"Is that how it's going to be?" he asks. "You're going to play hard to get?"
"I don't want this." I stare into his eyes. "Let go of me."
"I will when I'm ready to."
"Help!" I scream. "Someone help me!"
It's the loudest I've ever screamed, and enough to make Chad let go of me and back away.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Go." I walk to the door and open it. "Get out!"
He meets me at the door. "You want to fight me? I guarantee I'll win. I'm smarter than you. Richer than you. And I know all your secrets. I could destroy you, Brook." He pauses, his eyes on mine. "But I won't. Because a part of me still loves you. And I know you still want me. You're just confused. Everything will be good once you're back at Haverhill."
"Chad?" I hear my mom's voice in the hall. She appears in the doorway, smiling at him. "I thought that was you. What a nice surprise."
"Good to see you again, Ms. Turner." He gives her a big smile. "My mother misses you at the spa."
"Oh, believe me, I miss it too," she says, going past him into the apartment. She sets her purse down and turns to Chad. "I haven't had a spa day since we moved."
"Perhaps you two you could go next week. I'm sure my mother would love to treat if the cost is an issue."
"That would be wonderful," my mom says, looking at Chad like she'd date him herself if he was older. If she only knew how he was acting before she got here. Insulting me. Attacking me. She wouldn't believe me if I told her. She thinks he's perfect. Everyone does.
"Are you free on Sunday?" he asks.
"I believe so," my mom says. "Why do you ask?"
"Chad has to go," I say. "Don't you Chad?"
He ignores me and talks to my mom. "My parents would like you and Brook to join us for brunch at the club."
"That's very nice of them, but I'd feel odd going back there, given what happened."
"Don't worry about it. Everyone understands. Half the people there are divorced. They know what it's like." He leans toward her. "And between you and me, there are more people on your side than on his."
"Really?" she asks, her brows rising.
Chad's totally playing her and she doesn't even realize it. I didn't either until I got away from him. Now I see what a manipulative liar he is, and how he'll do and say anything to get what he wants.
"People were shocked that he'd leave you for a woman who is practically his daughter's age," Chad says. "It's not right."
My mom sighs. "I'm sure it was some kind of midlife crisis."
"That doesn't make it right." He touches my mom's arm, which makes me cringe. "You're a beautiful woman, Ms. Turner. You deserve so much better."
"I may have already found it," she says with a sheepish smile. "I don't know if Brook told you but I'm seeing someone."
He nods. "Canton Mayfield. Is that correct?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
"You know how word travels at the club. Penelope saw you at the benefit last night."
"Yes, that's right. We spoke briefly." My mom's beaming. She loves that people are talking about her again, and not in a bad way like they did during the divorce. Now they're talking about her because they're jealous she's with a guy who's probably close to being a billionaire, if he's not already.
"I think you and Canton make a great couple," Chad says. "I hope it works out."
