Lana: Why have you never had a serious relationship in your entire life?
Me: I HAVE. Remember Austin?
Lana: Lol. The guy you wouldn't let into the apartment? The guy you broke up with after two dates?
Me: I was busy. I'd just bought the station.
My phone rang, the screen showing Lana's mischievous face.
Smiling, I held the device to my ear. "Hello?"
"Oh my God." My sister smacked on a piece of gum. "Please stop. Why is it that most of your boyfriends look an awful lot like a certain boy who lived with us for a little while, huh? Dark hair, lanky, blue eyes—"
"Shut up," I hissed, wrenching the door open and stalking down the hall to the front desk of the station.
"I rest my case," she said sweetly. "I love you, Sis, just don't make any rash decisions, okay? I've always liked Paxton and he's had a shitty life. Maybe he could use a compassionate friend by his side."
"Hmm." I sat in the office chair and propped my feet on the desk. I could almost hear her smirking on the other end of the phone. "I'll think about what you said." It was time to change the subject. "What are your plans tonight?"
"Got a hot date. Remember that girl in class I told you about the other day?"
"The artist? Susan? Or was it Susie?"
"Yeah. Suzanne. We're going to the movies tonight. I like her. A lot."
"Well, maybe you'll get lucky." I smiled, glad my sister was enjoying life to the fullest.
"That's the plan." She let out a low giggle. "Wouldn’t Mom have a meltdown right now seeing her daughter out with a woman?"
A loud laugh escaped my mouth and I put a hand to my chest. "Fuck her if she doesn't like your choice in partners. It'syourlife—not hers."
"Yep. So true. I love you, Terri. Don't wait up for me."
Shaking my head, I told her goodbye and hung up.
She was right about Paxton. Maybe I couldn't be there for him as an intimate partner, but Icouldbe his friend. And maybe I could even try to understand and forgive him for his lies.
Chapter forty-one
Paxton Ross
Iyankedopentheglass door to K-ROC and ducked out of the Arizona sun, expecting to see Terri at the desk. Instead, some older, long-haired dude sat in her place.
"Hi." I glanced around the small waiting area. A TV, the volume set on low, showed an old Billy Idol "White Wedding" music video.
"Welcome. Name's Johnny. Can I help you?" The man smiled and readjusted his folded red bandana wrapped around his head. He looked like the offspring of Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan.
"Yeah, I'm looking for Terri Kingston."
"She's off today taking care of some business matters. Maybe I can help."
I rubbed the back of my neck. I really wanted to talk to CC one last time. Yeah, what I had to say could've been texted, but it would've been nice to look at her, to hear her voice, to bare my soul and finally expunge all the guilt and shame hovering over my head for the past twelve years.
Nothing I can do but leave and move on.But I couldn't quite give up, not yet.
"Can I leave her a note?" I asked, pointing to a yellow legal pad on the desk behind the counter.
"Be my guest." He lifted the paper and handed me a fountain pen. "I'll make sure it goes into her inbox."
