“I’m doing good. Just sold my old spot to Ace. Gonna invest on the shack and breathe for a bit.”
He places a twelve pack of Seattle’s finest IPA in my fridge and sets a bottle ofPatronin the cupboard over my fridge. “Thanks, my man.” I hold my hand out for another beer and ignore that fucking bottle.
“I get the need to breathe. Take your time. PIT is in good hands and we can start booking when you say so. Do everything at your speed. Piss without permission and all that.”
I laugh at that. Noah is blunt and hides nothing. My being a felon fresh out of the clink is awkward. Not to him, he will cut through shit like that like a hot knife through butter. But for me, this is awkward. These men used to respect me and the name I made for myself. Now I felt like a sideshow.
“Have you talked to….” Raleigh says and honestly, I am surprised he would even try it. It seems Noah is rubbing off on him.
“Tooooo?” I tease with exaggeration, knowing damn well he will say her name.
“Mya?” He says her name ardently as if I was too dumb to know.
“Nope. Let her live her life. I’m sure we will cross paths one day. No need to go looking for that rejection.” I reach for the box that is labeled kitchen. I figure if we are gonna sit around talking feelings I can unpack.
“Sorry, that was insensitive.” Ral places an arm around my shoulder and squeezes.
I laugh at that. “I told her to move on and live. I expect her to do just that.” I don’t want to explain that she is my first and last thought of each day. I don’t want to admit I regret how I ended things with her.
“I think Noah see’s the painful memories and reminders in my eyes because with a quick nod in my direction he changes the subject. “Enough about girls. The guys and their wives will be here soon, and CD and Otto will be here later when we close. For now, let’s drink and chill.”
Mya
“Hey.” I say to Cal when I walk inside his house. Rylie following behind me screaming for her dad the minute we enter the house. Cal swoops her up and tickles her, relishing her in love before he even notices me.
“Hey you.” Lexington says as she comes down the stairs with Jen and Axe.
‘My dude.’ I sign and ruffle his hair. At eight, Axe looks exactly like my brothers Jace and Cal. He is tall, dark eyes and hair and will probably be as big a lady killer as his dad was.
Axe was born with degenerative hearing loss and we had hoped he would gain more in his growing years, but sadly he is legally deaf and will never regain his hearing.
‘Hey aunt Mya. You know I don’t need a babysitter, right?’
I nod along even though I disagree, but he doesn’t need to know that. ‘Dude, I am here to watch Rye so you can chill with me.’
He fist bumps me, happy with my response when Jen hugs me. “Are you pissed we asked again?”
I shake my head no. “Of course not. I love these demons.”
“Ha ha. My kids are angels.” Cal tells me as he hands his daughter to Jen.
“What plans you got going on tonight?” I ask and reach for a bottle of water.
“Sully came home this week, so we are going to welcome him home and check out his new place.” My brother was never gentle when it came to handling a woman.
“Jesus, babe!” Jen smacks his arm as she looks at me with pleading eyes.
I try my best to hide the shock that his words delivered and smile to Jen. “It’s fine.” I lie. No, it isn’t. It never will be, but they have no idea how badly I miss him.
I had a hope, a small hope that he would change his mind and seek me out when he came home. Knowing it’s now Friday tells me that hope was all I had.
“She’s dating that Micah dude. She’s over Sull.” He says then looks at me. “Right My? I mean I thought you moved on?” I love the concern in his voice, concern he may have inadvertently hurt me… I can’t tell him how deep it cut so I smile instead.
“Yes Cal. I am happy with Micha. I just didn’t realize he was out. Give him my best wishes.” I try to keep my pain hidden and know it is slipping when my eyes start burning and I excuse myself to the restroom.
I rush up the stairs and can hear Jen lecturing him on tact, but I close the door and slide to the floor. I bite my fisted hand to shield my pain as a sob breaks free.
“Mya?” I hear Lex call for me through the door. She alone knows the truth of how badly I miss him.
