Page 79 of Center of Gravity

Mom shrugged. “I tell him everything.”

“So who screwed up? I kinda liked the guy.”

“You just said Mom tells you everything, so I’m sure she filled you in.” I took another slug of wine, the acid burning the back of my throat.

“She said you were vague, and you’ve been mopey lately.”

“I haven’t been mopey and I was vague because I don’t want to talk about it, clearly.” I continued as his gaze searched my face. “It was never a serious thing. We were just screwing around and now we’re not. That’s the beginning and end of the story. And tonight I’m going out and I will probably screw around with someone else.”

Mom gave me a disapproving look, but Dad was still eyeing me with a studious expression. “Ah, you’ve got a point to prove,” he said, needling me. “Well, make sure you’re safe.”

“I will. I’ll be safe all over the place.” My teeth were on edge as I stared back at him, uncertain of why we were having a disagreement, but angry about it all the same. “Is this like an old Victorian thing where you want to make sure I’m settled in case worse comes to worst? Because I’m not fucking settled and I probably never will be. I can’t seem to fucking be enough of an adult for anyone lately.” It felt good to say it aloud, to get it out, and then terrible that it was aimed at my dad. He didn’t deserve it. I knew it even as I stood and stalked off down to the water’s edge with Lainey. An immature emotional outburst. Just add it to my growing list of personal pitfalls.

Razz wasn’t much better.For the first hour, I hovered near our table, sucking down a few beers as Sam and Max ogled, danced, and knocked back shots. When I got bored of that, I drifted toward the bar to get a water, spying Reese perched on a stool next to where I’d managed to wedge myself in near the serving well. He flicked at the screen of his phone. He was dressed down tonight, plain jeans with a bunch of designer holes in them, a tank top stretched over his shoulders, his generous mouth bunched into a thoughtful purse as he scrolled. He glanced up as I placed my order.

“Alex, yeah?”

“You got it. How’d you know?”

He shrugged. “I’ve seen you around with Max before.”

I nodded, uncapping my water and guzzling it when the bartender returned. “Not dancing for your harem tonight?”

One fine, light brow drifted up, then he cut me a small grin. “I’ve got another half hour or so.” He glanced down at his phone, then back up at me again.

I nudged my chin at the stage. “They’re already gathering there in anticipation, looks like.”

“Yeahhh…” He blew out a long breath, expression dimming. I wasn’t sure why. He always seemed like he was enjoying himself onstage.

“Where’d you learn to dance like that anyway?”

“I grew up dancing. And then strip clubs. If you’re interested in seeing more of me, I’m at Hard Ache every Friday and Saturday.” His eyes drifted over me, then blinked away. I wasn’t sure it was a come on, but if it was, I wasn’t going to acknowledge it.

“You were in here with another guy one night. Built, tan, really dark hair with a little curl to it?”

“Tom.”

“Tom, yeah. What’s he about?”

I shrugged. “Depends on how you’re asking.”

Reese screwed his face up and matched my half-hearted shrug. “He came in here the other night. By himself. We—” He shook his head, then lifted his finger, signaling the bartender who rushed over and replaced his drink. Something clear with a sprig of mint in it.

“He’s not a psycho or anything, if that’s what you’re asking.” I didn’t want to betray Tom’s confidence, so I tried to keep it light, but Reese’s icy blue eyes were like lasers on me.

“You’ve fucked him?”

“No.” I laughed, surprised. “I mean, I would have. No question. He can be kind of a tool, but he’s a good guy deep down.” I debated how much I should share. “We’re just friends, though.”

“Mm.” Reese grunted something noncommittal and then that icy stare fixed on me again. Another time, a shiver probably would have licked up my spine to be under that piercing gaze. Now, I just gave him a level look in return.

“You seeing anyone? Because if not, I’ll be done here around 1:30.”

I gave him a small smile. “You don’t want to mess with this right now. I’m walking wreckage and you seem like a cool guy.” I didn’t know Reese well, but I’d heard about him before. He had a rep for wrenching his boyfriends’ hearts from their chests and then leaving them out in the cold, and while I was definitely up for some mindless fucking as a Band-Aid for my current sorry state, I didn’t want to get stuck in the crossfire of Reese and Tom. Whatever the hell was happening there.

He whistled low and gave me a sympathetic smile. “Been there. Done that. Have the T-shirt, the postcard, the tacky-ass keychain, and the bumper sticker. It sucks.” He slid off his stool, tucking his phone into his back pocket. “You change your mind, let me know. Otherwise, tell your buddy Tom to quit being a dipshit stalker and man the fuck up or fuck off.” He flashed me a quicksilver wink and disappeared into the crowd.

I finished off my water and scoped the bar for Max and Sam, catching sight of them on the dance floor. They appeared to have found some freshman noobs. I sighed and pushed off the bar, rolling my shoulders and mustering up my give a fuck. What I needed to do was get laid. Take a note from Reese’s playbook and play it fast and loose like I used to before Rob got me all tangled in knots.