And that circular reasoning was confusing me.
“I don’t know what the hell’s going on, but maybe you should think about it.”
“What’s there to think about? I’m not dating anyone. I don’t plan on it.”
“Is that what Amara would’ve wanted?” East asked, and I staggered back, wondering why this Wilder of all Wilders would be the one to finally reach that wall that I had put between us for so long.
“I don’t want to talk about Amara.”
“Maybe that’s the problem.”
“East. I loved my wife. I grieve because I’m always going to, but I’m not in a deep state of mourning where I can’t get up. I don’t want to date because I already did it.”
“So you’re just going to be alone forever. Going to die a born-again virgin?”
“I didn’t say I wasn’t going to have sex again.”
“So you’re going to go from a love of your life to meaningless sex. That makes total sense.”
“I’m done talking about this,” I growled.
“Fine, I’ll leave you with this. Tonight is Singles’ Night down at the retreat. It’s make your own pizza because, apparently, Elliot is in the mood to add random themes to his plans. I know Ava is going to force Rory to go because the girls have been doing well in their new school, and therefore, they get a night out with Ava. Or at least that’s what Ava’s framing it as.”
“Is there a reason you’re telling me this?” I bit out.
“Fine, I’ll put it plainly. Rory is going to be at a Singles’ Night, and a certain Ashford is going to be there as well because of his own reasons. Briar just mentioned it.”
I cursed under my breath. “Why does it matter that Callum and Rory are going to be at a Singles’ Night together?” I asked, the bitterness on my tongue practically stinging.
“I don’t know, Brooks, why does it matter?” East asked before the traitor went back to work, whistling under his breath as if he hadn’t just shoved a stick in the hornet’s nest that was my brain.
“So, you either got roped into this, or you’re finally going to make a move,” my arch nemesis, who shouldn’t have been my arch nemesis, said, and I glared at Callum.
“I’m just here because the women made me,” I lied. Although it might not quite be a lie now that I thought about it.
“Okay, buddy. And you keep telling yourself that.”
“Is there a reason you are here?” I finally asked, annoyed at the other man. Because in any other instance, I thought maybe the guy and I could be friends. He was just as much of an asshole as I could be. But there was just something about him, like how he looked at Rory as she walked over to us. She had on knee-high soft tan boots, and a red dress that went to right above her knees and had three-quarter length sleeves. The long V between her breasts showed slight cleavage every time she moved, and I couldn’t help but let out a shaky breath every time I looked at her.
“Hey Rory, you want to be my pizza buddy?” the man drawled, his voice deep and scratchy.
Rory looked between us, eyes wide. “You guys were forced into this too?” she asked, her voice soft.
“Yes,” we both said at the same time, and I growled at Callum before looking over at Rory.
“The girls have a good day at school?” I asked, the words coming quickly.
Her shoulders dropped slightly, and I frowned.
“They did. I think. Alice tells me every single thing about it, and we go over her homework, and it’s fun. At least, I think it’s fun, but then I have no idea what Cameron is doing. I force her to let me look at her homework, just so I know she’s doing it, but she doesn’t say a word.”
“I know she’s talking with Ava a bit,” I whispered. Because I was studying her face so intently, I saw the flinch. I hated that I was once again the cause.
“I know, and I’m grateful for that. Because at least she’s saying something to someone. But we are three weeks into the school year, and I still have no idea what I’m doing.”
“You’ll figure it out, Rory,” Callum put in before I could. “Those are good kids, and you’re a good aunt. You’ve got this.”
Rory smiled at him then, and I wanted to push the asshole out of the way.
