Page 10 of Feuds and Interludes
“Way,” Brandon said. “He wants your assbaaad.”
I threw my empty bottle at him, but I was still smiling.
Could it be that Shane Butler had something other than hatred on his mind? Could a round of angry sex with the gorgeous man make him hate me less?Tempting.
But then I thought about our grandparents making eyes at each other, and I shuddered.
Uh-uh.
No way.
Bruce Duncan better take care with my beloved gran. Old man or not, I’d take him out.
And if his grandson didn’t like it…well…
Shane Butler could kiss my…something.
Five
Shane
“Boone Collins can kiss my ass.”
Honestly, if I had to hear his name one more time…
“Calm down, Shane. Such a hothead.”
Pops was the only one I allowed to talk to me like that. My fiery temper apparently came from him, though I’d never seen it. My mom inherited it from somewhere. Her mother—Bruce’s second wife, Eddie Mae, a sought after Black hairstylist from Alabama—who died before I was old enough to really know her, apparently was a tough one too. Her and Pops supposedly had some epic rows.
“I wish you would have given me a heads up that you were going to use this opportunity to declare your love for your ex-best friend’s widow.”
The cheeky bastard just chuckled. “Yeah, well, I’m just getting warmed up. As soon as we’re back in LA, I’m going to call her and ask her on a date.”
“A date? With Vera Jean Collins? Are you out of your mind?”
Pops’s teasing smile faded and in its place was a haunted expression, one from a man who had lived a hard life, a lot of it his own doing, and who dared to want more for himself.
“No, Shane. I’m finally in myrightmind. Vera Jean made the best decision for herself back then. I was a mess. John was a better choice for her. But now? I’m sober, I’m healthier than I’ve been in my adult life…I’ve still got a few years to kick around. I’d like to spend them with her.”
My heart broke hearing him make this confession. He did deserve to be happy…but really? “Why her? Why not meet someone new?”
Pops shook his head and sighed. “Because it’s time. And it wouldonlybe her.” He locked eyes with me. “She’s the love of my life, Shane. And I want to spend what life I have left with her.”
I opened my mouth to retort, and I saw him brace himself. It took a lot for him to admit that to me.
“Do you think she feels the same?” I asked. Maybe he knew something I didn’t.
Pops grinned wickedly. “We’re about to find out.”
I drove Pops across town a week later to his regular AA meeting and we argued the whole way. The plan was that I’d drop him off, and then he’d walk over to The Dresden afterward to meet Vera Jean for dinner. He’d call me when he was done. When did I become the parent in this relationship?
“Just maybe don’t lead with, ‘you’re the love of my life,’ that’s all. Spend some time, get to know her again. Maybe she’s not the same person she was all those years ago.”
“Of course, she’s not. You’d understand if you ever got out of your own way and let yourself fall in love.”
I scoffed. “What do you mean? I’ve been in love.”
He scoffed. This conversation was quickly devolving.
