Page 95 of Unhinged

He nods. “I heard. Sorry about that. Shasta told Grant while they were in his office for lunch, and he threw a shit-fit, broadcasting to everyone he’s a sack of shit. He wants nothing to do with Birdy.”

I mutter, “Poor baby.” My chest squeezes, thinking of what kind of life she’ll have.

Wilder nods. “Yeah. That was shitty for her to do to you. Can you sue her?” Yes.

I shrug, but it hurts the more I think of Shasta giving Birdy to me and then taking her away. I would’ve come back for Birdy. I just need to straighten my shit out. But now, I don’t even have the chance with her. “It upset Simone. She cares about Birdy and misses her.”

“I know.”

I frown and look at the counter. When I look up, Wilder’s expression is contemplative. “How much of a marriage is this?”

“As much as it should be for a year.” I want to stay married to your sister. And not as part of a deal.

What a fucking idiot.

“I know this is heading for a split, but I swear to God, if you hurt her, I will make you suffer.”

“I won’t. I like Simone.” If only.

“She said you’ll date other people during this marriage?”

I force myself to nod. “Yep. That’s the deal.”

“I’m going to hate myself for asking, but weren’t you dating each other a few months ago?”

I lean my lower back against the counter behind me. “Off and on.”

“Oh. That’s surprising.”

I glance up at him and keep my voice steady. “Why?”

Wilder’s dark eyebrows shoot up and then tug together. “You two have always had this bizarre, symbiotic relationship.”

“We’ve had no relationship. We’re just friends.”

His frown is dubious, as it is cocky. “Sure. But if she’s just a piece of ass to you, think again because I’ll chop your ass into pieces.” His voice is soft and menacing. Holy fuck, I feel like I’m in a horror flick.

I swallow. “She’s not. Again, only friends.” I can’t tell him I’m nailing his sister, married or not.

He scoffs, “Married friends.” I frown at the truth.

I glance at Wilder’s black-and-silver wedding ring that Hadley slid onto his finger as I watched. I retort, “You’re married to a friend, right?” And she’s madly in love with you and will never cheat. I guarantee that.

His smirk is slow, but he nods. “Yeah. You’re right. Anyway, as weird as this situation is, Simone’s dad, Marc, is a bastard. He and my mom weren’t together long, and he was in Simone’s life for even less, but he won’t ever let her forget she’s his kid. So, seeing Simone beating him at his own game makes me proud, even if she has your last name now.” He laughs, and I roll my eyes. “Thanks for helping her do it.”

“Uh, sure.” I didn’t fucking expect Wilder to thank me. Jesus, Harry, and Jonas.

Before leaving the kitchen, Wilder shakes his head like he doesn’t believe he didn’t kill me.

I follow him back out to the bar, where Simone and Ricky are talking. From the look on his face, he’s pondering her open marriage. He didn’t want Simone months ago, and now he’s setting his sights on her in North Carolina? Hell, no.

Simone laughs and then nods, checking her watch. Wilder joins their conversation, but I can’t read lips like Great Uncle Dewey after mistaking an M-80 for his cigarette that unfortunate Fourth of July. It was also unfortunate how he had to use his hands to read lips since the explosion blew out his eyes.

It’s common knowledge around here that I descend from a long line of dumbasses. That should be the main reason I can’t reproduce.

About ten minutes later, Simone hugs them, and they leave without further lectures or dirty looks, which blows my mind. Maybe now Simone can blow me.

Simone lays the tray on the bar and gives Milt her refill order. As I slide a refill to Darnell, a former deputy mayor, I look at Simone. “So, all good?”

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