Page 73 of Another Love, Another Time
I give him a look. “Just drop it, Mackey. I could feel the love from their conversation.”
He scoffs, holding back a laugh. “‘Feel the love,’” he mocks. “Do you know how long they’ve been married? She said they have never lived together. What kind of marriage is that?”
Mackey only knows the bits and pieces that I’ve told him when he asked. He knew from the moment he saw the two of us together that we had history. He’s a detective, for goodness’ sake.
I need to talk to River before the barbecue tomorrow. I don’t want to push her into talking, but the sooner we talk, the sooner we can get through our shit.
Melissa will be there tomorrow, and I don’t want her to be caught off guard. I mean, River should know my mom invites everyone.
~~
I wake up with a pounding headache, and my mouth feels as dry as the Sahara. I drank a little more than I thought I would. I forgot to close the curtains because the sun is shining through. I groan as Mackey’s dog jumps in bed with me and licks my face.
I didn’t get a chance to talk to River before she left. Matter of fact, I’m pretty sure I passed out before she left. After the first cornhole game, she and Mackey kept winning.
Mackey enters the room with a bottle of water and a bottle of Aleve.
“Call your attack dog off,” I groan.
“Bailey, off.” He drags his dog off me. “How are you feeling? I told you to take some Aleve before you went to bed. Stubborn as ever.”
“I know, I know. I don’t think I’ve been that drunk in a while. What time did River end up leaving?”
“She left about an hour ago.”
I shoot up into a sitting position. “What?”
“Calm down, Romeo. She slept in my bed.”
“What?” I’m out of bed, pulling on my jeans. “How could you?”
“Calm down. I wasn’t in bed with her. I slept on the couch. She got a little drunker than she thought she would and didn’t want to drive home. She called her mom and told her that she would be staying over.”
I let out the breath that I’d been holding. River is exactly Mackey’s type, but he would never do anything that would hurt our friendship.
“Sorry,” I say while rubbing my pounding forehead.
“I’m surprised you just woke up. Your phone’s been ringing since five this morning. That’s what woke River up.”
I cringe a little. “Thanks for letting me stay last night and for letting River stay. I’m going to head out. We have a family barbecue today at my parents’. I need to get home and shower. I’m sure my mom will need some help setting up. Feel free to stop by if you’re not busy. I might need backup.”
“Please tell me you’re not bringing Psycho.”
“I’m not bringing her, but she will be there.”
He purses his lips. “I’ll bring the popcorn. Don’t worry. River seems like she can handle her own.”
~~
I’m freshly showered, and I just pulled up to my mom’s house. River is already here. I can already smell the grill going.
Leaving my truck, I walk to the backyard and see my dad throwing some ribs on the grill.
“Hey, Dad,” I greet as I approach.
“Hey, Aug. You’re here early.”
“Yeah. I came to see if Mom needed any help.”
