AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Levi smirks, and I cover my face with a groan. “Hey, we’re all adults here. I was just hoping for a little creativity from my future sister-in-law.” He winks.
My face heats.
Aiden shrugs and takes a seat next to Levi. “Some people were expecting an impromptu wedding right here at the Inn when you guys got back.”
I expect Chase to blow off the conversation or get uncomfortable and change topics, but he pushes hair away from my face and gives me a cocky grin.
“Think Pepper deserves a little better than a wedding at a smalltown inn.”
“You two sure seem pretty confident you’ve seen the last of Troy Mayfield,” Noah says, stepping in and ruining our fun as always.
“I am,” I say sharply.
“Yeah, well just to be safe, I asked his lawyer for a copy of your new agreement—by the way, you owe me a dollar as I am your legal representation from now on.” He slides open his phone. “Apparently, you put an honesty clause in there that says you can talk about anything you feel is important for the other person to know.”
Chase jerks in confusion but doesn’t interrupt.
Noah holds up a finger and glances around the near empty bar. “Accordingly, you announced at an interview that your late father was convicted of fraud?”
With all eyes on me, I place my burger down and slow my chewing.
“Well, his lawyer told Troy he’d dodged a bullet because that’s going to get out.”
“How does he know? Troy told them to cut it.”
Noah cocks his head. “He’s a politician. No one cuts out information like that.”
Chase twists to face me. “Baby, why would you do that?”
I shrug. “It’s not like his opponents won’t do their own digging once the election starts.”
He kisses the top of my head like he appreciates what I tried to do but is somewhat disappointed. “He’s still your father.”
I frown at the strange comment and then remember something. “Hey, can I borrow your phone to call Charlie? I’ve had enough testosterone today. And…I need to make sure she’s not insulted by something I did.” I wince. There’s no mistaking the anger with which that red ink was scribed onto the check. And I don’t blame her.
Chase smirks like he knows something I don’t and hands me his phone. “Go ahead.”
As expected, Charlie refuses to come to the Inn but is excited to meet me for breakfast at the bakery tomorrow. I hang up and am about to go back inside when I consider making one more call I don’t want to put off.
I dial his number from memory and put the phone to my ear.
“Yeah,” Troy answers, sounding mildly annoyed.
“It’s me.”
He sighs from boredom. “If you’re expecting a thank you for making it look like it was my idea, don’t hold your breath.”
“You were always so charming.”
Another sigh and it sounds like he’s relocating himself as I hear movement and then a door shut. “Would it have killed you, P? The one year?”
I’m not about to go into detail about everything that’s wrong with his question. “You’re going to find someone someday who will change your life, Troy. Someone who will make what I did today make sense. Someone you’d give up everything for, instead of asking her to.” I sigh when he doesn’t respond. “No. It wouldn’t have killed me. And this isn’t going to kill you.”
More silence and I wonder if he’s even listening to me.
“Troy.”
“The floor was yours, Pepper. You had the chance to tell everyone the truth. That you’re walking away. Instead you made me out to be some hero. Why?”
