Page 31 of Peacocks

I leaned forward expectantly.

I was not expecting to hear Lane’s laugh ring out—hollow, yes, but still.

And I was not expecting to hear the man I loved say the words, “God. You’re right. You’re right, Chad. I definitely would not have.”

The blood rushing in my ears meant I didn’t have to hear anything else after that.

Chapter Seven

Lane

“And canyou actually look me in the eye and tell me that man would turn down a job like the one I offered you so he could stay in some hick town and make calf’s eyes at Jaybird Proud?” Chad demanded.

I’d gotten used to surprises since moving to Licking Thicket. No two days were ever the same here, and my life was the opposite of boring. Still, having my ex-boyfriend show up, crash my lunch date, offer me a job, and stage an intervention?

As Jay would say, “That wasn’t on my bingo card.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, even though the situation wasn’t funny.

“God. You’re right. You’re right, Chad. I definitely would not have,” I admitted.

The Lane he’d known, the guy I’d been before moving here nine months ago, wouldnever. I’d been all about having an important job title and important degrees, important connections and an important boyfriend, like being surrounded by all that importance would makemeimportant too.

Fortunately, I knew better now.

I’d moved to this weird and wonderful town. I’d made friends from all walks of life. I had a career I found truly fulfilling…

And I’d met a man who showed me every day what it felt like to actuallyfeelimportant.

I gave Chad half a second to look a little relieved and a little smug before I took a breath and continued. “But I’m not that guy anymore. Moreover, I have no interest in being that person ever again.”

“Oh, Lane, come on,” he sneered. “You want me to believe you’ve had some kind of Hallmark aha moment where you realized Lick-A-Hedge, Tennessee, is a magical place, and you suddenly have the desire to plant trees and commune with nature in the town gazebo? I know you, Lane.”

I cocked my head and studied Chad. When we’d broken up over a year ago, I’d been genuinely upset. I’d believed all the bullshit he’d spouted at the end about my lack of commitment to our relationship and my emotional unavailability. I’d thought it was my fault.

Now I knew better about that too, and it was a real relief.

“Do you? What do I like on my toast?”

Chad tilted his head at me as if I was a strange creature he couldn’t make out. “On your toast?”

“Yeah. You know me, you said. You just recounted every single degree I’ve earned and every award I’ve won. We were together for months. So what do I like on my toast?”

“Uh, butter?”

I thought back to the little jar of honey that was present every time Jay made me breakfast, though I’d never seen him use it himself. Chad and I had shared many breakfasts in our time together, but he’d never noticed my preferences, let alone gone to any effort on my behalf.

I grinned at him and nodded. “This explains a lot. You think you know me, Chad. But you don’t. You act like you’re interested in me and my future, but you’re not,” I said. “You wanted apartner who looked good on your arm, someone whose resume coordinated with yours. And that’s okay?—”

Chad’s chin came up. “Excuse me? I’m a professional. An academic. It’s not wrong for me to care that the man I’m with is as ambitious as I am. And I can recognize a mid-life crisis when I see one. I’m worried about you. I’m trying to be a friend to you here, Lane, despite your failures as a romantic partner?—”

I shook my head. “No, you’re not. You are an unfeeling, entitled elitist of the first order. You’re the worst kind of snob. You’re probably offering me this job because it makes you feel less guilty about how shitty you were when we broke up. You can’t imagine that I’m truly happier without you. But you know what? It turns outyouwere the problem. So… thank you, Chad.” I smiled. “Truly. Our breakup was the best thing you’ve ever done for me. Now, take me back to the clinic.”

It was clear that Chad didn’t know how to take my genuine gratitude, so I stopped talking and made my way to his Lexus.

The drive back to the clinic was silent and awkward. Chad made a small huff of laughter as if trying to provoke me into starting something, but I barely noticed. I truly didn’t care what Chad thought of me or my choices.

Jay, on the other hand…

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