Danny put his elbows on the table, hunching forward. “Obviously you don’t have that kinda money. But your sister Grace does. Or rather, her boyfriend. Dane Knightly probably has 200kin one of his slush accounts as we speak. He’s the type to pay for problems to go away. Pay me off, and I’ll never see Piper or Ollie again. You can have them.”
Darkness feathered at the edges of my vision. I placed my hands flat on the tabletop. Weighing my next words.
“It’s bad enough you lost Piper. I’d almost feel sorry for you if I didn’t know it was completely and utterly your fault. You had the most beautiful, intelligent, passionate woman and you fucked it all up.”
“Piper’s always been a whore, and she always will be.”
I slammed my fists onto the table, making the whole booth rattle. Heads turned again. Danny’s face flushed red, but I wasn’t finished.
“But for you to talk about your son that way? Like he’s a thing to be bought and sold? You’re pathetic. I’m usually too cynical to believe in karma. But I sure as hell hope it’s real, because when it comes for you, you’re going to wind up a smear under someone’s boot.”
“Is that a threat?”
“You’re not even worth it.” I pushed out of the booth and walked away.
The door to my truck slammed shut behind me, testing the old hinges.
My fist wanted to hammer the dashboard, but that would just risk bruising my knuckles and breaking my poor old Dodge.
Fucking Danny Carmichael.
I’d met some worthless pieces of shit in my life, but he was gunning for first prize.
Danny didn’t come out of the bar, and I didn’t see anyone else go in while I sat there.
Who was Danny supposed to meet tonight? Had the person stood him up? Or seen me and taken off?
I wasn’t even sure if it mattered. Either way, I wasn’t sticking around here any longer.
But instead of driving out to my place, where I belonged, I drove to Piper’s.
Her street was dark and quiet, despite how close it was to Main. Dim light shone through the front blinds of her place.
I pulled out my phone, remembering I’d asked her to text earlier.
Piper
We’re home.
What about you?
Yoo-hoo, helloooo? Grayden O’Neal, where are you? So you fool around with a girl and then ghost her? Harsh
Me
Sorry. Had something to take care of
Something more important than texting me?
Not really. Just got distracted. Glad you’re home safe. Ollie had a nice time at dinner?
Nice enough. He’s excited about the trip with Callum tomorrow
There was a pause while I debated what to write back. Then Piper wrote again.
Maybe I’ll see you this weekend? Another day pass?
With a groan, I dropped my head back against the head rest.
