Page 101 of Secret Husband
La la la, I don’t want to hear this!
“It all sucks.”
“Change typically does.”
No truer words spoken.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Alexei
* * *
Jason and I both arrived at the same time at Theo Kershaw’s house. He had convinced me to guest on Conor’s podcast, and I would only agree if he was also present.
Together, we climbed the steps to the front door. “Remind me why I am doing this again.”
Jason grinned. “So you can give people a chance to get to know you in the off season.”
I would be more open if I wasn’t so tired. My father had managed to shake off his supposedly powerful sedative and headed to the kitchen to make toast a little after four this morning. I awoke to the smell of burning and managed to avert disaster before the house went up in flames. It took two hours to get him back to sleep.
“Speaking of getting to know people, how about you bring your father over for dinner sometime this week?”
I rubbed my mouth. It was time he knew.
“My father is not well, Jason. He has Alzheimer’s.”
My friend looked stricken. “Naz, I’m so sorry. Is this a recent development?”
“He got the official diagnosis about ten months ago, but he has been showing symptoms for several years. I have a nurse for him during the day, and I care for him nights and weekends.” Though I questioned how much “care” he was truly getting. “I am not sure he would do well with people he does not know. He barely understands the people he does know.”
“Shit, Alexei, that fucking sucks.” He gave me a hug. One thing I would say about Jason, he was unafraid to show his emotions. “Whatever you need, you’ll tell me, okay? And if you want to skip out of this podcast fuckery, I can make your excuses.”
“No, I think it would be good to get my mind off stuff.” I couldn’t even begin to start with what was happening with Lauren.
Walking into the Kershaws’ basement, we found Conor involved in some complicated setup with iPhones, cameras, microphones, and ring lights.
“Gentlemen, finally. Have a seat on the Confessional Couch and prepare to discuss the moral issues of the day.”
“The moral issues?” I shot a sharp glance at Jason as I sank into the sofa. “What does that mean?”
My friend smirked. “You’ll see.”
“Don’t worry,” Conor said. “We’re not live. I have a guy who edits it for me.”
“That would be me. I’m the guy.” Conor’s twin, Landon, walked in. But for his glasses, there was barely a whisper of difference between them.
“The dating app developer?”
“You need a date?”
Jason snorted.
I glared at him then turned back to Landon. “No, I do not. Just wondering how successful it is considering Lauren is no longer with her boyfriend.”
“I can’t guarantee a hundred percent happily-ever-after, but she said she’d try it again. As long as I have repeat customers, then I can’t complain.”
Try again? Not on my watch. “Interesting business model. Happiness not guaranteed, but there is always another fish flopping about on the beach.”
