Page 60 of Dr. Stone
John barked out a laugh while my jaw damn near hit the table. “You’re joking, right? Your parents giving up their East Coast throne for Malibu?”
“Not permanently,” John said, glancing between us. “They’ll keep the Park Avenue penthouses and the Hamptons estate. That’s still the mothership for their lifestyle—and for everyone who worships the ground they walk on.”
I shook my head, laughing. “This is the craziest shit I’ve ever heard. My dad’s been trying to drag yours out here for what—decades?”
“Since we could talk,” John said after a long sip of beer. “But the Stone and Aster names never landed on the same coast because God forbid their competition for value fucked up the friendship.”
Collin chuckled. “So now they’ve strolled straight into Jim Mitchell’s territory? That teddy bear knows when to use his claws.”
“It’s respect,” Jake said. “Jim’s not close with them, but he’s always kept enough distance to be useful, never a threat.”
“True,” I agreed. “My old man knows exactly where to keep Jim—close enough to leverage, far enough not to spar. But your dad?” I pointed at John. “Old man Aster doesn’t give a damn about lines.”
John leaned back, shaking his head. “Things are different now. Honestly, I think Mark gave our dad a nervous breakdown. Suddenly, he’s actually playing nice with Jim.”
Our food arrived and shut down the banter. We all dug into our meals, something I’d been looking forward to all day at work, and the reason I nearly forgot to change out of my scrubs and into my riding gear.
“So,” John said, in a way that got our attention, “what the hell is wrong with you these days?”
I eyed John. “Who?” I looked at the other men, wondering who he was talking to. “Me?”
“No, dumbfuck,” he answered with a grin, “the other guy who apparently doesn’t hit on all the chicks who are eye-fucking him when he walks into a restaurant.”
I frowned, “Nothing’s wrong with me.”
Jake and Collin chuckled, focused on their steaks and trying not to say anything, but my longer-than-usual silence prompted Jake to jump into the conversation first.
“He’s in love,” he said nonchalantly while taking a bite of his steak. He raised both his eyebrows while smiling and chewing to taunt me.
“In love?” John said, looking at me with the same shock I had on my face moments ago hearing the news about his parents purchasing a home out here.
“I’m not in fucking love. I barely know the woman.”
“That’s true,” Collin chimed in. “They started the usual way—you know, Jace hooking up with a girl and forgetting her by sunrise. But this one? That gorgeous goddess must’ve lassoed his balls and never let go because now he’s so damn head over heels, he’s doing ER visits with her kid, adopted a puppy for her, and…” he trailed off, shooting a look at Jake to finish the story and highlight just how deep I was in with this woman.
“He’s allowing her to date Hawk while he sits on the sidelines,” Jake said, dramatically acting his part out.
“The fuck?” John dropped his knife and fork to each side of his plate and turned more to face me. “When didthishappen?”
“Trust me,” I answered, “I can’t figure that shit out either.”
“You’re into a chick, and Hawk is too?” John asked with a smirk. “Fucking Titus—the guy who’s never had one woman for longer than a minute?”
“That’s the one,” I said, laughing at what a joke it all was.
“Homeboy here,” Collin said, pointing his fork in the direction of where I sat, “he’s playing shit safe. All while his lady spent the three days in Costa Rica with the man.”
He flashed me awhen are you going to man up and handle your businesskind of smile.
“He brought her to the grand opening of his new resort.”
“Why the hell are you sitting back here? Why aren’t you out there fighting for her? When did you suddenly become the kind of guy toplay nice?” John questioned.
“I don’t know, man. The whole thing has caught me by surprise. I don’t even recognize who I am right now. I’m nottryingto be like this.”
“Notandtryingare the operative words here,” Jake said. “And tonight, it all ends,” he cleared his throat and glanced at his watch. “When we’re done here, we’re heading to my place in Malibu, where Andie should be arriving to pick her kid and dog up in a couple hours or so. We’ll act like you had bike trouble or something, and from there, you’re going to get your ass in gear and seal this deal.”
“That’s exactly what you’re going to do,” Collin said, sharp enough to shut me up.
