C and Trick decide to come over.
