53. Lavinia #2
“Uh, thank you, Reese. That’s a solid plan,” Mom says, raising a hand to play with her earring. “But we’ll keep it as plan B.”
“More like plan Z,” Drew says. “We’re not going to kill anyone.”
“I’d be up for it,” Roman says.
“Me, too,” Jules adds.
Reese rubs his hands together, eyes lighting up with excitement. “Okay, we have three for Plan B. Who else wants to join us?”
“Do you guys believe me?” I want to be sure they do and that they’re not standing up for me because they’re either related to me, or they’re loyal to my brother.
“Baby, what kind of question is that?” Roman asks, incredulous. “Of course, we believe you. We know you.”
They all nod in agreement like questioning their loyalty is the stupidest thing I’ve ever done.
“Why is he saying all of this now? Almost a year after the wedding?” Gran asks. She’s as confused as to the rest of us about the timing of it all.
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we’re going to be playing the Falcons in two nights,” Roman says. “I think some of it might have to do with me as well. He’s always hated me because I didn’t bow down and kiss the ring. He’s always reminded me a lot of my father.”
Dad glances at him, understanding flickering in his eyes. He hasn’t said much about the whole thing.
“He’s definitely King Douchebag of the Douchebag Collective,” Jules agrees.
“Lavinia will need to make a statement,” Ford says. “She’s a public figure and she has a large following that’s growing every day. She can’t disappear and not say anything about this.”
“We should start by contacting one of your crisis management firms,” Dad says. “They will be able to advise us on next steps.”
“I’m going to lose so many contracts and brand deals,” I say.
“Let them go,” Roman says, face hardening with anger on my behalf.
“If they can’t see that you’re right and this man’s trying to ruin you, then they don’t deserve you in the first place.
You’re Lavinia Callahan, and Josh is a ripple in the pond.
He’ll never be able to achieve your level of success and he knows it.
That’s why he’s doing this. I was on a team with him for two years and his biggest fear was that he’s not going to make it to the Hall of Fame.
You achieved more in your career than he ever could. ”
His face softens and he kisses my forehead. “I’m the luckiest man alive because I get to exist in the same timeline as you.”
A warm glow fills me from the inside. People can say what they want, but nothing’s going to change the fact that I’m in love with the most perfect man.
He’s never made me feel small, never made me feel inadequate, never made me feel like I wasn’t enough.
I can’t believe how lucky I am to have him in my life.
“Now we both have a bad reputation,” I say.
“ Ma petite etoile , it doesn’t matter whether it’s good, bad, or ugly. We’re in this together, and you’re never getting rid of me.”
I can’t say that it doesn’t calm the insecurities inside me.
“No regrets?”
He tugs me against his side, holding me close. “You don’t regret the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”
“Aw, isn’t that cute,” Jules coos. “Some of us are single, you know.”
“By choice,” I remind her. “Not because there’s a drought of single men.”
“There might as well be.” She falls back against the couch dramatically.
“We’re going to come up with a plan and we’re going to fix it all.
A plan which doesn’t involve killing anyone,” Mom says.
She pushes up her glasses, looking at Dad for support.
And since he’s never not supported my mom, he nods in agreement.
Over her shoulder, he winks at me, letting me know that killing Josh is still very much on the table.
“You guys are awesome,” I say. “All of you. Thank you for believing me.”
They all look offended, like I would dare doubt them.
“We’re not going to believe some shithead over you,” Holden says, glancing guiltily at my grandmothers and great aunt. “Sorry.”
“Shithead is right,” Aunt Constance says. “As someone who had one for a brother-in-law, I should know.”
“The man is dead, Connie,” Grandma Liz chides. “We can safely call him what he was. A total fuckwad.”
“Ma!” Dad cries, horror and amusement flashing across his face.
“Aiden doesn’t like it when we cuss,” Grandma says conspiratorially.
“Remember when the kids were little, and they had a swear jar?” Gran asks. “Poor Aiden lost so much money that year.”
“He stopped swearing after that?” Kai asks, head tilting in curiosity.
Gran laughs. “No, he was losing money, so he got rid of the swear jar.”
“It was highway robbery,” Dad protests. “Twenty dollars for each bad word.”
“The idea was to stop swearing, honey. Not to swear so much we had to get rid of the swear jar,” Mom says with a laugh.
“We ended up donating the money so at least it went to a good cause,” Drew adds.
I rest my head against Roman’s shoulder, watching my family and friends.
They don’t care what Josh said about me because they know me.
All the people out there who are opining on my personality and debating if Josh is right and the incels asking the important questions of why men aren’t believed (cue eye roll) don’t deserve a second thought.
Roman is right. People are going to talk shit about you regardless of what you do in life. Josh’s lies are going to hurt and they’re going to be tied to me forever. They’re not going to break me, though. The only way to win the game is to play, and I never lose.