Page 22 of Finding Her Leading Man

“This isn’t a game, Trevor, and I don’t need a pep talk about how to live my life. I’m here, in your room, to help your sister. I’m not here for you. You don’t want me to use Jasper as an excuse to decline a date with you. Fine!” Her shout echoed. “I’ll give you a better reason. You’re just as controlling as Jasper. That’s why I don’t want to date you. Your ego is a mile wide. You try to fix everything to make yourself feel important. Like you’re God’s gift to women. And I’m tired of being used by selfish men. Do you want to help me? Back. Off.”

Trevor’s lips pressed into a thin line.

Even though she’d said the words, she didn’t believe them. Didn’t want them. But what else could she do? Trevor’s dominating personality would swallow her whole if she let it. The same way Jasper’s had.

He turned from her and picked up the sheet with the songs written on them and balled it up. He tossed it into the trashcan. “I’ll find some new songs for you to consider. We can try again the day after tomorrow.”

And now she felt horrible. She left his room before she apologized. He didn’t have the same intentions as Jasper, and she’d been wrong to put them in the same category, but she couldn’t go back into a relationship. Not with Trevor. His presence would swallow her up, and she’d never stand on her own feet.

Staying alone for the rest of her life seemed like the best solution. The safest solution.

9

Being compared to a lying, cheating, S.O.B. like Jasper Henderson had a way of putting a man in a bad mood. Not even a run and workout with Grayson put a dent in the hatred he felt inside. But instead of his anger aimed at Jasper, a touch of it was aimed right at Samantha.

How could she possibly put the two of them in the same category?

Trevor stepped out of the shower to his phone ringing. He grabbed it, half expecting to miss his mom’s call. Almost wishing he had.

“Hello?”

“Trev? Honey, I’ve been trying to get in touch with you. Is everything alright?” His mom’s voice sounded frantic.

He half-laughed. “Yeah. Everything is fine. When did you try to get in touch?”

“I’ve called you three times now and texted twice.”

He shook the water out of his hair before wrapping a towel around his waist. “I went to work out and got right into the shower when I got back. I haven’t looked at my phone. Sorry about that.” It was one of the main reasons he’d left his phone in his room. Addie had already given him the warning that his mom wanted to discuss the song choice for the wedding. Plus, he didn’t want the added temptation of texting Samantha.

“We need to talk about the songs you’re considering. I just received an updated sheet from Addie’s wedding planner, Becky.”

“Becky isn’t the wedding planner. She’s simply a friend of Addie’s helping.”

“That’s fine, but on the schedule, it shows you and Samantha singing? I assume this means you worked out your differences. I hope so. I’d hate for a break-up to overshadow and spoil your sister’s wedding.”

“Mom…never mind. What did you want to talk about?” He’d have to figure out the Samantha situation later.

“Addie didn’t give me very many details. Can Samantha sing? I’d hate to be embarrassed for her, or it ruins your sister’s wedding.”

For the first time in twenty-four hours, Trevor smiled. “There’s no worry about that. Samantha Nilsson is a Tony Award-winning actress on Broadway. She sang a Celine Dion song yesterday and nailed it. We’re still working on the song choice, though.” He switched the phone to the other ear, wrestling with his decision to involve his mom. He knew how much she wanted to help, but sometimes, her help was overbearing. “I’d love some suggestions. If you want to email me, I’ll go over them with Samantha.”

“Well, if you think I can be of some help.” Excitement laced her voice. “And are you up to playing the songs on your guitar? I can have a real professional flown in to play the music.”

“You paid for years of training, and I play daily. I’ll be fine.”

“It would be a little nicer if she had a string quartet.”

Of course, it would. “Mom…”

“I know. I know. You can do it. I’ll be sure to send you the list. When are you meeting with Samantha again?”

Trevor assumed she’d still work with him. “Tomorrow.” He wanted to see her at the diner for lunch, push her to talk to him. But they both needed to cool down. He needed to reevaluate himself in the process. Figure out where the hell he’d screwed up. Because, for one brief moment, before she shoved him away, he’d seen her eyes go unfocused, and her breath quicken.

“I’ll send you a few songs for you to consider by tomorrow morning. I want everything to go perfect for your sister. Give me a call tomorrow.”

Trevor ended the call before they got into another fight. His mom’s motive came from a good place. She did want everything perfect for Addie. But it was her version of perfect. Not what Addie wanted.

Thankfully, she hadn’t mentioned coming to Statem early. That gave him more time to figure out the “girlfriend” dilemma.

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