Maggie mentioned Sydney’s name to me earlier, and that she’s Ridge’s current girlfriend. I’m not sure how this scenario played out, but Maggie and Sydney seem to get along, which says a lot about them as individuals. And there’s something about Sydney that feels genuine. I like her almost immediately.
I can’t say the same for the guy behind her in the kitchen with his back still to us. He’s obviously completely uninterested in introductions. I can only assume this is Ridge, but before I can put too much thought into what his reaction means and how this is definitely a competitive move on his part, two people walk out of one of the other rooms.
Based on Maggie’s passing, almost agitated look as she turns to face them, I can only assume the guy walking toward me is Warren. The gleam in his eyes screams mischief, and Maggie did mention Warren’s sole purpose today is to embarrass her.
He’s holding his arms out as he makes his way over to me. He pulls me in for a hug. I reluctantly hug him back. I’m not sure I’ve been greeted with a hug from another guy in years. In my occupation, it’s handshakes and professional introductions and inquiries about which golf course you prefer to frequent on Sundays.
It isn’t bear hugs and pats on the cheeks.
This guy is actually patting my cheeks.
“Wow,” he says. “You are really good-looking.” He glances at Maggie. “Good job, Maggot. He looks like Captain America.”
I laugh and back up a step, not sure if embarrassing Maggie is his sole intention. I think he wants to embarrass both of us.
“Warren, this is Jake,” Maggie says, already appearing exhausted with him.
Warren salutes me. “Good to meet you, Jake.”
With as much enthusiasm as Warren is showing, the other guy is still showing none. He continues to ignore the situation, completely uninterested that I’m here. Maybe this is why Maggie warned me. Because I’m not exactly welcome by everyone.
I give my full attention back to Warren. “Good to meet you, too.”
Warren points at the brunette standing next to him. “This is my girlfriend, Bridgette.”
She doesn’t say anything to me. She just nods and walks to the refrigerator.
Warren points at Ridge. “Did you meet Ridge already?”
I shake my head. “Not yet.” I’m not sure I want to meet Ridge at this point. He obviously has no interest in meeting me.
Warren closes the distance between himself and the kitchen and taps Ridge on the shoulder. When Ridge turns, Warren begins to sign at the same time he says, “Jake is here.” Ridge spins around and finally makes eye contact with me.
I always teach Justice not to make assumptions about people. Yet here I am…being an assumptive asshole. Ridge isn’t bothered that I’m here. He didn’t know I was here.
He walks around the bar, closing the distance between us. “Hi,” he says, shaking my hand. “Ridge Lawson.” His voice is a clear indicator that he wasn’t intentionally ignoring me and that I am, in fact, an assumptive asshole.
I return his handshake with relief. “Jake Griffin.”
I don’t know if Maggie intentionally left out that Ridge is deaf, or if his deafness is their norm and she just didn’t think to mention it. Either way, I’m relieved by it, because five seconds ago I was ready to call it a day when I assumed I was intruding, but now his genuine welcome is as comforting as Sydney’s.
I no longer harbor the competitive, jealous feelings I was attempting to suppress on the way out of Maggie’s bedroom. I don’t know the history between these people beyond what Maggie has shared, which isn’t much, but there doesn’t seem to be any ill will between any of them.
Although, I still haven’t spoken to Warren’s girlfriend. Maybe she’s just shy.
The next few seconds are a flurry of activity. Ridge is putting on his shoes, Sydney is pulling on a jacket, Warren walks over to the girl who just shut the fridge…Bridgette…and tries to kiss her, but she pushes him away.
I glance over at Maggie, and she smiles at me. “Let me grab my sweater.” She walks back to her bedroom. I look around at the apartment and notice there are several doors leading to other rooms. Maggie mentioned how she and Ridge know each other, but I still don’t know the connection between everyone else.
“Are you all roommates?” I ask, looking around at the four of them. “Is that how you all know each other?”
Bridgette is in the middle of sipping from a bottle of water, but she perks up at my question, just as Maggie reappears from her bedroom with a sweater. “Oh, I’ll happily explain how we all know each other,” Bridgette says, screwing the cap on her water bottle.
Maggie says her name in what appears to be an attempt to stop Bridgette from speaking, but Bridgette ignores her.
“Warren and Ridge have been best friends for years,” Bridgette explains, pointing between Warren and Ridge with the water bottle. She then points it in Maggie’s direction. “Warren used to date Maggie, but they didn’t last very long before Ridge swooped in and claimed her.”
Wait. Both of these guys used to date Maggie?
“Maggie and Ridge dated for six years, but that ended when Sydney moved in last year. Now Sydney is dating Ridge, but she doesn’t actually live here with us anymore. Maggie does, though. Until her new apartment is ready, which is here in the same complex as both of her ex-boyfriends.” Bridgette looks at me. “And no, none of this is weird. At all. Especially right now as we all pretend we’re best friends and we spend the whole day doing best friend stuff together. Yay.”
Bridgette says the last word of that sentence with absolutely zero enthusiasm.
I guess I had her pegged wrong, too. She isn’t shy at all.
The next ten seconds are quiet. Quieter than any ten seconds have ever been. I glance
at Maggie, and she has a look of horror on her face. Sydney glares at Bridgette, silently scolding her. Bridgette looks at Sydney and shrugs like she did nothing wrong.
Then my phone rings.
The interruption is an immediate excuse for everyone to scatter. Everyone but Maggie, who is watching me, waiting for my next move.
I pull my phone out of my pocket, knowing by the distinct ring that it’s Chrissy. She never calls unless it’s important. Long gone are the days when we called each other just to chat. I swipe my finger across the screen and then pull the phone to my ear as I point toward Maggie’s bedroom, letting her know I’m heading in there to take the call in private. I close the door partially as I walk into the room.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” Chrissy says, breathless. I can tell she’s rushing, probably pulling on her scrubs. “Got called in. Can I drop Justice off with you?”
I close my eyes. He’s almost twelve. We leave him alone on occasion, but not when I’m more than a block away. “I’m in Austin.” I squeeze the back of my neck. “It’ll take me an hour to get back.”
“Austin?” she says. “Oh. Okay. I would send him to Cody’s house for the day, but he woke up in the middle of the night with a stomach bug. Should I call my mom?”
I glance at Maggie’s bedroom door. “No. No, I’m on my way. I’ll pick him up and take him over to my place for the night.”
Chrissy thanks me and ends the call. I stare down at the phone, wondering how Maggie will take this. I sort of wish she’d heard the entire conversation so she doesn’t think I’m making up an excuse to get out of today after Bridgette’s spiel.
I slide the phone into my pocket and walk toward Maggie’s door. When I open it, she glances at me from the kitchen, where she’s talking with Sydney.
“Can we chat?” I point back toward her room to indicate I’d like to do it in private. She nods and then shares a quick glance with Sydney before walking back to her room. She closes the door once we’re both inside.
“I’m sorry,” she says. “Bridgette made it all seem so weird, but I swear—”