Roommate Arrangement (Divorced Men's Club #1)(5)

“Hey,” he says when he reaches us. “You’re … I, umm, didn’t know you were visiting.”

“I’m not.”

His forehead creases in confusion. “Then …”

“I’m back for good.”

“You’re what?”

I laugh because the poor guy looks legitimately in shock. “Moving back. I’ll be staying with Marty for a bit, so I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

“And Kyle?”

Yikes. As positive as I am about moving forward, having to explain the breakup over and over isn’t going to be a good time. “We split.”

“Oh.” Something crosses his face that I can’t work out, and then it disappears when his order is called. “That’s … I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t be,” Art cuts in. “It’s good news, not bad. Sometimes we have to cut the shit out of our lives in order to level up to our best selves.”

I grin at him because he’s always saying stuff about spreading our wings and exiting our cocoons or whatever. Beau clearly doesn’t know how to take him.

“It’s cool.” I wave his concern away. “Thanks, but Art’s right. This is a good move for me.”

Beau hurries to agree. “Of course, yeah. Well, I’m glad, then. I’m actually on my way to meet Marty now, but I’ll see you soon?”

“For sure.”

His face breaks into a wide smile that’s impossible not to smile back at. It defines his jaw and lights up his blue eyes behind the clear-rimmed glasses he always wears. “Right, okay.” He backs up. “See you then.”

As soon as he’s gone, Orson laughs. “Wow.”

“What?”

He rubs at his stubble. “The man was very nervous around you.”

“He’s always been like that.”

Art nods. “It’s true. Though it was worse when we were younger.”

Oh yeah, I’d almost forgotten about that. The stuttering and blurting out random comments. I’d forgotten because the past few years, it had all but disappeared. What’s brought it back now?

Griffin hums. “Weird or not, he’s hot.”

“Agreed,” Art says. “I’d bone him.”

“Is he single?” Griffin asks.

I shrug. “I’m not sure actually. He was the last time I saw him, and Marty hasn’t mentioned anything.”

“Maybe when Poppy and I officially split, he’ll be interested in a date.”

I eye Griffin. He’s the more serious out of us all, with the least relationship experience, but he’s gorgeous, with dark brown hair, neat stubble, and insane piercing blue eyes.

Art’s distinguished, with Portuguese good looks, the kind of presence that demands attention and an attitude to match.

Orson’s the oldest of us, with a short beard that has more silver than black, but his hair is still dark. His face is lined in a friendly way, and he looks rough around the edges, but is the biggest sweetheart I’ve ever met.

I’m … well, the laid-back one out of us all. Well, usually. The whole cheating thing was hard to be laid-back about.

And trying to picture any of them with Beau … I can’t see it.

“How much longer until the split now?” I ask Griffin.

“End of summer. Once Felix leaves for college, we’ll separate and then tell him when he’s back for his first break.”

“No second thoughts?”

Griffin shakes his head. “None. Poppy was a great wife, but we’re both ready to get on with our lives now.”

“And you don’t think you should do it before Felix leaves so you can work through it together?”

“I’d rather wait until he’s off at college and has plenty of friends there to distract him.”

“You really think he’ll be that upset?” Art asks.

“Yep.” Griffin stares at his tea. “He doesn’t like change and can be a bit … dramatic.”

I’ve gotten enough of a read on the situation through our texts, so I remind him, “You and Poppy are going to support each other through this, and you’ll both be there for Felix like you always were. You guys will adjust.” And at least Poppy never cheated on you.

That part I keep to myself.

“True.” He sighs. “But fuck I’m ready to get laid again. It’s been years.”

They’ve stayed exclusive even with the plan to split because they haven’t wanted anything to get back to their son, and while Griffin is … let’s go with quiet, it makes me respect him to be putting his kid first like that.

It’s been a month since I left Kyle, and I haven’t had sex since. Truthfully, it’s the last thing on my mind after what he did, but I know it won’t take long for that urge to come back.

The urge will need to wait a little longer though because while I’m staying with Marty, I’m putting all my energy into family time. My brother, my sister-in-law, and my nieces are going to be spoiled filthy rotten. Well, with love. My money only extends so far right now, which is why I can’t find my own place. Yet.

We finish up, and I tell the guys I’ll see them next week before I head for my car. It’s late enough that Lizzy should be home with the girls, and the thought of seeing my nieces immediately boosts my mood. They’re adorable. And full-on.