Page 45 of Wright Kind of Trouble

We stepped outside and into the warm spring air. Summer was fast approaching, and already, it was heating up. I was just glad dust storm season was mostly on the out.

I sank into a cushioned chair and ducked my feet underneath me while Chase dropped down across from me. For a few minutes, both of us were silent. It wasn’t even uncomfortable. I kept glancing at him. My heart and body were trying to remind me exactly how attracted I was to him, and my brain was saying, Whoa, whoa, whoa! Don’t go there again!

“So, your parents,” I finally said.

“Yeah.”

“You’re not answering Annie about it. Or Ashleigh?”

He kept his gaze on the glittering reflection of the pool. “Just didn’t want to make a big deal about it.”

“You realize not talking to anyone about it makes it a bigger deal?”

“Guess I see that now,” he said with a shrug.

“And you’re not unbothered.”

He turned to face me, and my cheeks heated at the intensity there. “My dad cheated on my mom enough times that she finally had enough. They were working on their marriage after the last girl, and he promised he wouldn’t do it again. But he obviously did it again because he’s a narcissist.”

“I’m sure he did. Speaking as someone with a narcissistic father, I can say, he’ll always do it, and it’ll always be someone else’s problem. I’m proud of your mom for finally breaking away.”

He pushed his hand into his hair. “Yeah. I’m glad she’s leaving. I don’t know how she’s going to survive him.”

“She’ll have you,” I said as if it made all the difference.

His expression changed as if he’d never thought of that.

“My mom had me. I had my brothers. There are people to lean on, Chase. You don’t have to tackle the world alone.”

“Sometimes, it feels like it,” he admitted.

“Well, you could answer your phone when your sister and best friend call.”

“I answered when you called.”

My heart rate picked up. I wet my lips and broke the stare. “You did.”

“There’s another problem.”

I glanced back at him. “What’s that?”

“I’ve been working for the company.”

I furrowed my brow. “Sinclair Realty?”

“Yes.”

“But aren’t you working at the law firm?”

He blew out a harsh breath. “Honestly, I’d always had this idea that, eventually, I’d take over the company. But then I got into law, and I was working with Kai.”

“Kai?”

“My partner. He moved up here from Houston with me. His wife is from Clovis. So, it was good for them, too. Not completely selfish, but I thought I’d be doing that for another decade before I wanted to start working for the company.”

“And that’s a problem?”

“Well, I’m working with my dad.”

---