Page 102 of Home Town Advantage
Iget into the back seat of the town car waiting in front of my house. “Good morning, Keith.”
My bald, beefy guard nods curtly in his always-present aviator sunglasses. “Morning, Ms. O’Shea.”
I roll my eyes at his refusal to call me Sulley. He says it’s unprofessional and, if there’s one thing Keith is, it’s professional.
It took me a few weeks, but I’ve gotten used to having Keith around. He’s a prototypical bodyguard with huge muscles and a no-nonsense demeanor. He doesn’t have much personality, but he’s a nice, unintrusive guy, and I don’t mind having him around as much as I thought I would. The photos and the flower thing really shook me. Keith gives me peace of mind.
At my urging, Reagan ultimately paid the blackmailer. She said it was a one-time thing. The next time it happens, she’s going to the police. Having this turn into a full-blown public criminal case is the last thing I want.
It’s been quiet in the months since. I don’t know if the blackmailer took his payday and ran or if having Keith around is making a difference. Either way, Keith does a nice job. Afterseveral weeks of arguing, I got him to agree not to wear a suit. I feel like it’s more obvious when he’s in a suit, but I suppose having a giant of a man follow me everywhere I go makes it obvious anyway.
Vance doesn’t care for Keith. I think he feels like it emasculates him, and he was disappointed I wouldn’t consider moving in with him. Vance and Reagan came to an agreement that when I stay at his house, Keith goes home.
Vance and I have remained status quo throughout my season, and now his season is underway. I know the pressure he’s feeling in his career. I’m not looking to add to it. When his season comes to an end, we will have our final come-to-Jesus moment. He either shares everything, or I’m walking away for good. I’m in love with him, and I’ll be devastated if he chooses not to share, but I equally know we can’t ever be more if I don’t have all the facts. Part of me is terrified of the answers, but the other part knows I can’t go on being kept in the dark.
My mother and I had a long talk about forgiveness when she visited. She said that, for the sake of her decades-long friendship with the McCaffreys and her own sanity, she’s chosen to forgive Vance. She suggested I do the same. She even went so far as to suggest that Finn would be happy if I were to be friends with Vance. I told her nothing of our relationship, only that allowing him in my life as a friend is an internal struggle for me.
My eyes meet Keith’s in the rearview mirror. “Can we pick up Kennedy today? She’s having car issues. I told her we’d grab her on the way to the stadium.”
He nods. “Yes, ma’am.”
We make our way to Kennedy’s apartment, and I text her to come down. She opens the car door and slides in. “Where’s Booster?” I ask.
She makes a look of disgust. “Family vacation. I hate when employees ask for vacation time.”
“He’s hardly an employee. You don’t even pay him.”
She waves her hand dismissively. “Meh. Whatever. I had to do my own laundry this week. It sucked.”
I giggle. “He does your laundry too?”
“Duh. Of course. Why else would I have an intern?”
I shake my head at her ridiculousness.
She sighs. “Too bad the guys have an away game today. I’m sure yourboyfriendwanted to be at our championship game tonight.”
The Beavers have been on fire. All our hard work has paid off. We’ve persevered through the playoffs, finding ourselves in the championship series. We’re tied at three games apiece. Tonight will be the decisive game seven.
I cross my arms in defiance. “He’s not my boyfriend.”
She raises an eyebrow. “How long have you been fucking?”
“Ten months.”
“Have either of you fucked anyone else in that time?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“Do you want to fuck anyone else?”
I blow out a defeated breath. “No.”
“He’s your boyfriend.”
My shoulders fall. “Until he stops hiding things from me, I refuse to call him that.”
“Don’t blame a clown for acting like a clown. Blame yourself for going to the circus.”
