34. The Shove Off
WEST
After Eva stormed away, my parents announced they were heading to bed. I took off after Eva, but she told me she needed time alone. I don’t blame her—words can’t describe how it felt to sit there, watching everyone watch us in the most private, intimate moment of our lives. Now I’m in my room, pacing back and forth when a text notification pings from my phone. I check it.
Neil Steinberg: Meet me in my room Now!
Oh, fuck. I’m sure this is going to go well.
Dragging my feet across the manicured lawn of the resort, I can still hear the echoes of my parents clashing with Shitweasel. The airing of my and Eva’s kiss. Now, Neil has summoned me to meet with him privately in his room.
I let out a sigh that feels like it’s been building up since high school because I’m public enemy number one. I mean, it’s not every day you can upstage your parents getting into a fight with a senator during a rehearsal dinner.
Each step’s heavy with the weight of old insecurities. I don’t know what Neil’s going to say to me, but I know. It’s going to be something along the lines of “Go away, Weirdo West.” Maybe Rebecca Hammond had a crystal ball because here I am, living up to the name in high definition.
I knock on Neil’s door, and when he opens it, his glare could scorch paint off the walls. Right now, it’s aimed straight at me. He ushers me into his penthouse suite, not offering me a word or a drink. Just a simple point to where I’m supposed to sit. I follow his instructions, but he stays standing, his knuckles white, like he’s mentally preparing to wring my neck.
“West.” He takes a drag of his whiskey on the rocks before saying, “I’ll cut to the chase. I don’t like you.”
Right. So this is how this is going to go. “I’m sorry, sir.” I have no idea what else to say.
He leans forward, eyes narrowed. The tension in the room thickens. “I’ve tolerated your presence because Eva cares about you. But make no mistake, there’s no way in hell I’ll ever let you into our family.”
“Look,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck, “I get it. You want what’s best for Eva.”
“Exactly. And that’s not someone who—” He cuts himself off, jaw clenching like he’s got more to say but thinks better of it.
“Someone who what?” I fish for where this is headed.
“Let’s just say your choices haven’t exactly instilled me with confidence.”
“Fair enough.” My voice is tight. “But can’t we agree that Eva makes her own decisions?”
“Decisions influenced by people around her.” Neil points a finger in my general direction. I feel like an ant under a magnifying glass in the afternoon sun. “Eva deserves the best.” His voice is laced with a special brand of disdain.
“Sure,” I concede, because what can I say? That I’m the best thing in the history of the world? “She does.”
“Which is why I can’t fathom—” He pauses, shaking his head in disbelief. “What were you thinking, going on Paige’s reality show? Dating her. It’s beyond comprehension.”
My cheeks heat like a laptop in overdrive. “It wasn’t like that, I—”
“Save it.” Neil waves a hand, cutting me off. “It’s clear to anyone with half a brain that you’re not serious about Eva. If you were, you wouldn’t have paraded yourself on national television, wooing her sister.”
“Paraded?” My voice pitches higher than I’d like, betraying a hint of panic. “More like stumbled around, honestly. And it was never about Paige.”
“Then enlighten me.” Neil leans back with a look that says, “this oughtta be good.”
“It was complicated.” I scratch my scalp. “I chased Eva for two years. She wasn’t reciprocating my feelings, and I was tired of waiting for something I thought would never happen. Bridesmaid to Bride seemed like a great opportunity to get out there again and shake things up.”
“Shake things up,” Neil repeats. “Where Paige’s heart was the pawn in your little game?”
“No, sir. I—I…” Shit. This guy wins cases for a reason. He’s got me, and I’m breaking into a sweat. “Neil, I’m not a bad guy.” I try to keep my cool, but his stare is wearing me down. “I care about Eva. A lot.”
“Then prove it. Leave her alone.” His words are a punch to the gut. “Consider this a friendly warning.” He waves to the door, signaling our cozy chat is over.
With that, I head for the door, feeling like I’ve been chewed up and spit out. But I turn back, clearing my throat as I try to recover from his back-to-back gut punches. “For what it’s worth, I don’t just care about your daughter. I love her with all of my heart.” I can’t believe I just said that out loud. “Everything about her, not just her abilities as a lawyer. She’s creative, fun, witty, and smart as hell. She’s one of my favorite people, and no matter what happens, that’ll never change.”
“At least we share that in common.” Neil nods, convinced he’s delivered the knockout punch. “But she has dreams, a career waiting for her in New York. You’re the anchor dragging her down in Atlanta.”
“Anchor?” I repeat, unable to keep the hurt from seeping into my voice. “Is that what I am?”
“Must I repeat myself? Now get out of my room. And my daughter’s life.”
I turn and walk out, unsteady on my feet, like I’m on a crappy carnival ride that won’t stop spinning. Because deep down, I know he’s right. Which hurts the most. The night air is crisp, a sharp contrast to the heated conversation that just scorched my insides. I shove my hands into the pockets of my pants.
Reality TV, here I come, no looking back. The last thing I want to do is to “parade around” again, trying to search for love in the most pretend way imaginable. But if it gives me a chance at something that can last, saves my parents’ store, and gets me out of Eva’s orbit so she can shoot for the stars... then sign me up.
As I keep walking, I know what I have to do—make it clear to Eva I’m not interested, and our fun is over. Even if it means ripping out my heart. Because in my twisted fate of life, I’m realizing that the geek never gets the girl.