I choke on my next bite. “Wait, what? Why would he care? I don’t belong to him.” Though I don’t want that kind of relationship, it’s not Nick’s business. Even if I did, Ethan’s like a brother to me.
“Because Nick has to be in control of all things, all the time.” He stays quiet for a few moments. “Even if that wasn’t the case, please don’t take everything I say seriously. I’m a shameless flirt. It’s just who I am. I don’t ever mean to offend you.”
I honestly don’t think I’d ever have to worry about him overstepping my boundaries. He’s been the most genuine person I’ve met since my mom.
“No offense taken. You couldn’t handle me anyway.” Except I am offended—by Nick. He can’t tell someone they can or can’t touch me. That’s my decision.
“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Rivers. I can make some of these wild broncs out here look like circus ponies.” His lady-killer smile is on full display and I can’t stop laughing at him.
“For more than eight seconds?” I tease, more relaxed and carefree than I’ve ever been. I once thought I would have to walk on eggshells forever. Just being here is healing my battered soul.
“A solid six if it’s bareback riding, eight seconds if it’s saddle bronc. The saddle takes the fun away.” He puffs his chest out with pride.
I nearly spit my tea out at his response.
We laugh and talk through the rest of lunch. I finished everything on my plate, and now I’m headed to bed for a nap. Ethan took Squeak to find her mom, or a mom to care for her until she’s old enough to be away from her. I’m sad about it, but I know it’s for the best. I can still visit her every day as long as I am here.
I’m nervous about meeting the therapist this afternoon. I’m not sure what I’ll tell her since she doesn’t know my real identity. If I tell her about how I killed my son of a bitch father, she will certainly put two and two together.
I grab the phone from the dresser. I have a text from Nick.
9:08 a.m.- Don’t forget to use Emily as your name with the therapist. I’ll be expecting a call from you tonight at seven o’clock sharp. Let me know when you get this message.
Then there’s another.
11:12 a.m.- Did you get my last message? Text me back to confirm you understand.
Before I can respond, another one pops up.
12:13 p.m.- Your read receipts are on. I can see that you’ve read my messages. Answer me, cupcake.
Impatient much? I’m tempted to turn my phone off but decide it’s best if I go ahead and respond. He might call Ethan if I don’t and I want to take the nap he so graciously offered me.
I send a quick reply and click the phone off before he types back and sees that I read it. Part of me wishes he was here, but another part of me is glad he can’t boss me around in person.
At least this way I can put the phone down if I want to ignore him. Tonight when I call, I’m going to ask when he expects the job to be done so I can start classes.
I can’t use my original transcripts, I’ll have to ask Nick to forge more documents for me. Doubt creeps in on whether or not it’s a good idea for me to have him do another favor for me, even if I do offer to pay him back, this could be part of a plan to get me so indebted to him, he can enslave me for good.
No. I’m not going down that spiraling tunnel—Stop thinking that way.I shake my head, repeating my mantra subconsciously. This is an opportunity for a fresh start and better future for me.
This is my life. I’ve always found a way to earn my keep. I’ll kill him if he tries to keep me under wraps.
Chapter 16
Nick
I spent half the morning driving back to my office in Gulf View. I hated to leave the farm and I’m ashamed that it’s taken me so long to visit. I stopped in to see mama before I left.
I’ve got to go back to work now, Mama.” I lean over to kiss the top of her wrinkled head.
My heart constricts seeing the strongest woman I know age into fragility.
“Please come back soon, I miss my son.” She peers up at me and grasps my hand in hers.
Her watery blue eyes threaten to drown my soul. Only a bastard would leave her like I have. I built my entire adult life in Gulf View, I could always move my practice to Louisiana, but I know Mama wouldn’t want that. She needs the version of me she gets when I escape that life.
She wasn’t having a good day. Her memory was ok, she just didn’t want me to leave so soon. I tried—once again, to convince her to come back to the beach house, and once again she declined.
