“And normally, I’d agree with you. But earlier this year, I did the same thing to her. She felt abandoned, because I made her feel that way. I didn’t want to see her with Julius, I didn’t want to watch her hurting over that sorry-ass muthafucka. I stepped back because it was easier forme.”
“Glad to see you’re finally admitting that shit,” X muttered, finishing his drink.
“And I take responsibility for that,” Andrew continued, ignoring his friend’s comment. “I know I fucked up, but she forgave me and we moved forward. I should have called her yesterday, because I knew what it would mean if I didn’t.”
That’s really what it boiled down to. Andrew knew better. He knew that their recent history would color their present. And because he didn’t follow his own instincts, he’d failed her—professionally and personally. If they hadn’t been in a relationship, he would have called her and told her he couldn’t make it. If he hadn’t been her agent, he would have been there. Plain and simple.
“I’ve always admired you, bruh,” X said. “You took me under your wing, taught me things that I would’ve struggled to learn by myself. I’m going to return the favor since I’m older than you—in relationship years, that is.”
Andrew glared at X. “Shut the hell up, man.”
“Hey, I had to clarify that you’re still older than me in real years.” X barked out a laugh. “Anyway, what happened between you and Paige doesn’t have to be the end of the relationship. It was an argument, a misunderstanding. Shit happens—often.”
“She fired me,” Andrew pointed out.
X shrugged. “So? She was pissed. People say and do things in the heat of the moment all the time. Hell, I do.”
“You didn’t see her, man.”
“I don’t need to see her. I’ve seen Zara when I’ve lashed out and said things I immediately regretted. Like I said, it happens. Paige is reeling from everything that happened in that interview and with Julius.”
“Meaning I am the rebound guy,” Andrew said.
“I wouldn’t say that. Think about it, she got subpoenaed, sued, and then hammered in a public interview. And the reason why all of this is happening is because of Julius. I don’t think it has anything to do with you being a rebound. You’re reading too much into it.”
Andrew gulped down the glass of water the waiter had left with him earlier. “I hear you, but it hasn’t been that long since she divorced him.”
“Technically. Paige is recently divorced, yes. But that marriage was over a long time ago.”
Andrew recalled a conversation he’d had with Paige. She’d told him she didn’t love Julius anymore. At the time, his only goal had been to comfort her, to make sure she knew she wasn’t wrong to feel that way. In hindsight, he realized her admission was her way of telling him that she’d moved on from her ex-husband, that she wasn’t pining away for him and longing for the love they’d once had. Paige had already given him the answer to his question. She’d basically told him that he wasn’t a rebound even before they’d taken the next step.
“If you’re worried about being the rebound, don’t,” X continued. “It’s like me and Zara. There was already a connection between us before we got together. Naomi doing what she did just kicked the door open to explore it.”
Before X and Zara got together, Xavier had planned to propose to then-girlfriend Naomi Murphy. But Naomi cheated on him and got engaged to another man while they were together.
“True,” Andrew said.
“That’s how you have to think about her relationship with Julius. If there was no him, there would be no ‘Prew.’” X cracked up at Andrew’s expense.
“Man, get out of here with that shit.”
“Sorry, man. I couldn’t resist. When Zara told me about that mashup name, I couldn’t even breathe I was laughing so hard.”
Andrew shook his head. “It’s dumb as hell. Who comes up with that shit?”
“Thatshitis funny.”
“Whatever.”
“Okay, I’m done. Are we finished with this sappy conversation?”
Chuckling, Andrew said, “Yeah. This needs to be over.”
“Well, well, well.” Julius rounded the corner, approached their table. “I was wondering when I’d run into you.”
Andrew narrowed his eyes on Julius. “Walk away,” he threatened. “Now.”
As if Andrew hadn’t warned him, Julius continued, “I always knew you wanted my wife.”
