“She’s been in love with me since we were kids, and we both know how that can keep you loyal, even if it’s to the wrong person,” he said, a cat-like grin spreading across his lips.?
“Well, I think it’s safe to say that we’re calling this whole shin-dig off. I don’t ever want to see you in this bar, or on my property, ever again.”?
His eyes were unfocused, and he was rocking slightly in his chair, but he guzzled down the entire pour of bourbon before him, an irritated scowl landing on his face. “Funny thing about that is, this so-called property of yours belongs to the Wilder Trust, love. And if you’re not marrying into the family, well, I don’t know how much stake you have left anymore.”?
I pulled back on my own drink so that he couldn’t see me wince. “How?I haven’t even signed the paperwork yet.”
“You didn’t have to, Magnolia, because Cole already did.” He watched me closely, waiting for me to react violently, to get good and mad so I started swinging, and I realized that he’d been doing that all along. Egging me on so that I threw the first punch, making it seem like self-defense when he finally knocked me senseless.?
I balled my hands in my lap, willing my fists not to take on a life of their own and end up meeting his pearly white teeth. “He’s dead, you idiot.”?
“Now, that can’t be true Magnolia, his death certificate was never filed. And believe me, I checked since I’m the one who was supposed to file it with the state.” Dane took another puff of his cigar, ashes falling to the floor. He let his head fall back, and he smiled up at the ceiling.?
I trusted him with the death certificate, thinking he’d sort it out with the law firm like he said he would. He assured me everything was handled, and there was nothing else needed on my end. White hot, blinding rage was boiling inside me. He was trying to push my buttons and get me to lose it, but I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction.
“Are you still in love with my brother? I deserve the truth this time, not that bullshit monologue you spit out at Christmas,” he scoffed.?
“Well, I’ll tell you what, Dane. I wish I never moved to Savannah, and then I wouldn’t have met you or your idiot brother.” His face darkened the second I said it, but I couldn’t take it back now.
“Youarestill in love with Lee, aren’t you, Magnolia? I can’t say I’m surprised, honestly. I mean, hell, look at Kasey. She’s pathetic enough to follow me around Georgia because of the pull I’ve had on her since middle school.”?
I took another sip of bourbon and slowly set the glass back on the desk, trying to hide how much my hands were shaking.?
“Who I am or am not in love with, Dane, is no longer any of your concern. Though I will say, I wonder how much longer you would have gotten away with this. I mean, honestly, were you going to leave the room on our wedding night so Kasey could slob on your knob for a few minutes? What would your momma say?” My voice was dripping with sarcasm.?
He laughed. “What do you care for? You never wanted me. You just wanted to be a part of my family so you could keep this piece of shit bar, no matter who got hurt along the way.” He was tripping over his words, and it surprisedme that tears formed in his eyes. “I’ve loved you for a real long time, Magnolia.”?
“That, Dane Wilder, is very hard to believe at the moment.” Relief was slowly overshadowing the fear and anger that was engulfing me. “But you have to realize this is not how you show someone you love them, and this is not how I will spend the rest of my life. No matter the cost.”?I stood up, locking the door to the safe and pocketing the key, then walked around the desk flinging open the door to the bar. “Until I see some concrete proof otherwise, this bar is still mine and you’re now trespassing. So, I suggest you, and that trollop of a girlfriend of yours, get the hell out before I call the cops.”?
“That’s it, Magnolia?” Dane rose from his chair, wobbling as he tried to stand, reaching an arm out toward me. “After all these years? After everything you and I have been through?”?
“No, there is one more thing.” I stomped back through the office and hurled open the green room door. Kasey, now sitting on the couch, jumped up to her feet and took a few paces back to put some distance between us. “You—you dumb, backstabbing bitch—are fired.”?
When I reached the front door, after catapulting over the garbage strewn across the barroom, I stormed out of O’Malley’s and bounded down the street as fast as my feet would take me.?
I found my way to the river and onto an empty bench overlooking the dark brown water.?Only then, when I was alone, aside from a few straggling celebrators dancing and hollering through the cobblestone streets, did I allow myself to truly cry.?
They were not tears of betrayal. Nor were they tears of a broken heart. I cried for the woman who had, for the better part of her life, made choices and sacrifices not for herself, but for everyone else.
As selfish as I had felt over the last few months, nothing compared to how I had almost given up everything to keep the bar open. How I had dove, headfirst, into a relationship and engagement with someone just to gain control over my family’s livelihood—their blood, sweat, and tears.
And, in the end, none of it mattered anyway. It was all for nothing.
I stood up, quickly gathering my hair into a top-knot. With a deep breath, I sprinted down the river walk, determined to get to where I knew I needed to be as quickly as my feet could take me.?
If we were all going down and everything was in shambles, I decided I might as well go out in a blaze of glory.
Chapter thirty-eight
LEE
Iwas tossing and turning in bed, restless all night. Something felt off, as if the air had shifted, and I could sense the winds of change sweeping in with the new year.
I’d talked to Janelle at midnight, and our conversation was dull and flat. I knew, just as she did, that we were over. I think we were both waiting until after the holiday celebrations had ended to call things quits.?
Of course, I had kept my distance from O’Malley’s and the New Year’s Eve party. I was leaving on a 2:00 p.m. flight back to Nashville to start the first leg of the tour, and as much as I wanted to see Magnolia one last time, I couldn’t bring myself to say goodbye.?
Because I knew it would be permanent.?
