Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Talia
Salt Lake City is sunny and cold today. From what little I’ve seen of it, it seems nice. My interview is over and I’m back at my hotel, packing for my afternoon flight back to Cleveland.
The job sounds perfect. It’s funded privately, and there’s a lot of money available that isn’t even being spent.
I could grow the program into something that really makes a difference, not just for the people served by it, but also by giving paid training and internships to college students who want to work with people who have disabilities.
I’d be a four-hour flight away from Cleveland, with a two-hour time difference. A long-distance relationship with Lucien would be possible, but not easy. If he even wanted that.
When I finish packing, I have about half an hour free before I have to leave for the airport. I sit down on the perfectly made bed, looking up clips from last night’s game.
Lucien got an assist on a power play goal. I’ve already watched the clip of the team gathering to celebrate the goal, because his smile in it makes me mushy.
After Kyle broke up with me, I swore I’d be single for at least the next five years. I didn’t want another relationship—especially with a hockey player. But then I met Lucien.
I didn’t text him to tell him how the interview went, because I know he’s secretly hoping this job won’t work out. I like that he wants to be around me so much. If he was excited about the possibility of my moving to Salt Lake City, that would be a major red flag.
A text comes up on my phone screen, and I’m surprised when I see it’s from Audra.
Hey. Can we talk sometime?
I’m shocked. The way we left things, I imagine she just wants to tell me to go fuck myself. But I’m curious, and I have time to kill, so I text back.
Sure. Call me anytime.
Within a minute, my phone rings, the call from an unknown number.
“Hello?”
“Hey, it’s me,” she says. “Thanks for letting me call.”
A few seconds of silence pass before I say, “Is everything okay?”
She hums with amusement. “I got cussed out in Thai last night at dinner.”
I pinch my brows together. “That’s ... interesting.”
Audra sighs softly. “The honeymoon was at a resort, and it’s pretty secluded. We went to a little town about an hour away last night for dinner, and I guess the people who work there recognized us from all the social media stuff.”
“Oh.”
I could apologize, but I’m not going to.
My terrible toast at the reception was the first time I called them both out about what happened.
Maybe it wasn’t the best time to do it, but if they had both handled things better before—or maybe, I don’t know, not cheated—it never would have come to that.
I didn’t know how much I needed to say what I did until I had time to think about it.
“We couldn’t figure out what was going on,” she says. “One lady was yelling at us, and two other ladies were laughing and pointing. So I turned on Google Translate and it didn’t get everything, but when I saw ‘bad sister’ and ‘you spank him,’ I knew.”
It’s all I can do not to laugh, but I keep it in. “I don’t know what to say, Audra. I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
She sighs, not saying anything for a few seconds. I hear a dinging sound in the background.
“I don’t know why I had to travel across the world and have it yelled at me in Thai, but I know why she said it and I needed to tell you ... I am the bad sister. I deserved what you said. And more, really.”
The genuine remorse in her tone softens something inside me. “I shouldn’t have said it like that, though. Not at your wedding reception.”
“You had some liquid courage. And that’s on us for the open bar.”
I laugh, and it gives me a pang, because I haven’t laughed with my sister over anything in a long time.
“Well, we went viral, and not everyone can say that,” I say.
“I can’t even follow it anymore. People want me dead. Strangers behind keyboards are the cruelest people in the world.”
“Stay away from it. I haven’t looked at any of it since the day after it happened.”
“It did lead to an interesting convo for me and Kyle.” There’s a smile in her voice. “He’s never asked me to spank him.”
I cringe. “I don’t know what to say here.”
“It’s okay. I just ... I was wrong. I wanted you back in my life so much that I pushed Mom and Dad to get you to the wedding, and then I pushed you over the dress and the photos. I should have let you do what was right for you, even if it meant you didn’t come.”
I’m too stunned to respond, but after a long pause, I say, “I appreciate that.”
“I know too much has happened for me to even hope things could be like they used to. But I miss you, Talia. If you ever feel like we could talk again, even if it means we only talk on the phone and only about certain subjects, I’ll take it.”
I never imagined Audra saying anything like this. Especially now, when I embarrassed her and Kyle on a pretty much global scale.
“I’ll think about it. And no matter what happens, I do still love you. If you truly needed something, I’d be there.”
“I know.” Her voice is choked with tears. “You’re a better person than I am. You never would have done to me what I did to you.”
“If I truly needed something, you’d be there.”
“I would.”
“Are you guys okay?” I ask. “Like, do you feel safe? Because it really worries me that you said people want you dead.”
“We’re flying home now, and there are security people meeting us at the airport.”
“That’s ...” I sigh softly. “It’s scary. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you guys. I’d offer to help pay for the security, but I’m broke.”
“Don’t worry about it. Kyle’s team is taking care of the cost of security for him, so we aren’t paying for all of it.”
“Be safe, okay?”
“I will. And before you go, I want you to know I’m so happy for you and Lucien.
I know we’ll never double date or anything, but .
.. maybe someday I could see the two of you by myself.
Dinner or something. I can tell it’s the real thing with you guys.
He seems like a really good guy who has your back. ”
“He is and he does.”
“I’ll let you go. Thanks, Talia.”
“Sure. Take care.”
“You too.”
I end the call and text Lucien.
Wait until I tell you about the phone call I just got from Audra.
He texts back right away.
Lucien: Hit me. Is she suing you? She can bring that shit on because I’ve got a great attorney.
Talia: No, she pretty much apologized.
Lucien: For real? That call must’ve been long if she listed out everything she’s done.
Talia: It wasn’t super long. She said she gets why I said what I did, thanks to a Thai woman who sounds quite lovely.
Lucien: I want a full replay of the convo when I get home tomorrow. What time’s your flight?
Talia: 3:45. I’m leaving for the airport soon.
Lucien: How did the interview go?
Talia: It was good.
Lucien: Hey, I love you. I don’t want you to move, but I’m always rooting for you. Never against you. OK?
Talia: Thank you. I love you, too. I miss you so much.
Lucien: Carter and Suki invited us to fondue night tomorrow, but I passed. I want an evening of just us.
Talia: You turned down fondue on my behalf???
Lucien: Was that a mistake?
Talia: No, I’m kidding. But I do love fondue, so I expect you to make it up to me in bed tomorrow night.
Lucien: You got it, babe. I’m all yours.
I smile, my stomach somersaulting as I read his words. Biting my lower lip, I send him a text.
Talia: I have a crazy idea ...
Lucien: Does it involve my ass? I’m adventurous in bed, but I don’t want to get cornholed.
I laugh out loud and type out another message.
Talia: It doesn’t, but we’re going to talk later about you bringing that up out of nowhere. I think you’re using reverse psychology on me ... what if I change my flight from Cleveland to Vegas if I can? Think my dad would let me hitch a ride home on the team plane?
Lucien: I think that’s a phenomenal idea. I’ll pay for your flight.
Talia: You don’t need to. My dad told me I can use his card for expenses until I’m back on my feet.
Lucien: No, seriously. Let me pay.
Talia: It might be expensive since it’s last minute.
Lucien: It doesn’t matter. If it means I get to see you tonight instead of tomorrow, do it.
Talia: Okay, thanks. Will you ask my dad to find me a seat for the game in the arena if possible?
Lucien: Yep. If you find a flight, text it to me and I’ll pay for it.
Talia: Okay. I have to look now, so I can still make the Cleveland flight if I don’t find one.
Lucien: Hopefully I’ll see you tonight. I don’t care what it costs, so don’t consider that.
Talia: Okay. I’ll try my best to find one.
It only takes me about five minutes to find a flight departing at 4:10 with seats available. I text it to Lucien and he buys it immediately.
Tonight’s not going to be a boring night on my dad’s couch after all.