Chapter 3
“Don’t. Let him do his dinner thing. I’ll call when we’re done so he can pick me up.” She slung her bag and walked out.
Because of her bad leg, Cedrick picked a one–floor flat. The elevator went down, and she was
out.
Once she was in the sunlight, she automatically ducked, shrank, yanked her cap low, and flipped her collar up.
Ever since the limp, the fearless girl who used to own the stage had vanished.
Crippled Lucille didn’t dare face the crowd.
Mylee always said, “Wait for Mr. Maynard to go with you.”
Cedrick said it too, “Stay home unless I’m free.”
But they didn’t know the truth.
Going out with Cedrick scared her more than going solo, because every stare said it loud, “Why’s a great guy like him with a limping wife?”
Lucille called a ride and set off for the hotel.
On the way, she gazed out the window and suddenly spotted Cedrick’s car in a curbside spot.
“Could you pull over, please?” she blurted to the driver.
Cedrick’s car was parked outside a restaurant.
Yesterday, one of his childhood buddies had treated. Today, it was his turn–Maricela had posted the plan on Facebook.
Almost without thinking, Lucille got out.
At the restaurant, she said, “I’m here for Mr. Maynard’s room.” Then, she gave the last four digits of his number.
The waiter walked her to a private room. “This is it.”
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Chapter 3
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“Thanks.”
Honestly, she didn’t know why she had come. Back home, she had been tugged here by one sudden urge after another, but now, right outside the door, she couldn’t even bring herself to push it open.
Inside, the chatter spilled out, loud and cheerful.
“I can’t stay out late tonight, and I’m definitely not drinking. I came home drunk last night, and my wife got mad,” one of Cedrick’s buddies said.
“Come on! You used to say I came first no matter what. Now you’re scared of your wife? Only Ced keeps it real.”
That was Maricela, voice sweet and soft.
So that was what she was like.
And that was the type Cedrick fell for.
Too bad Lucille would never be that girl. She couldn’t fake it even if she tried.
“Oh, he’s different. Lucille wouldn’t dare bark at him.”
“Hey, Ced,” Maricela piped up again, “I heard your wife is lame. How come?”
No one answered her.
Lucille’s heart skipped a beat.
Cedrick’s buddies kept at it.
“Look, Ced, it’s a raw deal. With your money and looks, you could land any girl you want. Why pick one who can’t even walk?”
“Dead serious, bro. You’re the top dog here, but now, you’re stuck with Lucille. Any time you need a plus–one for a party or a press conference, she’s a no–show. Doesn’t that suck?”
“So that’s it,” Lucille thought.
Cedrick always told her, “You don’t need to show up for anything. Just stay home and wait for me to bring back the money.”
Her own family sang his praises. “Girl, you’ve got it made.” Truth was, he was ashamed to be
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Chapter 3
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seen with her.
Cedrick gave a sad smile. “She saved me. I owe her,”
“Owe her? Man, you’ve paid that debt in cash a hundred times.”
“Right. You should’ve cut a check and walked away. No need to wreck your whole life”
“Dude, wake up. You could’ve got yourself a lucky charm and made a wish every day for a fat paycheck. What does she do for you?”
“Exactly. You can’t take her out, and at home, you’re scared she’ll drop the glass. Here, Ced, watch me. This is how she holds a glass, right? Like this?”
The room exploded with laughter. Maricela cackled loudest. “So your wife really walks like that?”
Lucille, ear to the door, felt every drop of blood shoot to her head. Fury and shame knocked her off balance.
The door swung open.
Inside, the table was still cracking up.
Harlan Peterson, one of Cedrick’s crew, was limping around like a bad actor, glass in hand, voice squeaky. “Ced, water. Oops, I’m falling. Ced, catch me!”
Lucille looked straight at Cedrick, waiting for the man she loved most to do something.
The stupid act had everyone howling. Maricela, sitting right next to Cedrick, laughed so hard she flopped onto his shoulder.
He hadn’t said a word.
Harlan spun around, still grinning. “Ced, is that how-
The question died when he spotted Lucille in the doorway. His smile froze. “L–Lucille.”
Every eye snapped to the door.
There was a moment of dead silence.
Maricela straightened off Cedrick’s shoulder, flashing a bright smile. “Hi there, you must be Ced’s wife. I’m one of his closest buddies. Come on in.”
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Chapter 3
Lucille scanned the room, and a chill hit her gut
Cedrick finally got up and walked over. “Lucille, what are you doing here? They were just joking. Don’t take it to heart.”
She stared at him. He felt like a total stranger, like she had never really known him at all.
So when the others mocked her, he was on their side!
“S–Sorry,” Harlan muttered, putting his glass down. “Just a stupid joke. Don’t be mad
“Lucille,” Cedrick reached her and tried to slip an arm around her shoulders.