He laughs. “Well, I really am an idiot for not insisting we make a deal, now aren’t I?”
I tap my temple, teasing him, then set down my ball, wiggling my ass on purpose.
“Want me to give you a few pointers?” he asks, coming up behind me.
I feel his breath on my shoulder. “Please, oh wise one, show me your ways.”
He chuckles in my ear as he steps even closer, circling his arms around my waist and fitting his hands over mine on the putter’s handle. “Make smooth easy strokes and watch where you want your ball to go.”
I do as he says.
“That’s it. Keep doing that and trace the path in your mind that you want the ball to take, keep your movement smooth.”
I hit the ball, and to my surprise, it sails over the artificial grass exactly where I wanted it to and ends up a few feet from the hole.
“Good shot.” He kisses my temple and steps back.
As we go on, I ask Keane to show me how to do a proper shot a few times, mostly because I like it when he helps me, not because I really want the help that badly or because I care that much whether I win or not.
We’re on the tenth hole when my phone vibrates in the back of my jean shorts a second before the theme song for Jaws sounds out. Keane’s gaze meets mine, but I dodge eye contact, knowing he knows it’s my father calling.
“You gonna get that?” he asks.
I shake my head then line up my shot. Before I can hit the ball, Keane grabs my hand and leads me to a nearby bench. He sits and I follow suit even though this isn’t the conversation I want to be having.
“Why won’t you ever answer your dad’s calls?” He holds my hands in both of his, concern pouring out of his dark blue eyes.
I shift uncomfortably on the bench.
“Fiona, talk to me.”
With an agitated huff, I meet his gaze. “You know what he did.”
He nods slowly.
What more of an explanation does he need? My father scammed people through the investment firm he worked at. Stole their money and used it to support the gambling addiction no one knew he had. People—families—lost everything, including my own.
My father was sent to prison for a decade and my mom had to start over. She made good money at her own job, but she had to settle a bunch of his debts. The only way to do that was to sell the home I’d grown up in and move us into a small townhouse. It wasn’t the big house or all the extras I missed—it was the family unit I’d thought I had. I’d idolized my dad, so to find out he’d done something so selfish that hurt so many people—it’s unforgiveable to me.
“How can you expect me to have a relationship with him? So what if he did his time? That certainly isn’t going to help the people he hurt.”
“When was the last time you spoke to your dad?” He squeezes my hands.
I shrug as though I’m not sure, but the truth is, I remember that day as though it was yesterday. It was at the courthouse the day he pled guilty. With tears in my eyes, I told him I could never forgive him for what he’d done.
“Not since he went to jail,” I say in a low voice.
Keane blows out a long breath.
“It’s fine. I’m over it. Not everyone gets a great father. Could be worse.”
He uses his finger to tilt my chin his way so that I’m looking at him. “You’re not fine with it. I can see the way you tense up and the pain on your face every time he calls.”
“I don’t want to talk about this.” I pull my hands from his.
“I’m not trying to push you, I’m really not. I just don’t like seeing you hurt so much. I think that maybe if you could talk to him, you could resolve some of the things between you two and you’d feel better.”
“There’s nothing to resolve. He did a shitty thing. I can’t forgive him. End of story.” I shrug.
“I’m not sure it’s as cut-and-dry as that, but even if it is, maybe if you get to say your piece now as an adult, you can move on.”
I turn to face him. “What makes you think I haven’t?”
He frowns. “The longing in your eyes when you talk about him.”
I blink several times then stand from the bench. “Are we going to finish this or what?”
Reluctantly, Keane rises to his feet, accepting defeat, which is good. I’m not sure how much more of talking about my dad I can take—because the truth is, I do wish I could forgive him. I’m just not sure I can.
Thirty-Five
Fiona
More than a week has passed since Keane and I were mini golfing, and since then, my dad hasn’t left my mind. My conversation with Keane unearthed thoughts and feelings I’d prefer remained buried.
I’m on the couch, trying to read, early one morning, but none of the words filter into my brain. They’re like a meaningless arrangement of letters.
Marlowe enters the living room wearing a professional dress and heels, ready for work. “You’re home from work early.”
“Yeah, I didn’t sleep well last night at the shelter, so I started all my morning tasks early so I could get out of there. I made coffee.” I gesture with my head toward the kitchen behind me.
Marlowe’s eyes light up. “Thank you.” She returns from the kitchen with a to-go mug in her hand. “Everything okay? Why couldn’t you sleep?”
“Nothing specific,” I lie.
“What’s all the ruckus about?” Keane enters the room wearing just his boxer briefs. Rather than complaining like I did when he first moved in, my gaze leisurely runs up and down his fit body.
“Ugh. Fi, you really need to stop looking at my brother like that. I’m in jeopardy of losing what little coffee I’ve consumed.”
I laugh as Keane comes to sit next to me on the couch and places a kiss on my temple. “Don’t be a hater, Lowe.”
She rolls her eyes and sips her coffee.
“Sorry, did we wake you?” I ask him.
He pushes a hand through his hair, and I watch the way his bicep bulges. “Not really sure it was you guys. But I woke up and heard you two talking, so I figured I’d come out and see what’s up. But I’m glad you’re both here.”
“What’s up?” Marlowe glances at the clock and comes to sit on the chair beside the couch.
“I was chatting with Ollie. He and Jemma are thinking of getting away for the weekend of the Fourth of July. We were thinking we’d head upstate and maybe rent some cabins or something?”
I quickly run through my schedule at the shelter and realize I’ll be able to go away for at least a couple nights. “That sounds like fun!”
“Awesome. Lowe, you in?” he asks.
She looks between us. “And be the fifth wheel? No thanks.”
I frown. “Aw, come on. It’ll be fun.”
She waves me off. “I have to work some extra hours at the office anyway. Besides, one of the girls is having a big BBQ for the Fourth and I promised to swing by.”
“You sure?” Keane asks. From his tone, I think he feels guilty about leaving her behind.
“One hundred percent. Honestly, it’s no biggie.” She walks toward the door. “Have a good day, guys. Keep the sex to the bedroom and off the couch,” she calls before closing the door.
“You don’t have to work that weekend?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Jacques always closes on the Fourth. Says no one eats French cuisine when we’re celebrating Independence Day.” I laugh as Keane stands from the couch. “I’m gonna go have a shower. I’m waiting for a call from the loan officer today or tomorrow. If you hear my phone ring, can you grab it?”
“Sure thing.”
He smiles and heads down the hallway. I know he’s nervous to hear back from them, and I have my fingers crossed that the news will be good.
I set down my book since I can’t get into it anyway and reach for my laptop, finding myself pulling up Facebook and typing in my dad’s name. This is the first time I’ve searched for any information on him since he’s been out of jail. Nothing comes up thou
gh, and I’m not sure whether I’m disappointed or relieved.
My messenger dings with a message from my friend Tabitha. We’re both trying to keep the building Keane’s boss purchased from being torn down. I read through it quickly, feeling guilty with Keane just down the hall. It’s not like I’ve hidden my feelings about the building from him, but a part of me feels like I’m somehow betraying him now that our relationship has progressed to the next level.
Tabitha tells me that she’s collecting signatures from the surrounding neighborhood to have the building declared a historic monument. She did some digging and apparently the person who originally founded this town lived there with his family. They owned the business on the main floor and kept a small apartment upstairs. It’s a good angle, and I agree to help her draft a letter to the Historic Society and City Council.
The water in the shower turns off and I say a quick goodbye to Tabitha before logging out of my account. I’m not trying to ruin anything for Keane, but I can’t help how I feel.
We leave for the cabin first thing on Friday morning after I return home from work. I’m a little tired and plan to sleep in the car on the way to the lake. Ollie is driving us in his Mercedes SUV since it’s bigger and more comfortable than Keane’s Jeep.
We’ve rented small cabins on a lake just outside of a small town. The fireworks and festivities are tomorrow, so we plan to just chill today, maybe do some fishing, and have a campfire tonight.
It’s exciting to be going away and doing something out of the ordinary, but I’m also excited to be on my first getaway with my new boyfriend. We spend so much time in the apartment that it’s nice to switch it up.
We’re about an hour into our drive and my plan of having a nap has gone out the window because I’ve spent the ride catching up with Jemma. She’s in the front passenger seat and I’m behind Ollie, so we’re both turned toward each other and talking nonstop. It’s weird not to know every single thing about her life now like I did when we lived together.
Keane’s phone vibrates in his pocket for what is probably the third time since we’ve been in the SUV.
“Who keeps calling?” I ask, because each time he pulls his phone out, looks at the screen, and silences it before shoving it back in his pocket with a perturbed expression.
He sighs and looks at me almost warily. “It’s Annabelle.”
I try to keep my reaction neutral, but I’m pretty sure I’m scowling. “What’s Annahell calling you for?”
“I don’t know. That’s been her who’s called each time.” His leg bounces up and down with agitation.
“Annabelle from the party, right? Who is she again?” Jemma asks, a concerned look on her face.
“Some chick Keane banged at his work and now she won’t take no for an answer.”
Ollie looks in the rearview mirror and catches Keane’s eye.
“Ouch,” Jemma says. “Maybe you should block her number.”
“You know what, that’s a great idea.” He pulls his phone back out, presses a few buttons, and sighs in relief, returning the phone to his pocket. “There. Now we can have a nice weekend away without her ruining it.”
“I don’t understand what she doesn’t get,” I say.
He takes my hand. “Me either. I’m going to have to talk to Jacques about it if she doesn’t back off soon.”
I’m happy he was honest and told me it was her, but I can’t help being annoyed that this woman cannot get it through her head that Keane is taken.
Thirty-Six
Keane
We roll into the small town just before lunch, so we decide to stop and have a quick bite at the local diner. Lunch is… all right, I guess, if you have low standards. I have nothing against diners. Hell, Rod and I love the one we go to. But when they’re buying everything from the food service company and just heating it up, it leaves a lot to be desired. I felt the worst for Fiona because being vegan at a diner means fries and salad at best.
After lunch, we drive to Lakeside Cottages and check in at the main building, where we get the keys for our individual cabins. Ollie parks his SUV between our cabins, and we make quick work of bringing our belongings to our respective rooms. They’re not huge. About the size of a regular hotel room in a high-end hotel, but they have their own washroom and desk with a chair. The best part is that they overlook the lake and have a small porch out front.
“How’s a little siesta sound to everyone?” I ask. Fiona’s eyes have bags and I know she would probably love a nap. And you’ll never get me to say no to being between the sheets with her.
“Sounds good,” Ollie says. “Want to meet out front here mid to late afternoon?”
“That works,” Fiona says. “I could use a few Z's.”
I smile. Do I know my girl or what?
We head into our cabin and Fiona plops on the bed. “Are you going to join me?”
I raise an eyebrow. “Is that even a question?”
A few steps and I’m jumping onto the bed beside her. She giggles. God, I love that sound. She slides under the comforter and I follow suit, drawing her into my arms. Within minutes, her breathing slows down and evens out. I stroke her back while she sleeps, content to hold the one really good thing in my life right now.
I was denied the loan by the high-risk lender and Jacques isn’t happy. I’m doing everything I can, but I’m starting to think it’s a lost cause. Rod’s offered to talk to his wife again and see if they can co-sign for me. It shouldn’t be his problem, but as much as I hate it, I’m starting to wonder if it may be my only option. I decided to mull it over this weekend and talk to Rod about it next week.
Then there’s the fact that Annabelle won’t leave me alone. I don’t know what her deal is. She’s growing more desperate by the day. One thing is for sure—I have to deal with the situation once and for all, even if that means having Jacques step in, which would be my last option.
I release a resigned sigh, hating the idea of bringing drama to my workplace. This is exactly why I don’t sleep with people I work with. I’m so pissed at myself for making a mistake with Annabelle.
Fiona shifts in my arms and I look at her. Somehow, all the rest of the bullshit in my life is more bearable because I have her. As long as it stays that way, I’ll be okay.
There’s a small restaurant in the main building, so we opt to have dinner there, then return to our cabins at dusk to have a campfire. I build the fire up to a respectable level and we all settle around it—Fiona and me on one side, Jemma and Ollie on the other. They’re both roasting marshmallows on sticks they picked out of the woods.
The lake is calm and the sky is clear, showcasing a plethora of stars. The sound of cicadas, along with the cracking of the fire, fills the air. A plume of smoke shifts in our direction and Fiona and I close our eyes and turn our heads.
“I hate white rabbits, I hate white rabbits,” Fiona says.
Jemma laughs. “Do you think that works?”
“It doesn’t hurt,” Fiona says, turning back toward the fire when the smoke shifts again.
“It’s still kind of weird to see you two together,” Jemma says, pulling her burnt marshmallow off the end of her stick. She turns to Ollie. “Don’t you think?”
He shrugs. “Not really, but I also haven’t known you guys for twenty years either.” He takes a pull from his beer.
“It’s not a bad thing, don’t get me wrong,” Jemma says.
“Oh, I know.” I take Fiona’s hand, bring it to my lips, and kiss her knuckles.
She looks at me with adoring eyes that reflect the flames. All I want is to keep that look on her face, now and forever. As soon as this thing between us started, I knew she was different, knew I felt different, but I didn’t expect my own happiness to feel so tied to her so soon.
The girls chat about all things wedding related, getting really excited when Jemma tells Fiona her idea for centerpieces. Who knew that could be so exciting? Ollie and I work on finishing our beers and chat about baseball and how
Boston is doing so far.
“Do you guys have any idea how many guests you’re going to have?” Fiona asks.
A loud bang echoes across the lake and Fiona yelps. We all turn in the direction of the sound, and seconds later, a burst of color explodes over the lake. Someone on the other side of the water is launching fireworks off their dock.
“Oh wow.” Fiona’s voice is filled with awe.
I shift my seat so I’m directly facing the lake now and tug Fiona’s hand. “Come sit on my lap.”
She gives me a soft smile and positions herself on my lap so her legs dangle off one side. I rest my hand on her hip while we watch every color of the rainbow light up the night sky in a dazzling display. A feeling of peace and contentment I’ve never felt before washes over me and I’d do anything to keep it.
Thirty-Seven
Fiona
The weekend was magical. Beyond magical. Every time I look at Keane now, I feel as if happiness will burst out of my chest like confetti. For so many years, I thought I had figured him out, but now I realize there’s so much more to him. Maybe I was just always seeing what I wanted to see.
I’ve never felt this way about a man before. It’s a little scary. Actually, it’s a lot scary.
Add on the fact that for some reason, the deeper my feelings form for Keane, the more I feel that maybe I do need to resolve things with my dad. Not to try to get us to a place where he’s back in my life, but so I can wholeheartedly move on and leave the pain of the past behind.
We’ve been home from the lake for about an hour. Marlowe wasn’t here when we arrived, so maybe she’s at the gym. I hope she was really okay missing our weekend together.
“I’m going to run to the grocery store to grab a few things. You’re not headed into work early or anything are you?” Keane asks.
“Nope, I’ll be here.” I look up from where I’m sorting clean clothes from dirty in my weekend bag.
Three's A Crowd: A Best Friend's Older Brother Rom Com (Love in Apartment #3B Book 2) Page 18