The Ex Files (Ocean View #1)(4)

“Well, you’re trying to send me off with some unknown matchmaker, so…”

“She’s not unknown. She’s a friend of Jaime’s.”

“I don’t know Jaime!”

“You just said you did, though!” Quinn yells, and I pull the phone from my ear with the shriek.

“I lied!”

“There’s no need to yell, Luke.” I sigh, knowing arguing here is pointless. So instead, I make my tone neutral and calming.

“Quinn, you called me and told me I’m, for some reason, going on dates with a matchmaker to get more dates with other people? Because I’m apparently lonely? I’m happy with my life, Q. I appreciate the gesture. I don’t need anyone.”

“We’re worried about you.” Her voice has gotten soft and concerned, a tone I recognize. Shit. I need to fix this before it gets sticky.

“No need to worry about me, honey.”

“You’re always working. You come alone to everything. Shit, I don’t know the last time you brought a woman home. Wasn’t it weird at Christmas?” It was, not that I’ll admit it. Christmas dinner at our parents’ was the same as it’s always been, but also not at all. My sisters are married with kids, both with husbands who were chatting about family vacations and wiggly teeth, and I just… sat there. I couldn’t relate. For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel connected to my close-knit family. As my sisters grow into their own families, I’m feeling left behind. “We just want you to be happy, Luke.”

“Who’s we?” I don’t know why I’m saying this. It’s basically opening the door to her, giving her hope I’ll say yes to this mess.

“Tara, Mom, and me.”

“You pulled Mom into this?”

“It was her idea. She said it’s killing her to see her baby boy lonely.” The teasing tone is back.

“You guys need to stop. I’m not lonely.” I don’t bother arguing the baby boy crack. As both the youngest and the only boy, I am one hundred percent my mother’s baby boy.

Some days, it’s fine, like when I always get the biggest slice of cake or how I got away with way more than my sisters as a kid. Other times, like this, it’s the absolute worst.

“Yes, you are, Luke. You don’t have to admit it to me, but you’re not that guy. The guy to live alone for the rest of his life, unattached. You love family. But it’s not going to just fall into your lap, babe. You need to actually go out and find it. I know you’re happy, but soon everyone around you is going to be attached and you’ll be alone. I don’t want that for you.”

Quinn’s always known me best of all, regardless of her endless need to mess with me. Right now proves it. I’ve lived my life with little to no change: gone out to games with friends, spent long days on the pier, kept the same daily routine for years. And year after year, I continue to do it without issue. But it’s predictable. It’s the same. And sometimes, even though I refuse to admit it to my nosey ass sisters, it’s lonely. “Just give it a chance, Luke.”

“I don’t know. It seems so weird. Why don’t I just… I don’t know. Download some apps. Go on dates.”

“So you’re admitting it. You want someone.” Shit.

“I’m not saying I’m unhappy or lonely.” I pause, planning my next words carefully. But you’re not wrong—I want a family, eventually. And you’re right, I’m not getting younger. I’m not just going to stumble upon the perfect woman on the side of the road.”

“Perfect! So let’s make it happen. Let’s find you a woman! I want a sister!”

“You have a sister.”

“A new one, with more fun clothes. Tara just wears leggings and gym clothes all day.” I laugh. She’s not wrong, though I’m sure Tara wouldn’t like her calling her out like that.

“Let me try it on my own. I’ll join some of those sites, download the apps.”

“No apps. They’re cesspools.”

“I love trashy women,” I say with a smile, knowing her response before she even says it.

“That’s what got you into this mess. Trashy women who aren’t looking for something real.” Once again, not wrong. “Please. Just go on the two dates. If it blows, you can cancel after that. I won’t hold it against you.”

“And if I don’t say yes?”

“If you don’t say yes, I’ll tell Mom you’re lonely and sad you haven’t met the love of your life yet.” Jesus Christ.

“No, don’t do that. She’ll hook me up with everyone’s niece and granddaughter from here to Philly.” Quinn laughs an evil laugh I’ve heard many, many times over the years. I sigh, resignation clear in the sound. “I’ll do it. Send the details.”

“Yes! I promise you won’t regret it!” she says, but I doubt it. Things like this always blow up in my face. But before I can argue, my work phone rings from beside me and I have to answer.

“That’s work, gotta go, Q.”

“Got it, love you, bro.”

“Love you too.” I disconnect before answering to hear I need to take the truck out and tow a car two towns over. I clean up before I leave, but something about our call, about the impending shitshow, has me distracted the whole drive there.