Page 102 of Forgotten Comeback
John looks to Inferno. “He’s serious.”
“Forget about me. What the hell happened to you?” I press. “You’re kidnapped, and then you’re released with the soldier youclaimedwas a dead end.”
“Yes, John, do tell,” Inferno drawls.
“I’ve worked out a deal with Romeo,” John tells me. “We operate in AC unbothered by the family.”
“But wait, there’s more,” Inferno says in his best infomercial voice.
John rubs the back of his head. “They get a twenty percent cut.”
My eyes bug out of my head. “What happened to our big revenge plan?”
“Our brother sold us out, all for his little Parisi lover boy.” Inferno launches himself over the desk, tackling John to the ground, and the two of them lay into each other.
Not catching a stray this time, I walk to the door. “Someone fill me in later; I’m out.”
Chapter
Forty
Taylor
“My best friend’s wedding reception is this afternoon. Oh my gosh, I didn’t get her a gift,” I realize.
“When did she get married?” my therapist asks.
“I’m not sure exactly,” I say, fiddling with my bracelet. “She kept it a secret.”
“And how do you feel about that?”
“My feelings are hurt,” I admit.
She nods sympathetically. “That’s understandable.”
“Maybe, but I feel a bit hypocritical because I’ve been keeping secrets of my own. Remember the man I told you about who had sex with my ex-girlfriend? I sort of went on a date with him.” I omit the finger banging and the car banging and the new apartment banging…
“And you think that’s wrong?”
“I don’t know what I think.” I blow out a long breath. “He’s inspired me to start painting again.”
“That’s big.”
“Yeah, it is,” I agree, truly believing my creativity died along with my nana. “But he’s pushing for a relationship. And before you ask, he’s like only fifty percent emotionally available. Going in, I know he’s not telling me everything.”
Earlier, Gavin said you can find anything online. Not true. I’ve searched for Gavin Webb, and nothing comes up. No school records. Arrest records. Former addresses. Speeding tickets. Social media. The man’s a digital ghost.
“Have you told him everything about your history?” she asks gently.
“No,” I admit. “But he’s seen my prescription bottles, so he knows I’m taking them for some kind of mental health issue.”
“What’s the fear if you give this man a chance?”
“That I should’ve known better. That he’ll make a fool out of me.” I count off the reasons on my fingers. “That I’ll fall in love with him, and he’ll love me back.” That last I whisper.
“And why is that scary, to let someone love you?”
Before I can fumble for a response, I’m saved by the clock.
