Chapter 19 Shane—Smurfs and playlists
“Did you even hear what I just said?” April asked.
“No, wasn’t listening and don’t care,” Shane said, focusing on his laptop on the dining table.
“My cousin Tina is having a rough time so I’m going away with her this weekend. She’s so grateful to me she’s buying me a Louis Vuitton case.”
“Okay.”
April snapped his laptop shut.
“This is why we don’t work. You don’t even listen to me,” she whined.
“What am I supposed to listen to? Excuses for another one of your trips? Your late nights? I don’t give a shit what you do. Don’t involve me in your drama,” he snapped.
April dabbed at her dry eyes. “Well, maybe I just need some time out from this relationship. You don’t love me,” she said with a fake sob.
She stomped off to the guest room she’d made her own about six months ago.
Shane knew she hadn’t brought Mason to their home.
He had cameras everywhere on the exterior and she wouldn’t risk it.
April was now laying the groundwork to leave him. Good. He pulled out his phone.
Shane: April told me she’s going away with “Tina” this weekend. You?
Tinkerbell: Yep, “work thing” apparently.
Shane: Give me until tomorrow morning and I’ll know exactly where they’re going.
Shane had looped in a PI, one of the guys he used frequently for work. The PI, combined with all the security guys he had at major hotel chains across the country, would surely find their booking.
Tinkerbell: Let me know if I should pack for warm or cold weather *laughing emoji*
Pack light Tinkerbell, only enough clothing to arrive and leave.
You can be in your underwear, or nothing at all, for the rest of the time, he wanted to respond.
He was so distracted lately thinking of how Anna would feel and taste.
He bet she’d be soft. She’d kiss lightly but then shift into aggressive passion.
Or he’d lead her there. He tried to picture her naked.
He pictured her under him, over him, next to him, in the shower with him.
Shane: I’ll be packing my divorce papers. I pick them up this afternoon.
Tinkerbell: I don’t know whether to say sorry or congratulate you. We’ll do both on the weekend!
They’d both agreed that this weekend would be their Waterloo, the ultimate confrontation. He had his proof, and Anna had had her fun. Now it was time for closure. Though in a text in which she’d called herself Tom Petty, she said she wanted a little more fun on the weekend before the boom dropped.
He was glad she’d moved from tears to anger, and now seemingly, acceptance.
Would she be ready to move on with him? Would she even want him?
Mason may be an asshole, but he was a pretty asshole.
He obviously had the words and moves to woo women, while Shane had only shyness and a grumpy exterior.
He wasn’t like that with Anna though. She brought out his warmth and his empathy.
In fact, he was no longer even a bit angry at Mason for messing with April.
He could have her, no hard feelings. In fact, he’d be happy to buy the man a drink.
His anger at that pathetic dickhead was attributable solely to how he’d hurt Anna.
He’d never hurt Anna like that, and he wouldn’t let Mason continue to either.
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Shane: Room booked. Right next door. I owe a case of beer to Scotty. Looks like we’re headed to warm weather!
Tinkerbell: Yay, I need some sun. Flying or driving?
Shane: Driving. I’ll pick you up at 6 pm Friday. She’s leaving at 4 pm for “Tina’s”
Shane: Btw, they’re booked in as Mr. and Mrs. Quinn. We’re booked in as Mr. & Mrs. Morgan.
Tinkerbell: That doesn’t hurt as much as it should. I guess I was never going to be Mrs. Quinn. Will I need fake ID, ha ha?
No, you could just marry me for real on the way, he thought.
Shane: Nah, all booked under my ID and card.
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Friday afternoon arrived and Shane pulled in at Anna’s address. The door opened and Anna moved out with a suitcase and a smaller cosmetic case on the top. He walked up the path and took her luggage from her.
“Ready to go?”
“Rooooaddd trrippp,” Anna squealed. “I call DJ!”
She opened her purse wide so he could see inside.
She had a heap of snacks, including Snickers bars.
He was pleased to see her happy. Really, it could have been a very depressing few hours on the road.
Who celebrated a weekend that they knew would end in the implosion of two relationships? The two of them apparently.
He opened her door before putting her luggage in the back, smiling when he saw the embroidered Smurfs on her cosmetic case. Settling into the driver’s seat, he reached into the backseat and pulled out a cooler bag filled with beer, offering her one.
“I’m driving but thought you could do with one for the road,” he offered.
Tink clapped her hands together and reached into the cooler bag. He took the beer from her, twisting the hard top off so she wouldn’t hurt her soft hands.
“Thanks! This is going to be fun, GI Joe. I haven’t had a weekend away in ages,” she said with a smile.
He started the car and began the long drive.
“So, what’s the game plan?” he asked.
“We mess with them tonight and tomorrow. On Sunday morning, we bust them. And in between those times, we have fun! We’ll have to stay hidden though. I don’t want to get busted out and about in the hotel before we’re ready,” she stated seriously.
“I’m sure we can have plenty of fun in our room,” he offered.
Anna looked at him, raising an eyebrow.
“Hmm, I forgot to ask. How many beds?”
“One,” he said simply. “If we wanted to be next to them, our only option was one bed.”
“That’s good with me. I’ve always shared beds at interstate dance comps, with female friends usually, but whatever. Do you snore or steal blankets?”
“I snore if I’m full of beer, but otherwise no,” he responded.
Anna bit her lip in concentration as she paired her phone to his stereo. “I’m Not the Only One” by Sam Smith blared through his speakers.
“I’ve got a whole cheating and revenge playlist. I left “Jolene” off because I actually want her to take my man at this stage,” Anna explained, like it was logical.
“Yeah, Jolene can fuck right off with him,” he laughed.