Page 186 of Unleashed

I rest my forehead on Val’s shoulder, and before I stop myself, I cry like a fucking baby. She rubs my back with a sigh. “It’s no secret you still care about each other.”

I catch my breath and whisper toward the ground, “She ripped my heart out. She’s with Brandon’s grandson. I can’t... I never... It hurts all over again.”

Val tightens her grip on me. “Did you know that if you stand too close to a Seurat painting, the entire scene becomes a mosaic of dots and fuzziness?” I don’t answer, and she continues, “But when you step back, all those little dots blend to form a beautiful painting. Yet, each dot is no less crucial to the big picture. I promise, dear heart. Don’t give up yet.”

I move out of Val’s arms to get my shit together, but she sweeps the hair off my forehead and dries my wet cheeks. Amos says, “Rhonda, I can drive to your apartment, or you can sleep in the other guest room tonight. I believe you have some clothes here and a toothbrush.”

“I’ll stay here,” she says, glancing at me, probably thinking I’m the biggest pussy she’s ever seen.

I ask, “Where’s Brandon?”

Val rolls her eyes, and it shocks me. “He left.”

Amos hands Rhonda an envelope. “He said to wish you luck and wanted me to give you this envelope.” Likely a lame farewell card. It’s the very least he could have done. What a prick.

Rhonda backs away from Amos and shakes her head. “I don’t want it.”

My forehead scrunches as I scoff. “Take it. I bet it’s cash.”

Rhonda bumps into the armchair and plops her ass on the arm. “I know it is.”

Frowning, Amos sets the envelope on an end table. “Okay. It’s yours to decide what to do with it.”

Val puts her hand on her chest with a heavy sigh. “Rhonda, I want you to call me when you get to Durham tomorrow. But call me anytime you need me or want to talk, honey.”

Rhonda pushes herself up and goes to Val for another hug. This woman is like a mother to most of us at the office. We don’t deserve her.

Val smiles with tears at Rhonda when she lets go of her. “Stay safe, and godspeed with your new life. If you ever want to return to Richmond, you’ll always have a place to live and work. We all love you and will miss you.”

“Thank you. I love all of you, and I’ll miss you too, Val.”

Val nods as she touches Rhonda’s cheek and turns to Vaughn. “Goodnight, Amos. I will see myself out.”

She hugs him before going upstairs. Amos glances at us. “I have prior plans for the rest of the evening and will not return until tomorrow morning. However, I won’t leave if you oppose my departure.”

I rub my temples. “For the love of God. Stop talking like an English pimp and go get fucking laid. You’re dizzying my brain.”

Rhonda giggles, and Amos clears his throat. “Well, then... I implore you not to burn down my home.”

I nod toward the bar and almost fall over. “As part owner of my aunt’s bar, it’d be shameful if you don’t have more booze here.”

Amos sighs. “There’s wine upstairs but more liquor in the other cabinets and that side cupboard. I caution you both to not imbibe too much more. I’m afraid one of you will end up sick or in the hospital.”

I roll my still-wet eyes, grab my glass, and go to the bar. “Adios, Vaughn.”

He leaves without an argument. Thank God and Samuel L. Jackson for monumental occasions. I look at Rhonda, who sits on the couch, wiping her eyes. Setting my glass down, I watch her for a minute before I say, “Vaughn has vodka, or I can mix you a drink.”

“Vodka is fine,” she mutters with a lopsided shrug.

“How do you know Brandon gave you money?”

“He always does. His guilty conscience drags him down every so often.”

“Brandon signs your paychecks, though.” Since Rhonda’s glass is on an end table, I grab her another one and pour vodka halfway. I doubt she finishes it.

Rhonda moves to the bar, and I slide the glass to her. “Nope. Gloria did. Now, Val. It’s their company too. It kills Brandon that I’m there.” She takes a long drink of vodka and impresses the hell out of me. Setting down her glass, she shrugs. “Uncle Amos and Val knew Brandon cheats on Diana. So, he couldn’t argue with them hiring me. Gloria had no real argument, either, since she threw money at college guys to sleep with her.”

“Hot fucking damn, Ronnie.” Holding the bottle of vodka, I take small sips from my glass as we walk over to the couch.

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