“You were a hero—never regret that. And it’s not like you sat your ass at home whining. You went to school and became a mechanic.”
“And it wasn’t good enough for them, or at least it wasn’t until I bought the shop. But you were a fancy lawyer by then, and they were just happy I wasn’t gonna be living in their guest room for all eternity.”
Irene hangs her head. “They were so proud of you.”
“No—they were proud of you. They were just relieved with me. Now that I’m about to lose the shop, I don’t foresee them ever wanting a relationship with me again.”
“But you know who does want a relationship with you? Lori. And me.”
I smile, but my heart weighs heavy. “Look, I don’t think I’m gonna be around all that much in the future. I’m gonna have to move, probably into a city. It’s the only way.”
“Lori’s going to be heartbroken.”
“It kills me, Irene. You’ve got to believe me.”
“I do. I know you don’t have many options.”
“Ya know, maybe you should think about having Jake over. He’d be a fine father figure to Lori.”
“Jake’s not coming over. Says Lori and I deserve better.”
“Sounds like something he’d say.”
“Have ya read the headlines?”
I run my fingers through my hair. “Jesus, already?”
“Ali’s a big deal in Hollywood. Stories were posted before we left Bons.”
“I just don’t get how that is possible.”
“Two words,” Irene said. “Eva Crosby.”
My brow furrows. “Ali’s best friend?”
“Oh, come on—do you really think if she was Ali’s best friend, she would fawn all over her fuck buddy?”
The fact that Eva had been all over me had been perplexing, but I rationalized it, telling myself Ali had told her to so Jake wouldn’t get suspicious.
“Here, read this,” Irene says, handing over her phone.
Belligerent Trainwreck, Ali Kat Carter, Has Affair With Married Man, Assaults Man’s Wife
“This…this isn’t true…” I look up at Irene. “Ali wasn’t even drinking.”
“Yeah, but that there,” she points at the screen, “will sell more magazines and get more headline clicks.”
A sharp knock sounds on the door, and I look out the window to see a woman dressed in a white blouse and black slacks with a notepad in hand.
I open the door looking bedraggled. “May I help you?”
Her eyes light when she talks. “Hello, is this Garrett Flint?”
I respond in silence, not trusting her chipper tone
“My name is Hillary Basion, and I’m with Chatter Entertainment.”
“I think you best be on your way,” I say and begin closing the door.
