“Don’t be so nosy,” I said. I tried to frown at her, but it came out as a dopey smile. “It’s none of your business who I have lunch with.”
“You’re right,” she said, holding up her hands. “But he is a hunk.”
I leaned in and wiggled my eyebrows at her. “I know. Now hush up and get back to work. I’ll see you in an hour.”
* * *
I saw the black Acura SUV parked in front of Shane’s house when I pulled into the drive, but didn’t really pay it much mind until I was walking across the yard with the basket of tomatoes swinging happily in my hand. The magnet on the driver’s door caught my eye. I recognized the ReMax logo and the photograph of the agent. Juju Wheeler. Smiling. Eyes sparkling. Promising to sell your home in thirty days or less. I froze in my tracks for a moment, then stepped across the porch and pulled open the storm door. I probably should have knocked, but something told me that I would be interrupting something if I did. I put my hand on the knob and gave it a twist. The knob turned. The door opened. I took a deep breath and stepped inside.
I stood inside the door for a moment, listening. I could hear voices. Juju giggling, Biscuit barking. Shane was saying something I couldn’t make out. He sounded… excited. I stepped quietly through the living room and peered around the kitchen door. That’s when I saw them. That’s when the déjà vu hit. Shane was pushed back against the sink with his hands clutching Juju’s arms. Juju was pressed against him, tugging open his belt, her mouth on his, her red lipstick smeared on his chin. Biscuit was on her hind legs, dancing, turning circles, barking, demanding her share of her master’s attention.
I didn’t realize that I dropped the basket of tomatoes until I heard them hit the floor.
Biscuit spun around and barked.
Shane’s head jerked my way. He roughly pushed her back and spat out the words. “Shit! Annabel!”
Juju gave me a dreamy look and smiled. “Well, hey there, Doc. What are you doing here?”
“I…” My eyes filled with tears. My mouth was suddenly dry. I tried to speak but no words came out.
“Annabel, wait,” Shane said, taking a step toward me. “It’s not what you think.”
I put up my hands to stop him. My head shook from side to side. I gritted my teeth and glared at him through my tears. “Don’t. Don’t touch me. Don’t even talk to me.”
“But…”
“I’m leaving,” I said, taking a step back, crushing a tomato beneath my shoe. “This time it’s really over, Shane. I don’t ever want to see you again.”
I turned and ran from the house. I heard Shane yell something behind me, but I kept going. I had been a fool to think that I could rewrite the past. I was a fool to trust Shane Mavic. He was no different from every other man on the planet. He thought with his cock instead of his head or his heart.
Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me.
I was done giving Shane Mavic chances.
I had no intention of ever seeing him again.
CHAPTER 18: Shane
I stood in the front doorway watching Annabel drive away. I could feel Juju standing behind me. I could hear her breathing. She wanted to say something, but knew there was nothing she could say. I wanted to turn around and strangle her, but again, this was not her fault, at least not entirely.
She had no idea I had feelings for Annabel or that Annabel had feelings for me.
I should have said something right off the bat, but I didn’t have the chance.
Juju wasn’t the problem.
I was the problem.
Me and no one else.
I was the one who left people hurt and lives destroyed.
I was like a Texas tornado, plowing through lives and leaving nothing but destruction in my wake.
The best thing I could do for Annabel was to get the fuck out of town before I hurt her anymore. That’s what I did. I hurt those I loved the most and then ran away.