Page 59 of Into the Blue
My brother opens the door and his dog shoots out, darting to me and then Steph when she sees I don’t have any free hands to scratch her. Steph drops to a knee to show affection to the brown Lab.
Tony has an annoyed look on his face. It usually does look annoyed, but I know it’s even more annoyed because we’re here uninvited and on the day that Drea’s opening her new coffee shop and bakery.
Tony doesn’t know I’m here for work. And I’m gonna keep it that way for now. I leave my bag at the door and let those two do whatever they’renotdoing. I’ll meet them at Drea’s new spot later.
After driving around the tiny main street in Alpenglow Ridge for way longer than I’d like to, I finally walk into the bakery. I spot Steph and Tony easily because they’re two of the tallest people in the building.
Mireya, Drea’s daughter, grabs me by the hand, dragging me over to where my brother is. She tells me about how busy they’ve been and I listen to the teenager’s account of everything. It’s this kind of mundane shit that makes me grateful for my decision to separate my life from theirs. Especially when there’s so much goodness here. I could never have this peace and normalcy. It’s far out of reach and that’s the best outcome as far as anyone is concerned.
By the time we reach my brother she hugs us both, “Ant! You’re here! And look, Uncle Blue is here too!” Tony’s nickname from Drea and her daughter is Ant. Apparently it’s hilarious to them both because he’s so big in comparison to them.
I know that my brother is an important part of Drea and Mireya’s lives. It makes me wonder why he’s even bothering to date my best friend and why she’s even here right now. I guess he was planning to come without his new girlfriend until I showed up. I smirk to myself, watching him squirm in the hole Imayhave helped him dig.
“Who are you?” Mireya asks with curiosity in her voice that is as innocent as a young person could convey with her head leaning to one side.
Steph approaches her, unbothered. “I’m Steph,” she says, holding out her hand. “And you must be Mireya… Is that right?”
The girl nods, expression unreadable. Doesn’t say another word to her.
She glances at her mother for confirmation, and Drea gives a tight smile that’s very brittle.
This ain’t going how Steph probably imagined.
I step into the awkward huddle, pretending like I don’t notice the temperature drop. “Well… this is nice and awkward.”
There is so much tension in this group and clearly secrets that are being kept. When no one says anything I decide to intervene.
Could I have left it alone? Sure. But this was a problem for my brother that I’m a small bit responsible for. I plan on being here for a least a few days since Colton wasn’t home when I drove by earlier. Letting him have some time to talk to Steph is probably the best thing for him right now.
“Drea,” I say, tilting my head toward the bakery counter. “Show me around? I’ve never actually seen the inside of this place.”
She hesitates for a second, but eventually sighs and gestures for me to follow her. “Come on, then.”
We leave Steph to navigate the lion’s den, Mireya trailing a few steps behind like a tiny bodyguard. Colton’s kid or not, I like the girl.
Drea glances at me as we walk past the framed photos and old-school charm of the bakery's new look since she bought it. “Steph, huh?”
I lift a brow. “What about her?”
“She’s with Tony?” She stops near a side door, arms crossed. “Seriously?”
“Looks that way,” I shrug. “She’s good with Tony. He’s the one who wants to build a family and shit. That’s not for me.”
“Yeah, but girlfriend?” Drea shakes her head. “Wild. I didn’t even know he was talking to anyone.”
Neither did I until Redd made it clear that he had a problem with it. “Not until about a month ago. She grew up with us. We were all friends. You know, played basketball together. Long story.” I lean against the wall. “You okay with it?” Can’t help but be a little bit nosy since this development has caused a ruckus in my life.
She gives a half shrug in response and then lets out a long exhale. “I mean, it’s not like it’s my business. But it’s weird seeing him with someone and not tell me about it.”
Fair point.
There’s something like jealousy in her voice, mostly surprise though. Drea’s never been petty like some of the others around here. Maybe that’s why Tony always kept her close. Beats me on why they aren’t together though.
I look for the woman in question and find her standing in line with T by the register. Steph moves through the bakery like she belongs here, even if the glares say otherwise. She’s got that unshakeable poise, that high-polish grace that makes women either want to be her or cut her down to size. Gotta admire how she handles her own.
Drea studies me a moment, arms still crossed. “So what really brings you out here, Blue? You haven’t been back in forever. And don’t say it was because of my opening though I am grateful you came.”
I flash her a grin, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. “Love supportin’ small business.”
