Page 92 of The Rules of Dating a Younger Man
“Can’t make any promises.” I shrugged.
“So what’s with this new prospect Holden mentioned? Is she cute? What’s her deal?”
I took a drink of the beer. “Just someone I met out one night when Holden was playing. She’s going through a bad breakup, too, so we bonded a little. That’s about it.”
“You should force yourself to go, even if you don’t feel a hundred percent about it yet. You have nothing to lose.”
I sighed. “It’s hard for me to move on physically when my mind is still stuck on Alex. I know that’s unhealthy, and I’ll have to force it at some point, but it hasn’t felt natural yet.”
“I get it. When Devyn was dodging my efforts back in the beginning, I met up with Tarryn. I’ve mentioned her before, the realtor?” When I nodded, he continued. “She threw herself at me, offered me what was sure to be a great time. But even though Devyn and I weren’t together, I was so hung up on her that it still felt like cheating. So I get it.” He paused. “I mean, Alex was your first love basically, right?”
I pondered that. “Yeah. I had my first real love in my thirties, which is pretty damn pathetic.”
He shook his head. “No. What would be pathetic is never experiencing that feeling. At least you can say you did.”
With that, my mind went to Ryan. He hadn’t experienced that kind of love before he died. I supposed I should feel grateful. That reminded me of something my grandmother used to say. “Better to have loved and lost than never loved at all.”
“However, it would’ve been nice if out of all of the people in the universe, the person I fell in love with wasn’t my ex’s stepmother.”
“Touché.” Owen laughed. “Not like you can choose who you fall in love with, though, right?” He sighed. “At some point, you’re going to have to pull the Band-Aid off and just fake it ’til you make it. You know?”
Holden approached. “Fake what?”
Owen turned to him. “Interest in women other than Alex.”
“The girl he met the other night is hot. He shouldn’t have to fake much.” Holden smacked me on the head. “Wake up!”
“You’re one to talk,” I snapped. “When you were into Lala—even back when she was still engaged—women were throwing themselves at you and you didn’t bite.”
Holden wriggled his brows. “Now I bite Lala whenever I want.”
Owen cringed. “Can you not talk about her like that?”
“She’s my wife. I’ll talk about her however I want.”
“Ryan might beg to differ,” Colby said as he joined us in the kitchen. “I still can’t believe you married his little sister. If he were alive, I’m convinced he would’ve beaten your ass over it at least once.”
“We would all have been front and center for that one,” Owen added.
With the subject momentarily elsewhere, I tried to go back to the table, but Owen stopped me. “Hey, we’re not done here. You gonna accept that date with what’s-her-name or what?”
“Her name is Lacey. And I haven’t decided yet.”
“He has until Saturday.” Holden chuckled.
Colby patted me on the shoulder. “Well, my vote is to go for it. It’s been long enough.”
“I know everyone’s feelings on the matter, thanks.”
Just then Lala entered, carrying Hope. “Is the game still going on? Are we back too soon?”
“Game is over, and it’s never too soon, baby. I missed you guys.” Holden kissed Lala’s cheek and the top of Hope’s head.
Lala handed the baby to Holden and walked straight over to me. “What’s going on, Brayden? I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.”
“I’ve been busy. It’s good to see you, though, Lala.”
“Busy is code for moping,” Holden cracked.