Page 128 of Home Town Advantage
I hand him his drink, and he smiles as he takes it and sits in a chair. “Thanks.”
I sit on the couch across from him. “No problem.” I point toward his hair. “I see you grew it out again.”
He nods. “Yep. I know you always preferred it longer. My girlfriend, the one in Rome, preferred it shorter.”
That mystery is solved. Now I know why he cut it when he knew I liked it longer.
“Not to be rude, Shane, but what are you doing here? We didn’t exactly end on good terms, if you remember.”
He presses his lips into a straight line. “I remember. I’m sorry things ended as they did. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
I shrug, acting unaffected. “Honestly? You didn’t. I was planning to call things off with you. Things weren’t right with us for a while. We both knew that.”
His jaw tics, but he otherwise remains silent. Why is he here?
In the absence of a response, I ask, “How are things going for you? Are you still living in Rome?” I know he’s no longer on the team, but I don’t let on.
He shakes his head. “No, that team wasn’t right for me. They didn’t appreciate my talent.”
It takes every ounce of restraint I have not to roll my eyes. Teams don’t appreciate entitled assholes who don’t work hard. If every team you’ve ever been on or wanted to be on doesn’t appreciate your talent, perhaps it’s time to look inward.
No need for me to kick him while he’s down. I reply, “Sorry to hear that. What have you been up to?”
He shrugs. “I’ve had to get a little creative. My parents told me it was time to get a real job, but I know I’m destined for greatness. I just need someone to give me a break. If only I were given the opportunities you were handed on a silver platter. You had it so easy.”
This guy is delusional. I need to get him out of here.
“Is there something you need from me, Shane? I was on my way out when you got here. I’m in a bit of a rush.”
“I saw your suitcase in your bedroom. Going out of town?”
Enough is enough. “That’s not really your business. What is it you want from me? If you’re not going to tell me, then I’d like for you to leave. Like I said, I’m on my way out. Keith is waiting for me. He’s right outside,” I add, suddenly feeling uneasy.
He scratches his head. “Hmm, where to start. Thanks to you, my girlfriend left me. She recognized you and did a bit of research after you left. She realized you weren’t my cousin.”
I shrug, not feeling a single ounce of guilt. “I didn’t post us on social media, you did. And starting a relationship with a lie isn’t exactly an ingredient for success.”
He runs his tongue over his top teeth. “Lying, huh? Like you’re lying to the world?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Fucking Vance McCaffrey. How cliché,” he snarls.
“Who I choose to spend time with is none of your business.”
And then it hits me. How does he know? “What makes you think I’m seeing Vance?” I ask.
“It’s not exactly like you’ve been hiding it. I’ve seen his hand up your skirt in clubs, restaurants, and parks. I never got that side of you,Gully Sulley.”
All the air escapes my lungs as things come into focus. I stand, feeling extremely unsafe. Mustering as much courage as I can, I point toward the door. “You need to leave. Now.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t think so. You owe me. It’s time to pay.”
VANCE
I race to Sulley’s house, running through every red light and stop sign along the way. She’s not answering her phone, and neither is Keith.
I punch my steering wheel. Where the fuck is he? I’m scared out of my mind.
