Page 10 of As a Last Resort
“That’s enough out of you, young lady.”Dad’s smile betrayed his stern voice.
Mom grabbed her wineglass and leaned back.I braced for the blow.“Speaking of, have you talked to her lately?”
Lexi dropped her fork.“Mom, seriously, what the f—”
“Language, Alexandra.I heard she and Tom were on the rocks.Maybe she’s having second thoughts.”
“Having second thoughts, three years later?”Lexi was getting pissed.
“Still were the best-looking homecoming king and queen I’ve seen in all my years.”Dad was using his fork to talk to me again.
I took a calculated second to not throw my pint across the table.“That picture was taken years ago right after the game.Which, for the record, she was probably screwing Tom shortly after.So, let’s not rewrite history just because our skin tones complement each other.”
Mom patted my hand and lowered her voice.“People make mistakes.”
Dad perked up.“Speaking of, Rex, have you told Austin about your offensive coordinator leaving?Spot’s open.Got your name all over it.”
My chair screeched against the travertine of the patio.
“I’ve got to prep for the morning.Got a full run tomorrow, Dad.You know, for the business I own.The job I already have.”I downed the rest of my beer and turned to leave.
“Honey, don’t get upset with him,” Mom called out as I headed toward the patio slider.“He’s just thinking about what’s best for you long term.”
“I like my job.And I’ll say this once more then I’m done with this conversation for good.I’m not going to bring a random date just to have a warm body sitting awkwardly next to me at my sister’s wedding.”
As I slid the door closed, Mom’s whisper floated in behind me.“I’ll find him someone.We can’t have a lopsided picture.”
3
SAMANTHA
A warm limb snaked across my waist from behind.
“Glad you made it.”The heat of Robby’s breath tickled the back of my ear.Ugh.It really wasn’t fair that he had such a velvety bedroom voice.
I shot him a tight smile and eased away from his arm, practically crawling into Ivy’s lap next to me.
The sounds of the late happy hour filled the Irish pub.It felt good to be out and about after weeks of nonstop work, even though the lingering guilt of not heading straight to Jack’s weighed on me.
“I didn’t know they served pink drinks here.”Robby slid his finger along the edge of my glass, stealing some of the colored sugar that lined the rim.
I flicked his finger off.“And you’re drinking gasoline.How appropriate.”
“There’s my dream team,” Glenn’s voice boomed from behind us.He scooted in next to Ivy as he clinked Robby’s own matching glass of poison, the contents of which probably cost my entire week’s salary.“Ah, a man who knows his scotch.Good boy.”
Ivy coughed into her drink and her eyes widened at me at the dog reference.
Yes, I heard.
“Is your drink pink?”Glenn asked.
Robby snorted.
“I’d say it’s more of ablush.”
“Excited to head to Florida for the month?”Glenn turned his attention to Robby.
“Absolutely, sir.Bags are already packed and parked by the door.Can’t wait.”
