“Fine. I’m leaving,” I said.
“Good,” said Max.
“Bye,” said Silver.
“Fuck off,” Fi said. “I’m leaving too.”
“Fine. Whatever.” I’d go home and work out a new schedule where these three never shared the bar again, I decided. Even if it meant hiring five more people. I’d hire guys who didn’t get periods and didn’t give me shit.
I fantasized about that life on the leisurely ride I took on my bike, winding around Knockemout and beyond before finally heading home. After all, I didn’t have someone waiting for me. Someone to answer to. I could do what I wanted. Which was exactly what I wanted out of life.
I was so distracted by reminding myself how great my life was without Naomi that I almost missed the vehicles at Liza’s.
For a second, I panicked, wondering if something had happened. If there’d been another break-in or worse.
Then I heard the music, the laughter.
I drove by slowly, hoping for a glimpse of her. No such luck. I parked my bike in my driveway and was headed for the front door when the tang of bonfire hit my nostrils.
If Liza wanted to have a party and not tell me that was her business I decided, letting myself inside.
Waylon attacked, his paws scrabbling at my jeans as he barked and moaned about how hungry he was since his afternoon snack.
“Yeah, yeah. Come on. Pee break first, then dinner.”
I went straight to the kitchen and opened the back door. The dog bulleted out between my legs.
He didn’t stop in his usual pee stop. His stumpy legs were too busy galloping toward Liza’s house.
I could see the fire from my vantage point. Someone had built a bonfire next to the creek. There were tables with food, camp chairs, and over a dozen people milling around, looking like they were having a great time.
Liza’s dogs, Randy and Kitty, broke away from the food tables to greet Waylon. I spotted Waylay, her blonde hair under a bright pink hat that I bet Amanda had knit for her. Her friends Nina and Chloe were horsing around in the side yard. The pang in my chest took me by surprise. Waylay dropped to her knees in the grass and gave Waylon a good scruffing. He rolled onto his back in ecstasy.
I rubbed my hand absently over my chest, wondering if it was indigestion from the shitty cold pizza.
Headlights slashed across the yard as another car pulled in. A minivan that I recognized. Fi, her husband, and their kids piled out carrying camp chairs, covered dishes, and a six-pack.
Great. My own family and now my employees were taking her side in all of this. This was why I needed a thousand acres far away from here.
Then I saw her.
Naomi by firelight.
She wore those tight leggings that showed off every inch of her mile-long legs. Boots with the girlie fur trim. A thick, cropped sweater under an insulated vest. Her hair was a mass of curls that glowed amber in the firelight. She was wearing a knit hat just like Waylay’s, only in a deep red.
She was smiling. Laughing. Glowing.
The pang in my chest became a physical ache, and I wondered if I should call a cardiologist. This wasn’t normal. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.
I ended things before they got too sticky and felt nothing but relief immediately after. If I ever ran into one of my conquests again, which was rare, it was easy. Pleasant. I never promised anything, and they never expected anything.
But this time, despite my best efforts, there had been expectations. Though she didn’t look like she was suffering. She was next to the creek, standing close to my asshole brother, having what looked like an intimate chat.
Her gloved hand reached out and clutched his arm.
My fists clenched at my sides. Red filtered into the corners of my vision.
My brother hadn’t wasted a goddamn second, had he?