Page 35 of Rebound
“Seriously?Him?”
“Drew, isn’t it possible the person you see, and the person Lavinia knows are completely different?” Grandma Liz asks.
“No.” My brother’s tone is obstinate. “We’ll all do better without Roman. He’s not even going to be around long, anyway.”
“You don’t know that,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm. “Roman is a good player, he doesn’t believe in giving his loyalty for the sake of it. Two people have to work in a relationship, Drew, because they’re a team.”
Drew’s cheeks flush. “You’re defending him now? When all I want is for you to be safe?”
Ugh, how can I be upset with him? It’s like being upset at my shadow. Like a cupcake being upset with sprinkles. Like one pea in a pod being upset with the other pea.
“Drew, do you trust me?”
He exhales loudly. “You, yes. Him, not in this lifetime.”
I bump my shoulder against his. “Then trust me when I say I know what I’m doing.”
Drew grinds his jaw but acquiesces with a nod. I squeeze his hand in gratitude.
“Well, I’m not sure how I feel given that Roman is a Maddox, but I’m willing to be cautiously optimistic,” Dad says. “We’ll see how things turn out.”
That’s an odd way to put things. What did he mean given that Roman is a Maddox? Given that our fathers played hockey together, I’m sure Dad knows a lot about Roman’s father. Maybe even things no one else knew.
“If it makes you all feel better, it’s not like we’re dating,” I say.
“Yet,” Aunt Constance adds. “Oh, Angel Pie, a man doesn’t randomly show up when his girl is on a date with another man. Isn’t that right, Aiden?”
We all turn to look at Dad and he smirks proudly, winking at Mom across the table. “Blame your mother. She was trying to make me jealous.”
“I told you. Luke was a friend,” Mom says, with a put upon sigh.
“I thought we discussed you were never going to say his name again.”
Jules and I exchange a quick glance at that as my parents make lovey faces at each other across the table.
TEN
LAVINIA
The one thing you never want your ex to do is win the break-up. Especially when your break-up was a bitter one and you never got closure. But it looks like Josh is going to win our break-up since he’s already moved on and is apparently dating an up-and-coming pop star.
The guy listened to nothing but country music the whole time we were together.
To be very clear, I’m not hung up on Josh. The only time I think about him now is when he suddenly pops into my head as I’m going about my day, and I remember that he fucking left me at the altar to deal with all our friends and family. I had to return all the gifts and cancel our honeymoon plans.
“Damn, girl!”
Jules is looking me up and down appreciatively. It’s another home game and as a season ticket holder, I’m definitely planning on going. My standard game day uniform is jeans, a cute top, and my hair in a ponytail. Not on the day my ex has made his new relationship public.
I’m wearing a short black skirt, tights, a black top, knee-high boots, and an oversized black coat. I washed my hair this morning, so the curls are curling perfectly.
“Is this for Josh or Roman?” Jules asks.
“It’s for every man who thinks he can do better.”
“I approve.”
Jules has paired blue jeans with a navy blue top and cute black boots, her hair styled in waves.
