“Well, the opportunity presented itself. That didn’t mean I jumped on it right away; it took me weeks to pull the trigger. This all happened before Deke had his meltdown. Then it took what seemed like weeks before I finally landed the real job interview. It was a rush, putting myself out there, knowing that it was all me doing the legwork, showing what I’m made of. I don’t know, it just became something I felt like I had to do.”
“Well, that’s just dumb. You’re not leaving, Leena. Don’t even think about it. I’ll lock your ass in your room.” Keller is ridiculous. I snort trying to hold my laughter in. That’s when eyes move to me, even Asa’s.
“What? She’s not dumb. You guys may not get it, but women have this instinctive trait that we have to feel needed and wanted. Which is what Leena clearly was after, and the way you’re handling it, well, frankly, it sucks.” Hopefully, that makes up for me being a weenie and not saying something earlier.
“Thanks, bestie.” Leena’s smile reappears.
“Jesus fucking Christ.” Asa gets up and starts pacing the length of the room.
“You’re welcome,” I reply, my eyes on Leena’s. Asa is a big boy and can handle a little controversy once in a while.
“You act like I’m leaving to live states away. The job is in town, local even, and I haven’t even accepted, but I’ve got to say the package is freaking amazing. More than the vacation I get now, plus holiday pay, a great salary. What else could I ask for?” She’s just rubbing salt in the wound now. I think Leena has zero regrets either.
“Good for you. I’m glad you went. If we didn’t make changes at some point in time that are good for us, then where would we be in life?”
“What the fuck, Montana? Why would you even say that?” Asa stops what he’s doing.
“At least someone is in my corner. If it weren’t for Montana, I probably never would have gone.” Her lips form an O after realizing what she said when everyone focuses on me.
“You did what? What else have you been keeping from me? Do you even love me?” I don’t dignify him with an answer right away, mostly because I am stunned speechless. Another reason is because if I could breathe fire, that is what would happen right about now.
“Asa, don’t say something in anger you can’t take back,” Tanner states.
“Go walk it off, Asa, right now,” Leena tells him, knowing that my silence means I’m shutting down. That’s the best thing about friendship: they know when things get bad before they do.
“Fuck this.” Asa storms off, taking my heart with him. I think back on all the great moments we’ve had together. They play on a highlight reel in my head. I know the good outweighs the bad, but the way he’s acting right now, even I’m not sure it’ll help.
“You okay, Montana?” Keller, the one I least expect to ask, asks. I nod my head, still choosing to remain silent. “Yeah,” my voice creaks, but I will not let the tears fall, no freaking way. These people might be more family than employers, but that’s where I draw the line. I suck the tears back. “I’m good. You may want to check on Asa, though. Oh, and maybe make sure Leena is okay, too. I don’t think she really would have taken the position. It was more of a ‘look what she can’ do for a confidence boost.” I noticed Leena left right along with Asa, though she went to the bathroom instead of leaving the whole freaking place.
“If you need to go home, we understand, okay?” Tanner says.
“That’s really sweet of you, honestly, but I’m going to work. Asa and I will work things out when work is over, and if not, well, I guess it’s a good thing my apartment is still mine.” No one says anything else, thankfully. This way, I can lick my wounds in peace, do the work before me, and deal with the asshole I love with my whole heart, even when he’s an idiot.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
asa
“It’s about time you got home.” Not hi, hey, or hello. The sound of sadness in Montana’s voice is what greets me. I left, drove around aimlessly, checked on a few jobs because there was no way I’d just alienate the guys who we’re working with. Once I was done with that, I went home. Not to the place I call home now; nope, I went to my parents’ house. To see the look of disappointment on their faces after our conversation, after relaying how everything went down, how not only I but their other kids were upset with Leena was bad. When my dad hung his head after I asked for advice on how to make things right with Montana, to say it was a humbling experience was the least. Leena, I could apologize to. She’s family, knows how much of an idiot her brothers can be, and thankfully, none of us can hold a grudge against the other, even Deke. The asshole he is, leaving and only talking through text or email, I still miss that dick.