Unfinished Ex (Calloway Brothers, #2)(24)

“Because nobody knew your address.”

“Besides that.” I give her a stern glare. “I’m the leper of Calloway Creek. Everyone hates me.

To them, all I am is the girl who cheated on the town golden boy.”

“They need to get over it. You aren’t the only person who has ever cheated on a spouse. If you remember, my mom cheated on my dad. They are both happily married to other people now, attend the same church, and nobody is leaving flaming bags of poop on her doorstep. Plus, you’re a rock star.

You can shove that in all their faces if they snub you.”

“If they snub me? Paige, there was a ticker-tape parade when I left town.”

“You are so exaggerating. There was not. It was only a small celebration at Donovan’s—a few dozen people.”

My jaw slackens.

“I’m kidding. Honey, you have to show people they can’t decide who you are. And if anyone says something mean, kill them with kindness.”

“Kill them with kindness?” I sip my drink.

Paige smiles. “You’re considering it, aren’t you?”

“It’s ridiculous. And, I have to be up at three in the morning the next day.”

“So pop in, stay an hour, show them they can’t drive you out of town, then leave.”

“I can’t even imagine the things that will be said about me after.”

“If you’re Suzy Sunshine, they won’t have anything to say.”

“You really want me to be your third wheel?”

“Sam can’t go. He couldn’t get the time off work.”

“If you show up with me, you’ll be a pariah too.”

“No I won’t. People love me.”

It’s true. Paige is everyone’s friend, the quintessential girl next door. Sadness washes over me knowing I was too, once upon a time. “Lucky bitch.”

She stands, fisting her wineglass. “Let’s go pick your outfit. Hey, maybe they’ll let you borrow one of the dresses from the show—those are hot.”

I roll my eyes. “My producer likes them that way.”

“I can’t blame him. I’ll bet male viewership is up since you started.”

“Don’t even get me started on Barry. He and I rub each other the wrong way.”

“And the cameraman?”

“Chris is great. He reminds me a lot of Josh. I hope I get him on every assignment.”

“Is he hot?”

I wiggle my brows. “Very.”

“I can see it now—cameraman falls for weather girl. I know you hate that term, but it would look amazing on the front page of the news.”

“He’s not going to fall for me. Nobody is. I’m focused on my career. Relationships aren’t an option right now. Maybe not ever.”

“That’s silly. You have to date. Tell me about the last guy you dated.”

“There hasn’t been anyone since I moved. I told you my career is my number one priority.”

“Wait. No one? As in you’ve been celibate for two years?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

She eyes me skeptically. “Did you swear off men out of guilt?”

“No.”

More scrutinizing stares. “Oh my god. You’re still in love with your ex. That’s why you think you flubbed it today. That’s why you won’t go anywhere in town. I’m right, aren’t I?”

“I’m not in love with him.” I finger my pendant.

“Then why are you fiddling with that thing like you’re as nervous as a long-tailed cat?” She takes it in her hands. “In fact, you seem to do it every time Jaxon’s name comes up. What is this, anyway? It’s beautiful.”

“Just something that keeps me grounded is all.” I grab my wine. “Come on, let’s go find me a killer dress.”

“Nicky, you could show up in a burlap sack, and you’d still turn heads. I hate that about you, you know.”

“Says the girl crowned Miss Calloway Creek High 2012.”

We laugh, then lock elbows and go up to my room.





Chapter Eleven



Jaxon




Pulling up to my house, I see Addy’s car in the driveway. Great. As if my friends, students, and brothers aren’t giving me enough shit, I have to deal with my baby sister, too.

I love Addison, and we’ve only grown closer since her accident three years ago, but she tends to be blunt. An in-your-face kind of girl, even though it’s bottled up in a sweet girl-next-door exterior.

I find her in the backyard with Heisman. She throws him a tennis ball. “He needs more exercise,” she says. “He’s getting fat.”

Heisman trots over to greet me. “He is not getting fat. He’s growing up.”

“You give him too many treats, and all he does is lie around all day when you’re at work.”

“I do pay a dog walker to come every day, Addy. Twice a day during football season. It’s not like he’s cooped up in the house for ten hours.”

“Dog walker,” she says pensively. “How much do they make?”

I toss the ball at her. “You’re not going to college so you can walk dogs for a living.”