Page 90 of Friend Zoned

“Fly?” Jeannie asks.

“Helicopter. Didn’t you show her around, Aid?” my mother asks. “I’ll give you a tour later, Jeannie, and I’ll tell you the story of when Bill and Melinda Gates came here for a party. Anyway, we were in the Hamptons for the weekend and flew in together.” Jeannie’s eyes widen at my mother’s words. I want to wring her neck too. “There’s a helipad out back,” she adds.

“Oh, of course,” Jeannie says. “A helipad.”

Dad hands Mom the wine and puts a hand on top of hers. “Your mother and I are trying again,” he announces as if he’s telling us the weather outside. Me and Katherine both sigh.

Shannon runs into the kitchen and into my dad’s arms. He picks her up and plants kisses on her cheek.

“Again? Mother, you were just here with your boyfriend two months ago,” Katherine exclaims.

“Eduardo was fun, even though he kept falling off the sled,” Shannon says.

“Listen, you know your father and I never stay away for long. I think this time will be it for us.” They say that every time they get together. It’s been a constant merry-go-round since they divorced twenty years ago, and they never last more than a year.

“Are you getting married again?” Katherine snickers. “Maybe the fourth time will be the charm.”

“Again? We never divorced the last time,” my dad says. “We just took a pause.”

“A pause, Dad? You two dragged us to some dinner and told us about your divorce. Remember that?” I ask.

“Oh, that.” My dad does a dismissive hand wave. “We lied. We didn’t want you two to think we’re dysfunctional. Anyway, your sister said she had an announcement. I’m not going to remind you that you didn’t invite me and your mom over to meet the lovely Jeannie.” He walks away from our mother only to take Jeannie’s hand again. “Full disclosure, I did a background check on you.” Jeannie gasps and tries to pull her hand away.

“Dad, what the hell? Stay out of my private life,” I practically growl. As usual, he ignores me.

“Don’t be naïve, son. Jeannie, I meant no harm, but I do this every time my children start new relationships. I did it with Linc too. You’re a saint compared to him. He spent some time in juvie when he was thirteen,” he whispers.

Lincoln says, “Can you please stop bringing that up?”

“What’s juvie, Grandpa?” Shannon asks.

“Nothing you ever have to worry about, my sweet princess.” He turns back to Jeannie. “Yeah, six weeks in juvie, and his family had the nerve to look down at my daughter. Since when is being rich a crime? I’m still not over that. Anyway, my point is, you’re clean, unlike him. You don’t even have so much as a speeding ticket. Excellent transcripts too. Lovely family. The only stain is that asshole ex, but say the word, and I’ll have him taken care of.” He winks at Jeannie and taps her shoulder.

“Have him taken care of? What are you? A mob boss?” I ask.

“I mean fire him, Aiden. Relax.”

“Thanks, Mr. Walsh, but I really don’t care about him or think about him.”

My dad nods, but I can hear the wheels spinning in his head.

“Good answer. I’m Roger. In that case, welcome to the family.”

Chapter 48

Jeannie

I try everything I can to lift his hand from my lap, but it won’t budge. He hasn’t even looked my way or exerted any effort to keep his hand there. He’s looking straight ahead at the road with a small smile on his lips.

When all was said and done, it wasn’t horrible, but I’m still angry at being blindsided. I decided to stuff it all down when we were there and enjoy his family’s hospitality.

“So, what are we doing on Easter Sunday? The regular season will be over by then since Easter is so late this year, and we’ll have a few days before the first round. Unfortunately for Memorial Day, I might have a game. The Fourth of July is usually—

“Aiden, what the hell are you going on about?” I roll my eyes and try to push him again to no avail.

“It’s just my subtle way of letting you know I’m not going anywhere.”

“Yeah, real subtle.” I cross my arms and turn away from him, giving up all hope of moving his hand away. We remain silent for the rest of the forty-minute drive to Manhattan.

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