Pour Judgment

by ORGERON, HEATHER M

  “I don’t know what to do,” I confess.

  Her eyes narrow. “What do you mean?”

  “Where do I go?”

  “Home. We go home and burn everything that reminds you of him and gorge on Ben and Jerry’s. You take a day or two to mourn, and then you pick your ass back up and move the fuck on. You didn’t need him before. You sure as shit don’t need him now.”

  I giggle at the thoughts going through my head, even though this situation is anything but funny. “So, we torch the place?”

  Raven finally seats herself in the chair beside me. “What place?”

  “We live in his house, Raven. I’m competing for the chance to skate at the X games in a tour he’s responsible for…I don’t know how to erase him.”

  “Oh, no, baby girl,” my best friend says, waving her bossy finger in the air. “First of all, you earned a spot on that tour. That two-timing prick may have opened a door, but you put in the work. You deserve that spot.”

  She’s right. Hearing her put it that way, I’m relieved I at least still have my outlet.

  “And as for the house…I mean, he really hasn’t spent all that much time in it…we can keep it, right? It was a gift…and I’m rather fond of the place.”

  I snort. “I never wanted him to buy me a house. I just knew something like this would end up happening.”

  “Consider it pain and suffering…payment for the hell he’s putting you through. For the embarrassment of making you look like a side piece.” She snarls. “You ain’t no side-hoe, bestie.”

  “We’ll see,” I answer, not ready to commit to anything. “Mom and I leave for Japan in a few days. I’ll just go stay with her til then and decide what to do about the house after the tour.”

  “Hey, baby. I wasn’t expecting you till tomorrow,” Momma says, greeting me at the door in a bathing suit with a pink lace coverup, her freshly bleached hair piled in a topknot at the crown of her head. “To what do I owe this surprise?”

  “You were right,” I say, dropping my bags to the floor and throwing my arms around my mother’s neck.

  “Oh no.” She holds me close, circling her fingers in soothing strokes at the center of my back. “I saw the article, but I really hoped it was from before…”

  I shrug, my lower lip quivering. “The one in the bed was…the other wasn’t.”

  “Are you sure there’s not an—”

  I shake my head. “When we went sailing, I asked if he and Anika had ever been more, and he said no.” The back of my eyes burn with tears. “He lied. No matter what he says now…” I shrug, pulling out of her embrace. “Better now than later, right?”

  “I’m so sorry. I really hoped…”

  “Just tell me it gets easier?” I beg, clutching my chest when the cursed tears start to fall.

  “You love him.” It’s a statement, one I don’t confirm or deny with a noncommittal shrug. “With time,” she finally answers. “Just give it time.”

  “Can I stay here with you for a while? The house…” I trail off. “I can’t bring myself to stay there. I didn’t know where else to go.”

  “Of course, you can. This will always be your home. Stay as long as you need. Hell, stay forever.” She winks. “Never wanted you to leave in the first place.”

  I smile, sniffling as I swipe the moisture from my face. “Thanks, Ma. You’re the best.”

  Chapter 41

  Rhett

  The sound of stilettos clicking on tile alert me to her presence before the light knock on the frame to my open balcony door. I took the first flight out of Nashville after Stick left, not ready to face Anika or the band. For two days I’ve been holed up alone in my room, drinking myself into oblivion.

  “Not now, Anika.” I don’t look back, keeping my eyes on the rolling waves.

  She joins me anyway, taking a seat on the chair opposite mine. “I need you to know that it wasn’t me. I—I didn’t release those pictures.”

  I send her a weak smile before taking another long pull from my beer. “I know.”

  “I have no idea where they came from, but I swear to you, I’m going to do my damnedest to find out.”

  “Won’t make a difference.” I scrub a hand over my face, blowing out a long breath. “It won’t erase them—won’t bring her back.”

  The guilt swirling in her big brown eyes is uncharacteristic and painful to see. “What do we do?”

  Well, fuck. If Anika doesn’t know what to do, there really is no hope.

  “You’re asking me?” That’s a first.

  “They’re all saying we’re romantically involved…” She tugs at the neck of her blouse, nervously running a finger back and forth along her throat. “You and I know that’s not true, but I don’t know how to make them believe it.”

  “So, do nothing.” I set the Bud Light bottle down harder than necessary in front of me and begin picking at the label.

  Her head jerks back. “But what about Korie?”

  I shrug. “Nothing will change her mind. I could give a fuck about everyone else. In a week they’ll move on to the next thing, and this will be forgotten.” A sinister laugh escapes. “By everyone but Stick…and me. Ain’t that some shit, Annie?”

  Weeks have passed since the mystery photos of Anika and I leaked, and I haven’t heard one word from Stick. Not for lack of trying. She won’t take my calls. My texts go completely unanswered.

  Nick is only just starting to speak to me again, but our friendship is suffering bigtime. This shitstorm has put a strain on the entire band. Thank God we’re in between tours at the moment, only playing a few festivals and smaller venues while our Think Hard tour is in the works.

  Just as I suspected, the alleged love triangle between my manager, Korie, and me is yesterday’s news. A couple of days following the release of the photos, I gave a vague statement apologizing for hurting the woman I love and assuring my fans that despite how bad it looks, my manager and I are not and never have been romantically involved.

  I doubt anyone believed it, but despite what I told Anika, to say nothing at all would have been as bad as an admittance of guilt.

  I’ve been keeping tabs on her from a distance. Unsurprisingly, she’s making waves in the circuit. There’s not a competition she hasn’t medaled in. Tonight is the Vortex Energy Final taking place in Long Beach, mere miles away from my home. If she medals, she’ll secure her shot at the games. Even if she doesn’t, the girl has made such a name for herself that I’d be surprised if she didn’t receive an invitation due to her popularity alone.

  “You’re not going,” Nick says, when I walk down the stairs dressed in a Hawaiian button down, khakis, and dark sunglasses with a floppy hat. “So, you can just march your ass right back up those stairs.”

  “You can’t expect me to keep sitting around here doing nothing.”

  “That is exactly what you’re going to do.” He stuffs his finger in my face, his big chest heaving. “What do you think’s gonna happen if she recognizes you? Huh? I’ll tell you…she will fall a-fucking-part and so will her chance at the games.”

  “Goddamn it,” I growl, knowing he’s right but also that I can’t have her so close and not at least try to reach out. “Will you just tell me where she’s staying then?”

  “No.”

  I shrug, slipping my feet into a pair of leather flip-flops. “Then you leave me no choice. I’ll take my chances.”

  Smoke billows from his ears. “Why do you need to know where she’s staying? You planning on showing up?”

  “I want to send something to her room, delivered by courier. I promise to personally stay away. I won’t even send it ‘til after the competition, so she isn’t shaken up.”

  Nick studies my face for a long time before nodding and jotting the name of her hotel and room number on the back of a receipt. He shoves the slip of paper into my palm. “Do not make me regret this.”

  Chapter 42

  Korie

  “Why are you so nervous?” Raven asks, fan
ning me with a stack of tourist pamphlets she picked up at the airport. It’s not even ten in the morning and already the sun is beating down. It’s hot as freaking Hades.

  “He’s so close,” I admit, feeling a bit shaken. “Rhett’s still calling and leaving messages daily. What if he shows up here?”

  “He won’t,” Nick says, walking up from the direction of the parking lot. He wraps me in a bear hug, rocking back and lifting my feet from the ground. “I made sure of it. Just go out there and do your thing. We’ll be here with Aunt DeeDee, cheering you on.”

  He’s just told me exactly what I wanted to hear, so why do I feel the opposite of relieved? It’s almost as if I want him to show up…

  Yeah, you’re an idiot, Korie.

  “Great,” I say, forcing a smile. “Thank you for handling that, Nick. I owe you.”

  “You can pay up right now with a win,” he says, pushing the brim of my Vans ballcap down over my eyes. “Kick ass, Potthead.”

  I burst out laughing. He hasn’t called me that since high school. “Takes one to know one.”

  Chuckling, he takes Raven’s hand and begins leading her toward my section with a shrug. He points his finger back at me and clucks his tongue. “I resemble that remark.”

  Yeah, he does…

  There are eight girls competing tonight, all of whom I’ve become rather friendly with over the course of this tour. Well, as friendly as you can be when you want everyone to do their best, just not quite as well you.

  I draw fifth in tonight’s lineup, giving me time to scope some of my competition before my run. At least that’s what I should be doing…

  But instead, I find myself scanning the crowd, in search of Rhett. I can’t be with him—have cut him out of my life completely. And yet I still hope to see him out there lurking in the crowd, because if he truly loved me like he says…where else would he be? If I’m still hurting this fucking bad, I want to know he’s just as miserable. That he can’t stay away.

  My preoccupation with a certain country star is showing in my runs. I don’t have any major falls, but everything’s a little small and wobbly. I just can’t seem to stay focused on my routine. When it’s time to announce the winners, I honestly have no idea which way it’ll go.

  While waiting for the scores to appear on the leader board, I look over to Mom, Rave, and Nick. They give me a reassuring thumbs up. I smile back, but my pulse is skyrocketing because I can’t help thinking I just blew my shot. Every second we wait feels like an eternity.

  “We did it!” Yoko yells, throwing her arms around my back. I can’t believe my eyes. Somehow despite my shoddy runs, I managed third place. Little Yoko takes first, a position she’s more than earned.

  After the medals are awarded, we’re each handed our ticket to participate in the X Games. It’s such an emotional moment for all of us. The games are something I’ve dreamed about since I was a little girl, but it felt as likely to happen as taking a rocket to the moon. Yet here I am, holding the ticket in my hand. And all I can think is that I wouldn’t be here at all if a certain someone hadn’t pushed me into it.

  “Do you want me to get him out here?” Nicholas asks when we’re on our way out to the car.

  “Pshh. No, why?”

  “Because you look ready to burst into tears, and not the happy kind. You fucking earned a spot to compete in the X Games, Kore, and you just don’t look happy at all.”

  “I am happy,” I tell him. “It’s just a little bittersweet, you know?”

  “I guess,” he says, holding open the door to the Uber. “Sure you aren’t in the mood to go out and celebrate?”

  Rising up to my toes, I place a kiss on his cheek. “I’m just really exhausted. You are more than welcome to take Rave though.”

  As I fold into the seat, he dips his head inside. “You sure?”

  “Positive. I’m just gonna go have a hot shower and pass out anyway.”

  Raven’s hesitant, but I can see in her eyes that she really wants to go.

  “Get out of here,” I tell her. “You’re in California with the opportunity to hang out with your rock star.” I give her shoulder a good shove. “Go do fun things.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “She’s positive,” Mom says, reaching over to Raven’s side and flicking the door handle. Then her eyes are on Nick. “You take care of my girl, Nicholas Potter.”

  “Will do.” He gives Mom a Boy Scout salute, giving us all a good chuckle.

  “I saw you looking for him,” Mom says once the other two have taken off and we’re pulling onto the highway.

  “I don’t wanna talk about it.” I rest my head on the cool glass of the window, closing my eyes.

  Mom lets out a long-frustrated breath but allows the conversation to drop. The next thing I know, she’s jostling me awake and I’m wiping drool off my chin, as we pull up to the front of the hotel.

  On our walk through the lobby, we’re stopped by the front desk. “Korie Potter?”

  “Yeah?” I look back at the dark-skinned woman with the most gorgeous golden springy curls. She’s carrying a large white box as she rushes toward me from around the counter.

  “This came for you while you were out.”

  “Oh,” I say, taking it from her arms, surprised by how heavy it is. “Thanks so much.”

  “What’s that?” Mom asks as we start for the elevators.

  “No clue…I bet it’s something from Vortex.”

  Once we’re inside of the room, I set the box on the edge of the bed and flip open the top. The first thing I pull out and unwrap is a bottle of Perrier-Jouët. It must be a coincidence that it’s the same gold foil, floral-accented bottle Rhett and I shared on the boat. A cruel coincidence.

  “Champagne!” Mom claps, taking the bottle from my hand. “And it’s the good stuff.”

  Reaching back into the box, I grab the next item, removing it from the pink tissue paper. My throat caves in. Big, round brown eyes and whiskers. She looks just like Molly, and I know exactly who sent the box.

  “Maybe they mixed up yours and Yoko’s?” Mom giggles. “You haven’t played with stuffed animals in over a decade.”

  “It’s a umm…It’s a sea lion.” I can hardly breathe as I stroke it’s fluff. “It’s from Rhett. Has to be…”

  The last item is a box of chocolate-dipped strawberries and a card with a handwritten note.

  Stick,

  CONGRATULATIONS! You did it!

  I just wanted the chance to tell you how proud I am of all that you’ve accomplished. You are so talented and so deserving. And so goddamn beautiful it hurts my heart.

  Please accept this bottle of champagne and chocolate-coated strawberries to celebrate your big win. I briefly considered tossing a few oysters into the box, but well, we both know how that turned out last time. I hope they took you out for dinner and drinks and spoiled you rotten. You deserve it.

  Seriously though, I saw you scanning the crowd, and I know you were looking for me. I can’t begin to tell you the way that shredded me. I have no right to ask anything of you, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell Nicholas I was there. I promised to stay away, but how could I when you’re all I think about both night and day?

  I love you, Korie Potter—today, tomorrow, and all the days of my life.

  Forever yours,

  Rhett

  “Well,” Mom asks, peeking over my shoulder. “What’s it say?”

  Quickly I fold the note in half and shove it into my bag. “It just said congratulations and he’s proud of me.”

  “Mmmhmm,” she mumbles knowingly. “That was awful nice of him.”

  “I guess.”

  “You guess?”

  I place everything back into the box. Everything but the stuffed Molly, who I toss on the bed. With the heaviest of hearts, I seal it up and place it on the dresser. “Doesn’t change anything, Mom.”

  “Well, I think he’s really sorry.” Since when does she side with Rhett?

  “Mm
mhmm, well, you also thought Dad was really sorry like a billion times and fat lotta good that did you.”

  “We’re not talking about me and your father.”

  I nod, pulling back the covers. “We’re not talking about me and Rhett either.”

  “Fair enough.” My mother walks over to the bed, tucking me in like she did when I was a little girl. She places a kiss to the center of my forehead. “I’m so proud of you, baby girl.” Her warm hand cups my cheek before she shuts out the lights and climbs into the other bed.

  In no time, I drift off to sleep, cuddling the stuffed sealion to my chest, and I swear she smells like coconuts and salty air.

  Chapter 43

  Rhett

  “She got the damn box,” Nick growls, fed up with my constant nagging.

  “You’re sure?” I’m truly baffled as to why I haven’t heard a peep from her. Not a thank you, a fuck off, a flaming bag of shit on the front steps. Just nothing.

  “I know this is going to come as a shock, but the girl really is trying to get over you. To make contact would be a little counterproductive.”

  “I guess.”

  “Look, Rhett. I really think it’s time for you to give it up. Move on. I told you from the start this life wasn’t for her, but you just had to be you and go after her anyway.” He gets up from the armchair where he’s been watching a CSI marathon, and clicks the power button on the remote.

  “It was working between us…”

  “Yeah,” he agrees. “Til it wasn’t.”

  “I didn’t cheat on her.”

  He steps in close. “Then explain the picture.”

  My hands clench into tight fists. “I already told you…I can’t do that.”

  “Then you don’t deserve her. Plain and simple. Move the hell on, fuckboy.” With that he disappears from the living room, leaving me to marinate in my misery alone.

  “Rhett!” Judy exclaims when she answers the door, drying her hands on the front of her apron. She wraps me in a hug then kisses each of my cheeks. “What’re you doing here?”