Page 28 of View With Your Heart

Ethan shows up with Jacob Vincent, someone I only met during the film showing. He’s Pam Carter’s man and looks like a scrapper. Only an inch or two shorter than me, he’s a cross between a college professor and a wannabe fighter. It’s like Clark Kent. If he took off the glasses, a hidden superhero exists underneath the spectacles. It’s obvious his nose was broken once, and he has a scar on his forehead. Jacob’s vibe is more pissed off at the world while Leon’s got the look of a man who did time. However, both men are cordial enough.

Throughout our day, I learn more about them while catching up with Tom and Jess. It’s been a long time since I’ve hung out with just guys. I always had my teammates, and then I had the film crew. Joe Scanlon, my future business partner, is awesome, but this is different. These guys are family, and the new members feel like old friends.

“So, the movie industry,” Jacob says. “I know a few people in the business.”

“Oh yeah, like who?”

Jacob looks at Ethan as if questioning if he can trust me. Seeing something in my brother’s eyes, he answers. “My father is Nicholas Vincentia. He’s a supporter of film.”

Holy shit, I know the name and vaguely remember Ethan asking me about him almost a year ago.

“That’s awesome,” I say.

“Yeah, too bad, he’s not.”

Ah. Point made.

“Well, Joe and I aren’t looking for favors. He has a lot of connections where I don’t. I’m just the money man.” I laugh, but it isn’t totally true. Our new venture will be a partnership. “Besides, Zeke Steinmann is the father of my former girlfriend, Zoey. He runs Steinmann Studios.”

Jacob chuckles. “I know Zoey.”

“No shit,” I tease.

“No shit.” He offers no further explanation, and I don’t ask. If he fucked my ex when they were teens, I don’t need to know.

“You aren’t with Zoey anymore? When did that happen?” Ethan asks.

“Quite a while ago,” I say.

“I didn’t know that. How did I not know this?” Ethan teases, lifting a beer for his lips.

“Probably the same way I didn’t know Britton McKay was back in town.”

“Who’s Britton?” Jacob asks.

“This hot piece Gavin was into as a teen,” Ethan explains.

“Hey,” I snap, not liking how my brother describes her.

“Britton McKay? My neighbor?” Tom questions.

“Yeah, funny no one mentioned that either,” I say, reminding myself of things I haven’t known.

“Why would anyone think to tell you a girl you were in love with back in high school was back in town?” Jess questions, his jaw clenching in that thinking-way he has.

I don’t have answers to this question that keeps coming up, but I do know it’s been bothering me more and more that I didn’t know she is here again.

“Just seems strange no one mentioned it,” I say, looking off toward the shoreline wanting to switch topics.

We spend hours discussing Jess and Emily’s upcoming wedding and Leon’s excitement over his child with Tricia. He really does seem like a good guy. Something’s in the water with those Carter women as Pam’s pregnant, too. Jacob’s more hesitant to talk about her, but the subtle gleam to his eyes when it’s mentioned indicates he’s sheepishly proud of himself.

“Fatherhood is the best,” Tom states. He’s the class clown kind of guy, never seeming to take anything seriously, so the comment is surprising. “Holden’s getting to an age that’s really changing things,” he says of his twelve-year-old son. “And it’s hard to believe Madison is going off to college.” Tom gazes back over the windshield. “Time goes too fast.”

Jess smiles up at his brother. “I can’t wait for Emily to have kids.”

“Don’t tell me she’s pregnant, too,” I scoff, feeling like the odd man out without a woman or children. Then again, Ethan and Ella aren’t having children anytime soon, so he says, as they both have new businesses blooming.

“Nah, but we keep working at it,” Jess teases, and we all congratulate him with laughs. For some reason, the comment reminds me of a momentary lapse in judgment when I entered Britton without protection on that glorious weekend romp. I just wanted to feel her again as I had when we were young and stupid. She could have gotten pregnant from that moment, but thankfully, she was on the pill.