Page 29 of My Not So Wicked Ex-Fiance (My Not So Wicked 2)

Bobby Jay raised his brows and gave me a questioning look.

I had my suspicions about Daddy. His eyes often roved in public and Momma drank more than she should—in private, of course. I didn’t elaborate any more on that subject, not having any hard evidence to support my suspicions.

“Bobby Jay, all I ever wanted was a man who was going to come home to me every night. I didn’t care that it wasn’t going to be in a mansion. I wanted the life Ryder promised to give me. A simple, happy one with a small house and babies and maybe a dog or two,” I choked out.

Bobby Jay pulled me tighter against his side, not saying a word, just letting me have my say.

“I tried to talk to him about it, but he kept putting me off. Then he left for Florida on another spur-of-the-moment trip without even coming to say goodbye to me. The next day I got those pictures and it all made sense. Or at least I thought it did.” I stared down at my feet.

Bobby whistled low. “If he ever gets over being angry, he’s probably going to kick himself. Shelby,” he stopped and peered down at me, “that entire time he was working on getting investors for Worlds Collide. He wasn’t sure it would happen, so he didn’t want to get your hopes up.”

“Those weren’t my hopes.”

He let out a heavy breath. “I’m not taking sides here, but he knew what you were giving up by marrying him. It didn’t sit well with him. He wanted to give you the kind of life you deserved.”

“I just wanted him,” my voice hitched. “He was more than I thought I deserved.” I began walking again, trying not to cry.

“Well dang, girl, you’re making me want to go knock some sense into my cousin.”

I shook my head. “I know we’re over. I should have been brave enough to confront him. I should have at the very least said goodbye to y’all.”

“Yeah, you should have, especially Aunt Jo.”

A chill that had nothing to do with the weather went through me. I rubbed my arms. “I know. How is she?”

Bobby Jay took my hand. “Why don’t you call her and ask her yourself?”

My heart thudded before stopping. “I couldn’t . . . I mean, she must hate me.”

“Like I said, you’re family.”

Family didn’t up and leave the way I did or lie to you the way my own had.

“Think about it, Shelby.”

“I will,” I whispered. “Now, why don’t you tell me what you boys created.” I’d been wondering about Worlds Collide, but had been too chicken to look them up. I knew that sounded silly, but I had been doing anything to keep the pain away. I had a feeling, though, that if I was ever going to get over it, I had to go through it, as unpleasant as it was going to be.

A smile engulfed his face. “Girl, it’s amazing.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. We both stopped to look at it. He tapped an app icon that looked like a map with a pinned location. “Every user creates a profile, which includes an interest-based survey as well as a psychological questionnaire that they must complete. Then our app will suggest adventures or activities in their geo location. The businesses that we partnered with can add schedules and events to the system. Most of them are group-based discounts. Our program will also send out invites using the information in the user-profiles to those we feel would be interested in certain activities.”

“Impressive. Do you give out personal information to those who join the group?”

“No way. Ryder is serious about security. You can message other users through the app, but it’s up to you if you want to share any personal information. Most people like to chat through the app to get to know each other a bit before they meet up. Once you get to know the other users you can even make your own groups and send out invites.”

“Hmm.”

“What do you mean, hmm?” He faked being offended.

“I’m not sure I would want to meet up with a bunch of strangers I don’t know to go sky diving.”

“I can’t see you sky diving with people you do know.”

“How do you know I haven’t been, Bobby Jay Prescott?”

His left brow arched, making his smirk more pronounced. “Have you been, Shelby Duchane?”

I tried not to smile but utterly failed. “No . . . not yet.”

“Yet? I’d pay money to see that.”

“I’m not going anytime soon.”

He busted out laughing.

“Hey, I’m saving all my money to buy my house. Sky diving is expensive.”

He put his phone back in his pocket. “I never thought there would be a day when the tables would turn.”

I shrugged. “I meant what I said. I had my fill of fancy things. I wanted something real and lasting. Still do.”

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