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32
Show Don’t Tell
Colton
“Okay, now I’m starting to worry,” Wade mumbles, scratching his jaw as he sits down on the sun lounger next to me. “Whatever happened with Jane, I’m sure you can fix it.”
“You sound just like Agnes, except with a British accent.”
“Well, maybe we should try another accent next?”
“It doesn’t matter. There’s nothing to fix.” I sent a marriage annulment form to Jane, along with a termination of our contract. Once she signs it, this whole thing will end once and for all. Jane will get her freedom along with the money I promised her and more.
“It doesn’t look over, mate. I’ve never seen you like this. Ever. It’s 2 p.m. on a Wednesday, and you’re home. Has this ever happened before?”
I don’t respond. Of course it’s never happened. But then again, I don’t even recognize myself anymore.
“You can’t go from being madly in love to not speaking to each other. What the hell happened? And if it’s your fault, you’d better start fixing it ASAP.”
“Of course it’s my fault,” I spit. “And I can’t fix it. The whole thing is too screwed up.”
“I know a thing or two about screw-ups. Come on, tell me. Maybe I can help.”
And so, despite wanting to put all this behind me, I tell him everything—except Jane’s past. I would never share that secret. Why am I spilling my guts to Wade? Because he’s the only friend I’ve got, and because I need to get it all out of my system.
“Okay,” he says, tapping his chin when I finish. “Okay. We can probably fix it.”
I scoff. “Are you kidding?”
“As I said, I know a thing or two about screwing up with the woman you love. And look at me,” he says, showing me the ring on his fist. “I’m married to her now.”
I growl, because there’s nothing else I can muster.
“Do you want to win her back or not?”
My stomach twists. “I don’t think I can.”
“Sure you can, mate. What you need to do is put yourself out there. Show her that you love her. Make her see that you’re not who she thinks you are.”
I stomp my foot hard on the ground. “I already told her how I feel, why I did what I did. She doesn’t care.”
“Show her, mate. Don’t tell her. Those are two very different things,” he says, slapping my back.
I let out a heavy sigh. “Fine. How do I do that?”
He smirks. “You don’t think I’m about to do all the work for you, now do you?” he says with a chuckle. “You’ve got to figure this out on your own. You know Jane better than I do. You must have learned how to speak to her and what will make her see that your feelings are strong.”
I bite the inside of my cheek. “Okay. I can try.”
“That’s the spirit,” he says, clasping his hands together. “Now, I’ve got to go. I left my wife on Rodeo Drive for”—He peeks at his watch—“two hours now. I’d better find her before she raids the entire street. Plus, we have a plane to catch.”
“I wish I had your problem,” I joke, feeling a spark of hope from his pep talk.
“Oh, I never said it was a problem.” He flashes a bright smile while standing up. “It’ll all work out. You’ll see.”
I’m not sure about that, but deep down, I really hope he’s right.
Jane
