“Like I’m complicit,” I choke out, my tears falling again. “That’s why I need to know everything—to do something—so I can face him again.”
“Babe.” Her tone softens, her frustration giving way to that tender side she has. “You are in no way complicit. You were a kid. You had no part in your father’s operations. Whatever happened back then has nothing to do with you. But leaving Chaz this way—with some cryptic note. You know that’s not right.”
“Nothing about this is right.” I want to scream. I want to rewind time. “What would staying accomplish when I can only give him words and no retribution?”
“Is that what you think you can accomplish?” she balks. “Justice for Chaz?”
“Yes! Maybe. He needs someone to be held accountable.”
“Listen to yourself. Do you honestly think there’s a snowball’s chance in hell that Theodore Townsen will let that happen? What do you imagine him saying?Oh,I’m so sorry, Chaz. I’m responsible for your father’s heart attack. I’m a terrible person and business owner; I spend every dayregretting my choices and wishing I had done better by your father.That’s never going to happen, Lex. Your father’s not about to have a Scrooge moment.”
“Okay, you’ve made your point,” I say, my chest tight. “He’d never go that far. But I can still get his admission. I have to. Chaz has never had acknowledgment of any kind—none. He lost his dad! He’s spent twenty years loathing a man who’s never been taken to task, who just keeps getting richer and richer on the backs of people like his father. And I’ve been a part of that.”
“You are taking this on because of a guilt that isn’t yours,” Jordyn says firmly. “Instead of chasing closure you’re never going to get, you need to turn your car around. Go back and tell him the truth. He loves you, Lex. I’m not saying it’ll be easy or all rainbows and sunshine right away. This is some complicated, crazy shit, but I don’t believe Chaz is going to blame you for your father’s wrongdoings. Hewillblame you for leaving, though.”
I’m so tempted to do what she’s saying and head straight back. I know what I’m risking. As the Chicago skyline looms closer, I make my choice. I have to do this. I have to stand up to my father—for Chaz.
“Fuck!” I scald my tongue on the hot coffee and slam my mug down. The steaming java sloshes over my fingers in retaliation.
“With all your coffee experience, that still happens?”
I shoot Dice a glare. He’s sitting across the café table with one eyebrow cocked and his dumb smirk set at full throttle. I’m pissed off and not in the mood for his ribbing or anything forthat matter. The hiss of the espresso machine, which I usually find comforting, is making my head throb.
I’ve kept my shit together all morning. I served my customers with a plastered-on smile that threatened to give me lock-jaw. As the hours tick by without a single text or call from Lexie, my hope starts to slip away like sand through my fingers.
“Sorry, man.” Dice’s grin falls. “Just trying to keep it light since you don’t wanna talk about it.”
“What’s there to talk about?” I wipe my hand on the napkin, remembering all the notes I’d written her.
“The truth thing she mentioned, for one. That sounds serious, bruh.”
“Obviously, it’s serious. She didn’t leave like this for no reason.”
“So, what do you think?”
“I don’t know,” I say, taking a more careful sip this time.
“You must have some ideas.”
“My head’s full of all kinds of shit, but I’m not going to start speculating and make myself crazy. She said she’ll be back in a couple of days to explain.” My fingers brush against the ring in my pocket. “I just have to trust her.”
“You’re a better man than me.”
“That goes without saying.”
Dice chuckles, low and short.
“Fuck, Dice, I don’t get it,” I mutter.
“I know, bruh.” He shakes his head, sobering.
“And I can’t get a hold of Soph,” I add, my frustration mounting. “Her location still shows her at Chloe’s, but why isn’t she answering my calls? She should be heading home by now.”
“You know how girls be getting when they’re together. Probably lost track of time. Don’t take on more stress, man. Come out to Docks later for a drink. I heard Lot might be there.”
“You need backup?” I laugh, but it’s hollow and flat.
“You’ve been my wingman before.”
