Famous in a Small Town

Chad puffed himself up like a blowfish. “What the hell was that about?”

“What do we have to discuss?” I asked. “Why are you here?”

He scowled and took the seat opposite me. “Mom had a fall. I’m just back to check on her.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know. How is she?”

“Hairline fracture in the wrist. She’ll be fine,” he said in a dismissive tone of voice. “What’s this about you being mayor?”

“Yeah.” I shrugged. “Guess people wanted a change.”

“But you’re not doing it, right?”

I cocked my head. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because you’re not staying in Wildwood. I mean, why would you?” he asked. “You can’t seriously be considering working in a general store for the rest of your life? There’s nothing here for you. We both always agreed on that. C’mon, Ani. You’ve got to come back to L.A. eventually.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Yes,” he said as if correcting a child, “you do. Don’t be ridiculous. I know you needed some time, but—”

“How’s that nice girlfriend of yours?” I gave him my best fake smile. “The one with the crystal vagina eggs?”

He smirked. “See. You’re jealous.”

“Oh, trust me, I am so not even a little.”

“It didn’t work out.” My smile might be fake, but his was the smarmiest in all the land. “This is what I’m saying. There’s more for you in L.A. than you’re thinking.”

“I take it you mean you?” I asked. “Believe it or not, that is not a lure. Chad, we broke up four years ago. We are ancient history. Where is all this even coming from?”

“We used to have fun, didn’t we? Maybe it’s time for us to try again.” He gave me a good slow, gratuitous looking over. Then he told my tits in their white halter-neck, “Christian was right, you’re looking good. You kind of let yourself go for a while there. But now . . .”

“Chad, we’re not together. Keep your eyes on my face and stop being a letch. And let me assure you, I have less than nil interest in your good buddy Christian’s opinion of me.”

He laughed. “Ani, calm down. We’re just talking. Gosh. You always were emotional. I was paying you a compliment.”

“Yeah. I really hadn’t missed your gaslighting. It’s time for you to leave.”

“What? No. Honey—”

“Do not honey me.”

“Hey now,” he said in a pacifying tone of voice.

“Go away, Chad. We’re done here.”

“No one tells me what to do in my town.” His expression turned ugly. “Look at you, dressing up for the fucking rock star. You’re making a damn fool out of yourself and everyone knows. It’s all they can talk about.”

“So that’s what you really think, huh?”

“I’m just trying to be honest with you.”

“Go fuck yourself.”

“There’s no need to be like that,” he gritted out. “I just wanted you to know what they’re saying. I’m trying to help.”

“Oh, please. Let me make this simple for you. We broke up four years ago. You have not spent the last four years pining for me, and I have absolutely no interest in spending quality time with you, now or ever.”

“I know I didn’t handle things as well as I could have after what happened.”

I held up a hand. “No. Don’t go there. It’s not open for discussion.”

“Look at you trying to get rid of me. That’s not how you used to feel,” he said. “You used to practically cling to me, you were so fucking scared someone would steal me away.”

“Thank goodness I learned better.” I slid my butt across the seat toward the exit. “Good night. Give your mother my best.”

Whip fast, he reached out and grabbed my arm. “We’re not done talking.”

“Let go of me.”

He leaned in closer. “Honey, you need to shut up and listen. I’m trying to help. I know what’s best for you, if you’d just—”

A large hand grabbed hold of his wrist and squeezed. The sound that came out of Chad’s mouth was startled, high, and full of pain. His fingers unlocked from around my arm. I immediately tucked it against my chest.

“Get out of the booth,” said Garrett, not letting go.

Chad did as told, his face turning red with rage.

“Let’s take a walk outside.”

With a curse, Chad tore his wrist from Garrett’s hold. His chin went up as he took in the audience. Because of course we had the attention of the whole bar. “Fine,” he said, and stomped toward the door.

Garrett followed without a word. But his hands were curled tight into fists.

This could not be happening. One minute my night had been fine. There’d I’d been, hanging out in my favorite booth with one of my favorite people. Now this.

I followed close behind the two men. All of the bar’s clientele poured out into the parking lot. It had been a while since Wildwood had seen a good throw-down. There’d been an outburst from some bored lumberjacks a few months back, resulting in the destruction of a couple of chairs. But Yong was not shy about banning people from the bar. And no one at the end of a long day wanted to have to drive all the way down to Falls Creek for a drink. Everyone knew they charged more for their craft beer.