Page 100 of The Path To Us

“Fuck.” I hear Tyson say lowly. “Do I have a chip in my neck or somethin’?”

I look over to see Lizzy making her way to us. But her eyes aren’t on Tyson. Oh, no. They’re aimed right at me.

“Wha…” Addy says, turning around then, “Ohhhh.”

Before we can stop her, Lizzy’s taking the empty fourth seat at our table.

“Look at this! Just like old times.”

“Hi, Lizzy,” Addy says. She doesn’t sound at all happy to see her and I smirk.

“Hi, Addy. What are you up to? Just met up with our guys?”

Damn, she’s the most ridiculous person I’ve ever met. How I ever dated her is beyond me. I don’t know what I was thinking.

“Sure. Let’s go with that,” Addy replies and Tyson coughs. “What are you up to?”

“Oh, same old, same old.” She waves her hand in a circle then gestures toward a guy at the bar. “I’m out with that one but,” she sticks a finger into her mouth and makes a gagging sound because apparently she’s twelve years old, “it isn’t working out. I’m glad I found y’all.”

“What makes you say that?” Tyson asks, irritably.

“Because we can hang out! I can ditch him.”

Tyson tries to go gentle. “Nah. Wouldn’t expect you to be rude to your date.”

“Oh, it’s not rude. He’ll understand. Besides,” she glances at me and I work hard not to cringe, “you and I have so much catching up to do. I heard you started your own business! That’s so exciting, Beau. You would be the perfect boss,” she purrs, seduction laced heavily in her tone.

Where Tyson was going gentle, I don’t have the patience. Because she takes it about ten steps too far and places a hand on my arm like I’m hers to touch. I jerk it out of her grip. “You’re not hearing him, Lizzy. He’s good. I’m good. Addy’s good. Addy and I are together, which you know but are pretending not to, and Tyson got sick of your ass years ago. I suggest you go back to that guy while you’re still interesting to him. But listen to me one last time. This whole routine of yours where you think you’re really something and can get any guy you want, whether they’re attached or not, is old. You’re better than that. Or, at least, I hope you are. So move along. Go back to your date, Lizzy.”

“You and Addy are together?”

“Duh!” Addy shouts and I choke on a laugh.

“Uh, why is this surprising?” Tyson asks. “It’s been the two of them since forever.”

“But…”

“Move along, Lizzy.” Addy’s mom voice has come out and it’s here to play, making Tyson and I scoot back in our seats a bit. “I guarantee you knew we were together. You just thought you could weasel your way in. But you’re wrong. Beau’s mine.”

“Holy shit, dude, she just claimed you. How hard are you for her right now?” Tyson asks boldly.

“Gross, Tyson. You never grow up, do you?” Lizzy says with a sneer.

“Maybe not. But at least I know when I’m not wanted somewhere. And by the way, the only reason I’m sitting here with them right now is because I apologized and admitted that I was an asshole.”

She stands with a huff and spins around, marching back to her date.

“Well, that was fun.” Addy laughs. “What were we talking about?”

“Tyson fucking up a remodel on a house he’s thinking of buying.”

“Oh, right. Yeah. So I have lots of ideas about that kitchen. It’s ugly now but has so much potential.”

Tyson’s eyes meet mine over the table, humor dancing there. Lizzy’s presence could have ruined a perfectly good evening but Addy’s confidence in our relationship wouldn’t let it. Tyson’s right. I’m so hard for her right now.

We spend another hour at The Flying Goat before going our separate ways. Since Zoey’s at my parents’ place for the night, we get to have a sleepover ourselves.

Which means she’s coming home with me.

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