Chapter 32

 

 

The lawyer’s office was dark and depressing. It wasn’t much of a surprise. Shannon opened the door for his mother and followed her inside. They went to the desk and the woman looked up with a cold smile.

“Can I help you?”

Mom spoke up, “We’re here for Christopher O’Neil’s will.”

“Shannon O’Neil and Sandra Jepson?”

“That’s us,” Shannon answered.

Standing, she motioned down the hall. “Follow me.” She led them to a conference room.

Problem number one. Ellen sat on one side of Shelley, with Joel on the other.

Joel made sense. His sister’s boyfriend. Ellen didn’t. Why his ex?

He glanced at his mother, who lifted a shoulder.

Ellen smiled up at Shannon as he took a seat at the table. “You look even better after all these years.”

His gaze swept to Shelley’s, who wiped at her eyes. Joel pulled her closer.

Shannon turned back to Ellen. “Thanks. I’m sorry, why are you here?”

“I was your father’s lawyer in the end.”

He blinked. That was hard to believe.

“Her dad was his lawyer. Ellen took over when he retired,” Shelley explained.

“I see,” Shannon answered. Made sense, and her goal had always been to become a lawyer, but he never expected his father to choose a woman for a lawyer.

“He changed in the last few years,” Shelley explained.

Shannon only nodded. “So you’ve said.” He smiled at Joel. “Nice to see you.” He turned back to Ellen. “You too.”

Her smile dimmed, but she kept her eyes on Shannon. “Would you be more comfortable if one of my colleagues took over?”

“No. I’m merely surprised,” Shannon answered. No, he was ticked. Warning might have been nice. And he had to wonder if this was some ploy by either Shelley or Ellen. And that wasn’t fair, so he kept his mouth shut.

“Shall we?” Ellen said, picking up the file.

He nodded. Shelley sniffled, then said, “Please do.”

Almost two hours passed before they were done. He knew his father had money. What surprised him was that his father left him a third, his sister a third, and his mother a third.

Dad split his money between them and gave Shelley the house. Which made sense, since she was the only one still living in Maryland. And Dad left his medals to Shannon, though he couldn’t fathom why.

Ellen smiled. “It’s almost lunch time. Think we could all get lunch and catch up?”

Shelley silently pleaded, her bottom lip quivering.

“Come on, it will be fun,” Mom said, winking at him. At least Mom wouldn’t try to convince him to give Ellen a chance. No, that was all his sister.

Shannon managed a grim smile. “Sure, where?”

“Rhododendron’s.” That was where he took her on their first date. Shit, what the fuck?

His phone buzzed. “I’ll meet you at the car, Mom.”

“Can I ride with you?” Ellen asked.

“Sorry, I have a private call to deal with.” He hurried out of the room as he opened his text messages.

 

Ryan – Can you talk?

Shannon – Yup, headed to my car now. Give me a moment.

 

Mom hurried to catch up. He placed a finger to his mouth to hush her as his phone rang.

Smiling, he pressed talk. “Hey, just who I needed to hear. I miss you.”

“Miss you more. The flight was miserable.”

“Sorry. I’ll be in the car in just a moment.” He hurried to the rental and opened the door for his mother.

“You with someone.”

“My mother. I told her. Do you mind if she overhears part of this?”

“No. Not at all. You sound stressed, though.”

Shannon snorted. “Understatement. Let’s just say, my sister is going to drive me up the wall at the rate she’s going.”

“Why?”

“She really wants me to get back together with a college ex. Apparently, she was my father’s lawyer after her father died.”

“What?” A laugh left Ryan.

“Yeah, and Shelley is with her brother. I don’t have a damn clue what she’s thinking, but I’m pissed.”

“She knows you like women too, right?”

“Yeah, which is why I believe she’s trying to hook us back up. I told you about Ellen. The one I left for a man? The one who tried to keep me by fucking anyone she could convince. I’m not sure why she kept looking at me like it was a sure thing, but I can tell you it’s not.”

Mom laughed. “May I?” She reached for the phone.

Shannon’s brow shot up. “Mom would like to talk to you.”

“Sure.” Ryan chuckled.

He hit speaker and placed the phone on the console while he backed out of the parking lot. He was tempted to flip his sister the bird as she hurried outside with Joel and Ellen.

Mom spoke up, “First, I’m a fan. Be good to my son.”

“I plan to, Ms. O’Neil.”

“Oh no, I divorced Christopher years ago. Call me Sandra. Please.”

“Sure thing, Sandra.”

“Now, my daughter is close with Ellen. I didn’t realize Ellen had taken over her father’s clients. Oh, I would have planned differently if I had. She’s a nice enough girl, though not Shannon’s type. Even for women, she doesn’t fit who I’ve seen him go for.”

Ryan chuckled. “I’m not worried he’s going to go for a girl he knew ages ago.”

“Good man. I like you. I really do. Now, don’t be surprised if your man winds up stuck in the same place as her. Shelley learned all her tactics from her father. I almost wonder if there is another reason behind it, but I just can’t fathom what.”

“Sorry.” Ryan sighed. “You raised a very intelligent, handsome, and loving man.”

“Okay, I’m all for love is love, but I do not want to picture my son and anyone together.” She laughed. “I am happy for you both, though.”

“Thank you,” Ryan said. “If you’re ever in LA when we are, we’ll have you over.”

“I’ll enjoy that very much. And please don’t worry about Ellen. I’ll see if I can get Shelley to calm down with that.”

“I’m telling her at lunch I’m in a committed relationship and leaving it at that,” Shannon promised. “I’m not interested in being friends with her.”

“That might not be Shelley’s fault. Ellen did invite herself to lunch,” Mom stated.

His eyes narrowed. “You’re the one who convinced me to go.”

“Only to prevent a scene in the office. That’s all. We could call Shelley and say you had something come up.”

“Go to lunch, Shannon. I am not upset,” Ryan insisted.

Shannon groaned. “She picked the same restaurant I took her to for our first date, and then many times after.”

Ryan laughed. “Oh, she wants you bad.”

“It’s not happening,” Shannon promised.

“I know that. You know that. Even your mother knows that. Relax,” Ryan answered. “I’m sorry lunch causes you discomfort but remember the last month. I know you’re not going to give that up.”

“Definitely not. I love you, Ryan.”

Mom made an aweing sound and he shook his head.

There was a smile in Ryan’s voice. “I love you too. It was nice to talk to you, Sandra. I should go. We’re headed to the hotel.”

“I’ll talk to you later. Thanks for calling.”

“I’m glad you answered. Bye, Shannon.”

“Later, Ryan.”

“Bye, Sandra. I really do love your son.” He hung up before his mother could reply.

Mom smiled. “I like him already.”

“Wait until you meet him in person. He’s not at all what I expected. And he’s close to his brother.”

“Sorry about Shelley. I didn’t realize Ellen had taken over as your father’s lawyer. Honest.”

“I don’t blame you. I just want to know what the hell she’s thinking.”

“Maybe a desperate attempt to get you to move back? Shelley doesn’t like being alone out here.”

Shannon scrubbed a hand over his head. “She could move out to LA, or to you in Florida.”

“She won’t. I think she likes to be miserable. Maybe that’s why she relates so well to your father.”

“Maybe.”

He pulled into the parking lot for the restaurant. It was one of his favorites in the area. Man, the thought of spending time with Ellen rattled him.

He climbed out of the car, intending to get his mother’s door, but she hopped out.

Mom smiled. “Come on, be a good sport. This won’t be so bad.”

He really hoped not.

They walked to the doors as his sister pulled in with Joel and Ellen.

“Why so tense?”

Shannon glanced over his shoulder and smirked. “I wonder if they know I dumped Ellen for Juno?”

Mom giggled. “Doubt she’d be so excited to see you if that were the case.”

He snorted. “Maybe I should point that out.”

Mom shook her head while he checked them in.

Shelley joined them and leaned up to whisper, “Was that your boyfriend?”

He nodded, a smile on his lips.

Her expression soured. “Right.”

He wanted to ask if she thought he was lying but didn’t want to push anything.

The hostess watched O’Neil for a long moment, then shook her head. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

“Party of five, for O’Neil.”

“Right, I’ll take you back.”

He was totally unaffected. Ryan was too present in his mind.

At the table he scooted in and pulled his mother into the seat next him. Ellen sat across from him, with Shelley next, then Joel.

His ex ran her foot up his calf as she undressed him with her eyes. “What have you been up to?”

Shannon jerked his leg away and seriously considered stomping on her foot. “Don’t.”

Ellen leaned forward with a smirk. “Why so tense? Do I make you nervous?”

Shannon snorted, shaking his head. “Sorry, I have a boyfriend. I’m not interested in you.”

Her brows shot to her hairline. “Oh. Oh my. Why?”

He couldn’t help laughing. “Because I’m in love. Simple as that.”

“You’re gay?” Ellen squeaked.

He lifted a shoulder. “Bi. But I found the man who is everything I want.”

“Wow. That was not what I expected. You’re not what I think of when I think gay or bi.”

“Stereotypes are bullshit. Look, I can’t say I’m sorry. I’m not. You and I were never going to work. You were cheating on me, and I left you for a man.”

Her eyes nearly fell out of her head.

Shelley gasped. “You really had to blurt that out?”

“What?” Shannon asked. “I’m not ashamed of anything.”

“You should be,” Shelley sneered.

Shannon glanced at his mother.

Joel spoke up, “Wow, really, Shelley? Why should it matter who he’s with?”

She blinked at him. “They were in love.”

“She was fucking half the campus,” Shannon pointed out.

Ellen lifted a shoulder, wearing an unapologetic smirk. “I thought it would guilt you into proposing.”

Shannon sat back, his eyes wide. “I just want to know why you thought that might work.”

“You were always so distant. I thought if you were jealous, you would hold on tighter.”

“No, I just walk away from cheaters. I don’t have time to waste on someone who doesn’t truly love me.”

“I was young and stupid.” Ellen lifted a shoulder. “I’m not surprised someone snatched you up. You deserve a good person in your life. Though, if you’re ever out here, and that doesn’t work out, I’ve grown up considerably.”

“Sorry, but that’s never going to happen.” Shannon lifted a single brow at Shelley.

She glared back.

No one said anything.

Shannon finally broke the silence. “Shelley, relax. I’m not mad. I just don’t want to spend the week fending off your idea of who I should be with.” He smiled at Ellen. “No offense to you.”

“None taken.” Ellen nudged Shelley. “Let it go. Okay?”

“Trying. Just thought you two could be good together.”

Ellen shrugged. “We were too different back then. I mean, I’d love to see how we click now, but I’m not going there if he has someone already.”

A hint of guilt wound through him, but he didn’t go near Juno until after he left. And she had slept with at least six guys he knew of. “After I dumped you, why would you be interested now?”

Ellen wet her lips. “Because I learned from my mistakes. And letting you go was one of them.”

Shannon held his tongue. He’d been looking for a reason to dump her. She sealed that fate by sleeping around. There was no chance in hell she could have a second chance.

The waitress came by. “Ready to order?”

Shannon nodded. “I’m ready.”

“Me too,” Mom said.

“Sure,” Ellen answered, smiling at the waitress.

Once they ordered, they sat in tense silence until Joel asked, “What are you doing now, Shannon?”

“I own and run a security firm with a close friend. We were both injured overseas and left the military. We’ve done a couple consulting jobs for big Hollywood studios.”

“Wow, what do you do for those?” Ellen asked.

“Train actors for certain kinds of roles. It can be very rewarding.”

“I take it a background as a Navy SEAL has its benefits. Do you know a lot of actors?” Ellen asked.

Ryan popped into his head, leaving a smile on his face. “We’ve done a couple of these courses so far. But I’ve met a few.”

Shelley met his gaze. “You really are happy out there, aren’t you?”

“I’ve told you that a million times. You should come out and visit. You may find you really like it.”

Sighing, she looked away.

Shannon expected that, so he changed the subject. “What have you been up to, Joel?”

“I’m working at the same hospital your father stayed in as a nurse. It’s rewarding.”

They fell into an easy conversation and Shelley eventually joined in.