Been There Done That (Leffersbee #1) - Hope Ellis Page 0,116
life is not a comic book.”
He smirked. “But you’re trying to be a superhero, aren’t you? Trying to avenge all the stuff that went wrong in your life?”
He threw the axe. It slammed into the board, right into the target.
He threw up his hands. “Why didn’t that happen when Leigh was still here?”
I snorted. “In love too, huh?”
His eyes widened. “Man, I think she might kill me. Like those female praying mantises that bite their man’s head off during sex. But I also think it might be worth it.”
“Take your chances, then. Just make sure HR has all your next of kin information on file.”
He snickered. “Seriously, though. You and Zora. She’s amazing. Gorgeous. Smart as hell. You’ve been in love with that girl all your life? I can see why now.”
“My whole life, man.”
“That why you never settled down?”
I took a deep breath, feeling relieved down to my toes. It was a gift to be on the other side now, the other side of all that sadness and longing.
“I think so. It’s always been her for me.”
He dug the axe out of the board and returned. “Then don’t fuck it up.”
“How would I do that?”
His head tilted. “I don’t know. But this is the happiest and most relaxed I’ve seen you since we met. I’d like to know what it’s like to work with Disney Nick.”
“Get outta here, I’m still the same guy.”
“I mean it. Don’t fuck it up. And fix it if you do.”
I stood behind the line, prepared to throw.
“And don’t do that controlling, ‘I know what’s best for you’ thing you do.”
I looked back. “What are you talking about?”
He studied his shoes, axe dangling in one hand. “That thing you do, where you decide you know what’s best for someone, what they should do. Then push and manipulate to that end.”
I turned to face him fully. “I don’t do that. I don’t think so. Do I?”
“Constantly. I used to be confused by it. You’re not a dick generally, not all the time.”
I flipped him off.
“But talking to your Aunt Nan, I get it now. She thinks you’re compensating for the earlier years in your life when you didn’t have much control.”
I closed my eyes, gritting my teeth. “It’s nice to know my aunt is putting her profession to use by psychoanalyzing me for others.”
“Don’t be mad. It gave me great insight into you. It’ll help me have better patience the next time you do it.”
“I don’t want you to have patience. I like you worrying that I’m steps away from crazy. Fosters a healthy reverence.”
“I’m serious,” Eddie said, all joking now gone from his face. “I see how much she means to you. Don’t try to manage her life for her. That works for friends and family who can cuss you out, tell you to fuck off. Won’t work in a new relationship with your dream girl.”
I considered his words, studying the edge of the blade.
I knew Eddie and knew he wanted the best for me. He had no reason to lie to me.
And he may have had a point.
Especially considering what I’d done that very morning.
“Oh oh.” Eddie shook his head, eyes closed. “What the hell did you do?”
I set the axe down on the nearby table, too preoccupied to throw it.
“Well . . .”
“Well, what?”
Briefly, I broke down Zora’s funding and tenure dilemma, and Nellie’s dogged pursuit of a donation.
Truth be told, I’d planned on making a gift anyway. I thought my mother would have gotten a kick out of having a conference room or building named after her. But after last night? After all that happened between Zora and me . . .
After finally having her back after all these years, seeing in her eyes how much I meant to her too . . .
I’d just wanted her to win.
And fuck anybody who stood in the way of that. My woman wasn’t going to navigate this harsh world alone.
“So, you blackmailed the development lady?”
“That’s not what I did.”
“Offering someone something, contingent upon their actions in return. That’s not blackmail?”
“I don’t think it falls under that, no.”
“You don’t think dangling that kind of money under that woman’s nose in exchange for Zora’s tenure and secret funding doesn’t fall under that definition?” He ran a hand over his head. “You’re already fucking up.”
I groaned, leaned back against the wall.
Had I? Had I fucked up?
“Tell her.” Eddie’s tone bit into my thoughts. “Now. Immediately. Before she finds out on her own, before it’s worse.”