yeah.” I’d been telling her for a week, so I wasn’t sure why this was a shock.
“Sasha?” I heard Hannah question.
“I have to call you back.” I disconnected the call.
“Gen, we need to go.” This time Drake was able to grab Gen’s arm.
“Why?” She started to cry and she hit his chest. “Why her? How could you do this to me? You said it was only me!”
Suddenly all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Gen and Drake had been having an affair. He must’ve told her that she was the only other woman, which would explain why she’d hadn’t believed me when I told her about the affair. It was because if Drake was sleeping with Janika, it meant he was cheating on both of us.
The door opened again, and I half-expected Janika to walk through it. Instead it was a nurse. “We’re getting some complaints about noise and there is a two-visitor limit.”
“I’m so sorry,” I apologized. “They were just leaving.” I motioned to Drake and Gen.
Drake left without making his exit about him because I think for once in his life, he didn’t like the attention he was getting. Gen was still crying as he led her out of the room.
Mrs. Scoggs, Mrs. Higgins, and Mrs. Porter all followed behind them and after the nurse checked Gam’s IV she left as well.
“Are you okay, Chipmunk?” Gam asked as soon as we were alone.
“Me? How are you?” I reached out and covered her hand with mine.
“I’m fine. I’m not the one that just found out my best friend is shtupping my boyfriend.”
“Shtupping?” I questioned.
“I heard it from Rabbi Vernon in aquarobics.”
I smiled. “I’m so sorry about all that Gam! I’ll make sure they don’t bother you again.”
“Bother me? Are you kidding me?! I loved it! I mean besides the shtupping your boyfriend part. I got a live performance of my favorite show!”
I stared at her for a minute and then just started laughing and Gam giggled, too. I wasn’t sure if we were laughing because the situation was so ridiculous or if we were laughing as a release from all the stress of the day. But either way, it felt good.
When we got ourselves under control, Gam patted my hand. “Are you okay, really?”
“As long as you’re okay, I’m okay.” I squeezed her hand.
“I’m sorry I ruined your plans,” she apologized. “You can go. I know you have a dinner to go to and I’m fine.”
“You didn’t ruin my plans. I’m not going.”
“Well, they might keep me for a few days, so there’s no reason to hang out here. I’m getting good care and once I’m home, the girls will help out. I’m sure Dolly Briggs has already made pot pies and Maggie Calhoun has whipped up her famous fried chicken, I’ll be all set.”
“I know you’ll be all set, because I’ll be here to make sure of it. I’m not leaving.”
“No.” Gam shook her head. “You can’t put your life on hold for me.”
“I’m not putting anything on hold. I’m not going back. Ever.”
“What? That’s ridiculous, it was just an episode. I’ll be good as new as in a few days.”
“It’s not about that.” Or at least not all about that. “You saw the people I’d be going back to.” I waved my hand where Drake and Gem had put on the live show. “And you know the contract I talked about? When Hannah called, she told me that there was a stipulation in my contract that I have to stay with Drake, at least publicly, for five years. I got it all and it came at a price I’m not willing to pay. I don’t like my life in L.A. I love my life here. I know it’s just been a week, but I’ve felt more at home here than I’ve felt anywhere ever.”
Gam’s expression remained unreadable and I started to make my case again when a smile spread across her face. “You’re sure that’s what you want?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my entire life.”
Her smile grew even bigger. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain dashing fireman that came to my rescue today, would it?”
“Maybe,” I answered coyly.
It didn’t. Not really. Even if Beau wasn’t in the picture, I still would have come to the same conclusion. Yes, I would love it if things worked out between us, but if they didn’t, this was still where I wanted to be. But I wasn’t going to tell Gam that, not