Page 54 of Hard to Love

“I’m listening.” I begin to shift from foot to foot.

“For the right amount of money, I can deliver that luscious piece of ass to your door.” Tipping back on my heels, I fist my hands. Prick.

“More.” I gesture in his direction again.

“Walker made a purchase a few weeks back of some crucial information. He shredded it. Now, it’ll cost you a little more than it did him—he’s a friend, you know.” Oh, yeah fucker, I know.

“How much?” My face flames at the thought of Thayer being the prize. Yes, she’s more than worth every cent, but the idea of her hanging in the balance fucking enrages me.

“$250,000 will get you every shred. No pun intended.” He chuckles; I suppose he thinks he’s a funny guy.

“How can I get in contact with you?” He hands me a card with a number on it before walking away.

Forgetting I don’t have a home, I go over to Chords. Lulu’s here, so I use the critical Chord gave me. Unlocking the door, I take my jacket off, tossing it on the back of the couch. Chord walks through the door shortly after.

“Damn, dude. I thought you were going to kiss her. Way to not overplay your hand.” He punches me in the arm as he walks by. Then, a knock at the door. One walks through with Cal. What the hell is going on?

“I rode with Dad, so Hadlea could get the kids home. What’s up, Chord?” Chord turns the corner with four beers and a shit-eating grin.

“Well, it would be better if Hardy told it, but I’m betting he won’t. I’m sure he plans to empty his bank account for the fucker in the amount of a quarter of a million. Right?” One and Cal’s mouths hang open as they turn to look at me.

I look at him incredulously. “Are you a ninja? Damn. Here, he’s right about the amount. Something about confidential information about Erica and me. Oh, and Walker.” Their eyes snap back to me for more explanation, so I give them the low down.

“So we have no clue what he has?” Cal asks immediately.

“No, none. But Walker does. He paid less than me, but the point is, gentlemen, he paid.” I finish my beer as One picks up his phone.

“Hey, baby. We’re good. Would you mind giving me Kipton’s number? We have a situation. No. I’ll program it at this time, babe. Thank you. I think we’re good. Hardy’s going to empty his bank account to get intel on his life from a stranger. It involves Walker also. A quarter of a million. I’ll tell him. Okay, in the morning. I love you, you know that? Good. I’ll be home soon.” One smiles at his phone as he ends the call. He looks up to find all three of us grinning ridiculously at him. “What? She’s badass.”

“Yeah, we heard.” We laugh as he continues.

“Yeah, my badass is also a quarter of a million short. It’ll be there first thing in the morning. I’d expect more, to be honest.” He holds his hands up in defense. “No, don’t try to argue, she’ll just cry, and I’ll have to junk-punch you. Take my wife’s money.” I sit, stunned as they laugh.

“Wait. What?” I fight back the tears.

“Listen. Keep her money, use your own, but don’t think for a second if she didn’t, I wouldn’t have. You’re family. It’s about you now more than Thayer. You have a right to know about your life. It's bullshit someone else knows before you.” I acknowledge him with a nod of my head while he calls Kipton.

We find out Kipton had hired Chet Norwood to check into my background in Charleston when they thought I was missing. The information being shopped around is Lea’s anyway. He’s going to try to get it, but he’s pretty mad he was duped.

I text this guy, Chet, and arrange to meet him the next day. Trouble is, he knows everyone in Thayer’s family, so he might not want to deal. One calls Aksel.

Aksel shows up on his Harley, wearing a leather coat. He fits the part of my kind of friend, even if he does work for his parents and is worth as much as One. I find it funny. Lea’s my kind of person. One and his family never treated her differently; why did I ever think they would treat me differently? I’m such an asshole.

Climbing onto the back of Aksel’s bike, we head out to meet Mr. Chet ‘Dirtbag’ Norwood. My backpack is stuffed with hundreds of bills. Aksel has one also. The bank flipped shit when I started stacking it in them. It still makes me chuckle.

Pulling up, no one is here yet. I told him to meet me at Still Creek. Appropriate, right? We dismount and lay the bags at our feet between the bike and us. For the first time, I feel uneasy. If Aksel gets hurt, Lea will kill me. Fuck, I shouldn’t have agreed to this.

“Aksel?” Glancing over at him, he looks back at me.

“Yeah, Uncle Hardy?” Damn. Now I get it. I never could understand when One said that he gets all kinds of warmth inside when his kids call him Dad. It’s a special love only a few share. At this moment, I know he’s my nephew, and he loves me.

“If something goes down, I need you to hit the ground. Okay? If you get hurt or worse, killed, it would finish me, man. So eyes open.” He nods.

“I love you too, dude.” He smiles wide.

“I love you; I’m sorry I never told you before.” My chest aches from this kid’s smile.

“It’s okay. Mom was just like you, but look what Dad’s love did for her. Believe in it.” Shutting my eyes tight, I fight off the tears until I hear tires on the gravel. Snapping them open, I know this is it.