She flushed. “Nora’s family.”
“What am I? Just the guy you’re fucking?”
She blanched as if he’d struck her.
“Honey, Becca, I love you. I just wanted to help. I don’t know why buying your store is making you so mad. You were paying Harris before. So what? You can keep paying me if that makes you happy. Same rent, okay?”
“No. A three percent increase,” she yelled.
He stared. “What is going on with you? I’m sorry if you think I overstepped. I am. But I only meant to help. I’d never hurt you, Becca. Don’t you know that by now?”
“What happens when you find someone else? Someone prettier and younger who doesn’t have a teenager she’s responsible for? When the newness of a real family wears off, and I still have to see you and deal with you as my landlord?” She brushed away a few angry tears.
He felt lower than low for hurting her, and angry as well. “Why the hell would I want anyone else? I love you. But maybe you don’t love me.” She’d never said it, had she? “I know you’re not using me. You’re not like that. But maybe you just can’t get over Neal. Maybe having you in my bed and getting a few smiles is all I’ll ever have.”
The truth of that possibility hurt more than anything.
“Mitch, stop. That’s not true.”
He took a step back. “Man, I just don’t know. I’ve been honest with you from the beginning. I’ve shared more with you than I’ve ever shared with anyone else. But you hold back, and while I understand, I do, I don’t think I can live knowing the woman I love is in love with another man. I can’t compete with Neal, Becca.”
“It’s not about Neal, you idiot. It’s about you pulling me under your impressive shadow. I don’t want you to own me. I don’t want to be Mitch Flashman’s girlfriend. Mitch Flashman’s tenant. Mitch Flashman’s ex. I’m Rebecca Bragg, and I had a life before dating the big NFL star. I won’t allow myself to disappear under your colossal ego.”
He didn’t understand her. At all. When the hell had he ever given her the impression he was conceited? “I’m going to leave now. And I’m going to think about what you said. I still don’t understand what I did that was so wrong. But maybe you can explain it to me when my big, fat, fucking ego isn’t in the way.”
He left before he said something he’d regret. Simon called out to him, but Mitch shook his head. “Sorry. Later, man.”
His drive home was quiet, the snowfall an oppressive curtain no longer so pretty but daunting on the drive up the mountain. He slid a few times but made it home safely. Once inside, he put on some exercise clothes and worked out until he had nothing left.
Then he grabbed a six pack and settled in to watch the History Channel, lost in wars he’d never fought and never lost. Or won.
******
Simon didn’t know what the heck had happened, but all his planning with Jenna would have to wait. “We have to postpone this, okay?”
She nodded and squeezed his hand. “I’ll handle it. Talk to you soon.” She kissed him on the cheek, then scurried out of the shop to stop her aunt from entering.
So much for getting his mom jealous. He honestly had no idea what he’d walked into, but Mitch had looked both sad and mad as he’d stalked from the shop. Simon could only imagine what his mom was feeling. He rushed in to find her crying.
“Mom?”
She sniffled and turned her back. “Sorry. Got something in my eye.”
Simon sighed. “I’m not two. What happened between you and Mitch?”
“He bought the store!” The rage returned.
“So?”
His mother turned around and gaped at him. “So? Simon, he can’t just buy his way into our lives.”
Huh. Simon had no problem with that. “Is it another woman or something like that?”
“What are you talking about?” Her eyes narrowed. “Do you know something I don’t?”
“No. I just don’t understand why him buying the shop is a big deal. Now we don’t have to pay rent.”
“Of course we have to pay,” she said, her tone scathing. “I will not accept charity from a man because I’m sleeping with him. I’m not a prostitute!”
