Play Maker(62)

“Stop it,” she ordered, pulling back. “You are not a moron. You are someone who fell in love. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Unless you fall in love with the wrong person.” I wiped my eyes.

She didn’t say anything, pressing her lips together. That was very unlike her. Usually she was the first to jump on the ‘men are scum’ ranting that always came after a break-up. Instead, she dug through the bag she had brought with her.

“I got you something,” she told me before pulling out a water bottle filled with what looked like liquid beets. Which was probably exactly what it was.

I wrinkled my nose at her. “No offense,” I said. “But I’m not in the mood for juice right now.”

“This is anti-heartbreak juice. I put extra paprika in it. And artichoke hearts. You know, for your heart,” she argued. “It’s really good. It will help.”

I didn’t think it would, but she looked so sincere that I figured there was no harm in trying it. Of course, I changed my mind the minute the concoction touched my lips. It was incredibly bitter and slightly off, as if the vegetables used were on the cusp of going bad.

I coughed. “Maya, this is gross. This is probably the worst thing you’ve ever made.”

She grinned at me. “I know,” she said.

“Then why did you give it to me?”

“Because, doesn’t it make everything else seem a little less bad? By comparison?”

I couldn’t help a small smile. “Nice try,” I said, handing her back the bottle. “But the drink is not that bad.”

Maya reached over and gave me a one-armed hug. “I know,” she tucked my head beneath her chin. “But it did make you smile. If only for a moment.”

She was right, but still, that drink had been vile. “Next time just tickle me, ok?”

“Ok.” She poked me playfully in the side. “Now, come on, there’s something I want you to see.”

“I don’t feel like going out,” I told her. I was perfectly content staying in my room in my pajamas with my hair unwashed and my curtains drawn. At least for another day. Or maybe a week. Or maybe forever. I was still deciding the best course of action.

“We’re not going out.” She pulled at my arm. “We’re going to the living room. Come on, Mikey and your mom are waiting.”

“This better not be some sort of intervention,” I told her, grabbing my ratty old robe and wrapping it around my ratty old pajamas. Why was everything I owned so ratty and old? I stopped myself immediately. I had never found fault in my things until James started showering us with expensive gifts. What did I need a new robe for? I had everything I needed right now in this house. I didn’t need anything – or anyone – else.

“It’s not an intervention,” Maya promised.

“Good, because I think I have the right to wallow for a few days.”

Maya nodded, steering me out of the bedroom. “Of course you do.”

Mikey and my mom were in the living room. Immediately, Mikey ran over and gave me a hug so tight that it squeezed all the air out of my lungs. I squeezed him back, feeling bad that I had been ignoring him while I locked myself in my cave of self-pity. Even though this wasn’t an intervention, I knew that all this crying and withdrawing had to stop. I had a family that needed me. I couldn’t just check out.

“Hey, buddy,” I said to him, giving him a kiss on the top of his head.

He wiped it away like he always did, but took my hand and pulled me to the couch.

“What’s going on?” I asked, looking around and noticing the tight look on my mom’s face. Whatever was happening, she did not seem ok with it.

“I don’t think this is a good idea,” she confirmed, crossing her arms.

“I think Nicole needs to know,” Maya countered, picking up the remote.

“Know what?” I shifted my gaze back and forth between the two of them. I could tell they had a secret. It made me nervous. The last time my mom had looked like this was when we found out the truth about James. There was no way it could get worse. Could it? “What are you talking about?”

“James is giving a press conference,” Maya said, looking at her phone. I hated the way my heart jolted when she said his name. “In five minutes. He was at the bar yesterday and he made me promise that I’d make you watch it.”

“What?” I surged off the couch. Why was Maya doing this to me? I thought she was on my side. “Why?”

Maya put a hand on my shoulder, her eyes sympathetic. “Because there’s more to this than you think.”

I shook my head. “I can’t believe you.” I felt totally betrayed. “How can you possibly excuse his behavior?”

“I’m not excusing it. At all,” Maya insisted. “I just, look, I spoke to him the other day and he told me some things, ok?”

I laughed. The sound was bitter, but that’s how I felt. “So he sweet talked you.”

“No.” Maya was firm. “I just think you should watch the press conference.”

I glanced over at my mom, who still looked upset. “What do you think?” I was starting to depend more and more on her opinion. I realized that I trusted her with this. That she would be looking out for my best interests.