Page 70 of Heat Exchange
She leaned across the bar so their faces were level. “Leave this alone, Scott.”
“How long has he been screwing you behind my back?”
The fuse lit and she jabbed her finger at his chest. “If you don’t watch your mouth, I’ll slap you so freakin’ hard, you’ll fold like a cheap paper napkin.”
He glared back at her. “You’re sleeping with my best friend. Mybestfriend, Lydia. You’re not supposed to do that. And he sure as hell knows better. How long has it been going on?”
“Since shortly after I came back.”
“Are you serious?” He dropped his head into his hands, then looked up at her again. “Did you have the flu? When Aidan was at his parents’ doing whatever, which made no sense because his family just pays people to do that kind of shit.”
“I wasn’t sick. I had to go back to Concord to babysit my roommate’s cat for the weekend and Aidan went with me so we could be away from nosy-ass people who can’t mind their own business.”
“So Ashley’s lying to me, too. I can’t fucking believe you two.”
“What are you two carrying on about?” their dad called from the other end of the bar. “I heard what happened with Danny and Ashley last night and, I swear, the next member of my family to raise a ruckus in this bar is getting my boot up the ass.”
“It’s Hunt who needs a boot up the ass,” Scotty said before Lydia could say anything. She would have preferred keeping their father out of it.
“What does he have to do with it?” he asked, scowling at Aidan.
“Maybe you should ask Lydia.”
When he turned to look at her, she wondered if her dad might actually be happy to hear she and Aidan had been seeing each other. In his mind, it would bring her back into the fold and—more importantly—back into the bar for good. But since that probably wasn’t going to happen, he was going to end up having a problem with it one way or another.
“It’s none of anybody’s business what Aidan and I do,” she said firmly, looking him in the eye.
It took a few seconds and then she saw the understanding dawn in his eyes. “Ah, damn. That kid.”
So much for being happy about it. He shook his head and looked at Scotty. “You just find this out?”
“Yeah. You think I’d have bought him a beer last night if I knew?”
“Why shouldn’t you buy him a beer?” Lydia demanded. “Your friendship with him is no different now than it was yesterday. This hasnothingto do with you.”
She could see that he wanted to say more, but then he shook his head and got off the stool. After knocking back a long swallow of beer, he started toward the door.
“Where are you going?” she called after him.
“I’m going home.” He stopped to turn and glare at her for a second. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to go kick the shit outta your boyfriend.”
“He’s—” She sighed and waved a hand at him, not wanting to get into the semantics of whether or not Aidan was her boyfriend. “Just leave him alone until you’ve cooled off.”
Lydia watched him leave, wincing when he opened the door by slapping his hand on the glass and shoving so hard, she was surprised it didn’t break. She hoped like hell he was telling the truth when he said he was going home.
“I really hate to butt in here,” a guy at the counter said, “but can I get another beer?”
“Yeah, sorry about that.” She got him a beer and looked around to see if she could sneak a few minutes more out back, but she really needed to take care of the customers. They’d probably finished their drinks while watching her family’s circus sideshow performance.
She pulled out her phone to send Aidan a text. A phone call would be better, but she’d have to go out back to have any privacy and it would take too long. She’d be lucky if anybody tipped her as it was. And she didn’t want to wait until after the customers were taken care of just in case Scotty changed his mind about going home. She couldn’t leave Aidan to be blindsided.
Scott&Dad know about us.Not thrilled.
It was a bit of an understatement, but she knew he’d get the picture.
Should I lock my door?
He said he was going home.Wanted you to know in case he changes his mind.
