Page 85 of Pity Parade

“Really?” I am so far in the doghouse I’m not sure there’s a way out.

“Man, you really stepped in it,” Jamie tells me. “I’m sorry to say, but I’ve been instructed that I’m no longer allowed to invite you anywhere. Tim and Teddy have been given the same orders.”

“Um, okay.” I’m not sure what else to say.

I’m about to hang up when Jamie announces, “But if you can convince us that you don’t have bad intentions, I think we might be persuaded to help you get back into Trina’s good graces.”

I’m so relieved I can’t find sufficient words to express my gratitude. I start with, “Thank you, Jamie. I really appreciate that.”

“We all do stupid things in the name of love,” he says. “I get it and so do the guys.”

“When’s a good time to meet?” I ask.

“I’ll call the guys about setting something up for seven o’clock tomorrow night. We can meet at the pub. That’s one of the only places we might avoid detection.”

“Do you really think Missy would be mad if you went out with me?”

“Furious,” he tells me. “These ladies of ours take their girl code very seriously.”

“Okay,” I tell him. “I’ll see you there. And thank you, Jamie. I really do appreciate your being willing to hear me out.”

“Sure thing, Heath. But until we talk, I think it’s best if you keep your distance from Trina.”

It’s too late for that, but I don’t bother mentioning it. “See you tomorrow.”

After hanging up with him, I feel desperate to hear some good news. Looking at the clock, I realize it’s supper time in the Bahamas, but I really want to know how Shelby is doing.

When she picks up, all she says is, “Hey.”

“Hey, yourself. How’s it going?”

“Bridget and Allan are down at the beach with the kids.”

“Why aren’t you with them?” I ask nervously.

“I feel like I’m losing here, Heath. Allan is playful and fun around Bridget and he’s treating me very formally.”

“Different from how he normally treats you?”

She thinks for a minute before saying, “Not really. I guess things have been kind of distant between us lately. But he’s treating her how he used to treat me.” Before I can ask for an explanation, she tells me, “Like he enjoys spending time with her.”

“Oh, Shel. I’m afraid you might have to fight for your family.”

“Would you fight for someone who acts like they don’t care if you live or die?”

I immediately think about what I’m willing to do to get Trina to give me a chance. “Yeah, I would. Sometimes people need to hear the words, you know. They need to hear that you care and that you’re sorry—whatever is pertinent to the situation.”

“And I’m supposed to tell him this in front of Bridget?”

“I think you should ask Allan to take a walk, just the two of you. Pull out the big guns, Shel. Fight like it’s your last chance.”

“What if it’s too late, Heath?” She sounds so small. “What if I’ve already lost him?”

“Don’t take no for an answer. Tell him you’ve pulled out of the skyscraper deal so you can spend more time with him and the kids.”

“But that’s a lie,” she says. “I’d still be in Chicago working on it if you were still willing to go through with it.”

“Whatever you do, Shel, don’t tell him that. I think it’s okay to fudge the truth so long as you now see that walking away from the project is for the best.”

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