Page 31 of Love on the Edge
By the time the last dish is set on the drying rack, Ryan stretches like he just did all the work, then heads to the fridge. "Alright, boys, who needs one?" He starts tossing out beers before anyone even answers.
I catch mine without thinking, the cold can familiar in my grip as we make our way to the den.
We settle in, the familiar routine easing in like it always does. The room smells like old leather and faint cigar smoke, the kind of place where conversations always go deeper than they should.
Dad leans back in his chair, eyes on me. "So, son, how’s everything going with the divorce?"
I exhale, rubbing the back of my neck. "I don’t really know." I glance at Ryan. "Have you heard anything?"
Ryan shakes his head, setting his beer down. "No. I know we served her, but nothing else. She hasn’t signed or returned it with any stipulations."
My grip tightens on the can, jaw clenching. "I just want it done."
There’s a heavy pause. We’ve all lived with the weight of Margo in some way. She’s not here, but she still lingers in every decision.
Drew is the one to break the silence. "You think she’s stalling on purpose?"
I shake my head, but the truth is, I don’t know. "Wouldn’t put it past her. But honestly? I don’t know what she wants anymore. She had the chance to be a real wife, a real mother. She didn’t take it."
Ryan folds his arms, leaning back. "She never really seemed like she wanted the family life. Did you know that before you married her?"
I stare at the label on my beer, peeling at the edge with my thumb. I don’t answer right away.
Then, finally, I sigh. "Maybe. Maybe I didn’t want to see it."
Dad nods, doesn’t press. He lets the words settle.
But Drew and Ryan? They aren’t done yet.
Ryan smirks, shifting the mood. "Well, at least you got good taste now. Valeria’s way out of Margo’s league."
I don’t react. Or at least, I try not to.
Then Ryan leans forward, stretching out his legs like he’s getting comfortable. "I was thinking about asking her out."
I freeze.
It’s quick, instinctual almost, but it happens. My fingers flex just a little, and when I go to take a sip, I almost miss my mouth. Setting the bottle down harder than I mean to, my gaze shoots to my friend.
Drew notices first. "Huh."
I glance at him. "What?"
He shrugs, but the grin is already forming. "Nothing. Just… you made a face."
Dad chuckles, shaking his head. "He did."
Ryan raises an eyebrow, amused now. "Oh, you definitely did. Interesting."
I scoff. "I didn’t make a damn face."
Drew leans forward, eyes locked on me like he’s got me figured out. "So, what’s going on with you and Valeria?"
"Nothing," I say too quickly.
Silence. No one buys it.
Dad takes a slow sip of his beer, then sets it down. "Then why does she make you look like you don’t know what the hell to do with yourself?"
