Madi was the kind of woman men fought over. She’d never settle for a man like me.
Not that I wanted a wife, two and a half kids, and the white picket fence. I didn’t. Even if I did, and I wanted them with Madi, it wouldn’t matter. She was too good for me.
“She deserves better than me.” I hadn’t meant for those words to fly past my lips, but they were the truth. Madi deserved someone who could love her without fear. Someone who could say the words without choking on them. Someone capable of giving her the forever she wanted.
I couldn’t. I’d locked my heart away to keep it safe from the pain of losing another person I loved.
Everyone leaves, eventually.
My words hung in the air.
Jamie and Jay took their sweet time blinking but didn’t respond.
Jamie, ignoring my admission, finally cut the tension in the air. “You’re not qualified to investigate, and I, we, won’t risk the company’s reputation. You already crossed the line when you became her fake boyfriend. Be happy we’re not benching your ass.”
I nodded. I had to wonder how successful they’d be benching me when John was the one who’d assigned me to Madi. A fact that’d only protect me while I was on my best, most respectful behavior.
“Stay in your lane,” Jamie held up his hand to stop my protest. “Report back what you see—”
“I won’t betray Madi’s confidence.” Using her name felt better than referring to her as their sister.
Jamie leaned against his desk. “I’m not asking you to rat on her, Robinson. I’m asking you to share information pertinent to the investigation.”
“Yes, sir.”
“We’ll keep you in the loop, but no more investigating on your end. You going rogue could jeopardize the investigation.”
He’d keep me in the loop?
I didn’t expect that.
I realized I hadn’t had a chance to tell them what I’d learned. “Yes, sir. You should know, Paul recently signed a lease in Weatherford.”
“We know.” Jamie said.
I thought that’d be the end of it, but Jay wanted to play bad cop to Jamie’s good cop. “Robinson, don’t fuck with my sister’s heart or I will be the first in line to end you.”
I fully expected that.
It wasn’t an empty threat.
“Understood.” I had no intention of hurting Madi. She’d made it clear she didn’t want a relationship anymore than I did, so things were good between us.
“You can go.” Jay’s dismissal sounded as if he wanted it to be permanent.
I expected to face challenges at SSI, but never like this.
The only easy day was yesterday.
Chapter 15
Madi
Tuesday was a flurry of activity. Dad picked me up early so we could stop at Grannie’s before heading to the clinic.
Doug was talking to Beth at the counter, so I took advantage and snagged a minute with my mom.
“Hey Mom, you busy tonight?”
