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I cut her off. “Uh, yes. It would be horrible under normal circumstances, but Gem, I have Ax. This has to end. I won’t let this get near him. Not to mention, when you know who gets wind of this, it’s just one more thing that will be added to the list of Andie’s-most-horrifically-disappointing-decisions. It actually might replace number one, and I’ll never hear the end of how embarrassed they are and what poor decisions I always make, and on and on and on.”
I take a breath and curl up tighter on the couch. Snipe moves closer to me, knowing I need comfort.
“I can’t take any more of her condescending, presumptuous comments. It’s bad enough when it’s just me, but then in front of Sean and Jonesy. It never stops. I can’t have Ax around that. I won’t. And now this. I can only imagine…”
“I know, baby girl,” Gem says softly. “You shouldn’t have to. I do believe she wants the best for you. She just thinks that the best can only be achieved her way.”
I put a hand on my forehead. “I can’t believe this.” My skin is hot, my face is flushed, and I’m certain I’ve burnt a thousand calories just in anger management today. “I can’t read any more comments. Comments about Sean. Comments about me. I feel like it’s only a matter of time before someone starts beating on my door.”
I’ve wondered all day what Sean thinks about this.Why in the world isn’t he doing anything?The pictures are one thing. Fine. Whatever. We were photographed together. People are speculating. But the moment his ex started spouting lies, he should have Shut. It. Down.
Now, I’m being marked as a low-dollar slut in front of the entire world, including my business associates. Sean, on the other hand, is off playing football and making millions while being called a sorry lying cheat. BIG DIFFERENCE.
At first, I was ready to drive to the stadium and hunt him down. I wondered if he lied to me about breaking up with Morgan. But then I realized he had no reason to lie to me, nor did he have any reason to tell me that they’d broken up. He wasn’t hitting on me or making any sort of move. So I can’t hate him for his ex’s blatant attempts at getting attention or retaliating or whatever it is she’s trying to do.
I can, however, think he totally sucks for this being a part of his life and, now, mine. I know he’s probably used to this and not concerned about it, but I’m not good with people putting a tag on me that is the wrong label and price.
I get that this kind of messed up revenge happens when you live your life on stage, and someone’s pride gets bruised, but I’ve avoided that kind of life. One very brief trip down that crooked lane was enough for me.
I hear Gem take a sip of something, likely her evening VO and water, the one I definitely should be drinking instead. “What are we going to do about it, sweet cheeks?”
“I don’t know,” I whine. “People I work with have been calling Nora all day. It’s just so…uncomfortable. I’d be embarrassed, but I didn’t do anything. I stood next to him and danced with him for one minute when he saved me from Brice’s handsy ass.”
“That narcissistic son of a…” Gem spats and can’t help but smile. “If I see that skinny, sorry excuse of a man, I’ll make sure he never procreates.”
“You won’t have to if I see him first.”
“What can I do?” Gem asks, back to business.
“Nothing. Hope that tomorrow they’ve all moved on to something else.”
“Honey, we can always do something. When the storms out, we play in the rain.” I can feel her smirk through the phone. “You know, I could call Ed McNeil and get tickets for the next game,and we could parade in there and show this Morgan nobody exactly how we Taninbaughs handle lying twats.”
“I bet Sean would just love that.” I snort.
I hear her sniff. “I have a feeling Sean wouldn’t mind.”
“Yeah, right. He and I don’t run on the same frequency.”
“So you’re saying sparks fly when you two get just a little too close.”
“Oh, good grief. Keep dreaming, Grandma.”
“Andie,” she warns. “I’ll let that one go since you’re having a crap day.”
I smile but hear my phone beep again. “Do you hear that?”
“What?”
“The eerie silence and gentle breeze before a lashing.” Gem snorts. “The Countess of Bigotry has gotten the word and is ready to throw down the gauntlet. I have to go. If you hear a boom, you know my head exploded.” Snipe growls low and steady like he can tell it’s her from twenty miles away.
“Be calm and try explaining how amazing the sex is.”
I laugh, hanging up and readying myself for this battle. I pat Snipe, hoping he’ll give me the courage I need as I slide from the couch to the floor. The hard surface is appropriate for this fun conversation.
“Hello, Mother. To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Andrea, don’t be smart with me. Tell me there is some sort of explanation. Your father and I have been hearing things all day and…”
