Page 36 of Wanting the Winger

My shoulders slump.“No, it wasn’t.I didn’t feel that way about her, and I don’t even know where it came from, but since she moved in with me...I can’t think about anything else.”

He groans.“Have you said anything to her about it?”

“No.You’re the only one I’ve told.”

“Okay.I’ll talk to her and I guess we’ll see what she decides.But either way, keep it in your fucking pants.”

“Don’t be a dick.”

“Don’tyoube a dick.That’s my sister.I know you.”

I want to throw my phone into the wall.I was already tied up in knots over Lainey, and now it feels like someone set the knots on fire.

“You think I’m such an asshole that I’d prey on Lainey?Use her?That’s what you think?”

“No.You know I don’t think that.I’m just saying give her time.That’s reasonable, right?”

“Of course.But I don’t need you telling me that.I already know.Give me some fucking credit.I’m the only one who’s been saying all along that Shane’s a fucking loser.”

“I really have to go.Let’s talk later.”

“Okay.Text me to let me know how it goes with Lainey, okay?”

“I will.”

I end the call and scrub a hand down my face.It’s a good thing I’ll be busy with youth hockey all afternoon.Any distraction from thinking about Eric and Lainey’s conversation will help keep me from losing my mind over it.

ChapterTwelve

Lainey

I’ve never been sohappy to be driving away from my hometown.The past hour was a complete shit show, and I just want to escape.

Earlier today, an average afternoon at the lab turned into a nightmare of a day when my brother called me.He told me about a comment Shane made to our mom’s friend’s daughter that literally turned my stomach.

Never once has Shane said I’m pretty or that I look good in an outfit.Tears ran down my cheeks when Eric told me Shane asked for photos of another woman in a bikini.While he was working.It’s disgusting.

It wasn’t just that one thing.Eric said he regrets not telling me Shane wasn’t right for me a long time ago.He said he thought as long as I was happy, it wasn’t for him to interfere.But apparently my sister-in-law Callie has disliked Shane all along and has been telling Eric he needed to say something.

I was embarrassed.Mortified.And really fucking angry.As soon as my shift at the lab was over, I drove straight to Columbus to confront Shane.He wasn’t at home or his office, and he wasn’t answering his phone.

I waited for him, and things took an ugly turn when he brought a woman home and found me sitting on his darkened front porch.

Our confrontation was short.I gave him back his piece-of-shit ring and told him to go fuck himself.I wish I could’ve been badass enough to be icy cool as I did it, but I sobbed the entire time.

I’m just ten minutes out from Bash’s house and I’m still sobbing.I’ve been guzzling fountain Dr Peppers and eating my feelings.My feelings insisted that only drive-through burritos with extra sour cream would do, so I had to stop at a gas station to shit my guts out.While sobbing.

Fuck this day.And fuck Shane.

I was talking to a florist about wedding flowers earlier.Guess I can cross that off my to-do list.

Squaring my shoulders, I resolve not to cry even one more tear over that asshole.

“No more pretending I care about pool chemicals,” I say to my empty car.“At least he’s not getting laid tonight.”

My laugh sounds maniacal.After returning Shane’s ring, I was walking back to my car when I turned around and told his lady friend I hoped she enjoyed four-inch erections and premature ejaculation.She bowed her head and left.

I crank up “Enough for You” by Olivia Rodrigo, fresh tears springing to my eyes.Normally, I’m not so emotional, but right now, I’m so angry I can’t even think straight.I was good to him, and he gave me the bare minimum.

---