Brenner blinks, his gaze jumping between us. “Uh, okay. G’night.”
Calder doesn’t leave my side, keeping Tanner in his periphery.
“He came to pay his respects,” I explain, “and, I dunno, probably see if he can stroke his ego.” Regardless, it’s closing time, and I’m not above urging him to leave.
I skirt around Calder. Stopping in front of Tanner, I prop my hands on the drink rail. “Thanks for stopping in. I’ll pass on your condolences to Sawyer.”
His gaze slants toward Calder. “I can wait and walk you out.”
As if I haven’t been locking up without him for years?
“I’m fine.”
“Come on, Mer.”
I bristle at the overfamiliar shortening of my name.
“I don’t want you going home alone.”
“I’m fine.” I’m not, but I won’t get into the details.
Calder stands next to me, placing his hand by mine. He’s close, his chest nearly brushing against my elbow. “She’s not going home alone.”
A choking sound gets stuck in my throat. Does he know what that sounds like? When I sneak a peek at Calder and his set jaw, yes. He does.
Tanner cocks his head. “And you are…?”
“Tanner, this is Calder.”
No recognition flares in his eyes.
“Cross. Calder Cross,” I add.
Tanner’s brows lift. “And you two are?—”
“No.” Living with Calder is awkward enough. Rather, not as uncomfortable as it could be, and I don’t want that to change. I also don’t care to hear Calder rush to clarify what we aren’t. “He’s staying at the house, since it’s probably his.”
Does Calder sway closer? His heat surrounds me, and I snatch little beats of comfort from it. I’m so tired my heart hurts, and he doesn’t need to know.
My ex frowns. “Ram didn’t hang you out to dry, did he? I mean, this place should be yours.”
The air thickens between Calder and me.
I swallow. “It’s not my decision, and Ransom had three kids.”
“Kids who left.”
He always did kiss up to Ransom. Tanner’s about status, and he wants some of his own. I knew perfectly well that Annie was the daughter of a bank president. If her daddy were on the road crew that came in the other day, Tanner wouldn’t have fucked her. Or maybe he would’ve anyway.
“Aren’t they all rich?” he asks as if Calder isn’t right next to me. “What would they need with this place? Would they even know what to do with it?”
“None of that’s your goddamn business,” Calder says, his tone frigid. “Neither is Meredith. You need to leave.”
Tanner’s sharp inhale echoes between us, heightening my discomfort. I can’t handle an argument right now, nor do I care to witness the guy who didn’t love me engage in a pissing contest with the guy who likely only cares because he needs to be in control.
“All right, Tanner. Let’s call it a night. I appreciate your concern.” I leave Calder’s space, missing his heat immediately, and head for the exit. Tanner slides off his stool to trail after me.
Once I can grab the handle, I swing the door open. Frogs croak in the distance, the dewy smell of the night surrounding me.
