Page 71 of Jameson’s Salvation

“That was kinda a rhetorical question, Holden,” McKenna told him.

“Well, now you know.” Holden tipped his chin and smiled. “And you’re welcome for the clarification.”

I couldn’t stop myself from smiling at their banter. I’d been so busy working I hadn’t bothered to cultivate new friendships, and the ones I did have I hadn’t taken very good care of, so they all simply withered away.

I wouldn’t make that mistake again.

McKenna turned up the sound again and we caught the tail end of a conversation.

“…okay, fine. Will you call me tonight?” Deloris asked.

“Can’t tonight. Lois wants me to take her to the fundraiser at the firehouse.”

“Fine,” Deloris grumbled.

“Don’t do that, DeeDee,” he cajoled. “You know I’d rather be here with you. She doesn’t ask for much. I have to go.”

“I know you keep saying that. But I’m lonely and you’ve been promising for years you were done going back to her.”

“It won’t be too much longer, pussy cat,” he sweet-talked, and Holden made a choking sound.

“I just miss you when you’re gone.”

“Give daddy some sugar before I go. I’ll be back in the morning and I’ll take care of your…”

“LaLaLaLa,” McKenna chanted and covered her ears.

There were some slurping sounds before the line went back to static.

“Ohmygod,” McKenna breathed. “I couldn’t take another second of that. I think he was going to try dirty-talking her.”

I grimaced at the thought. Good thing McKenna had started with her LaLaLas because I liked when Jameson talked dirty to me, and if I heard Reggie’s version of it I’d be turned-off for life.

“Why do women fall for that shit? He’s a lying cheating asshole.”

“Women who have self-worth don’t,” McKenna started. “They see through the lies men tell and they’d never take another woman’s man to bed. But women who are starved for attention will buy into the lie and live the fantasy because the alternative is loneliness. And for some, it’s the thrill. They want control, and making a man fall in love with them and divorce his wife or leave his girlfriend gives them the power they crave.”

“That was a rhetorical question, McKenna,” Holden deadpanned.

“Well, now you know.” McKenna shrugged.

Holden threw his head back and roared with laughter. Nixon and Chasin walked in and looked around the room before they both broke out in wide smiles.

“Hey, babe,” Nix greeted McKenna and made his way to her side and kissed the top of her head.

“You guys just missed the show,” she told him.

“Before you tell them, I want it on record I had Chasin’s back,” I announced.

Chasin looked over at me and smiled. “Good to know.”

“But she did throw Weston under the bus,” Holden added.

“He’s used to it. It’s fun to watch him heave.” Nix chuckled.

Holden filled in Nix and Chasin about Reggie and Deloris and Chasin put his hands up.

“No fuckin’ way am I listening to that shit. I’m still recovering. Weston can review it. It’s not like he has to smell anything, which is his issue. It’s damn well his turn.”