“I can pay for whatever you need to make it happen,” I volunteer, closing my eyes and pinching the bridge of my nose.
“Yeah, I’m sure you can,” he chuckles. “I like it when you throw your cash around, moneybags.”
“Hilarious,” I say, sighing heavily and running my hand through my hair.
Carson is one of the few people in Emerley who knows I have money, and even he doesn’t know the entire story of how I came to have it. I don’t flaunt my wealth, but my trust fund allows me to live comfortably. Well beyond what I earn as a therapist.
“I have one more request,” I say, sitting on the edge of my desk.
“Sure. Lay it on me.”
“When you offer her the car, don’t tell her it was my idea.”
“I can do that. Can you tell me why?”
“I don’t want to get involved.”
“I hate to break it to you, dude, but you are already involved.”
Nine
“Good news,” I announce as I climb up into Ryan’s truck, slamming the door behind me. Turning in the passenger seat, I take him in. The glasses are back.Nice. He’s dressed more casually today, in dark blue jeans, a blue button-up, and brown Blundstone boots. He’s so incredibly handsome, and I don’t think he even knows it. “Do you want to hear it?”
“I would like you to put on your seatbelt,” he huffs loudly, shifting into reverse.
“You’re so bossy.” Rolling my eyes, I pull the seatbelt across my body and clasp it. “Happy?”
“Thrilled,” he mutters, without sparing me a glance. “Tell me your news.”
“Carson stopped by last night and told me I can use his nana’s car until I find something new. Isn’t that great?” I say, shimmying my shoulders. “The car isn’t the answer to all my problems, but it solves the immediate one, and I was so surprised when he offered. And grateful. I’m so grateful.”
“He came here to the trailer. Does he do that a lot?” He rubs a hand over his mouth and across his clean-shaven jaw.
“Um, yeah, sometimes,” I confirm, tilting my head to the side. “We like playing Scrabble together. But isn’t that great news?”
He opens his mouth to answer, then closes it briefly before saying, “Really great.”
“Is something wrong? I thought you would be happy for me.” Biting my lip, I shift back in my seat.
“I’m happy,” he says, lifting the corner of his mouth in a quick smile. “It’s great news.”
“He said it will be ready tomorrow afternoon,” I tell him, raising my sunglasses to the top of my head. “Would it be too much to ask for you to pick me up one more time? If you can’t, I’ll totally understand. I can ask Carson or Riot.”
“No. No, it’s fine,” he says quickly, flexing his fingers over the steering wheel. “Like I said before, I’m driving right by.”
“Good.” Man, he’s miserable first thing in the morning.
“Good,” he parrots, keeping his eyes on the road ahead.
Just like yesterday morning, I connect my phone to his Bluetooth and pull up my new ’90s rock playlist that I made last night. I didn’t think of Ryan at all when I made it. Well, maybe a little.
We drive for a few minutes before I ask, “Did you hear that someone spotted Brian Marshal’s car at the motel out on the highway—twice this week? I wonder what that’s about. Do you think he has a girlfriend?”
“I have no idea.”
“Yeah, Carson told me last night.” I chuckle, shaking my head. Brian is always up in everyone else’s business. It gives me great satisfaction that people are talking about him.
“Did he?” he mutters through clenched teeth.
