“So, you guys still together?” Quinn asks as we load the weights on the bar.
“Yeah,” I reply and get aligned to lift. I’m going for a personal record and all this dick wants to do is talk about Natalie.
I line up my hands and Quinn pushes down so I can’t move. “She’s okay with this? The fact that her husband—your best friend—was fucking around on her and she wants to be with you?”
“I’m not sure where you got confused when I said ‘yeah.’ She and I are together. Aaron fucked up, but he and I are separate.”
“If you say so,” he scoffs and moves his hand.
He’s always got something smart to say. It’s irritating and I’m tired of his bullshit. “You know, you’re not a part of my fucking life choices. If I want to be with her, I will. If she’s okay with it and I’m okay with it, then what the hell do you care?”
Quinn steps back with his hands raised, “I’m just asking, dude.”
I sit up, pissed off. “When you’ve fucked anything that walks, I never said shit. You’ve fucked up more than all of us combined.” My hands tremble as I clench them into a ball. “Lay off about me and Lee.”
He moves toward me. “I won’t say another word after I say this. You hurt her and I’ll beat the ever-living shit out of you. She’s not just some girl. She’s his fucking wife and that’s his daughter. I know the cost that comes with a single mother.”
“I’m not stupid.”
“The jury’s still out on that one.” Quinn slaps me on the shoulder. “I may not have been as close as you and Aaron were, but he was my friend too. I know you’re not a piece of shit. I’m saying to make sure you’re all in before you go any further.” He gives me a pointed look and then morphs back into his normal, jackass self. “Now, let’s see if your weak ass can lift this.”
We’ve been friends for a long time. It’s probably the longest speech I’ve ever heard. “You don’t have to worry about me hurting her.”
“All I wanted to hear. Are we going to work out or do you want to hug it out?” he jokes while waiting.
“Dickhead. Let’s go.” I get back on the bench and try to focus on getting through the rest of the workout.
Quinn and I finish and decide to go grab lunch. He’s smart enough not to bring up my relationship or whatever the fuck this is with Lee. We talk about the upcoming deployment. Having our own squad means we work together but each manage a group of guys. We’re hoping our squads aren’t split since we understand each other. It’s nice to know the guy who’s watching your six.
“I heard you’re taking a few days off,” Quinn mentions as he grabs his drink.
“Yeah, I’m going to take Natalie and Aarabelle somewhere. I have to figure it out,” I laugh. I’ve racked my brain trying to think of something close that she’d like. Just something for us to get away from all this shit and see if this is something or if it’s a matter of circumstance.
“Why don’t you take her to my beach house?”
“Where?”
“The one in OBX. I know she lives on the beach and all, but it’s a nice house and it’s away.”
“I gotta admit, man, I’m shocked,” I muse and lean back. He’s the last person I thought would be helping me out.
“I told you, I wanted to be sure. You care about her and you’re taking the kid. I think that says it all. Here,” he says and takes the key off his ring. “Take it. Go or don’t. I don’t care. I’ll tell you all the info. It’s a few hours, but Corolla is a cool spot. I’ve seen the wild horses a time or two.”
“You’re not such a dick after all.” I smile as I put the key in my pocket.
“Don’t tell anyone.”
“Your secret’s safe with me,” I slap him on the back. “Until you piss me off. Then I’ll tell everyone.”
“Yeah, I’ll tell everyone how you couldn’t lift the bar today.”
Now, I need to get my bag together and a plan to get Natalie to agree.
This should be fun.
“Mamamama,” Aarabelle repeats over and over, sitting in her highchair. It’s music to my ears. She’s growing up so fast. I wish I could push pause and freeze frame each tiny moment.
She’s truly mobile now, which has been a huge pain in the ass. Plus, everything goes in her mouth, and I swear the child can find the tiniest things.
“Mamamama.”
“Hi, beautiful girl.” I smile and put another Cheerio on the tray. I’ve learned one Cheerio gives me time for about one dish to get washed. Timing is everything.
She grins and tries to grab it as I rush back to the sink to keep cleaning before she starts screaming again.
I look out the window and see Liam’s car pull up. My happiness is automatic and the butterflies start to flutter in my stomach. It’s only been a few days since we’ve seen each other, but I’ve missed him.