Page 90 of My Grape Crush
When Evelyn shared that news, I felt my blood coagulate. She had mentioned Tomas parading around with a woman during her visit with Nicole and me. Her description of a half-dressed European ditz should have set off every alarm in my head.
Because what do you get whentwo scheming weirdos hell-bent on revenge collude?
The end of the world.
In the form of photocopies of my illicit drawings plastered on every business door in Osoyoos. My innermost, dirtiest thoughts stapled to telephone poles. And scrawled over the top in flaming red ink were Tomas’s twisted call to arms:
Nero Vino is a disgrace.
Boycott Evelyn.
Is this how Nero Vino promotes their wine???
And so on.
Mom swooned and started to hyperventilate, prompting Dani to escort her to the bathroom. And I stood there with the universe crashing down around me, shame-faced for being such a fool. We skirted the topic of my drawings on the drive down. That was my entry point. I should have prepped Dani for the worst.
I should have done a lot of things differently.
Like, not sleep with a Crazy.
To have this hit Dani in the face like a plateful of scissors is the lowlight of my life so far, and I've had plenty. I feel sick to my stomach and turn away from Sawyer's wrath and endless disappointment. Nero Vino and Evelyn so disgustingly discredited when she has been nothing but a champion for me swallows me alive in guilt. And my Instagram account is a damn firework show, the hits coming and coming. Myla tagged me and Dani in her revenge postings, and the algorithms have shut down the most depraved pictures, but the damage is done.
Why does this have to happen when I'm an emotional wreck, about to face my father, or what's left of him, for the first time in years?
Dani suddenly reappears, pale as milk, shoulders concave with defeat.
“Where’s our mother?” Sawyer immediately asks.
“Taking a moment,” Dani says. “It’s a lot to process.” She wheels around to face me. “I just spoke with Evelyn. She asked Francis and Rita to rip down what they can.”
Christ. Why didn’t I think of that? Maybe I am that useless. And Rita agreeing to help me?If that doesn't throw the morning on its head.
“What else did she say?” I press.
Dani retreats a step, and the subconscious movement rings deep in my hollow bones. “She thinks it’s a good idea for you to stay down here. And definitely no posting. About anything.”
JC takes a seat and blows out a long, decompressing breath. “And I thought touring was stressful.”
Sawyer’s acidic expression changes into something calculating, like he’s just been reminded of something. “I need to smooth things over with Evelyn. Let her know that one part of the Trenton clan can deliver without a monumental shit show.”
“That’s your concern?” I snort, anger coating my skin.
“It’s one of them,” he glowers back. “Aside from keeping the company afloat, I also ensure my two brothers have a pipeline of money flowing to them. But thanks for lightening my load. Good luck getting a gig after this.”
He shoulders past me, knocking me hard enough that I stumble back. JC watches him storm out and then rises to his feet with a weary sigh.
“I’ll deal with him,” he mutters. “You and Dani sort out Mom.”
JC goes off in search of Sawyer, leaving Dani and I squared and facing each other. Every line of her body speaks of uncertainty.
Sparks of despair flicker around my brain. “How is she?”
“Devastated,” Dani says, her voice colorless.
My body feels leaden. All I can manage is a small, helpless shrug. “I’m so sorry. This is horrible.”
The breath she draws in sounds painful. “She really is a Crazy, huh?”
