Page 48 of Home Town Advantage
She happily gives it to me. I doubt I’ll do anything with it. Ijust want to see him sweat and have him live in fear of me reaching out to his girlfriend.
He silently carries my bag as I send him down the elevator first with it. We could have squeezed in together, but I don’t want to be that close to him.
When I eventually make my way down, he’s waiting with a sheepish look on his face. “I’m sorry, Sulley.”
“Sorry I found out, or sorry that you’re a two-timing sleazeball?”
He nervously runs his hand over his freshly shaved head. “I’m just sorry. Why didn’t you expose me?”
“Honestly, Shane, because I don’t give a shit. If I caused a scene, it would show that I’m emotional over this, and I’m not. I mostly just feel bad for her. She’s got to spend time with a lazy, self-centered, narcissistic asshole.”
His lip twitches. “This isn’t my fault. You never make time for me. I need a woman who wants to be there for me.”
I shake my head as my anger finally begins to bubble toward the surface. “Don’t gaslight me, asshole. I may have been weaker when we met, but I’m not anymore. The fact is that you’re jealous and always have been. I need a man who supports my rising star, not one who’s threatened by it or who tries to use my fame to promote his own.”
I see him start to fill with anger. I imagine men like him don’t like being called out on their crap. I’ve never once spoken like this to him before. Ugh, I’ve been such a doormat. Never again.
He practically spits out, “At least I don’t live in the past.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Get over your brother’s death. It’s time. You can’t get through anything without crying over him.”
Before I realize what’s happening, I slap his face so damn hard my hand stings from the impact.
He rubs his hand over his rapidly reddening cheek. “Good luck finding anyone willing to deal with your baggage. You run so hot and cold. You’re high, then you’re low. It’s exhausting.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing, but I won’t let him know he’s getting to me. I steel my face and grit out, “Enjoy your mediocrity.” Waving my hand dismissively, I calmly say, “I feel bad for your girlfriend.” I pick up my suitcase and turn to leave before looking back at him. “And by the way, I hate your haircut. You look like a walking penis. Makes sense since it turns out that you’re nothing but a dick.”
With a sense of relief and a giant smile on my face, I happily walk away from Shane. Forever.
TWELVE
VANCE
“Merry Christmas, Mom.” I smile into my cellphone as my mother’s face appears on the screen.
Her green eyes light up. “Merry Christmas! I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
We have a game in New Orleans today. I offered to fly my parents in, but they declined. They always do.
I’m rarely off for Christmas. If I am, I fly into Montana for a quick night. Never more than that though. I’ve always offered to fly them to wherever I’m playing, and they’ve never once taken me up on it. Fortunately for me, Daylen’s family is always around wherever we play, so I hang with them.
“How’s New Orleans?”
“It’s a fantastic city. You should have come. You’ve never been here.”
Her face falls. “You know your father. He doesn’t like to leave the ranch in anyone else’s hands.”
I nod. “Yep. I do. What are you up to today?”
She gives me a small smile, knowing it’s the same thing they do every year. “We’re heading over to the O’Shea house ina bit. Sullivan is in town. She’s been here for a few weeks. Such a sweet, pretty girl. It’s been a particularly hard year for Nancy, but I think having Sullivan around has helped.”
“What’s wrong with Nancy?” I hope Sulley’s mom isn’t sick or anything along those lines.
The first year after Francesca was born was tough on my parents’ relationship with their best friends. Fortunately, forty years of friendship won out in the end. They’ve gone back to the status quo with the understanding they don’t discuss Maddie, Francesca, or any of the events surrounding what happened after Francesca was born. My parents are privy to everything but have agreed to keep my secret.
