"Watch your fucking mouth." The words leave my lips at the same time Seth and Donovan step forward, their faces dark with anger.
Chandler throws his head back and laughs, the sound bitter and harsh. "This is fucking ridiculous. All of you? Really?" His eyes fix on Abbie, who's gone pale. "Such a prude with me, wouldn't even let me touch you half the time, but you'll fuck all of them? What changed, Abbie? The size of their bank accounts?"
The crack of Donovan's fist connecting with Chandler's jaw echoes through the dining room. My son stumbles back, catching himself on the wall.
"Don't you ever," Donovan's voice is low, dangerous, "disrespect a woman in your father's house like that again. You’re an ungrateful prick."
Chandler touches his jaw, his eyes wild.
"Chandler—" I start, but he's already pushing past Seth, heading for the door.
"Save it. I'm done. Have fun with your little whore party."
The front door slams so hard the windows rattle. The guilt settles within me like lead, even though I know I've done nothing wrong. I didn't know she was his ex. But somehow, that makes it worse.
The sound of Seth and Donovan arguing fades into background noise as I scan the room. Something's missing. Someone.
"Where's Abbie?"
My question cuts through their heated discussion about what to do with Chandler. Seth glances around, his brow furrowing. Through the window, I catch sight of a figure pacing in my circular driveway, phone pressed to her ear.
"I'll handle this," I say, leaving them to their debate about whether Donovan should have punched my son.
The night air hits my face as I step outside. Abbie's heels click against the concrete as she walks back and forth, her free hand gesturing wildly.
"Three minutes? Okay, thank you." She ends the call, wrapping her arms around herself.
"Abbie—"
"Don't." She turns to face me, her makeup slightly smeared at the corners of her eyes. "Just... don't."
"I had no idea he was?—"
"Your son?" She laughs bitterly. "Yeah, well, neither did I. God, what was I thinking?" She runs her fingers through her hair, messing up the careful styling. "Three men. Three! I'm involved with three men, and one of them turns out to be my ex's father. This is..." She shakes her head. "This is complete chaos."
"We can figure this out."
"Figure what out? How I finger fucked your best friend in your hallway less than an hour ago? How I've been sleeping with your business partner? How I dated your son for years?" Her voice cracks. "I need time. Space. This can't... this won't work."
Headlights sweep across the driveway as her ride pulls up.
"Abbie, please?—"
She's already opening the car door. "I'm sorry, Corey. I just... I can't."
The door closes with a soft click, and I watch the taillights disappear down my driveway, taking with them any chance of salvaging this night.
35
SETH
The door slams and Corey storms back in, his face a thundercloud. He heads straight for the bar cart and pours himself three fingers of whiskey. Downs it in one go.
"Where's Abbie?" I ask, though I already know the answer from his expression.
"Gone. Called herself a ride." He slams the glass down. "What a fucking disaster."
Donovan rubs his hand where his knuckles are already starting to bruise. "Your son's always been an entitled little shit, but calling her that? In your house?"