“That is not true,” I argued. “I didn’t break up with her to sleep with other women. We were both going in different directions.”
“No, you were going in one direction,” he said. “And you didn’t want to take her with you. I’ve never said shit about it because I understand you come from a different world. Thea isn’t like you. She doesn’t want the same things you do. She is never going to fit in with your friends. Just let it go. Leave it alone. You guys might get along now, but it isn’t going to last.”
“That’s pretty negative,” I said.
“I suggested you ask her out because you were in a tight spot,” he said. “She helped you out. She took the heat off you and you benefited from having her as a date a couple of times. That’s all it was. You got her some business at the shelter and she helped you clean up your image for your big opening. Just leave it at that.”
“No,” I replied. “It’s more than that. I care about her. Yes, we got together out of convenience, but it evolved from there. We’re more than that. We had something really good back in the day. Yes, I screwed up. The biggest mistake of my life was dumping her that day. I can’t tell you how much I regret it.”
“I’m glad you regret it, but that doesn’t change what’s happening now,” he said. “What are you doing with her?”
“I’m not doing anything,” I said. “We’re exploring the idea of a relationship. We haven’t done anything wrong. I don’t see why you are acting like we’re kids that got caught sneaking out.”
“Because I’m not going to sit idly by and let you hurt her,” he said. “Not now. She’s got a lot on her plate. She’s going to be homeless soon. Our dad, shit, I don’t even know what’s going on with that. She’s always worried about the shelter. This is just not the time for you guys to experiment with feelings and crap. Not now.”
“I know she’s got a lot on her plate,” I said. “I’m going to help her in any way I can. I’ve got my real estate people trying to find her a property. I care about her, Rich. That’s the plain fact.”
He shook his head. “You care about her because that’s what you do. You don’t think of the consequences to your decisions. You come in and out of her life without thinking about what it might do to her. I don’t doubt you care about her right now, but that’s not how Thea operates. She isn’t the right now type. She gets invested in people. In animals. You can’t just use her and then when she’s served her purpose walk away.”
“I’m not using her,” I said. I tried to do my best to control my temper. He was really starting to piss me off. “I’m not that same guy. I’ve grown up a lot. I’ve seen the error of my ways. Messing things up with her is something that haunts me to this day.”
“I have no doubt in my mind you care about her,” he said. “You might even think you love her right now. And that’s the thing. You fly by the seat of your pants. The moment it looks like things might be getting serious, those notorious cold feet of yours are going to stop it in its tracks. Once again, Thea is going to be the one hurt and suffering. I can’t let it happen. I won’t let it happen.”
“You’re wrong,” I said. “I’m different. We’re not rushing headlong into anything. My feet are plenty warm.”
He finished the last of his beer and set it on the counter with just a little too much force. “I’m telling you right now, if you pull the same shit you pulled in the past, we’re done. I will have nothing more to say to you. I let you get away with it once, I won’t let it happen again.”
He slid off the stool and stomped away. I didn’t bother following him. The door slammed shut. “That went well,” I said.
I grabbed the bottle of Advil and popped two more. I grabbed my phone from the counter. There were two texts from Thea asking me to call her. I didn’t have to wonder what she wanted. I finished my beer and grabbed another before calling her back.
“Hey,” she answered. “I’m so glad you called. I wanted to catch you before you talk to Rich.”
“Why?” I asked with just a little sarcasm.
“I wanted to tell you I told Rich about us,” she said.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because I didn’t want to lie to him,” she said. “It was making me feel bad. Plus, do we really want to start this off on the wrong foot? Lying and keeping things from him is just going to blow up in our faces. I’m not good at guilt. I cave easily.”
“Well, you should have given me a heads-up,” I said. “Rich just left here. He wasn’t happy.”
“Oh shit,” she groaned. “What happened?”
“What’d you think was going to happen, Thea?” I snapped. “He’s pissed. He threatened me as usual. I told you he warned me off you.”
“I know, but you know he’s just being protective,” she said. “He loves you like a brother. He’s not going to do anything.”
“I don’t think you know your brother very well,” I said. “I don’t understand why you told him. We agreed to keep it our secret.”
“Since you’re already pissed, I should warn you I told Ally as well.”
“Fuck, Thea,” I groaned. “What’s the point of a secret if you tell everyone?”
“I didn’t tell everyone,” she retorted. “I told my brother and my best friend. I’m not ashamed of it. I don’t like lying. Are you ashamed to tell people?”
“No, but you said you wanted to keep it between us for now,” I reminded her. “I’m just saying if you’re going to tell me one thing and then turn around and do something different behind my back, it’s not cool. You should have told me. I don’t give a shit who you tell. I would just like to know when I’m going to be ambushed in my own home.”