Page 86 of Loving Leo

Selena turns toward her and raises her glass before guzzling it down and letting out a loud burp.

I bite back a smile at that as heads turn. Our mother huffs and turns her gaze away, obviously disgusted with the both of us.

What disappointments we must be.

The thought buoys me.

“At least the food will be amazing and Lana isn’t here. Maybe she has explosive diarrhea and won’t make it,” Selena says as she loops her arm with mine as we walk around the expansive gardens. My parent’s house is large and sits on several acres, featuring a swimming pool, a pool house, a tennis court and a small orchard behind it. Not that she tends to it, but she has a couple gardeners that come by each day to make sure everything looks pristine. We walk by the koi pond and Selena glances down at it.

“Mom found a racoon trying to eat a fish from this today. The gardener Tony told me he found her chasing it with her shoe.”

I chuckle at the thought of my mom doing that and then lean over and press a kiss to the top of Selena’s head.

“Thanks for trying to cheer me up. You know how much I hate this shit.”

“Me too. It’s the worst. But tell me, how are things with you and Leo? I need all the tea.”

She says his name softly, but still my gaze sways left and right, not wanting anyone to overhear. For some reason, I know that my parentslearning I’m with another man would be detrimental. If they could never find out, that would be amazing.

They don’t need to know. It’s none of their business.

“He’s good.”

“Oh, is that a blush I see?” she reaches up and pokes at my cheek.

“Maybe. He makes me happy.”

“Good. I’m glad. Better than that witch.”

Just as she says that, I hear a small commotion and see Lana making her way toward my mother who coos and pulls her into a long, exaggerated hug.

The sight of Lana turns my stomach slightly. She looks exactly as I remember her, curvy and sensual. But it does nothing for me anymore. I feel nothing, just a dull cramp in my stomach.

“Seems she didn’t have diarrhea. Shame.”

“It is,” I say when I catch her gaze. I quickly look away and Selena waggles her fingers like the little shit she is before flipping Lana off.

“Selena,” I hiss but she just shrugs.

“What? She’s a bitch. She cheated on you and still has the nerve to come slithering back. She’s a snake. I hope her high heels get stuck in the grass and she becomes one with the earth. We could decorate her for the holidays.”

I can’t help but laugh at the image filtering through my mind.

“Ugh, here she comes. Oh my god, don’t look, but her heel did just get stuck and she wobbled. I hope she falls right over onto the dirt.”

Sadly that doesn’t happen and Lana strides right up to me, smelling familiar and making me breathe through my mouth.

“Hello, Heath,” she says, a little too breathless.

I just give her a curt nod and she huffs in annoyance, as if I’ve done something wrong. When in reality, she is the one who fucked up. She’s done all the wrong things. Especially right now. She shouldn’t be here. I want nothing to do with her.

“Are you even going to look at me?” she hisses.

“I don’t think he is,” Selena says. “He doesn’t want you here. I mean, get a clue, lady. Or do you have nothing between those big ears of yours.”

She glowers at my sister, that ugly twist of her painted lips making an appearance.

“I don’t want to speak to you, Lana. I’ve told you this. We’re through,” I manage to bite out.

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