A Secret for a Secret Page 46

“It would be cause for concern if he wasn’t.” I shake out my hands, almost like I’m preparing for a fight. My family in public can be a lot to deal with. At least my cousin Billy didn’t tag along, as he sometimes likes to do. “You see Queenie anywhere?”

“Stevie messaged a while ago and said they’re waiting for the bathroom, and there’s a line or something. Sucks to have to sit to pee.”

It’s at that moment that Gerald spots me from across the restaurant and yells my name. My entire family turns around as if they’ve been practicing a choreographed dance move. My mother pushes through the crowd, not gently either. She elbows at least three people out of the way. I love my family, but man, they can be a rowdy bunch.

“King! What an incredible game! Kept me on the edge of my seat. I’m pretty sure your father nearly peed his pants a couple of times; it’s a good thing he wears Depends when we go to events like these.” She pats my cheek and smiles, then hugs me. She may or may not be joking about the Depends. “How are you, honey? I know the last week has been a struggle.”

“I’m actually doing fine. I wanted to—”

“That’s great. I’m so glad! And I brought you something that’s going to brighten your day even more than a family visit! Come on, let me show you!” She grabs my hand and pats Bishop on the chest as we pass. “Hi, Bishop. I just need to steal our baby boy for a few minutes.”

“Do whatever you gotta do.” Bishop waves us off, and I follow my mom through the crowd toward my family, who all seem to be wearing slightly strained smiles. Hanna is at the end, beside Gerald, who’s holding a beer in each hand. Her eyes are wide, and she’s mouthing something at me, but I’m not adept at reading lips so I have no idea what she’s trying to say.

Not that it matters, because the moment I get close enough, my dad and Gerald step away from each other, and my surprise appears.

Jessica.

My ex.


CHAPTER 28

WHAT THE H-E DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS?

Kingston

“Surprise!” Jessica hurtles herself at me, which is as much of a shock as she is. She’s more of a kiss on the cheek and an arm squeeze kind of woman, especially in public places.

I turn my head in my mother’s direction, which is a good thing because Jessica’s lips connect with my cheek. My mother looks gleeful, and Hanna, who’s standing beside her, looks helpless and apologetic.

I scan the bar, searching for Queenie. This is not ideal at all. I can’t introduce my girlfriend to my family when my ex has shown up for whatever reason. I pat Jessica on the back once before I take her by the shoulders and disconnect her from me. “What’re you doing here?”

Her smile falters, possibly because of my harsh tone. “Your mother invited me as a surprise.” She glances at Mom and then back at me, her expression shifting from excitement to uncertainty. “She said you’d be happy to see me, but you don’t really look all that happy.”

I blow out a breath and try not to take my frustration out on Jessica, because it’s not her fault that my mother is a natural-born meddler. She generally has good intentions, but she misses the point. And now, despite the fact that I’ve told her repeatedly that Jessica and I are not getting back together, here she is.

“It’s not that, it’s just—” I spot Queenie across the bar. Her eyes lock with mine and shift quickly to Jessica, whose shoulders I’m holding on to. She also has her hands on my chest.

I have to assume Queenie knows what Jessica looks like. There are eight years’ worth of photos of us together at various events, and just because we broke up doesn’t mean I’m going to erase her from my life.

She scans the faces around me, gaze bouncing around my family—it’s rather obvious that they’re mine, since they’re all wearing hand-knitted sweaters with my face on them. Apart from Hanna, since she’s sane, and also she didn’t fly in with the rest of them. Even Jessica is wearing one.

When Queenie spots Jessica, her expression shifts to something that looks a lot like defeat. She doesn’t make a move to come to me; instead she gives me a small, sad smile, inclines her head toward the exit, and starts moving in that direction.

“I need to deal with . . . someone important,” I mutter, and I try to step around Jessica.

She grabs my arm. “I came all the way from Tennessee to see you.”

“I know, and I’m confused as to why, so we’ll have to talk about that, but after I speak with my girlfriend.” I shake her off and pin my mother with an unimpressed look. “This is a step too far,” I tell her as I make my way through the crowd, following Queenie. My phone buzzes in my pocket as I reach the door and push outside. It spits me out into the alley behind the bar. It smells like garbage and urine. Queenie is standing there, phone in one hand, her face half-masked because it’s buried in the crook of her elbow.

“Oh God! This is horrible!” I turn to find Jessica with her hand covering her mouth and nose, gagging, but her delicate sense of smell really isn’t a priority right now.

“Can you please go back inside, Jessica? Your presence is the opposite of helpful at the moment.”

She lowers her hand, and her mouth drops open. “You aren’t being very nice to me right now.” But her mouth clamps shut just as quickly, and the hand comes back up to shield her from the smell.

“I’m aware.” I move past her and gently take Queenie by the elbow, guiding her away from the noxious odors.

She waits until we’re not breathing in garbage before she lowers her hand. “Your family brought your ex-girlfriend with them.”

“I didn’t know until now. I’m sorry.”

I reach out to . . . I don’t know . . . touch her, hug her, reassure her. Something.

But she raises her hand and takes a step back, shaking her head slowly.

“Queenie, please understand. I had no idea.”

“I believe you.” She turns her head to the side and looks up at the sky, and a single tear cascades down her cheek. “But it’s a pretty strong message, don’t you think?”

“I don’t—” I shake my head, because I honestly don’t have a good explanation for this at all, but I need to say something. “My mom meddles. She doesn’t understand. Jessica and I were together for a long time, and I think she’s having a hard time letting go.”

“I get it, King. I mean, I don’t really, but I can see how all those years would make it hard for Jessica to walk away, especially from someone as amazing as you.” She sighs and rubs her temples. “But I can’t go back in there. What are you going to do? Introduce me as your girlfriend when they obviously brought her along so that you two could reconcile?” She takes another step away from me and holds out her hand, flagging down a passing taxi.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going home. I can only take so much humiliation in one week, and this situation puts me way over my quota.”

“I’ll come with you.” I take a step toward her.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, do you?” She looks past me, and I glance over my shoulder to find my parents bursting out into the alley, followed by Jessica, again. “Your family is here for you. You need to stay and manage . . . whatever this is.” She brushes a tear away. “My battle armor already has enough dings in it today. I’m not sure it can take another round of hits from your family tonight. And honestly, I don’t want to meet them with your ex-girlfriend as a witness.”

I don’t stop her when she gets into the cab and they drive away, because she’s right: I have to deal with my family and their thoughtlessness, and Queenie has been through more than enough this week.

Jessica’s heels click on the sidewalk as she approaches, several steps ahead of the rest, mostly because Gerald is drunk-weaving and Hanna and my dad have to keep him from veering into the brick wall.

“Ryan? What are you doing out here?” my mom calls from down the alley.

“I was dealing with my girlfriend, who left because she’s obviously upset about my surprise.” I motion to Jessica and then feel bad about how much of a jerk I’m being to her, but Queenie’s had enough crap this week, and honestly so have I.

“Pointing is rude, Ryan,” my mom tsks.

“I thought you said Ryan and that adulteress broke up after that whole scandal thing happened,” Jessica says to my mom, looking confused.

“You said what?” I straighten and clasp my hands behind my neck, pacing the sidewalk. I’m honestly trying to keep it together, but it’s getting more difficult by the second.

My mom throws her hands in the air. Dramatically. Since there is no other way with her. “It’s not like you’re going to keep dating her after that whole thing went public in the media.”

“She is married.” Jessica props a fist on her hip.

“Was married. She’s divorced now.”

Jessica wrinkles her nose. “You’re not really going to date a divorcée, are you? That’s just . . . not like you at all, Ryan.”

Gerald drunk-weaves into the middle of the group. “What’s goin’ on?”

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