Page 84 of Seasoned
“I’d love to hear the story,” Tyson said.
“You want to tell it?” Kendrick asked Jackie.
“No, you go ahead.” She sipped her wine, eyes locked on Kendrick. She’d barely looked at Tyson all night and that irritated the hell out of him.
His son set down his fork. “Okay, so, I went for a walk in the park—needed to think about a few things and make some decisions, and I thought a walk would do me good. There I was, minding my own business, when all of a sudden I hear, ‘Get out the way! Get out the way!’ I turn, and this woman comes barreling toward me on a bicycle.”
Jackie covered her face in embarrassment. “I hadn’t ridden since I was a kid. Everyone says this or that is like riding a bike. It’s easy and you’ll remember. Well, not so much.”
“Why were you on a bike if you couldn’t ride?” Tyson asked.
She finally looked at him, and he was mesmerized, sucked into the dark depths of her eyes.
“I often go walking in the park to get a little exercise, but I thought riding a bicycle was a way to switch up my routine. I rented a bike and was doing fine, until the incline.”
Kendrick laughed and took over the story again. “So there I was, walking down the incline, and I turn and see her. She’s screeching at the top of her lungs, eyes wide. People are darting out of the way. I was so deep in thought I didn’t hear her until the last minute. She panicked and didn’t know how to brake and ran right into me.” He slapped his hands together.
“Knocked him clean off his feet,” Jackie said, giggling.
“We tumbled into the grass, arms and legs locked together. After I got over my shock, I made sure she was okay. A few people checked on us but I waved them off.”
“He had such a good attitude about it.” Jackie rubbed Kendrick’s arm and Tyson gritted his teeth. Goddamn, the universe really had it in for him. No grace for being a shitty parent.
He caught the waiter’s eye and held up his empty glass. “Another old-fashioned.” He should have ordered two because he intended to down the next one with a quickness.
“You were apologetic, but I wasn’t hurt.” Kendrick shrugged.
“That didn’t change how awful I felt. I’d knocked over a complete stranger. Haven’t been on a bike since.” Jackie shook her head, as if she couldn’t believe she’d done something so wacky.
“We ended up walking to the deli, and she bought me lunch to make up for the accident. And that’s how we met.”
Kendrick smiled at her, and Tyson’s stomach turned. Where the hell was that drink? Watching them together, laughing and talking, taking turns as they told the story, made the ugly green monster in the pit of his stomach snarl and rear its ugly head higher.
“That’s interesting,” he muttered.
“That’s how we met, but getting her to go out with me wasn’t easy. She thought I was too young, but I managed to convince her otherwise.” His son draped an arm across the back of Jackie’s chair.
“That’s nice,” Tyson said, relieved when he saw the waiter approaching. No sooner had the young man set down the glass, he picked it up and swallowed a mouthful. “So it’s serious then?”
Jackie’s gaze met his. “We’re getting to know each other. It’s early yet.”
Early yet. What did that mean? Had they slept together? Had she rocked Kendrick’s world the way she’d rocked his?
Tyson shoved down the disturbing thought of her entwined in bed with his son. Smoothing a hand down his beard, he cleared his throat. “How long have you been together?”
“Officially a month, and this is our third date.” Tyson resumed eating his grilled fish.
“Well, I’m glad my son met a nice woman. I was worried about him, but I see now I don’t have to worry. So, are you planning to have a long-distance relationship?”
“Long-distance relationship? Why would we?” Jackie’s brow furrowed.
“Your relationship will be long-distance when he moves to New York.”
Jackie’s frown deepened and his son shifted away from her and focused on his meal. Too late, Tyson realized he’d said too much.
“We haven’t had a chance to talk about that yet,” Kendrick said, speaking to the plate.
“You’re moving to New York?” Jackie asked.
