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“You should have told me!”
“When was I supposed to tell you? You were asleep when I got home, and this is practically the first time you’ve talked to me today!” Danny’s shoulders and neck ached from the tension. No matter what he did, he was always wrong.
“And I didn’t know I had to report all my comings and goings to you,” he continued. “Then I guess I should tell you I talked to Rachel at the grocery store last week. Oh, and Mrs. Mulroney? I helped her take her groceries from the car to her door, too.”
Mrs. Mulroney was their 82-year-old neighbor across the street.
Heather started to speak and then paused. She held up a finger at him, and once she gathered herself, said, “I shouldn’t be finding out from my best friend—over a text—that you’re hanging out with another woman.”
“I wasn’t ‘hanging out with another woman,’” Danny said, air quoting the last few words. “I was having a conversation with a friend. Maybe Rachel needs to mind her own fucking business.”
“And maybe you need to be honest with me about sleeping with your ex!”
“What the— Sleeping with—?” Danny’s mouth dropped open. Was Heather out of her mind? “What are you talking about?”
“You’re sleeping with her, aren’t you?”
“No!” Danny was offended. He wasn’t perfect—he had his own issues and demons, just like everyone did. But he was married, and that meant something to him regardless of any regrets he might have. Did she really think so little of him?
“I saw the way you looked at her the other day. And the photo Rachel took? You look pretty cozy.” Heather’s face was blotchy, her eyes shiny.
“The Sandoval show was the first time I’ve been in the same room as Lauren since high school.” Danny didn’t care that he was shouting. “When exactly was I supposed to be sleeping with her?”
“You’re always working late—”
“—Stop! Just stop! How can you even say that? I work late because we have private school tuition for three kids, a mortgage. Jesus, Heather, we’remarried!” Danny was furious at the accusation. He stormed away before he could say anything he truly regretted.
Heather was so angry she could barely think. The rational, reasonable part of her mind tried to interrupt, to remind her that Danny—despite the troubles they were having—wasn’t a bad husband. Remind her that she was basing her thoughts on fear and not on facts. Then she thought of the song Lauren sang during the Sandoval show and the way Danny watched her on stage.
The sharp stab of jealousy gave way to anger, but she wasn’t sure whom she was mad at. Lauren for having such a strong emotional connection to Danny after all these years? Danny for still having feelings for his ex—and hiding them? Cole for writing the stupid paper to begin with? Or herself, for playing the part of the fool so artfully?
ChapterSixteen
The Kingmakers made decent progress the next time they were in the studio together. Lauren ignored the fact that they were working on a song Stevie had been developing and not something she’d come up with. At least she tried to. Although most of their songs were written and performed by Lauren, there were always two or three that came from other band members. Still, it needled her to no end.
A lunch of steamed chicken and mixed vegetables with a small side of rice took the hangry edge off for Lauren, and she finished it with a banana from the platter of fresh fruit Fitz always had available. Leaning back on the sofa, Lauren put her feet up on the coffee table and closed her eyes. Before long, her mind was wandering through the replay of her unexpected meetup with Danny.
“What are you smiling about?” Augie asked.
Lauren opened one eye. “Thanks for messing with my Zen.”
“You’re about as Zen as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”
Lauren laughed. Sometimes Augie knew her far too well. “Actually, I went and got pizza at Dom’s the other day—”
“—And you didn’t call me?” Augie looked like she’d kicked him. “Dude.”
“And I ran into Danny while I was there.”
“Oh.” Augie’s voice was painfully neutral.
“Don’t start with me,” Lauren said. Couldn’t he just be happy that she’d had a good time catching up with an old friend? She decided not to share that she’d exchanged numbers with Danny.
“What? I didn’t say anything.” Augie grabbed an apple from the platter.
“Exactly the point. I know what you’re thinking—”
“—Like, Danny-your-ex-from-the-Sandoval-show Danny?” DJ asked. “He kinda looked like a jackass to me.”
