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Like I just told Jack, knowing what I know about Rivera and my father, I can’t help but wonder how to get Jeremy out of the picture for her. And maybe this event is my ticket in.
I need Jolene to see how much I’m willing to fight for her, and that means it’s time to start digging up dirt on Jeremy Landry. It all starts with attending this product launch.
“There’s that fire,” Jack says quietly, narrowing his eyes at me as his mouth curls into a smile. “I see it on your face. Oh, and I’ll be your plus one to the launch.”
I laugh, and the laughter feels good after the last two days of misery. For the first time since the accident, I feel like myself again.
I’ll find something on her ex, and then I will figure out how to win her back.
But for now…I should probably get my ass down to practice.
CHAPTER 7: JOLENE
Lincoln: If you won’t talk to me about us, can we at least discuss the podcast? Are we still recording this week?
I imagine recording this week would be good for ratings. In fact, I imagine our ratings would skyrocket this week if we got on the pod after that article Rivera published. People will want to know our reactions, which is a concept I’m very familiar with given my career.
The podcast usually goes live on Wednesdays, and that’s today. I pieced together some parts of interviews and an extra restaurant review we did a few weeks ago so I can publish it later today, and just listening to his voice as he talked about the chicken tacos he ate made my chest ache.
I don’t want to talk to him, but if my goal is still to expand and monetize the podcast, I’m not sure whether I have a choice in that matter.
Ellie has tried calling me, too, which only makes me think he’s got her in on it. I ignored her call since it came through while I was editing at Sam’s kitchen table, and then I stared blankly at my screen while I tried to figure out where the hell we’re going to live.
Sam is due to be home in another hour, and that’s when my phone rings again.
But this time, it’s my mother.
I don’t ignore this call.
“Hey, Mom,” I answer.
“Oh, thank God you answered. Are you okay?”
“I’m okay,” I say. Someone found out Lincoln was in an accident, and the story has been all over the news. I’m surprised it took her this long to reach out.
“What’s going on?” she asks. “We saw the article about the Nash family.”
I sigh. I don’t really want to rehash the story again, but this is my mom. She deserves to know everything.
I clear my throat. “Can I come over to talk with you and Dad?”
“Of course. Are you okay to drive?”
“I’m fine.” My head feels much clearer today, and I’ve even been able to get some work done. My prescription strength ibuprofen has been helping with the wrist, but it hasn’t done much to help with the constant heaviness in my chest, and in truth it’s hard to type when I’m wearing this damn splint.
“Okay. We’re at the Gridiron,” she says.
I sigh. I don’t really want to go anywhere public, but I’m sure we can talk in the back room and I can sneak out before anyone sees me. “I’ll be over in a few minutes.”
I finish uploading the episode and schedule it for five o’clock, our usual publication time, and then I head over to the Gridiron in the courtesy car I got from the dealer who’s fixing my car.
I find them sitting at the bar, and I nod toward the back room. They follow me in, and my mom gives me a hug. My dad looks highly uncomfortable as he leans in for the next hug, and then they both sit. I remain standing.
“I know you’ve seen the article and when I found out that Lincoln kept that secret for two decades, I ended things with him. I was upset, and he got into the car with me to try to stop me, and I shouldn’t have been driving. I lost control and hit a tree. We’re both fine, but I broke up with him and that’s the point of the story.”
“You broke up with him then tried to kill him?” my dad asks, a little, tiny smile curling his lips as he teases me.
“May I remind you that I learned how to drive from you?” I point out dryly, and he chuckles.
