Slater: We’re just glad you’re okay. I went over and talked to your crew and made sure they stayed on task today.
Shit. He’d completely forgotten about them.
Axel: Thanks. I appreciate it.
Walker: I’m just gonna throw something out there. And don’t get pissed.
Axel chuckled because that was a guarantee that he was going to be pissed.
Walker: Maisie was really upset that you left.
Walker: I get why you’re upset with her, but you should talk to her.
“Dude, you just don’t get it,” he murmured wearily.
Walker: You once gave me the same advice about Harlow, so…again, I’m just returning the favor.
Axel: I’m not sure I’m ready.
Walker: That’s fair.
Slater: You’ll feel better after a night away and a good night’s sleep. Maybe go out and get a decent meal too. We’ve got everything under control here.
Axel: Maybe. We’ll see.
Axel: I’ll see you guys before lunch.
Tossing the phone down, he thought it was funny—you know, in an ironic way—that neither Milo nor Connor joined the conversation.
“Because those assholes know what they did was wrong.”
But…was it?
The thought hit him out of nowhere.
What if…what if it was all true? What if Maisie was really being used by her family for the sake of a business deal and she had to run away to see if she could make it on her own? Was decorating the resort her first step toward freedom? And maybe because Connor’s family possibly ran in the same social circle…shit.
“Have you ever been desperate, Axel? Have you ever just needed someone to give you a chance or give you a damn break? Do you think I enjoy having to grovel and beg like this? Because let me tell you, I don’t. It’s degrading and…and…What have you got to lose, huh? I get that a bigshot like you probably has no idea what I’m feeling because you’ve never lost anything, but…”
The conversation from the day they met came to mind. He knew right then and there she was dealing with something terrible, but he never would have guessed it was the situation he learned about today.
“I need this job, Axel. Like…honestly and truly need this job. I promised myself that I wasn’t going to bring it up, but…what else are we supposed to talk about? We’re essentially trapped here together, and I could keep making pointless small talk, but this is seriously a matter of life and death. I can’t tell you why, but you have to believe me. Decorating the Lakeview Harbor Resort would…” Pausing, she sighed loudly. “It would completely transform my life.”
And if she truly wasn’t a liar, then he was totally screwed.
“You may not believe it, but you are a dream guy. If my life wasn’t so damn screwed up right now, you’d be my dream guy. Don’t you get it?” she went on. “I told you that first day how desperately I needed this job. Like…life or death needed it. My situation with my family is…well, let’s just say that this job will give me the freedom I need to get away from what’s going on there. It’s messy and it’s awful and…I can’t bring anyone else into it.” Pausing, she met his gaze. “Not even you. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want you or that I regret being with you. I’ve missed you every day since I left the resort. You have to believe me.”
Groaning, he regretted pretty much everything he did after their initial sighting of Bryce. And he knew he had to do something about it.
Now.
Picking up his phone, he called Maisie, but it went directly to voicemail. He didn’t have the guts to leave a message, so he did the only thing he could and texted.
Axel: Hey. I’m sorry. More than you know.
Axel: Call me. Please. I’ll gladly grovel.
He was about to put the phone down when he added one more text.
