Page 7 of Whatever You Want

“In a few more years you’re going to have to keep your liquor cabinet locked up.” I flipped the lid on the cooler, dug through the ice, grabbed a couple of beers, and handed him one.

“Don’t remind me.” He tipped the beer to his lips and pointed it at me. “And you won’t be too far behind me.”

“Are you kidding me? My daughter is an angel.” I chuckled.

He perched himself in one of the folding chairs in the shade. “You better hope she takes after you and not her mother.”

My laughter stopped because it was true. My ex-wife would never win any popularity contests with my friends. She was high-maintenance on a good day and not very well-liked.

“Let’s hope, although I was a little shit when I was younger, so I’m not sure that’s much better,” I said as Marco’s mom walked by.

She smacked me on the arm. “Language, Logan. There are little ears everywhere.”

I winced. “Sorry, Marietta.” She gave me a look and continued over to the buffet table to fix herself a plate of food. Amelia tried to have the party catered, but Marco’s mother would not allow it. Her family came right off the boat from Italy where the rule was; if it wasn’t homemade, it would not get eaten. And Marco might have been a married adult, but he was still a momma’s boy. It was a good thing that Amelia and Marietta got along so well. Otherwise, my friend would be in a tough spot.

Quinn leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. My eyes followed Ava as she carried her plate over to the trash can.

“Do you see something you like?” The corner of Quinn’s mouth twitched.

I gave my head a slight shake and pretended to pay attention to the kids who were throwing a frisbee across the yard. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t ask me that.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “I see you’re not denying it.”

“Is there a reason why you feel the need to call me out?”

“I’m just wondering if you’re ever going to pull your head out of your ass and make a move.” I tossed him a glare, which only made him laugh. “I saw Ava’s daughter sitting with you and Brina at church.”

I pulled my aviators down over my eyes even though we were in the shade. “I was just helping her out. Madison needed a place to sit.”

“I didn’t realize you two had become so friendly.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. It suddenly felt itchy. “I wouldn’t exactly call us friends, but she doesn’t hate me like she used to.”

“I guess that’s a step in the right direction.” He eyed me carefully.

“Quinn, just because she’s single now, that doesn’t mean she’s available.”

At least that’s what I convinced myself. I usually played off my attraction to Ava like it was no big deal, but lately, these feelings were getting harder to ignore.

Marco strolled over, and I clapped him on the shoulder. He was holding Gia, something he’d been doing a lot. He adjusted her little white hat to keep the sun out of her eyes. “You guys doing good?” he asked, settling Gia on his chest and gently patting her back as his niece and nephew rushed through the yard at full speed. I had to jump back to avoid getting hit with a water gun.

“You might want to consider cutting back on those juice boxes and cupcakes you’ve been putting out on the table.”

Marco laughed. “They’re kids and they’re excited. Besides, they’re going home with my brother tonight, not me.”

“Hey.” Amelia approached the group, seeming slightly out of breath. She had a diaper bag along her shoulder, a bottle in her one hand, and a can of baby sunscreen in the other. Man, I don’t miss those days. “Are you guys enjoying the party?”

I took a sip of my beer and looked around the yard. “You did a nice job putting everything together.”

Watching all the young kids run around, and looking over at my friend, there was no question he was a changed man. I was happy for him.

Brina and Madison sprinted across the lawn, overflowing goodie bags dangled from their fingertips. “Dad.” Brina loaded everything into my hands, and I groaned, knowing this junk would end up all over my house. “Can you hold this so I can do the water balloon toss?”

“Sure.” I noticed Madison’s hands were full. “Want me to hold on to yours too?”

Ava slid over, securing her hair into a ponytail. “You mean you’re not going to play?”

“I didn’t realize that adults were allowed to participate,” I lied, reaching for Madison’s party favors. I’d worked a long-ass week and was running on little sleep. The only thing I wanted to do was kick my feet up and enjoy a cold beer.

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