“Man, Wes,” he said, “I bet you wish you had just eloped, huh. Well, everyone, we just had a classic Holbrook evening! Unknown children coming out of the woodwork. Betrayal! Of course, there weren’t any explosions, and no one got kidnapped, so I guess you didn’t get the deluxe edition. Please enjoy your chicken Kiev!”
At that moment, it was all too much.
I jumped up out of my seat and fled to the parking lot. Part of me wanted to find Brea. But the rational part, the part that had never thought this relationship business was a good idea in the first place, demanded to be put in control, because I had a terrible track record and therefore should simply resign myself to a lifetime of loneliness and solitude.
I was sitting on the curb in the parking lot when Wes came looking for me. He sat wordlessly next to me.
“You should be with Liz,” I said.
“I think she’s tired of me. I’ve been home and underfoot the last few weeks. Even my dog is tired of me being around all the time.” Wes nudged me with his shoulder. “I think everyone has already forgotten about what happened if you want to come back in. Granddad told a really distasteful story about how Ida stuffed a magic potato up where the sun don’t shine, and it sprouted. Your mom’s great-aunt fainted, and they were able to revive her, but then he mentioned that he and Ida were making candles that smelled like them having sex in various places, and she fainted again. But she grabbed onto the tablecloth and spilled wine and fish sauce everywhere.”
I looked down at the pavement.
“Not even a little bit of a smile?” Wes coaxed.
“I’m just tired,” I told him. Then I took a deep breath. “I screwed up. I’m sorry I ruined your night. I never should have gotten involved with Brea. I didn’t even do a background check. I should have known she had a crazy twin. I just…” I rubbed my face. “I wanted what you had with Liz, but I wanted it with Brea—or, I don’t know, maybe I just wanted it withsomeone, and Brea was the first person who popped up. I never should have done it though. I’m not meant to, you know, have a wife and kids. I clearly make terrible decisions. I’m like Uncle Walter—I’ll always pick someone crazy like Danielle or Stella Rose.”
“I don’t think Brea is crazy,” Wes said. “Liz says she really loves you. Why don’t you try talking things over with her? She’s been texting Liz, apologizing and asking how you were.”
“I’m done,” I said. “I will never, ever get into another relationship. I’d rather be alone than keep hurting my family. I have my work, and I have a dog. I’ll be fine.”
“You deserve to be happy,” Wes said.
“No, I don’t.”
“None of this is your fault.”
“I have a terrible track record, clearly.”
“I set you up with Memphis Eve,” Wes said stubbornly. “All of this is my fault. Rhonda was my business partner. She was involved in a plot I cooked up. I’m the one that’s been meddling in your love life. You can’t take all of this on your own shoulders.” He patted my back gingerly. “Besides, no one died,” he added.
“Yeah, but what if they had?” I asked desperately.
“You can’t live life bywhat if,” Wes said. “Did you like Brea? Did you trust her?”
“I did, but now I’m not sure.”
“She’s still the same person. Just go talk to her.”
But I knew I wouldn’t. I had made the same terrible mistake not once but twice. I would not be making it a third time.
“Come back in,” Wes said, standing up and offering me a hand.
I hardened my heart and followed him.
50
Brea
Iwas sobbing as I walked up the stairs to my dads’ apartment.
“Brea!” Beau exclaimed when he saw me. He and Todd wrapped me in a hug.
It was the sum of everything shitty. I couldn’t even enjoy a hug from my dad because he wasn’t my dad. My life had officially hit rock bottom. I had been in an incestuous relationship—ew!—had ruined Mark’s family, had hurt Mark, and had ruined our business. Ivy was going to kill me. Liz wasn’t going to want to be my friend any more. I was going to have to move to a yurt in Newfoundland.
“My life is a disaster!” I sobbed.
“Come tell me about it,” Beau said, leading me to the couch.
