AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Joaquin’s eyes dim in disgust. There’s an irritable edge to him.
“She was in here not too long ago.” He drinks his beer.
“I know. Saw her at Oliver’s.”
“Wait. You were at Oliver’s?”
“Had a bad experience with a bartender trying to get me to take a shot with him, like five times it feels.”
“Who?” The tone of his voice is sharp, like a knife.
“Doesn’t matter. But on my way out, I saw Isabella, who told me there was a fight? In here. At Pepperfields.” I look around, knowing damn well Isabella was lying to me. “She told me it was best to hurry to my car and get home.”
Joaquin drags his hand down his face in frustration and disgust.
“She’s relentless.”
“I think she doesn’t want me seeing you.”
“We used to date.”
I’m so glad he finally told me this. I didn’t want to say to him what Adam told me. I need Joaquin, to be honest, even though I don’t plan on seeing him after this trip. I grip my hand around the wine glass tightly.
“Oh…I see. That makes sense. I mean, only if you broke her heart or called it off.”
“I didn’t break her heart. I went through a rough patch a few years back after Melody… Adam’s mother left me. Isabella was persistent about turning my pain into pleasure, but it didn’t take long to see how much she thrives off drama. I don’t want that.”
“I can’t lie. She gives me those vibes. Tons of makeup to hide her skin-deep insecurities.”
“Ha. Very spot on. Best to send her prayers.”
I shrug.
“If you want…we can move our conversation back to the abode. I have a few bottles of wine and a game we can play. Or not.”
Without budging, I say, “I’ll follow you there.”
“Living life for life’s sake is a small-town thing. When you’re wrapped in your ego, you seek out the big lights, or when you’re not ready to face your truths, constant adventure can be the driving force.”
Joaquin sits on his sofa couch. His chest rises and falls as he stares up at his ceiling. Deep conversations keep me on my feet, literally.
I pace back and forth in front of him, contemplating his words.
“You sound like a small-town snob,” I admit.
“I disagree. If anything, I’m probably generalizing.”
“At the least.” I correct.
“People with big egoic dreams chase the limelight.”
“Do you know how many immigrants chase after their dreams to pave a better life for themselves and their children? Like my Sicilian great-grandparents. They came to the US to build a better life; they didn’t do that to chase the limelight.”
“Yet…they placed their daughter in Hollywood?” Joaquin’s sly smirk still preserves its lust even with that comment. Ugh. He makes me want to scrape up his back with fingernail slits.
Well, he got me with that.
“I get it! Small-town people may generally care less for the glitz and fame. Or find joy in small-town things, but to generalize folks with big goals as egoic is just false.”
