Page 58 of Sweet Escape

“Theo, this is my brother Memphis.”

I know what’s about to happen before it does, and for whatever reason, I’m helpless to stop it.

Theo gives Memphis that same not-so-charming smile and extends his hand. Memphis takes a beat or two, but eventually he mirrors the behavior, reaching his hand out as well. The two shake briefly.

“And Memphis, this is Theo,” Murphy continues.

“Vivian’s boyfriend,” Theo adds.

I see the flare of surprise in Memphis’s eyes, and I’m on my feet immediately.

“Notmy boyfriend,” I grit out, finally finding my voice. “Myex-boyfriend, who came here even though I said I didn’t want to talk to him.”

Memphis’s eyes flick between us, assessing the situation, his jaw going tight.

“Oh, uhm ...” Murphy lets out an uncomfortable laugh.

“Come on, Vivian. These people don’t need to know that we’re in a rough patch, okay?” Theo turns to me and steps closer. “I told you, I’m here to grovel, right?”

“I don’t need you to grovel, and we arenotin a rough patch,” I declare, my voice strong and unwavering. “This relationship is over, and I told you that already. So ... go home. I’m not fucking around.”

Theo puts his hands on his hips. “Vivian, this is getting ridiculous.”

“I think she communicated how she feels, and pretty clearly,” Memphis interjects. “So ... how about you give her some space.”

His tone is light, but I can see on his face that he’s not asking. He’s telling.

But Theo is a shithead who doesn’t know when to call it quits.

“Look, bud. I get it ... the whole chivalrous guy thing ... but this really isn’t any of your business.”

Memphis takes a step forward, so he’s standing right at my side, his eyes like ice as he stares my ex down.

“It actuallyismy business.” His voice is tight, brooking no argument. “So, like I said, maybe it’s time to back up.”

Theo stares at him for a second, then looks at me, a cold smile creeping onto his face. Then he points at Memphis.

“You really started fucking some wine country bumpkin?” he says, his voice callous.

“It doesn’t matter what I’m doing or who,” I answer, my eyes narrowed. “We aren’t dating anymore.”

Theo ignores me again and puts his hand on my arm, his grip tightening as what little patience he has left begins to fray at the edges. “Jesus, Vivian, just fucking ...”

But his sentence cuts off as Memphis grips him on the back of his neck and yanks one of his arms behind him.

“It would be great if you’d learn to listen,” he growls at Theo, then drags him out the door.

Embarrassment rolls through me as I see how many people are looking our way, and I wonder how much they saw. How much they heard.

“He’s such an asshole.”

I hear what Murphy says, but I’m busy watching Memphis and Theo outside, a couple of feet from each other. Theo shouts something. Memphis stares him down and says something quietly. Then Theo finally turns and flips me the bird through the window before storming off down the street.

I shouldn’t be surprised that he wouldn’t listen to me when I said we were done. That he wouldn’t let my answer be enough to leave me alone. I’ve seen it before, the way he can’t seem to let things go when he doesn’t get his way. Just another example of the stupid things I’ve ignored about Theo that are now so glaringly obvious.

Memphis comes back into the coffee shop, his eyes still wild, looking like he could light the world on fire. But he takes one look at my face and something settles.

“You all right?” he asks me, his tone gruff but caring.

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