“I can pull a few strings and have the paperwork lined up in a couple of days. How does Thursday sound?”
“For what?” I narrow my eyes. She can’t be saying what I think she’s saying.
“Your wedding.” She gulps back more wine while eyeballing me.
I fold my arms and glare at her. “Let me get this straight. You want me to marry Ash this Thursday?”
She bobs her head. “I’ll organize it all. You’ll just need to show up. How does that sound?” She beams at me, and I examine her eyes, convinced she must be high, but they are clear and hopeful as they peer back at me.
“Like you’re swinging from the cray-cray tree.”
She scowls, opening her mouth to say something, but I cut across her. “I’m not marrying Ash on Thursday, and I sure as shit am not being rushed into it by you. What the hell is wrong with you?”
“There’s no need to be rude, Chad. If you love Ashley, why does it matter when you marry her?”
“Because I haven’t even proposed for one!” I throw my hands in the air. “We’re not even nineteen, and we’re still in college.”
“None of those things matter.”
“Well, how about you don’t get to dictate when we get engaged or married!? It’s our business, and it’s got nothing to do with you,” I snap, seriously riled up now.
“I know it probably seems sudden—”
“Ya think?” I eyeball her like the crazy woman she is.
“I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”
That captures my attention. “Why is it important?”
“I can’t elaborate but it is important. It’s about keeping Ashley safe.”
All my ire evaporates in a puff of smoke as that weirdo trainer’s words replay in my mind. “Is Ash in some kind of danger?” I round the island unit and square right up to her. “If she is, you need to tell me right fucking now what’s going on.”
“I can’t explain until you’re married.”
“You’re legit insane,” I say, taking a few steps back. “Unless you explain, you can go fuck yourself.”
“Chad, please. If you love her and you want to keep her safe, just do this one thing for me. Please.” She drops her guard as she pleads with me. Fear is etched all over her face, and bile travels up my throat.
“Of course, I love Ash, and I always want to keep her safe. If you tell me what’s wrong, I promise I’ll protect her. But marriage isn’t the answer, and I can’t do it now. When I propose to Ash, it’ll be when I have something concrete to offer her. When I can properly provide for her as a husband should.”
“If this is about money, that’s easily solved.” Opening her purse, she rifles through it. She pulls out a checkbook and pen a few seconds later. “Name your price, and it’s yours.”
“What?” My jaw sags in shock.
“Five million? Ten? Twenty? What is it?”
I have never been more offended in my entire life. On my behalf and Ash’s. “Get out,” I yell. “Get the fuck out and stay out.” I’m literally trembling with rage. “I cannot believe you’re trying to sell your daughter. You sicken me. I don’t know what kind of twisted game you’re playing, Pamela, but I’m not buying the bullshit you’re peddling. Get the fuck out of our house, and stay the hell away from your daughter with this nonsense.”
“Chad, please.” She reaches for me, but I move back around the island unit. “It’s not what you think. I’m begging you. Just do this one thing, and I’ll forever be in your gratitude.”
“I won’t repeat myself again. Get out, Pamela, or I’ll call the cops and have you physically removed from the premises.” I point in the direction of the hallway.
“I’m sorry,” she says, shoving her things back in her purse. “I’m panicking, and this isn’t coming out right. If you’ll just let me—”
“Get out,” I roar, grabbing her arm and pulling her toward the hallway.
“Okay, okay.” She wrestles out of my grip, narrowing her eyes at me. “I clearly made a mistake coming here.”
