Playing at Forever by Michelle Brewer Read Free Book Online Page B

going to ruin this.  The one and only thing she cared about. 
    “She wants this taken care of as soon as possible.”
    “Well, that’s not going to happen.  You know what this place means to me, Kevin.  How can you even put me in this position?”  she shook her head, rubbing one of her temples.  “I have to get back out on the floor.”
    “If you can spare me, I was planning on leaving early.”
    “Get out of here, Kevin.  Just get out of my sight.”
    She would rather do it all alone than have to look him in the eye. 
     
    By the time Tommy showed up, Penny was exhausted.  She sat at the bar, two empty shot glasses in front of her, a third waiting, and a nearly untouched mixed drink in her hands. 
    “Rough day?”  
    “Understatement.”   She took a long sip from her glass. 
    “Want some company?”  Penny didn’t answer.  The truth was that, yes, she did want company.  She wanted Tommy to sit there beside her into the wee hours of the morning, talking about the life they used to live and reminding her how easy it had all been once upon a time. 
    But she couldn’t bring herself to say the words.  She was too hurt, too angry.  She needed to think. 
    Even though that was the last thing she wanted to do.
    “You can talk about it, if you want.”
    “I just—I need some space right now, Tommy.  Just because you come running back here out of the blue doesn’t mean that I have to drop everything in my life and—”
    “I know, Pen—I’m not asking—”
    “I have a lot going on right now, Tommy.  I just don’t think this is the best time for a reunion.”  
    Even as she spoke the words, she was regretting them.  Tommy’s eyes darkened as he looked away.  He remained at the bar for a moment before reaching out and picking up her last remaining shot and downing the bitter liquid. 
    “I’m sorry I intruded, Penny Lane.  I hope things work out for you.”  She couldn’t even look at him as he made his way out of the restaurant.
    Instead, all she could do was lay her head down on the bar, her head swimming. 
    She had no idea what she was going to do—her options were already so limited.  Sell the restaurant, or buy Kevin out. 
    Except that she couldn’t buy Kevin out. 
    How could he be doing this to her?  How could he have been so different from the man she’d thought he was? 
    She had thought she’d married someone with the same passions as her.  She’d thought he was a decent guy—someone loyal, someone she could count on.  After Tommy had left all those years ago, it was Kevin who had stepped into his footsteps.  He’d been her friend before he’d been her lover. 
     And now, so many years later, he was betraying her worse than she’d ever thought possible.
    Penny walked home alone that night, lost to her thoughts. 
    Everything had changed so much over the years.  Where had it all gone wrong? 
    Involuntarily, she thought back to the night Tommy had left.  He’d suggested she come along with him, knowing full well that she wouldn’t. 
    Sometimes, she tried to imagine what life would have been like had she taken him up on that offer.  Would Tommy have made it?  She knew for certain that she wouldn’t have.  Penny’s destiny had never been to act, despite whatever Tommy may have believed.
    It was only next to him that she could even attempt to shine.
    No, Penny wasn’t made for a life in the limelight and she had accepted that long ago.  But still, what would life have been like if she and Tommy had somehow managed to stay together?
    What would her life have been like if she and Tommy had even managed to keep in touch? 
    Another ache thrived to life in her chest and she rolled onto her side, her tears soaking into her pillow. 
    She thought about how badly it had hurt that Tommy had walked away so easily.  There had been nights, especially in the beginning, that she had lain awake all night, staring at the ceiling, wondering where he was and if he