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"She's a grown-ass woman. She can make her own decisions."
"She's leaving town in a couple of months."
"No one's saying you gotta wife her up. You're allowed to just have fun, you know."
I massaged my temple. "This isn't helping."
"You know, I hate to say it, but I really can't help with the work."
My stomach dropped. "Come on."
"No can do. I'm booked up for months. Got the Maine Hot Rods and Heroes show coming up. It’s gonna be all-hands-on-deck until then. You’ll have to get another contractor to help."
"I would, except Dad agreed to do the work without taking upfront payment."
He grimaced. "Typical. Well, then I guess it's your job. You want my advice?"
"No."
"Don't fight it with Elara. Have some fun. Feel good about yourself for once."
"Absolutely not. I'm a single dad up to my eyeballs in responsibility, especially with Dad laid up. Can't afford any distractions. Nothing else is gonna happen between me and that girl, end of story."
"Really? Care to put your money where your mouth is?" Ethan challenged slyly. "A little betterino?"
"What are you, twelve?"
"Hmm. You seem pretty confident. Let's make it interesting. Anything else happens with Elara before the renovation is done, and you have to take a week off work. Just for you. I'll look after the girls."
"And if nothing happens?"
"Then I'll service your pickup for free. I'll even throw in a new set of tires."
"This is so dumb."
"Hey, if you don't trust yourself to keep it in your pants, by all means, don't take the bet."
"Course I can keep it in my pants. Fine." I gripped his greasy hand and shook firmly. "Better get those tires on order. Fancy ones."
“Hey, take this,” he said, reaching into his overalls pocket and handing me a shiny foil square.
“A condom?” I snorted. “Seriously?”
“Just fucking take it.”
“Don’t even wanna know why you keep condoms in your work overalls, brother,” I said, shaking my head. In spite of myself, I pocketed the damn thing then headed out.
"See you at Jack's party!" Ethan called after me.
“Yeah, yeah,” I responded, waving my hand without looking back.
Ah well. At least Elara wouldn't be there.
***
The drive to Stephanie's to pick up the girls was short. She lived in Goldharbor Bay, which felt a bit like Bluehaven Beach's rich cousin. The town didn't have Bluehaven’s soul, but stunning scenery drew second homeowners, vacationing from Portland and New York.
Stephanie’s modern condo looked over the long, honey-colored bay. I parked my beat-up red Ford F-150 right next to her pristine white Volvo SUV. The way those cars looked next to each other was basically the story of our marriage.
