“I love hanging out with you,” I argue. “You have insight and perspective I don’t.”
“I’ve had a lot of time to make mistakes.”
“What does that say about me since I’ve been making so many lately?”
“Seems like your mistake was made a long time ago, based on everything I’ve been reading. Also seems like that ex-wife of yours maybe broke her NDA.”
“I don’t know that I want to pursue that. It would mean dealing with her again.”
“The problem with the skeletons in the closet is that eventually those doors get opened and they fall out.”
“I’m learning that the hard way.”
Gurdy makes a hard right. “Your girlfriend is beautiful.”
“Isn’t she stunning?” My heart swells and then aches.
“Is her heart just as beautiful?”
“Yeah. She’s incredible. I’m afraid she’s going to leave me,” I admit.
She makes a noise and hands me her key. I unlock the door and hold it open for her. She heads for the table where the cribbage board is already set up. Like she was expecting me. “There’s some contraband scotch in the bottom cupboard. Get out two glasses.” She waves to her tiny kitchen and sits in one of the cushioned chairs. “What makes her incredible?”
“Everything. She’s smart, driven, talented, compassionate, fun.”
“You love her.”
“I love her.”
“But you didn’t tell her about the ex-wife.”
“I didn’t tell her about the ex-wife,” I agree.
“Because you were scared.”
“Yeah.” I pull out two lowball glasses and find the scotch—it’s dusty—and pour us both a shot.
“That’s a weak-ass pour. Do better.”
I add more. Then another splash when she purses her lips. I also pour us both glasses of water and set them all on the table, then join her. The chair is tiny and groans under my weight.
“What are you scared of?” Gurdy asks.
“I’m a headache. I’ve brought Tally nothing but drama.”
“To be fair, Tally knew there would be drama. She’s the coach’s daughter.” She raises a pointed, drawn-on eyebrow.
“She can’t escape my past and neither can I,” I say.
“Stop trying to run away from your shadow, Phillip. It’s attached to you, it won’t leave you alone because it’s part of you. You still haven’t answered the question. What are you afraid of?”
I pick up the deck of cards and shuffle them. “Repeating history.”
“Is Tally anything like your ex, apart from them both being women?”
“No. They’re nothing alike.” I set the deck between us and she cuts, then I cut and we show our cards. “Your deal.”
She shuffles the deck. “So why would you believe that?”
