Page 99 of My UnTrue Love
“Hi, Mamie.”
Clementine and Mamie O’Rourke had gone to college together, although Clem had never been nearly as popular. Mamie had dated Johnny for a time. He’d taken her to the Homecoming celebration freshman year, which had just about broken Clementine’s heart.
Mamie had never been mean to Clem, though. Muses often drew the suspicions of other women, because of their reputation of enticing men. Clem had never really tried to entice anyone except Bill, but Johnny had always warned her that other girls were sure to judge her for her species’ seductive ways.
She shouldn’t have listened to his opinion.
Clem had been so worried about being judged, she’d pulled into herself for most of high school and college. Her teenage years were spent with Johnny and her brothers, insteadof other girls. Now that she was a reasonably confident adult, having more women friends might be nice. And, while Mamie and Clem had never been close, Mamie always seemed welcoming enough.
Outgoing, beautiful, and the daughter of an international celebrity, Mamie sure wasn’t threatened by some too-curvy muse. Mamie’s father was Lon “Ranger” O’Rourke. Ranger was just about as big a TV star as you could find.Home on the Rangewas broadcast in nearly every kingdom, showcasing all the hottest talent, direct from Red River Valley. It was a hugely popular variety show, with up-and-coming singers and musicians performing. The program had catapulted numerous people to stardom and made the O’Rourke family very rich.
Today, Mamie wasn’t looking so prosperous, though. Usually, she was impeccably dressed. It was hard to square her normal stylish image with her current outfit, which appeared to be a Sir Galahad fan club t-shirt and cactus-patterned yoga pants.
Mamie sent Clem a distracted look that quickly became panicked, when she realized who had approached her. Why in the world would she panic when she sawClem? Nobody ever panicked when they saw Clem. She was the least intimidating person in the world.
“What do you want?” Mamie demanded warily. “Why are you here?”
Clem was flummoxed for a beat. “Um… I’m on a date with my husband.”
“Husband? So Johnny’s here?”
“No, my husband is Bill.”
Mamie blinked, her eyes red-rimmed and startled. “Bill?” She repeated, as if Clem was speaking some alien dialect. “Pecos Bill?”
“That’s right. We’ve just…”
Mamie interrupted her. “You married Pecos Bill? After he posted that ‘support women’ thing on his social media against Johnny?”
It took Clem a second to recall Bill’s mischievous prank. Rosalee had wanted him to say that he’d quit the band and he’d obliged, but he’d added that oblique criticism about Johnny firing Clementine. He was so loyal.
“Oh, that post was because of me.”
Mamie’s brows tugged together. She didn’t seem wary anymore. She looked stunned. “Bill stood up for you, against Johnny? What about his career? His guitar playing was beginning to get some notice, after the last album.” Mamie knew a lot about the music business.
“Bill asked me to be his manager. He decided to go solo. He’s actually playing The Kitchen tomorrow night, if you want to stop by.”
Mamie didn’t seem interested in attending Bill’s performance. “How did Johnny take you leaving him for another man?” She asked in a strange tone. “He was always so sure that you loved him.”
“Johnny fired me.” Clem scoffed. “My leaving was his own fault. And we weren't together romantically, so…”
Mamie cut her off again. She did that with everyone, so Clem didn’t take offense. Mamie loved to dominate a conversation. “We all figured you were endgame, though. WhenI broke up with Johnny, he went on some long rant about how you were the only sweet, faithful girl in the whole town. I just assumed he’d eventually marry you…” She trailed off and gave her head a quick shake. Strawberry-blonde strands escaped her haphazard braid. “I guess he fucked that up, too.”
“Johnny’s future isn’t the same as mine.” Clem wasn’t sure what else to say. “My future is with Bill.”
“Good for you.” Mamie’s expression was more open now. “I honestly don’t know how you put up with that asshole, for so long.”
“Neither do I. I’ve recently become more assertive.”
“Yeah, I like you better already.” Mamie went back to watching the horses, her eyes compulsively moving between them. “So, which one do you think’s got it today?” She asked like she wanted to change the subject. “I need a winner.” She held a hand to her mouth. The manicure had been gnawed off most of her fingers. “Christ, Ireallyneed a winner.”
Clementine shifted her focus to the odd pageantry of the light fantastic. Like Bill had described, the horses were showing off before they entered the starting gate. They looked adorable in their colorful silks. The gamblers jotted down frantic notes to the track employees, who stood by to run their bets up to the windows. Most everyone seemed to be having a good time, the people laughing and the horses soaking in the attention.
But some gamblers, like Mamie, were clearly desperate. And some horses, like that bobbed-tail nag, were clearly in it for glory.
Clementine eyed the plain gray horse. She’d never really tried her magic with animals before, but then most animals weren’t engaged in competitive sports. Sports and art bothrequired a high degree of talent and practice and will. Her powers stirred, feeling the gray horse’s determination to win. His skill on this track. His focus.
“That one.” She pointed to the obvious winner.
