He hesitates before he takes it. “What’s this?”
“I know it doesn’t come close to paying off Benny’s debts, but I’m begging you to convince your boss to work with me. This is all I can afford right now, but I promise to make regular payments until it’s paid off.”
Marcus is silent as he opens the envelope and thumbs through the money.
“It’s $7,000,” I state. My stomach sours at my words. That’s the entirety of my savings account after making the payment for Benny’s rehab.
After a few moments, Marcus replies with a hint of regret in his tone. “I can’t guarantee my boss will be happy about this.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. “Please, Marcus,” I whisper before locking eyes with him. “I’m doing all I can. Benny is back in rehab now. I need you to convince your boss to be okay with it.”
Breaking my gaze, he looks down at the cash. When he looks back at me, the person staring back is the sweet, goofy kid who convinced me to give him a chance all those years ago. But now, his expression is filled with sadness, and I can’t tell if it is for me or himself. “I’ll see what I can do, Oli.”
I nod, because if that’s all I can get, I’ll just have to trust him and hope for the best.
14
Nate
Since finding out that Olive left for a family emergency, little else has been on my mind. We were in Cincinnati for the next concert, and I barely remember anything. I was going through the motions, but was distracted and distant. Ian questioned me a few times but gave up when I didn’t give him any information.
When I asked Cade for Olive’s number, he refused to give it to me. Which I didn’t love, but I understood. I settled for him agreeing to provide me with any updates he receives.
Climbing the steps to board the plane, my stomach dips when I hear a familiar voice greeting Ian. I jog up the last few steps and step through the doorway.
Olive stands a few feet from me with a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. My heartbeat picks up as she turns herhead away from Ian, and her dark eyes meet mine. They widen briefly, flashing with emotion.
I close the distance between us and quietly observe, “You’re back.”
Her chest rises as she breathes deep. “I am.”
“Is everyth-”
We’re interrupted as the pilot, who yelled at Olive a few days prior, steps out of the cockpit. I narrow my eyes at him as he walks toward us.
“Sir.” He nods at me in greeting. My only response is to continue to glare at him. He fidgets uncomfortably at the severity of my stare.Good, he deserves it.Averting his eyes from me, he addresses Olive. “It’s good to have you back.”
I glance over to find her watching me rather than the pilot as she replies, “Thanks, Stan.”
Without another word, he pivots away from us and returns to the cockpit.
Olive is eyeing me curiously. Before I can say anything else to us, Cade joins us. “Mr. Carson, can you please take your seat so we can take off?” Cade’s eyes jump between Olive and myself. “I’m sure you two can find time to catch up later.”
I steal one more glance at Olive before doing as he requested and take my seat beside Ian.
“I see your girl has returned,” he teases.
“Thank god,” I mumble under my breath.
He laughs. “Thank god for all of us. Maybe now you can get your head out of your ass.”
“Doubtful.”
Restlessly, I watch Olive move about the cabin, looking for an opportunity to talk to her more. A shift in her energy has dimmed her spark, but not her beauty. She’s just asgorgeous as when I last saw her. Our kiss replays in my mind, and the need to do it again gnaws at my insides.
Inhaling deeply as she passes by, her scent fills my lungs. Closing my eyes, I relax to the sound of her sweet voice as she speaks to Jenny and the others.
“Damn it!”
