Page 148 of Unhinged

“It can’t be more than that. He’s not in love with her.”

Torn between waiting for him and returning to work, Candi shoves me toward him and leaves when Greg exits the locker room. His eyes light up, but he shakes his head. “Sorry that I’m a little late. I told Milt I would be and to keep an eye on you. I texted you, but…”

“Why do you need Milt to do that?”

“Because I wasn’t here,” he says, like I’m the burned-out twinkle light ruining the rest of the string.

“I would’ve been okay last night if I hadn’t gone out there by myself.” Or not egged them on. “I’m not weak.”

He sighs. “I know that, buttercup. But everyone could use a tag-team partner, right?” He then reaches into his pocket and pulls out something. “I remembered your mood ring this time.”

Greg hands it to me, and it’s blue. I put it on and say, “Thanks, but I’m not in the mood.”

Greg rolls his eyes and, grabbing my hip, he pulls me to him and asks, “What ever will I do with you?” He then nods and answers his own question. “I know, but you’ll have to wait until after work to find out. It may have something to do with us being naked. I could really use a waterfall.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.” His smile drops, but I press on. “We’re spending too much time together.”

“That’s a bad thing?”

I nod and escape his arms. “It is when we’re supposed to be winding this down. Hell, I wanted to stop it days ago.”

“Can’t we talk about this later?”

My eyes well with tears, so I can’t look at Greg. “No. And I can’t go with you to your dad’s.”

“What the fuck are you doing? Why are you running away from me now?”

“I told you why.” I sniff and nod toward the door. “There’s a surprise for you at the bar. I think it’ll explain a lot.”

When I turn to leave, Greg says, “Simone, don’t go,” but I do, wiping my eyes.

As I pass Kokomo, I say, “He’ll be out.”

She thanks me, and I want to choke her and congratulate her on their upcoming wedding.

He’s married to you, dingbat.

Just a minor setback for her.

I walk around, looking for someone needing me until I see Milt motioning me over from the opposite end of the bar. I throw on a Wilder-certified smile. “Yes, Milty?”

“I see the girly is here.”

“Yes.” I look away, not because of his appearance but my despondency.

“Pretty lady, why are you so sad about it?”

I sigh, watching Greg going behind the bar and seeing Kiwi. He suddenly looks nervous. I then see her laughing, and since his back is to me, I can only imagine his sexy smile. “Because…”

“My father is a minister, so I know it’s not good to lie.”

“Because Greg is leaving me for another woman.”

At the end of the bar, Lyle offers, “You want me to beat him up for you?” He uses a cane, walks with a limp, and doesn’t have full use of his right hand. “Because I will.”

I burst out laughing as my eyes tear up. “As tempting as that is, no, thank you.”

Milt props both elbows on the counter and rests his head in his hands. “You know I don’t do fake weddings, right?”

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