“Hey, if it makes her happy,” I point out.“Look at me, I’m wearing a suit—a goddamn suit—and I spent nearly an hour trying to scrub the damn grease from under my fingernails, but do you hear me complaining?Because the woman I decided to clean up for is looking like a million fucking bucks out there and she deserves for her man not to embarrass her.”
Jacob barks out a laugh and slowly claps.“Listen to you, barely into your first real relationship since forever, and suddenly you’re an expert?”
I lift a lazy eyebrow at him.
“Oh, I’m far from an expert, but I’m a real willing student, and never too old to learn.Especially when I recognize the rewards waiting for me when we get home tonight.”
Brant and KC chuckle, but Althof lifts his hands to his ears.
“That’s my damn partner you’re talking about.”
I ignore Rick and continue to address Jacob, “And make sure to let me know how you do tonight, after letting Stella slave in the kitchen to singlehandedly prepare and serve food for around thirty people, by my count.”
“Ooo, he’s got you there,” Brant heckles the pub owner, who doesn’t look too pleased with me right now.
Too bad.I like Jacob, and it used to be he and Stella worked side by side, but over the years I’ve noticed him spending more and more time on the patron side of the bar, while Stella was forced to pick up his slack behind it.
It’s not the only long-term relationship I’ve noticed developing that kind of dynamic, and I’ve listened to plenty of guys complaining about the fact their wives stopped putting in an effort, when they themselves spend their free time watching TV on the couch, with their feet on the table and a beer in their hands, while their wives are left with all the work to keep the household running and the kids in check.
I don’t pretend to be perfect, I’m far from it, and I have no doubt I’m gonna screw up at times, but I’m damn well going to make sure I pull my weight and carry my share in this relationship.
And whether that means cleaning the bathroom, driving a kid to school, giving her a foot rub after a long day, or putting on a suit from time to time because I know it’ll please her, doesn’t matter.
What matters is I don’t—at any time or under any circumstances—want to take the woman I love for granted.
“Geeze, man.Way to kill the party,” KC complains, tossing the hand he was just dealt on the table before getting to his feet and walking out.
Rick follows suit, but he shoots me a wink as he passes me to return to the bar.
Tony struggles to try and get his collar buttoned up again and his tie in place, before he too leaves the room.
“I need to check on something,” Jacob mutters as he slips by me into the bar.
That leaves just Brant still sitting at the table.
“Sorry to break up your party.”
He shakes his head.“Nah, you’ve got a point.”Then he pushes himself out of his chair.“Let’s go join our women for a drink.There’s something I want to talk to you about anyway.”
I spot Tessa right away, sitting at a table with Savvy and her stepmother, Phil.Brenda is back at the bar with Tony, his arm draped around her shoulder.They’re watching KC and Jacob, who have moved to a game of darts.Rick Althof is sitting a few stools down by himself, but his eyes are not on the game; they appear to be following Dana Kerrigan—Jacob and Stella’s daughter—who is helping out behind the bar tonight.
“Do you ladies mind if we join you?”Brant asks, pulling up a chair from a neighboring table.
“Not at all,” Phil tells him.“Is your poker game done?”
“Nah, I’d rather be out here with you.”
Smooth operator.
I pull up a chair beside Tessa, putting a hand on her knee as I flash her a smile.Then I turn to Savvy.
“Nate not here?”
“He’s home with Magnus.I’m only popping in for a few minutes to show my face.I’m not ready to leave him with a babysitter yet.”
“Understandable.”
After we put in an order for drinks with the server who stops at the table, Brant focuses his attention on me.
