Page 52 of A Way Out
Never, that’s when. Before his sister died, he’d had a double bed because the bedroom in his apartment had been too small to fit anything larger. And, of course, for the past four years, he’d bunked down on his mom’s couch.
He rolled onto his back and spread out, like Riley had been sleeping the night before when he’d invited Maria into his bed.
Yeah, he still didn’t like it.
He tried to tell himself it was because he wasn’t used to having so much space to himself, but he knew damn well it was all about Maria. He wanted her in his bed.
Time to get up, get away from the reminder. Get his mind off things that would never be.
He paused at the bathroom door. He didn’t hear anything, and there was no light coming from underneath, so he opened it to an empty bathroom. Hurrying across to the other door, he flipped the lock.
No more accidental meetings to tempt them.
After a quick shower, he went back to his bedroom, dressed, and headed downstairs.
Parker was already in the kitchen, cracking eggs into a bowl.
“It’s your wedding day,” Oz said. “I’ll do this.”
“You can come help,” Parker said, “but I need something to occupy my brain right now.”
Oz poured himself a cup of coffee and then started chopping vegetables. Looked like Parker planned to make omelets to order.
“Are you having second thoughts?” Oz asked.
Parker shook his head. “Hell no. But I am nervous. I have always been really good at screwing things up. The first thing that’s ever gone right for me is the band.”
“And your relationship with Lacey,” Oz pointed out.
“Yeah.” The guy sounded all sappy and dreamy. If Oz were any other guy, he’d make fake gagging noises right now.
But he wasn’t. He was a guy who secretly wished he could have what Parker had.
Not with Maria, but maybe, someday, with…someone.
Sam came into the kitchen, once again dressed for a jog. “Want to join me?”
“Hell yes,” Parker said, like he’d been waiting for his best friend to offer.
“I’ll pass,” Oz said, “and finish up here.”
“Appreciate it, man.” Parker slapped him on the back before taking off to go change.
Oz was fully aware of how little alone time could be had when staying in a house full of people, so he wasn’t surprised at all when, a few minutes later, he was no longer the only one in the kitchen.
Although he hadn’t anticipated Maria would be the first person to join him, with Riley on her hip.
“Morning,” she said, without looking at him directly.
“Hi, Oz.” Riley waved, grinning.
He pulled a mug out of the cupboard and added coffee and creamer and then slid it across the counter to Maria, who placed Riley on her feet so she could pour milk into a sippy cup.
“Thanks,” Maria said, taking a sip of coffee.
“Can I watch cartoons, Mama?” Riley asked.
“Sure, honey.”
