intersected with both women, was that there would be no mention of anyone from their alma mater. No reminiscent statements, no talks of reunions, no updates on former classmates or professors. I haven’t even wanted to hear about a drop of endowments to that institution, if that’s what they’re into. It’s nothing personal against Blakewood, honestly. My time there just isn’t a period I care to revisit. And they know why.
ShawnNicole’s short stature backs up to peer up at my face. “Well, say something, Tori.”
“I’m going through with the feature,” is all I can think to say.
Drea stands and now they’re both in my face, their assistants still at work.
“Were you two able to hash out those old issues?” Drea asks.
“It was purely professional and will continue to be.”
ShawnNicole’s hand goes to her forehead. “When does it start?”
“He sent over a few questions the other day. I’ll have to answer those. But it can go on for a month or more.”
“Ain’t that some romance movie shit for that ass.” ShawnNicole’s hand is still over her head, expressing the identical anxiousness I feel. “So, y’all gotta talk for months after what…”
“Thirteen years,” Drea answers for her. Her eyes turn sad. This is a slippery slope for us. “That’s a long time, Tori. So much has happened.”
And she knows. She actually has a clue as to what’s transpired in the lives of Ashton, Aivery, Karmen, Dre, maybe Al and Paulie…hell, possibly Samantha. I don’t know for sure because that’s a part of the terms. I don’t want to know. Don’t tell me a single detail. They were not my concern. I’d only crossed paths with those people briefly. I was not a part of their BSU family.
But the look on ShawnNicole’s mahogany face right now tells me she’s struggling with something.
“What?” I snap.
“You know Bre’s foundation?” ShawnNicole asks.
“Of course, I do! I donate to it annually.” She’s being funny. She knows I give to her daughter, Breann’s, asthma awareness organization regularly.
“Ashton pledged five hundred-thousand over three years,” she rasps. I swallow hard, not prepared for that. “He’s on his second endowment cycle.”
My face balls. “What does that mean?”
“It means he’s given the first five hundred-thousand already and is on his second pledge,” Drea explains, head cocked to the side.
My head bounces back on my shoulders. I get it now. “You’ve been in touch with Ashton Spencer all these years?”
“It ain’t like we talk on the phone every day or every month.”
Drea’s hands fly into the air defensively. “We’re not friends with him. Okay? You’ve made it clear we cannot be if we want to be in your life—”
“I’ve never said that—”
“Bullshit, Tori!” ShawnNicole rasps loud. The assistants drop what they’re doing and scurry away. My eyes close on a roll. “You’ve made it clear since we’ve both reconnected with you,” ShawnNicole continues. “We’re in our thirties now. I’m a mother, Andrea’s been married and divorced, and you’re the fuckin’ middleweight boxing champion of the world and engaged to a man whose team won the damn Super Bowl a few years ago! None of us are hurting or in a sad, sunken place. We’ve all done well, and that alone demonstrates the long ass gap in between BSU and what we’re doing right here and right now.” She stabs her index toward the floor.
Instantly, I’m betrayed. “You know—” I swallow back a threatening cry from the bottom of my belly. My eyes are hard on ShawnNicole, body’s vibrating beneath the Italian suit being customized to fit my frame. I told her everything one night in Vegas after having four Greyhounds too many. I cried my guts out to her after one of my assistants brought in bags of B-Way Burger, gleefully violating the rules of the club we were in. “I don’t ask for much. I’ve never asked for much.”
“Then what’s wrong with talking about it—about him?” Drea asks with desperation in her tone.
“Because there’s nothing to talk about.” There’s no way we’re doing this right now. I motion for the guy and girl working on me to return. We need to finish up. “I’m sorry if you feel it’s because of me you can’t resume your West Beverly High reunion, but I assure you, you can do whatever you feel is best for you. My only request has been for you to forget I exist when with them, and when you’re with me, do the same regarding them. I don’t think that’s unreasonable, considering our business relationship.”