What Lovers Do(59)

“I have plans tonight,” I say, even though I don’t unless I can count plotting Jimmy’s death as plans. “The dog park Monday sounds good.”

Shep bites his bottom lip and nods. “Sounds good. You should go get a massage or something. I still sense a lot of pent-up anger.”

I return a tight smile. “I’m good. See ya.”





CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX





“Just great …” I mumble upon returning home from my disastrous planned encounter with Shep.

There’s an Accord parked in the new driveway. Jimmy’s entertaining someone at my house.

“There she is. You must be Sophie. I’m Kora, Jimmy’s aunt. It’s nice to meet you.” She shoots me a grin as she trims Jimmy’s hair in my kitchen.

Jimmy keeps his gaze on the television, totally ignoring me.

I grit my teeth. “Hi … Kora.” My attempt to keep from acting like a disgruntled bitch fails.

“Jimmy said you’ve been pretty busy lately, so he didn’t want to burden you by asking you to give him a trim, so since I’m in town for a few days, I agreed to get him fixed up.”

Burden me? Could she be more delusional?

“I see.” I release Cersei from her leash and toe off my shoes. “I’m glad it worked out, especially since he’s been dying to ask you if he can move to Tennessee and live with you since we broke up.”

Jimmy shoots me a scowl.

“Oh …” Kora pauses her trimming. “Jimmy, you didn’t say anything about that? Your mom said you and Sophie were working things out.”

“We are.” He returns his attention to the TV. “Sophie’s been a little moody lately. I think she might be bipolar. One day she’s all over me, and the next day she’s screaming at me to move out. This must be a move out day. It’s best not to engage with her today.”

“Kora …” I grab the scissors from her hand and slap them onto the counter. “I’m not bipolar. Your nephew is in denial. I’ve taken legal action to have him evicted. You should be embarrassed for him. He’s the one who needs help, psychiatric evaluation or maybe an MRI to rule out a brain tumor. He either leaves on his own free will, maybe with your help, or the sheriff will physically remove him from my property. Is that what you want?” I rip the towel from around his neck and shake it before shoving it into Kora’s chest.

“See what I mean?” Jimmy stands and brushes off his shorts. He’s not wearing a shirt. Muscles. Tattoos. All the things that used to do it for me. I don’t think I can ever date a guy with tattoos again. Jimmy has ruined it.

“Have you two looked into therapy?”

“I suggested it, but Sophie won’t pay for it, and I don’t have health insurance with my new job until I’ve been with them for thirty days.”

“Kor…” I clap my hands once “…a.” I clap them again, accenting each syllable of her name. “I don’t need therapy. I need Jimmy to get the fuck out of my house.”

She frowns. “Sweetie, that language is a little unbecoming of a lady.”

“I’m not a lady. I’m a foul-mouthed bitch. And you should not want your nephew to be anywhere near me. I’m anxious. Stressed. And borderline fucking rabid!” I ball my fists. I feel rabid. Surely, I look it as well.

Baby. Baby. Baby.

I take a few deep breaths.

Kora flinches, but just barely. “Have you considered trying 5-HTP? I’m not a fan of prescription meds for depression and anxiety, but I take 5-HTP and it’s helped me tremendously.”

“I don’t need 5-HTP. I need your nephew out of my life! I need both of you out of my house!”

Kora’s frown deepens as she turns her head to the side a bit, eyes narrowed like my words slapped her. “You don’t deserve Jimmy. But he loves you. And I know this because if he didn’t love you, he wouldn’t put up with you and your moods. So I suggest you take some time to get ahold of yourself and show a little gratitude for the man in your life who has done so much around your house, including the new driveway, taking care of your dog, cleaning, yard work, and when I showed up, he was dusting off that ceiling fan. And he could have fallen and broken his neck. Have you ever thought about that? I bet not. I bet you haven’t stopped for one single second to think about anyone but yourself. I really don’t understand what he sees in you, young lady, but I love him, so I support him and respect his heart’s decision.”

His heart’s decision?

I close my eyes and slap my palms against my cheeks.

Wake up. Wake up. Wake up!

This isn’t real life. This is too ridiculous to be real life. It’s just one of those eerily real dreams where you try to wake yourself up, but you can’t. And eventually, when you do wake up, you’re in shock because everything felt too real. And it leaves an uneasy feeling in your stomach for days.

“Baby, stop. Let’s get you to bed.” Jimmy grabs my wrists to stop my incessant face slapping.

I yank my arms out of his grip. “I’m not your baby. I’m a victim in your stupid game—a gullible woman who fell for your synthetic charm. And now I’m stuck with you because your own family doesn’t want you.”

“That is not true, Sophie.” Kora has the audacity to act offended.