She’s here to help me and, while I want to return to my bed and sleep for five days, I will listen to her. “Go on.”
“You will lose sponsors. We have several very valuable sponsors who are ready to run if Nancy isn’t around—namely, Target.”
“Target?”
“Yeah, she signed a deal with them—didn’t know about that did you—and they’ll definitely follow her. Not to mention a couple of furniture retailers who are trying to get her on their team.”
Fuck. Why didn’t Nancy tell me? We used to share things like that, celebrate in our own way. Of course, it depended where we were when we got the news. We could be anywhere in Texas, big city or small town, but we would find a way to mark the occasion. It could be drinks at one of the fanciest bars in Texas or burgers for breakfast at a Whataburger. No matter what, we supported each other. The fact that she didn’t come to me and tell me about it means that we are a little more than broken.
“And right now, you’re probably trying to figure out why she didn’t tell you, right?”
I hesitate, then nod. “Yeah.”
“Because she doesn’t trust you anymore. Plain and simple.”
My heart aches from that bit of news. “But she told you and you didn’t tell me.”
“She swore me to secrecy.”
“I’m your fucking brother, Syd,” I say, anger threading my voice.
“I think you need to watch your tone,” Grady says. I glance at him and realize he’s saying it as Syd’s boyfriend and not our boss. Irritation spikes, but I hold my tongue—barely. He’s her boyfriend, but he owns the company we both work for. I’m in enough trouble as it is.
“I didn’t tell you because I spent the entire season trying to convince her to stay, but by the end of it, I couldn’t continue in good conscience.”
“What?”
“You were especially horrible to her this season. Your behavior has gotten…I’m embarrassed to tell people you’re my brother.”
“Syd.” A lump rises in my throat. Our childhood was a nightmare and all we ever had was each other. That is, until we met Nancy. But I could count on Syd to be there, the support I always needed. We both knew it was us against the world—well, also Nancy. Syd always said she was so proud of everything I’ve accomplished. So, her saying she’s embarrassed hits me hard.
“It’s true, Travis. I love you. I do. And I have always been proud of everything you accomplished, but this season you did things that I…well, I just can’t. And I know it’s worse because Nancy doesn’t tattle on you all the time. Trying to bring in your latest location skank? Having her tell Nancy—who is considered one of the top designers in the country—how to decorate? You did that to hurt Nancy.”
I know that’s true. Fuck. I swallow past that painful lump in my throat. This can’t be the end of it. I have to fix this and if there is one person who can help me, it’s my sister.
“So, what can we do?”
She sighs. “First, there is no ‘we.’ You’re on your own here. You have to win her back.”
I don’t like that, because I know if Syd was in my corner, I would have a fighting chance. Now the odds are probably sixty-forty in Nancy’s favor. “Okay. But how?”
“You have to apologize to Nancy.”
“I’ll text her.”
She shakes her head. “You think a text will fix this? You are way past that.” I know she’s right. “Besides, she’s going off the grid and, seriously, you think that’s acceptable after what you pulled on and off set? You are going to get down on your hands and knees and beg her. Although, if I were in her position, I wouldn’t take you back.”
“Sydney!”
She shrugs. “Sorry. You’ve been unprofessional, and you know how I feel about that.”
She’s right. “Okay. I’ll find her and talk to her.”
“She’s in Juniper. The LOLs have been busy yapping.”
I roll my eyes. First, of course all those little old ladies have been yapping about Nancy. Secondly, going there and begging forgiveness isn’t going to be easy. The entire town will be watching us. But I will do it, because, well, I love her. I would say like a sister, but that is so not the way I feel about her. And my show. It employs hundreds. We were planning on opening a new office in Juniper and start a home improvement business, hoping to bring jobs and revenue to Juniper. Now, fuck, that is probably in the air. Man, I really screwed this up. I have no one to blame but myself.
“Okay. I’ll jump in the shower and head up there today.”
“You’ll apologize.”
“Yes.”
“You will beg her to come back.”
I shift my weight on the chair and her eyes narrow. “Fine.”
This is going to suck balls, but I have to save my show and my friendship. Somehow, I have to do that.
“Now, go away.”
“Text me.” She rises and gives me a kiss on the cheek, and she ruffles my hair like she used to when we were kids. “And be careful.”
I nod as I watch the CEO and billionaire Grady follow her out like he’s her little puppy dog. I rise out of my chair and go to the kitchen to refill my cup. Coffee is one of the few things I think might help this situation. I’m going to need all the help I can get. Begging isn’t in my wheelhouse, but this is Nancy and while I might not say it out loud to anyone else, I definitely know that I do need her. Even if I didn’t, she’s owed an apology.
Pulling in a deep breath, I head to the bedroom. Better to get going now because drawing it out is just going to make it worse. Either way, it is going to be a kick in the balls.
Chapter Three
Nancy
Once Everly and Becca go to open their shop, I decide I’m going to force myself out and about. I have no food in the house and I definitely need food. A lot of it. Primarily sugar based.
After a quick trip to the store—which took three times as long because this is Juniper Freaking Springs—I hurry home hoping to avoid my family. I don’t think most of them would show up—well only one of them would. The grand dragon of the Howard family, my grandmother. I’m making myself a cup of coffee when my phone starts blowing up. Yep, my family knows I’m home. Lovely.
Dad: When were you going to tell me you were back in town?
Mom: I think it’s rude you didn’t contact me right away.
Ugh. They’re texting separately because that’s how they live. Separated when I was six, they didn’t divorce for another six years. Not because they were trying to work it out, but because they would have to stop jumping into bed with people in order to sign the papers. Only, my father “found love” and pushed the divorce through. My first stepmother lasted about three years. There have been two others since, and he’s always on the lookout for a new victim. He doesn’t physically hurt people, it’s just that he likes to cheat. It’s his defining personality trait. He always seems to find some stupid woman who thinks she will be the one to tame him. That woman—whoever she is—will always lose out to my father’s cheating ways.