No Regrets by Andrea Jenelle

Author:Andrea Jenelle [Andrea Jenelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Willow Creek Publishing
Published: 2024-02-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Zane

When my phone rings with a number I don’t recognize, I ignore it. I’m not answering because it’s either my father or his attorney. Now that’s he’s behind bars, my mom finally has the peace she’s earned. Even though she’s living on a fraction of the income she was accustomed to, the shadows are gone from her eyes. She doesn’t look worried and scared all the time.

When the indictment for bribery and racketeering came down, it was almost too good to be true. I was so used to seeing him finagle his way out of every situation. This time he’s embroiled himself in a scheme he can’t wriggle out of, and he’s going to take the fall. I don’t care if the assets are ever released.

For weeks, the conversations between Taren and I have consisted of nothing more than monosyllabic responses. She feels like I betrayed her trust. And I did. But I did what I had to, and I don’t know how to make her understand. She’s not avoiding me, she’s just impervious. I literally don’t exist to her. I knew she could hold a grudge, but I think it’s more than that. I think I’ve finally proven all her assumptions correct. I think she’s finally convinced I truly am the wolf, that I want nothing more than to devour and destroy. I didn’t even have to huff and puff—the deck just folded in half and gave me a full house. I think that galls me the most; I won with almost no effort.

When I dared her, I never expected her to say no and back down. She didn’t fight for us. She assumed the worst of me instead of making me step up to the plate and be full frontal honest.

We have a planning session at city hall tonight for the festival, and I know it’ll be awkward as hell. But I’ll get the chance to see her flourishing and interacting with her friends like normal. I won’t have to sit in my dark office and wallow while she avoids me and relegates all our interactions to simple emails that are precise and straightforward and hollow. I’ll get to actually see her smile. And maybe hear her laugh. Those possibilities, even if I’m barred from her immediate presence, can sustain my fantasies for weeks on end.

Those chances to just soak in her presence are more of a balm than my nightly congregation with Jack and Jim. Whiskey and hopelessness are not the wisest way to force myself to sleep—especially when Nana’s more restless than ever and I need to be prepared for anything. But they’re only way I can tumble into dreams filled with her.

My entry is noted by none other than the erstwhile town librarian, Ms. Bromwell. She of the unflinching confrontation with our entitled mayor. She sidles up to me, her spectacles perched on the end of her nose. She’s intimidating and comforting at the same time. I don’t know how that’s possible, but she’s

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