Crawford ruffles my hair. “We’re brothers. I was never going to leave you high and dry, Salinger. We’re family. We take care of each other, always.” He holds up the tablet. “And now, may I present Mandy’s stalker? Don’t worry—I’ve been tailing him, keeping an eye on her for you and making sure she stays safe.”
“I could fucking kiss you.”
“Please don’t.”
I grab Crawford and give him a noisy kiss on his forehead anyway.
“Great, now I need a tetanus shot.” But he is smiling at me.
My other brothers pile on Crawford, patting him on the back.
“Fucking legend.”
“The GOAT right here.”
Crawford shakes them off. “He’s Jaxon Pendleton of the renowned Pendleton family.”
“Trust-fund kid, right?” McCarthy inspects the photo.
Whitman nods. “Grandfather started a big pharmaceutical company. All his descendants suck from the teat of the trust fund.”
Jaxon’s twerpy face stares back at me from the screen. “Fuck. That’s the guy after Mandy?”
Crawford flips through several photos of Jaxon watching Mandy.
I snarl. “I’m going to crush him. Where is he?”
“By the magic of GPS…” Crawford flips to another screen then goes still. “Ah shit.” His gray eyes meet mine. “Jaxon is headed to Mandy’s parents’ house.”
43
MANDY
People are talking, but it sounds like Charlie Brown’s teacher, all muffled. I can’t comprehend what they’re saying. I’m consumed by my living nightmare.
Jaxon. Here, in my parents’ house, with my family. Dating my sister.
My stalker wraps an arm around my little sister’s waist, all the while maintaining eye contact with me.
I want to curl up and howl at the glee in his eyes.
“I don’t believe it!” Amy yells. “You’re lying, Lauren. You don’t have any proof.”
“Jaxon and I staked out Kenny.” Lauren is triumphant as Jaxon holds his tablet up.
I recognize the building in the video. It’s near Salinger’s penthouse. Jaxon’s been watching me this whole time.
“It’s amazing what you’ll find when you bother to look.” Jaxon’s grin widens.
“Don’t you think it’s weird that a grown man has time to stake out someone?” Kenny protests desperately.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but go Kenny.
“Jaxon has a trust fund!” Lauren shoots back.
Amy’s lower lip is trembling. “You said you loved me.”
“It was a mistake, Amy,” Kenny assures her. “That woman didn’t mean anything. I do love you—I love the new family we’re creating. I made a mistake. A man can’t make a mistake?”
