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“Don’t bring him into this,” I snap.
“I wouldn’t. The people would. After they hear my side of the story.”
If you’re caught, I’m caught. And you’re not bringing me down with you.
Chase’s words echo in my head, and my chest tightens. I start to feel the walls closing in on me. This is what he meant. And I’ve been a selfish idiot letting him put his own reputation at stake for me. So selfish that I blamed him for abandoning me.
I’m no different than the girl I was in high school. The one who insulted Charlie when she tried out for cheerleading. The one who shunned away anyone trying to offer me kindness because of my own insecurities.
I close my eyes and focus. I’ve spent years grieving the loss of my parents at the same time wondering if and where they are in the world. Why they left me. Why my mother would leave me.
I think about Charlie and her mother. Grateful she still has her. Knowing I could give them more of that bond I’ll never get to have. I could fix everything. My mistakes, her financial burden, save Chase.
I wonder if he’ll wait for me.
I close my eyes, fighting tears. “I have conditions.”
“How many?” Troy asks, being the smart negotiator he is.
“Three.”
“Name them.”
“Who sent you the photo?”
He twists on his heel with his hands in his pockets like he’s discussing a business transaction. “A guy who claimed he’d know you anywhere. No matter what color your hair was. A…Beau Hamilton.”
I scoff. Hell, I’d marry Troy right now just for denying him the payout.
“The money. You would just give it to me?”
He shrugs. “Might as well.”
“Then I’ll accept a third of it. But not for me. You’ll make it out to my friend, Charlotte.”
He lifts a brow then frowns. “Why a third?”
“That’s number three. It would only be fair since we’ll revise our contract to one year.”
He huffs a breath and twists, pacing the space, his shoes clicking the hard wood. “I seem to have taught you well.”
“Do we have a deal?”
He holds out his hand, and I take it. With one firm shake, Troy pulls me against him and crashes his lips on mine before I push him off me and wipe my lips.
“Worth a try,” he says and walks to the door. “I’ll have the new contract drawn up this afternoon and get the wedding date set for next week.”
31
Noah takes the wheel on the drive back to Hideaway Springs from Denver. I’ve got an early practice tomorrow and need to be back here—but Charlie refused to get in the car with my brother.
They stood outside fighting like an old married couple until finally Noah tossed her over his shoulder and put her in the back seat of his car, insisting on driving.
It’s for the best. I’m ready to crawl out of my own skin if I don’t hear something on Pepper soon. Her phone and belongings were still at Lonnie’s when she left.
A million things have gone through my mind. If she’s alright. If she’s alone. If he has her. What he’s doing with her. Does she have my phone number memorized? Will she come back to me? It’s not a question I need answered. Because I will find her and I will bring her back.
My leg bounces up and down in the passenger seat.
