Page 4 of Shooting for his Heart
“OK. Hear me out before you make a decision on how you feel,” I replied, walking over to the stove and filling his plate with food.
“All right.”
“So, you know I did that wedding on Saturday, right?”
He scoffed, looking up from the plate of food I placed in front of him. “Of course, how could I not remember? You were gone for two whole days.”
“Right… so there was an art director in the wedding, and she was so impressed with my work that she invited me to work on an upcoming movie!” I squealed.
As predicted, Will’s reaction didn’t mirror my own. “OK, wait a minute. A movie?” His facial expression soured as he waited for my response.
“Yes! A movie!”
“Who in the world picked you to work on a movie, Vonnie?” His words were laced with doubt.
“I just told you there was an art director at the wedding, Will. She saw my work.” I rolled my eyes.
“How long is this movie going to take, Evonne?”
“A couple months… maybe three.” I shrugged.
“And where is this movie going to take place?” he wondered.
I could already see where this conversation was going. I plopped down in my chair and prepared for him to dissect and overanalyze my amazing news. Leave it to him to dampen my mood after such a dream come true.
“It’s in Louisiana,” I revealed.
He grimaced. “A few months in Louisiana, Vonnie? I don’t know about that.”
“What’s to know, William? In case you weren’t listening closely, I wasn’t asking you. I was trying to tell you about the exciting news that I got. Instead of being happy for me, you just pissed all over it like the dick you are.”
“I mean, I can’t really get excited about you being in another state for months at a time. Tell me… What part of that you thought would excite me? Being away from my girlfriend? What do you plan on doing? Flying back and forth?”
“You go away all the time, and it’s never an issue,” I stated, reminding him.
As I said, Will wanted me at home, not joining him at conferences in Atlanta nor flying with him to the Caribbean to find international real estate. He wanted me sitting at home, twiddling my thumbs, anxiously waiting for him to return to his throne. Well, he could kiss my ass. I was done playing his game.
“I’m gone for a week at the most, baby, not months. I’m not letting you go run off to Louisiana alone for months at a time.”
“You don’t have to let me do shit. I’m sorry, but I already told you that I wasn’t asking for your permission. Contrary to what you seem to think, you don’t tell me what I can and can’t do, William,” I said, pushing to stand from the table. “Do you know how big of an opportunity this is for me? I’m about to be working on aMarshawn Sheppardfilm! Do you understand how huge that is?”
He dropped his fork and held the bridge of his nose as if I was giving him a migraine. “Baby, I understand your excitement—I really do. Although I’m not completely sure who Martin Sheppard is, I know you’ve been looking for your big break. I’m just telling you the opportunity might be huge, but if you leave town for three months, you might not have a man when you come home. Is that a risk you’re willing to take? I love you, but absence doesn’t always make the heart grow fonder.”
“Are you seriously threatening to leave me?” I asked, tilting my head and slamming my fork down because he had to be kidding me.
“I have needs, baby. I’m not gonna lie… I don’t want to be without you for months at a time. I’ve sacrificed a lot to be with you as it is, investing in your business… taking you to different wedding venues. I could be watching the game or resting on the weekends, but I’m always running around with you.”
“I appreciate everything you’ve done, baby. Now, I’m trying to do something on my own for once.”
“I don’t mind taking care of you, Vonnie. I thought you would see that by now. I’m invested in our relationship, but I feel like you’re more invested in trying to be the next big thing. You can’t keep trying to compete with your friend. Yes, her husband is famous, but you have a man that loves you for you. I’ve overlooked a lot of your behavior and even brought you around my friends, knowing you wouldn’t fit in.”
“My behavior?” My ears had to be playing tricks on me.
“Yes, your behavior, Vonnie. Since, all of a sudden, you’re so concerned with why I don’t take you on business trips. It’s because you’re loud and ghetto as hell. I allowed you into my circle knowing this. I didn’t care because I love you. You’ve learned to behave in the settings that I bring you in. If I’m being honest, you’re not ready to rub elbows with my colleagues outside of a party setting.”
“I can’t believe this shit.” I shook my head.
“Chill, Vonnie. Don’t start flying off the handle because you’re offended. You’ve come a long way. We’ve come a long way. I’ve put a lot into that little dream of yours, but it’s time to be realistic. I don’t even know if our relationship is strong enough to withstand us being apart for months.” He raised his shoulders casually.
