Page 8

Dustin

F rom the shocked looks on some of the travelers’ faces when I exit the bathroom, I can tell they one hundred percent think the attendant and I were in there together. I almost laugh. For one thing, Dustin Junior wasn’t feeling it, and for another, have you seen the size of airplane bathrooms? I’m six-three and weigh a buck ninety-five. Yeah, not happening.

I wink at a lady playing music and she blushes. A fan stops me after a few more rows, and we talk about my last fight while I sign a cocktail napkin for him. My neck tingles and I look in Tina’s direction. A pang of guilt hits at the sight of her puffy eyes and red nose but I shake it off. I raise my brows and hold up the pen and napkin in my hand as if asking, you want one? In a rare show of irritation, she sneers back. My dick decides it likes this and jumps to life in my pants. Where the hell were you a few minutes ago?

Tina looks away first, pretending the barf bag and brochures in front of her are fascinating. I figure the more of a prick she assumes I am, the better. I don’t want to be her friend. I don’t want to talk about what happened in the past. I especially don’t want to talk about Connor. And if she imagines this little work getaway is a chance to play catch-up, she is sorely mistaken. As far as I’m concerned, our past is water under the bridge. A bridge she blew up into a million unmendable pieces when she ignored me after Connor and my parents died like I meant nothing to her.

A people-pleaser to a fault, the old Tina wouldn’t have dared show unpleasantness. We used to have that in common, but look where it got us. Me with my dick in my hand and her pining for a dead man. How do I know her love life has been dormant all these years? Well, it just so happens her grandpa is a huge fan of mine. Pretty ironic, right? He attends all my fights and, to my ever-growing dismay, likes to fill me in on all things Tina. I only let him because I don’t have the heart to tell him that I don’t give a shit about his granddaughter.

Pausing by Tina’s seat, I toss a pack of tissues in her lap. Okay, so I’m not a total asshole. Whatever. Still can’t stand her.

I resume my seat, accepting a fist pump from the middle-aged guy beside me, who’s clearly on the “you got your dick wet” team. I let him think it—it’s no skin off my nose either way. Plus, the look of disgust on Tina’s face when I glance her way is a bonus. But when the guy gets nosy, asking for the gory details of my “hookup,” I shut that shit down. I may fuck around, but I don’t need to brag about it to strangers.

I ignore his attempt to continue this line of talk and send a text to Colin instead. I’ve been missing him like crazy, feeling like a part of me is offline.

ME: How’s married life?

He reads the message almost as soon as I send it. I smile when the dots do their thing quickly after.

COLIN: Peaceful. You should try it. Oh, wait. You need a significant other for that.

ME: Even out of state, you’re still an asshole.

Next, he sends a picture worthy of a postcard, with a sandy beach and palm trees. I can almost feel the balmy breeze. Also in the shot, and firmly in his grip, is a beer bottle that’s covered in drops of condensation. My mouth waters.

ME: Very nice.

COLIN: Speaking of very nice… how’s Tina?

Earlier, after enduring Anderson and Bryce giving me crap, I called Colin, hoping for a little support. He assumed that with my teenage crush within reach, I’d pounce on the chance to make something romantic happen. He’s wrong. There are some things even Colin doesn’t know about me and Tina, and it’s going to stay that way.

ME: I told you. I don’t compete with ghosts.

COLIN: It’s been a decade. All I’m saying is, don’t rule it out.

ME: Look, if she’s willing to spread her legs for me, I’m not gonna say no.

COLIN: Who’s the asshole now?

Through the little window, I watch as the plane maneuvers away from the gate. The pilot announces our departure and the seatbelt light pings on.

ME: Give Stacy a hug for me, bro.

After the initial shock of this trip wore off, I’ve begun looking on the bright side. I’ve been hoping for a challenge, haven’t I? And there’s a lot to be gained from this experience. Like all the ways Tina James can assist me. The possibilities are endless. I chased her tail enough back in the day. It’s time for a little payback.

For starters, she can follow me around like an obedient pup every day, showing me how eager she is to earn her salary. I see a lot of laundry in her future, and dishes are always a burden to me as well. Cleaning toilets was never my forte. What’s that, Christian? That’s not what you had in mind? Shame he won’t be around to enforce anything different. Yeah, I like the idea of switching roles.

Tina shoots me another glare before she whirls around in her seat. Smiling, I stretch my legs out as best I can. Let the games begin.