AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When they are both gone, I stare at Tessa. “Seriously, what the hell is going on with you two?”
She laughs. “I know. He’s amazing. But I mean, it’s not serious. I think he was just as shocked to see me here. I had no idea he’d be here when Frank told me that Cash would fire him if I didn’t allow him to deliver you to Bristol, and I wouldn’t let you go without me. But I mean, have you seen Frank?” she asks with big eyes. “The muscles, and the green eyes, and the seriousness—I kind of wanted to disobey him just so he’d punish me.”
I laugh. “I thought you’re with Carter!”
She throws her hand in front of her as she crosses her legs. “Oh, please girl. I’m not with anyone. But Carter does have a way with his tongue, and he’s kind of adorable in his tall boyishness.”
I totally understand what she’s saying.
“Anyway, enough about me. Let’s talk about you. How are you feeling?” she says in an almost patronizing voice, but I know she means well so I smile.
“Oh, you know, for a girl whose mother said she was a hussy who sleeps her way through men until she can find one with the most money, I’m just dandy.”
“She’s a see you next Tuesday.”
Tessa loves that word but she knows that I don’t, so I appreciate the pun. But in this case, I would have to agree. “Yeah, she’s a cunt,” I say to her surprised laughter.
“We need to call Marion. I’m sure she’s already shown up at your apartment looking for you when you didn’t answer your phone.”
I touch my thighs as if looking for my damn phone again. “Oh, right, I don’t have one. And it’s her apartment.”
Tessa glares at me. “No, she deeded it to you so that makes it yours. Just like the company that she’s giving to you.”
Shaking my head, I look down into my coffee. “She can’t do that anymore. Look at the shitshow I’ve created.”
Tessa narrows her eyes. “You didn’t create this. God, when are you going to realize that none of this is your fault and all of us have your back? Me, Marion, Cash. And now Frank and Carter. Frank was incredibly protective of you last night and even Carter seemed concerned.”
I smile thinking of my little tribe, then I remember Cash’s other sibling. His sister who absolutely hates me. “Yeah, that’s until he talks to Cat. The woman hates me, and I’m sure she won’t feel any better now that she’s heard my mother’s lies. I mean honestly, if you didn’t know someone and they were dating your brother and you read what my mother said about me, would you trust her?”
Tessa looks away. “Okay, so she likely isn’t a fan. Who cares? According to Carter, Cash makes his own decisions, and from what I can tell that man is crazy about you. Stop ruining your chance at happiness. You’re a catch and he’s trying like hell to reel you in. Let him! That fisherman is hot!”
I shake my head as a loud laugh escapes my chest. “You’re absurd.”
“Yes. Yes, I am. But you love me.”
“You’re right. I do. But now it’s time to face the music. I need to call Marion, call the lawyer, and then talk to Cash.”
Tessa shakes her head. “I’m so glad I’m not a grown-up. I’m going to go have an orgasm. Maybe two.” She winks as she walks back to her bedroom, and I can’t help but smile.
Chapter 38
Cash
Things are getting more and more complicated. Grace sits on the bed talking quietly into the phone. Her first call is to Marion, and I can tell by the loud voice on the other end of the line that she is heated.
“No, don’t come over. I’m not there, Mare,” Grace says, darting a look at me.
I nod for her to tell the woman the truth. It’s time that everything comes out. We can’t keep hiding in the shadows. Things have gotten as bad as they are going to get.
Legitimately the worst-case scenario has happened. Grace’s life has been splashed all over the tabloids, and because of her mother’s commentary on it, the entire story is going viral.
It’s not every day that a mother gaslights her daughter to the media.
Unfortunately, being seen with Hanson backfired. If she had chosen anyone else, her divorce wouldn’t be front page news. But Hanson, who is as much of an eligible bachelor as I am, makes her a target. It burns my chest because the only reason she did this was to protect me. To protect my reputation. We should have just been honest to begin with.
“Put her on speaker,” I say.
Grace shakes her head, but I grab the phone and do it myself. I’m done with her protecting me. “Hi Marion, it’s Cassius James.”
