I let my steps fall a little louder than they need to as I come down the stairs, making my presence known.
Presley's sleek brown hair still looks perfectly styled. Besides the ice on her hand there’s not a scratch on her.
I hesitate at the bottom of the stairs, not sure if I should thank her or apologize. She simply threads her arm through mine.
“Come on. Stay a while longer. Let's finish our wine now that the bimbo is gone.” She plops down on a stool. I snort.
“It’s really not her fault. It’s embarrassing I let it get so far before I divorced him.” I swirl my glass, “Blinded by potential, I guess.”
She nods enthusiastically.
“I saw this thing that said, ‘Potential isn’t real, it’s just what you would do in their position.’” Presley shrugs a shoulder like she didn’t just drop some prophetic bomb on me.
“Shit. I think you just summed up my entire marriage right there.” I slip onto the seat next to her. “Thanks for that though. I missed most of it, but it was like I blacked out with a Mike Tyson fight on the tv in the background.”
“Basically," Presley laughs and runs a hand through her dark hair. “She knew what she was doing and ain’t anyone gonna convince me otherwise.”
Ryan snags the cheesy potato wedge from Presley's hand just as she is about to place it into her open mouth, and stuff it into his own. He grins at her with a chipmunk cheek.
She scoffs at him and looks him up and down with judgment.
“Honey, if you wanted attention, all you had to do is ask.” Her southern accent comes across asplayful. Ryan just leans on his forearms on the counter in front of her.
“Okay, I’m asking.”
“Oh, please. I’ve seen your kind before. Go away, Thief.” She rolls her eyes and pushes at his chest. “I’m not playing your game.”
I try to wipe away my smile but fail. “Thanks for the wine. I needed that.”
Presley pops up to hug me and puts my number in her phone, making me promise to text her for brunch sometime.
I scan the room to say goodbye to Rachel, but I notice she’s head-to-head with Ronan leaning over his phone. I don’t see Tate anywhere.
“Bro, you’re a simp.” Quade calls to Ronan who’s blocking him and Fitz from taking his phone as he texts. He’s leaned backwards over the couch, kicking at him.
“No, I’mSimply in love with my wife.” Ronan shoots back.
Rac
“You’re not married.” Fitz cackles
“Yet.I told you, she’s focused on her career.” A shriek breaks loose from Ronan as Fitz holds his legs and Quade dives for the phone. I grin as I slip out of the house.
I cross the grass to my own door. I’m surprised to see Tate standing at my door. He raises hishand to knock, then lowers it. He grips the back of his neck and turns to go back home. He turns around again to knock.
I decide then to put him out of his misery.
“Hi.”
He jumps with surprise.
“Oh, I thought you’d.. already left.” He shoves his hands in his pockets. If i’m not mistaken there’s a faint blush on his cheeks. It’s hard to tell underneath his tan skin and the dark.
“No, just read to the boys and said goodnight.” I gesture behind me. God, I'm being awkward. I don’t know how much he heard about TJ and I haven’t had much time to process it myself. I have no idea how to talk about it.
“I was just coming to check on you. I’m sorry about Presley. She’s always been a little quick on the trigger. It's specifically why she wasn’t allowed on our hunting trips with Dad.” He chuckles. “I just wanted to lay eyes on you… Make sure you’re really alright.”
“I will be.”
