“Bye.” I hang up feeling even more depressed.
I’m going to pick up Joey, go home and unpack, get something to eat, and then once Joey’s in bed, I’m going to curl up under the covers and cry myself to sleep.
One night of feeling sorry for myself is all I can afford.
Then I have to focus on Joey, my career, and all the changes that are about to hit my life. Most of them are good, but the thought of going forward without West is daunting. I thought we had something special.
More than that, I trusted him.
Not just with me but with my son. I warned him that Joey would get attached, and he has. He’ll be okay, I’ll make sure of it, but it’s still frustrating that West is letting me down in so many ways.
I thought he was different.
Thisis one of the reasons I swore I’d never get involved with a hockey player.
They’re all different, but when it counts, I guess they’re all the same.
It’s a hard-learned lesson but just like I won’t let Tony bully me this time, I also won’t allow this break-up to break me. Short-term, it hurts, but I’m tougher than that. I survived pregnancy and the loss of my career with very little support.
It won’t be easy, but I’ll get through this.
Even if it feels like my heart is filled with shards of glass.
One way or another, I can and will survive the loss of West McGregor.
Chapter
Thirty-Nine
West
We all get home within a few minutes of each other on Friday afternoon, and there’s a bit of chaos as we drag in our luggage and talk about plans for the weekend. I just want to go up to my room and sulk for a while but that doesn’t seem to be happening. Lindy is in the kitchen asking about dinner, Jayne is talking about updates on the new house, and every time I try to escape someone has a question for me.
“I cooked,” Jayne announces. “Since Serena’s helping Holly through a tough time, I figured I’d surprise her with a meal when she gets here.”
She looks so proud of herself that I don’t have it in me to contradict her about the status of my relationship.
“It smells great, babe,” Bodi says, kissing her cheek.
“It’s Serena’s recipe, but I think I did okay.” She’s bustling around, getting out dishes and silverware.
I suppress a wince every time someone mentions Serena’s name but my personal life isn’t any of their business.
“I figured with everything she has going on and starting a whole new career,” Jayne continues, “the least I can do is help with the cooking.”
“What did I miss?” Simon asks, casually leaning against the counter. “What’s Serena up to?"
"You didn’t tell them?” Jayne looks at me in surprise but then continues before I can respond. “Well, remember Dusty Peaks, the TV show? Turns out, they’re doing a reboot and they not only gave Serena a contract, they gave her a huge advance. Shooting doesn’t officially start until July, but I guess there are meetings and such that she has to fly out to L.A. for. And get this—I told her I’d kill to be an extra on set one day and she said she’d make it happen!”
“You’re gonna be an extra?” Bodi demands. “That’s super cool. And if you fly out to L.A., I’m coming too!”
She laughs as she rolls her eyes at me. “Geez, do you men never talk aboutanythingbeyond hockey? They’re not filming inL.A.There was a whole thing with the production company, something about the animals that are going to be part of the cast, and they’re filming here—well, outside Atlanta somewhere, I don’t remember the name of the town. She’ll probably have to go to L.A. for some pre-production stuff but otherwise, she’ll be here. I don’t know who’s more excited, her or me!” She laughs and whispers something to Bodi, but I’m not listening anymore.
They’re filming here?
She got an advance?
How did I not know any of this?