“She’s my wife,” he mutters beneath this breath. “She just moved on like we were nothing.”
“In all fairness, it’s been six months,” I note, eyeing him dubiously, praying he doesn’t lash out and throw his drink at the wall in anger. “You can’t tell us you’ve been celibate.”
Rocky’s eyes dart to mine. “I haven’t touched a single woman since we separated.”
I’m surprised by his admission. Although I never asked directly, I assumed the first thing he would have done was fuck some other woman. Two or three at a time, knowing him.
Julian clears his throat. “If you think there’s a chance for the two of you, then you need to be honest. Or else this banker, as you refer to him, will take what is yours.”
The irony of this conversation is not lost on me. While the years have been easier to tolerate Julian given he is Adriana’s husband, I never forgot the past. Some memories will stick forever, especially if those memories are part of your darkest days.
“I’m going to agree. This isn’t the time to hold back your feelings. You have a family. If you’re going to fight, this is the time.”
“Yeah, or I just give her what she wants… a divorce.”
Rocky drinks the remnants of the glass before closing his eyes and passing out.
* * *
Adriana made sure our time in Sydney was spent wisely.
We did all the tourist attractions like seeing the Habour Bridge and Opera House. Somehow, she convinced us to visit Taronga Zoo. I don’t care for zoos, but watching Eric get shit on by a koala has so far been the highlight of the trip. The fact that it happened on his expensive loafers is even better.
The weather has been perfect. Blue skies and warm weather but not overly hot. It’s not my first visit to Sydney, having been here a few times. It never ceases to amaze me how friendly the people are, always willing to offer directions or just general help.
“That Aussie chick was trying to pick you up,” Charlotte points out as we walk along the quay. “Did you tip her?”
Rocky knocks into me with a cocky grin. “He sure tipped her.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Charlotte asks, narrowing her eyes at him.
“It means I thanked her monetarily for her good service,” I assure her. Though it’s sexy, she’s jealous.
“The tip was big,” Rocky continues to provoke Charlotte. “Mr. Billionaire made sure she was taken care of.”
“Gross, Rocky,” Adriana complains. “How is it possible that you can make anything sound dirty?”
“It’s one of my many talents,” he responds proudly. “Test me. Give me something to say that is not dirty, and I’ll make sure you’re creaming your pants when I’m done.”
Adriana screws up her face, then her face lights up. “Eric’s Gucci loafers smell like koala dung.”
Rocky clears his throat, followed by pouting his lips.“Eric’s Gucci loafers smell like Koala dung.”
Charlotte bursts out laughing. “The look on Eric’s face when the koala pooped.”
Eric crosses his arms with annoyance. “It wasn’t even proper shit. It was some sort of weird koala diarrhea. They could have told me he wasn’t feeling great.”
“Hey, hey, hey,” Rocky raises his voice, demanding attention. “So, how did I rate?”
“Surprisingly well,” Adriana quips. “Though not enough to make me cream my pants.”
“Guess I’ll leave that for my date tonight.”
Everyone slows their steps, the girls coming to a complete stop. Oddly so, Eric focuses on the ground. I prepare myself for the interrogation. Charlotte and Adriana are relentless when they want to be.
“Date?” Charlotte repeats in a heated tone. “I don’t understand.”
“What’s there to understand?” Rocky shrugs, keeping his gaze fixed on the people walking past. “I met someone, and we’re going on a date.”