Page 21 of Dad Next Door
“Jace. His boyfriend.” He made a face. “He’s not a bad guy. Leo likes him, and he’s the only one in that house who actually spends time with him and lets him be a kid. I don’t dislike him as a person. I just hate how all our mutual friends and contacts just accepted their relationship and act like I’m the bad guy for not welcoming Jace with open arms like they have.”
“How long have you been divorced?”
“Six months. We separated eighteen months ago.”
“That was fast.”
“Simon is an attorney.” He laughed into his beer, then gulped down several swallows. “And he’s good at what he does. He had all his ducks in a row long before he walked out on me, and I never suspected a thing.”
“Oof, that sucks.”
“Yeah. Luckily a friend of mine is a divorce attorney, and she represented me. I would have lost a lot more if it wasn’t for her.”
“And he moved on with his boy toy right away?”
“Oh yeah. Announced the relationship and moved him in two weeks after he filed for divorce.” He snort-laughed. “I’m not saying they got together while we were together, but I’m not not saying it. Everyone else believes it started after our breakup, but spoiler alert, they cheated.” Something in his tone caught my attention. His words were slurring together slightly.
“But whatever. He’s Jace’s problem now.” He finished off his beer and showed me the empty bottle. “I must warn you that I’m a lightweight and I’m feeling this.”
“Do you want some water? Or maybe something to eat? I’m doing my usual Friday night routine and ordering pizza so I can gorge until I fall into a food coma.”
He tilted his head and studied me, raking his gaze up and down my body. “You eat pizza? But you’re so fit. Like one of those influencers who seem like they’re just like everyone else but look like they live in the gym.” He widened his eyes. “Wait, would you be considered an influencer since you sell yourself? No, not yourself. I meant you’re your product. Like you sell yourself as your product.” He shot me a pleading look. “Please stop me, or this will go on forever.”
I laughed, unable to hold back any longer. “I should let you keep going. That was quality entertainment.”
“Glad to be the comic relief.” He waved a hand at me. “But seriously, how do you stay in that kind of shape if you eat food like a normal person?”
“Good genes. And I’ve been athletic most of my life. It’s a lot easier to maintain once you have a solid base. And having my livelihood be dependent on what people think of my looks is a great motivator to work out.”
“Maybe that’s my problem. I never maintained my base.” He patted his stomach. “Once upon a time, I was in shape, but then I got too busy being a nerd to do more than the bare minimum needed to look half-decent naked.”
“Nothing wrong with that. Nerds rule the world.”
“So they tell us.” He handed me his empty bottle. “You should probably take this before I drop it.”
“Pizza, yes or no?” I took the bottle from him.
“Yes, if you’re still asking.”
Standing, I went to toss the bottles into the recycling. “What do you like on your pizza?”
“Anything except anchovies.”
“Even pineapple?”
“Hell yes to pineapple. That’s a hill I’m willing to die on.”
Chuckling, I pulled my phone out of my pocket. “Hard same. How about Hawaiian with olives and hot peppers? Get the full salty/sweet/spicy experience?”
“Sounds like a party for my mouth.” He widened his eyes and slapped his hand over his mouth with an audible crack.
I burst out laughing. “A good mouth party?” I teased.
He dropped his hand, an impish grin tilting his lips. “Best one I’ve had in a while.”
I wiggled my phone at him. “I’m ordering breadsticks, extra dipping sauce, and funnel cake. Time to make it a mouth extravaganza.”
Tristan laughed, the sound loud and booming and filled with joy. “A mouth extravaganza,” he repeated when he could talk. “Never had one of those before.”