“Is this because of what I said about Zia?”
“No,” I frown. “Why would it be?”
“I just thought you might like her, and I wanted you to know I was okay with that.”
Clearing my throat, I blink in surprise. “That’s a big statement, buddy.”
With the gravity it deserves Joe reminds me, “You and Mom are getting divorced.”
While it’s not the first time we’ve had this conversation, it’s still not an easy one for me knowing how hard this must be for our son.
Taking a sharp breath, I nod. “That’s right, and look, it’s okay if we all take time to get used to that, don’t you think? I think you’ll need some time, don’t you?”
“Yeah, Dad, but I figured if Mom can have a boyfriend, why can’t you have a girlfriend?”
Bennett spins around.
Josh stands up.
Ice shoots into my spine.
But I keep my voice steady for Joe. “This isn’t about Zia. Or your mother’s…boyfriend. Now go play. We’re all fine out here.”
He exhales, “Oh good!” tucking chips under his elbow to carry the cups and carton back to Will’s room.
As soon as he’s gone, Josh chokes, “Holy shit.”
Bennett whispers a slow, “Nax?”
Knocking my coffee mug across the room I snarl, “I have a phone call to make.”
Zia
My cousins came up to my loft to use the bathroom and dig into my business. “You guys were the life of the party,” Christina says, walking to the loo first, “and then from out of nowhere you wouldn’t look at him. Don’t tell the deets until I get back. Hang on.” She disappears without locking the door.
Temp rattles the doorknob, “Can I come in?”
“No!”
Laughing, Tempest walks away. “Hates it when I do that.”
I open my fridge. “Want some water or something?”
“Have any sparkling?”
“Yep.”
Tempest makes herself cozy on my blue velvet chesterfield couch, sunlight reaching for her through ten-foot-high windows that line the east side. If you walk up to them you can see the entrance to the Holland Tunnel below, vehicles vying for space before stoplights turn red.
This building was originally a printing house, of newspapers among other things, and black and white retro photos from that time line the foyer downstairs, a cool reminder.
But my favorite part is that in all of the lofts there are large white columns that remind me of spaceships at the top, the way they smoothly spread under a cement ceiling painted white.
I got this two bedroom, one bath for a steal years back before this area was cool, when I had a roommate. When she moved back to England, I held onto it thanks to rent control the landlords hate me for. It’s why I don’t hold the parties here, though there’s more than enough space — the risk of a reason to evict me isn’t worth it. Plus, we like the open air better at my cousins’ rooftop. Can’t grill in here.
Since the subject is paused until Christina’s return, Tempest brings up another. “Heard from James?”
I walk her bubbling glass over, shaking my head. “Not today, no. I’d forgotten all about it, actually. Which says a lot because he was really weird last night.”
“Last night?”
“He showed up at your place.”
Lowering the glass to her lap, she blanches. “Oh no! Really?”
“Unfortunately.”
“He didn’t come up. Guess you sent him away?”
“Luckily he didn’t try to. I was glad he showed some sense and didn’t make it more embarrassing for both of us.” Crossing to the leather bench I coveted for months before having enough money to buy it, I sit down and push my hair from my forehead, remembering the look in James’s eyes. “He’s convinced I’m in denial about my feelings for him.”
She scoffs and crosses her legs, long skirt flowing down the front of my couch like a footless fairy. “Of course he is.”
“I made it clear I’m not. He’ll get over it.”
Christina walks out, pointing to her mouth. “Why didn’t you guys tell me I had pepper stuck in my front teeth!?”
Tempest twists to see her sister. “Didn’t notice.”
“I kissed Bennett goodbye looking like this.”
I smirk, “It’s probably over.”
Tempest gives a sad nod. “It was fun while it lasted. Too bad he’s gone now.”
Christina flips us off with a grin, heading for my kitchen. “Is that sparkling water?” Helping herself, she continues, “What happened with Nax, Zia? I’m dying to know.”
“I already told Tempest and now I don’t want to repeat it.”
“Liar. I can hear you through the bathroom door.”
“And we could hear you. Gassy?”
She laughs, “Shut up! I wasn’t.” Pausing with the bottle above a clean glass she asks, “Was I?” and resumes pouring with a more certain, “No I wasn’t! Nice try.”
I make a fart noise, a really gross one. Tempest joins in. They get louder and nastier until Christina cracks up so hard she has to wipe tears from her eyes, walking with the bottle to refill her sister’s glass. Pulling a fuzzy throw blanket from the arm, Christina sits on the couch, cuddles up with it, eyes on me, expectant.
I sigh, “He told me he’s getting divorced.” My cousins raise their eyebrows at the exact same time. “Just blurted it out.”
They exchange a look, Christina announcing happily, “He likes you!”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“You guys were so cute at the mini golf!”
“I don’t care.”
“You were having so much fun!”
With compassion rather than enthusiasm, Tempest chimes in, “You made it fun for all of us.”
“You mean Josh wasn’t a laugh a minute?”
“Ha!” she explodes, nearly spilling. “That guy is such a jerk! I think I might hate him.”
Chris exhales. “He wasn’t very nice today.”
“Not very nice?! He was downright rude to me! I know about his tragedy, but he smiled at you guys. Why treat me like I’m a peasant to his King?”
“He’s not normally a jerk, Temp. He’s normally very cool. Quiet, but cool.”
She sets the glass down on my copper drum coffee table like she can no longer stomach anything besides resentment. “Totally ignored my question like I’d never even spoken at lunch. I saw you look at me when he was interested in
