“My car’s in the shop.” I wish Harmony had never sent me to cover this infernal story. There was a time when I thought it would be romantic to go undercover, but this is all wrong.
Her jaw hardens. “I don’t like this.” She gives me a pointed look. “You should’ve told Seth the truth.”
“I know. You’re right. I was planning to come clean after the benefit. I never expected us to come home sooner.”
Realization dawns. “You were going to tell him the truth then because you had no other choice. You knew that when you performed with him, everyone would realize who you are. Especially since your mother is organizing the benefit.”
I shift from one foot to the other. “I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell him. I don’t want to hurt him.”
Flames shoot from her eyes. “Well, let me save you the trouble. I’ll go and tell him the truth right now.” She turns to stomp out, but I catch hold of her arm.
“Wait.” Desperation claws at me. “If you go charging out there and rat me out, then he’ll just go running back to Zoe.” I throw her a challenging look. “Is that really what you want?”
She stiffens before her eyes narrow. “Are you threatening me?”
“No. I’m just asking—begging—you to give me some time to work this out.” I gulp. “I was invisible to Seth back in the day, buthe sees me now.” Tears fill my eyes as I get choked up. “For the first time, he actually sees me. I care about your brother, and I don’t want anything to mess that up.”
“Let go of my arm,” she growls.
I do so and hold up my hands. “Seth’s going through a lot right now, and I don’t want to add to the stress. I don’t think it’s the right time to tell him the truth. If you’d just give me a few more days to work things out?—”
She gets up in my face. “The truth is always the best policy. You say you don’t want to add to the stress? Well, you should’ve thought about that before you lied to him. My brother’s already been hurt by someone he trusts. I’ll not stand by and watch it happen again.”
She charges out of the door, and I go after her.
“Cassie, please. I need to be the one to tell him.”
“You had your chance.”
I grab her arm, but she jerks it away.
“Are you telling me that you’ve never made a mistake? I just want a chance to make things right. I promise I’ll come clean after the benefit. I’ll tell him everything.” As the words leave my mouth, I realize that I’ll do just that—tell him everything. That’s the only hope I have of keeping him.
She throws up her hand. “Enough.”
“I meant what I said. I’m crazy about your brother.” My throat closes as I try again. “I think a part of me never truly got over him. We’re good together. No, great! He doesn’t belong with Zoe. He belongs with me. If only you’d give me a chance.” I’m being tossed over a cliff, and I’m digging my fingernails into the side … anything, to keep from spiraling.
We walk fast to get to the door. When we reach it, I catch hold of her arm again. “Please,” I croak.
She looks down at my hand. I release her as a sinking darkness envelops me. Here’s where it’ll all implode. I wish Icould just pass out like they do in the movies. But no, I’m painfully in the present—keenly aware of every tear of my heart as it’s being ripped to shreds. And it’s my own stupid fault! I should’ve never agreed to go into Axel’s home and pretend to be a decorator. No, it goes way beyond that. I should’ve left the past in the past and not used Axel to further my career. I should’ve taken Mom’s advice and learned to turn the other cheek rather than holding a grudge.
Cassie goes in first, with me trailing behind.
When Axel sees me, a broad smile tips his lips. “You found her.”
“Oh, yeah,” Cassie drawls and then throws me a blistering look.
The sight of Axel’s dad, lying motionless and hooked to monitors, makes my eyes burn.
Axel’s mom is sitting beside the bed. She offers a graceful smile. “Hello. Thanks for helping my son get to me in one piece.”
“You’re welcome.” Fran Cox has always been the epitome of class with her slim figure and regal bearing. It’s not hard to picture her running a dance studio. I’m not surprised that she doesn’t recognize me. I only went to her house a couple of times.
Both gratitude and tenderness wash over Axel’s handsome face. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if London hadn’t stepped in to help.”
Cassie interrupts. “Bro, there’s something you need to know?—”
Axel continues as if she hadn’t spoken. “London has been my saving grace over the past several days. She even offered to perform with me at the benefit.”
