Page 38 of Mister Rival

I take a rather large sip of Shiraz before I reach for the spaghetti bowl and start serving it up. I had no fucking clue I’d need to be explaining shit about my weekend to my kids.

I try a distraction instead, swirling my wine. “No one joining me in the good stuff?” God knows, but to get through this conversation, I think it’s going to need copious amounts of alcohol.

Chapter Eighteen

TRISTAN

Past all the jibs and jibes about my weekend, we make it to dessert. I had no idea my boys would be so damned interested in Palm Springs, or the fact I spent the majority of it with Alison; not that they know that part. Yet. We finally get off that subject and talk about everything from the new listings over the weekend, to our projects over the next three months, and Noah’s house hunting escapades.

“You know you can stay mooching off of me and Dad for as long as you like,” Joshua says. “It’s all never-ending costs when you get your own place. Not that I can’t afford it, but the bills and maintenance add up, it’s definitely a commitment.”

“I’ll keep it in mind for when I’ve finished mooching,” Noah quips back.

“It’s not a bad investment,” I add. “Getting your first place is important, you can always rent it out later when you start adding to your portfolio. That’s if it’s what you want.”

“Of course he does,” Bradley joins in. “He’s just too stingy to fork out the money for it, even though he’s been saving since he was six.”

We all chuckle. That sure is true enough.

“You know I’ll help. Not one of you will ever have to struggle,” I say. I’ve offered time and time again to help Noah purchase a place, he’s just fussy about what he likes and the “vibe” of the place. I get those things are important. I just wouldn’t mind seeing him put down some roots.

After we’ve cleared the table, I serve up tiramisu for dessert from the best little patisserie in town;Sweet Confetti Bakery.I top it off with a hit of espresso each and I’m hoping to steer the conversation even further away to one of their fluctuating love lives instead of mine.

But Noah is in fine form after sharing a glass of Shiraz and gets back down to business as soon as I sit down to eat dessert. Maybe he’s trying to steer the heat away from all the questions about his house hunt.

“So tell us more about the weekend, Dad. You’ve been awfully cagey, anyone would think you got lucky or something.” Noah licks the back of his spoon and waggles his eyebrows at me across the table. He’s obviously intent on not letting my tequila-filled weekend go in a hurry.

Joshua bursts into laughter and holds his hand to his chest. “TMI, thanks bro. I am trying to enjoy my dessert without feeling ill over where Dad might’ve?—”

Bradley runs a hand down his face. “Tell us you didn’t, Dad?” he groans.

“Didn’t what?” I shake my head. “Since when did I have to answer to you guys anyway? I feel like the kid here being interrogated by my parents.”

That only makes Noah chuckle even more. “I think he’s asking if you stuck it to Alison Archer, or anyone else at your high school reunion.”

I drop my spoon on my plate and point across at him. “Watch it!” I warn sternly. “Don’t talk about Ali like that or I’ll wash your mouth out with soap right here and now!”

“Oooh, touchy.” Noah waves his hands around in front of him as if to sayooh I’m scared.

“It’sAlinow?” Joshua elbows Noah in the side. “You dog, Dad! I never thought you had it in you, but I’m all for being proven wrong.”

“Fuck, Dad.” Bradley lets out an exasperated breath.

Noah and Joshua both laugh and I give them the side eye and throw my napkin down in exasperation. “Listen. Nothing like that happened with Alison or otherwise. Have you all lost your minds?” I try my best to cover things up. I fucking need to loosen my shirt buttons or something. It’s feeling awfully stifled in here. Now is not the time or the place to talk to my children about my one-night stand with my archenemy/now not-so-enemy.

I have feelings for her, and they aren’t going to be easy to explain. I need time to think about things. I don’t like lying to my kids, but it wouldn’t be fair to Ali to let the cat out of the bag without talking to her. “And where are you getting all this information you keep spouting?” I ask Noah.

He continues with his tiramisu like it’s his mission in life. “From Dillon, he’s friends with Barbara Attwater’s son, Oliver.”

Barbara Attwater?I think back for a moment… Thoughts ofJellyfish Julieand her annoying friend flitter my thoughts, that almost instantly makes me feel annoyed.

For fuck’s sake. Seriously, can a person not go anywhere these days and not be ratted out by their own kids?

“He said you were cavorting with Ali, kissing and carrying on all night, and that you did some shots up at the bar and left together laughing and joking.” He gives me a smirk, like he didn’t just drop a fucking bombshell.

Again, three sets of eyes continue to stare at me. I don’t know when they all suddenly became so invested in my love life. I know the answer to that: never, since I haven’t had one since mydivorce. Sure, the casual acquaintances have been plentiful, but it’s not something we’ve sat around and talked about.

“Way to go, Dad!” Joshua muses, clearly gunning for the idea.

---