“So,” Elias said, eyeing me. “You and Shannon are talking again?”
“Tentatively, yes. It’s been okay so far. It’ll take a while for her to trust me, I think, but hopefully, we’ll get there. She’s actually coming tonight.”
Angus’ eyebrows shot up, while he and Kami shared a look. Notwithstanding Angus and Shannon’s rivalry when we were younger, now there was an added layer of hostility after our divorce. Kami and Angus both thought Shannon should’ve stayed with me and helped me through my addiction, but I completely disagreed. Shannon had tried, but no one could help me back then. I was lost, and her staying would’ve only prolonged her suffering.
“You two better be polite to her when she gets here. She doesn’t deserve your attitude.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll be nice as pie to the ice queen,” Kami chirped, and I scowled.
“She’s not an ice queen.”
“He’s right,” Elias backed me up. “Shannon’s the sweetest, but she only opens up to people she trusts.”
“I’ve never seen someone defend their ex as much as you,” Angus said, rubbing at his eyebrow. “She divorced you when you were at your lowest and needed her most.”
“She divorced me because I was an addict who ruined our marriage,” I corrected him and raked a hand through my hair. “We’re not discussing this. Just be polite to her; it’s all I ask.”
With that, I stalked away, heading in the direction of my parents when I noticed Shannon arriving. My breath caught at the sight of her, her hair a little windswept from being outside, her black dress perfectly pressed and paired with matching black heels. She busied herself fixing her hair, peering at her reflection in the glass of the entryway as I approached.
“You look perfect, quit fussing,” I spoke low, and she turned, taken off guard.
“Jace! I didn’t see you.”
I smiled. “I know. Glad you came.”
“Yes, well, Margie was able to watch Zara, so it all worked out.”
“I could’ve stayed home with her. Roan could care less about me being here, but for some reason, he really wantedyouto see his paintings.”
“He did?” she frowned to herself like it didn’t make sense before her eyes rounded. “Oh no, please tell me he didn’t.”
“Didn’t what?”
Shannon met my gaze, her cheeks flushing. “About two years ago, I sat for a portrait for Roan. At the time, he said he just wanted to practice, but now I’m worried he might’ve finished the piece and included it in the exhibition.”
I smiled gently at her fluster. “What’s so bad about that? Roan’s an amazing artist. Whatever he painted, I’m sure it turned out great.”
“I don’t want the attention,” Shannon replied stiffly, her eyes darting to the exit.
Swiftly, I wound my arm around her waist and guided her farther into the building. “Oh, no, you don’t. You’re staying. My cousin will be heartbroken if you leave.”
Shannon made a noise that signalled her disagreement just as the man himself appeared in front of us. Roan wore a grey T-shirt and black jeans, the blond hair he inherited from hismother almost reaching his shoulders. When we were teenagers, we used to tease him about looking like an Anne Rice vampire, and he’d always get extremely embarrassed and threaten to cut his hair in retaliation, though he never did. He was far too proud of it.
“You came,” he said, his focus all on Shannon as he stepped forward and pulled her into a tight hug. “I’m so happy to see you.”
You see?I mouthed at her while Roan’s back was turned, but she only shook her head like I was being ridiculous. Envy took hold because I wished I could hug Shannon like my cousin was hugging her. They had a warm familiarity, and it killed me to no longer have her affection like Roan did. They broke apart, and he smiled at her, then glanced at me.
“Hey, Jace.”
I smirked. “Finally noticed I was standing here, eh?”
My question flustered him a little, and I felt a bit bad about it because Roan was a shy sort of bloke. “Sorry, I just …” He glanced back at Shannon. “I have something I want to show Shannon, and I’ve been pretty eager about it.”
“Oh, Roan, please don’t tell me it’s a painting of—”
“Just come see before you say anything.” With that, he took hold of her hand and led her to the other end of the gallery. I followed behind them, once again green with envy that he could so casually hold her hand.That used to be me.
Roan stopped in front of one of the smaller pieces, and my breath caught as soon as I saw the painting.I’m buying this one.No one else gets to have this. It was an up close portrait of Shannon, her hair pulled over one shoulder, the background empty, making her the focal point. There was something about the image that held the viewer captive. Shannon always tried to fade into the background wearing dark, monochromatic clothes,but her clothing told a lie because on the inside she was every colour of the rainbow, just like my cousin had captured.
