Page 55 of The Wild Card
In contrast, we’re currently surrounded by the evidence of James’s success building his own business. Not only did I fail, I failed where he succeeded.
I mean, technically, the gym hasn’t lost money, other than what Liza stole. Though I don’t know if I’ll break even with the sale at this point—guess it depends how much damage Liza has done.
Money aside, the move to sell is giving up on a dream, changing course after only a handful of years. Just like we expect James to be the steady—and sometimes judgmental—rock, everyone expects Pat to be the one bouncing from thing to thing.
Now, they’re both settled, and I’m the brother who’s deciding at almost thirty to drop everything and start over.
“I wish you’d told us earlier,” James says finally.
I stare down at a crack in the concrete running between our chairs. “So you’d have more time to sayI told youso about Liza?”
“No,” James practically growls. Then, he pauses. “Though I did tell you.”
Winnie smacks him on the chest. “Not the time, Boss.”
James sighs. “I’m sorry. Not just for saying I told you so even if I did?—”
“You just did it again!” Winnie says.
“Sorry for saying ittwice,” James says, giving his fiancée a look. “But what I mean is that I’m sorry you’re going throughso much. And that you felt like you had to do it alone. For the record, you don’t. Ever. We’re always here.”
“Even when you might not want us to be,” Winnie adds cheerfully. “We’ve got your back, Collin. Say the word and I’ll happily put Liza flat on hers.”
James chuckles. “You’re offering to fight her?”
“I’d love to.” Winnie makes fists and punches the air. “Though violence isn’t the answer—so they say. I could find some way to ruin her online.”
“I thought you were already trying to do that,” James says.
“Oh, that was just me getting warmed up,” Winnie says with a cackle that scares me.
I find myself smiling, despite the circumstances. Though it sucked to admit all this, l feel so much better having said it all. Better knowing I’m not alone.
Better knowing they’re on my side. That James isn’t disappointed in me and that Winnie, even before I knew it, had my back.
“Seriously,” Winnie says. “Just let us know what we can do.”
“For now, I’m letting Thayden handle things.”
“The same Thayden who suggested you fake a relationship with Molly?” James asks, one eyebrow raised almost comically high.
“It’s actually not a bad idea,” Winnie says. James gives her a look. “What? Public figures do this all the time.”
“You’d know that how?”
“Celebrity gossip blogs,” Winnie says with a shrug. “Anyway. I like Molly. Fake or real—I’d be happy for you to spend more time with her, Collin.”
The look Winnie takes on now is a little too calculating. I point a finger toward her. “Don’t.”
“What?”
“Don’t …plot. Or plan. Or whatever it is you’re currently doing.”
Winnie blinks innocently, then pushes her glasses up her nose. “I’m just sitting here.”
James grins at this. “We both know you too well for that, Winchester.”
Wrapping both arms more tightly around Winnie’s waist, James pulls her closer until the two of them are—to use a term from celebrity gossip blogs, which I’ve also read on occasion—canoodling.
