Page 7 of One Billion Reasons

Jonah frowns. “So she didn’t say anything to the press.”

“Like you said, it has to be her father. Amanda approached me about the marriage. Said she needed it to prove to her father that she could take over the family business.” I shrug. “I’ve known her since we were kids. She’s nice enough. She’s someone I could bring to investor dinners. No more worrying about me being a player, right? It would have been good for business. The way you’re nodding is not flattering.”

“Well, your reputation is shit.”

“So is yours,” I shoot back.

“Yeah, but I’ve always been an asshole. Your asshole tendencies are new. People are noticing. And you’re getting worse.”

After the accident, he doesn’t say. He doesn’t need to. I can pinpoint the day I became a different person.

My dad’s death. The accident. Then my mom wasting away. Everything went to shit, and something inside me snapped. I can’t find my way back to the man I was before, and I don’t want to.

“Listen.” Jonah sighs. “I don’t care if you’re a dick, as long as investors know we can honor the principles we advertise. Loyalty. We don’t fuck people over. Once you get in bed with Kings Lane, you know we’ll do right by you.” He looks at me intently. “I’m not doubting you, but other people are. This article says you betrayed her trust and her family’s. That’s a direct quote from her father. And a pretty big accusation.”

I slump. “I know.” I’m the public face of Kings Lane, since Jonah is far too abrasive to do it.

My phone rings, and my eyes flick to the display. An unknown 212 number. Probably an investor. Or our PR firm, here to help clean up the fallout.

Jonah stands and scoops up the paper. “Fix it. We’ll talk later.”

George will pick up in one more ring if I let it go unanswered. With a sigh, I lift the phone.

“Miles Becker.”

“Miles. It’s Catherine Peterson.”

My whole body goes taut. Catherine is selling the tiny strip of land next to my parents’ house in Montauk. I need that property. Possibly more than I’ve ever needed anything. It’s a small parcel, with just a little shed and some woods, but it means more to me than she can know.

“Catherine, hi. Nice to hear from you,” I say smoothly. “Did you get my latest bid for the property?” I submitted it a week ago and I still haven’t heard back.

Catherine sighs. “I can’t sell to you.”

“What?”

“You know I’m close to Amanda. Come on.”

“The article isn’t true, Catherine. You know that. She’s already getting married to someone else. The guy she wanted all along.”

“I don’t trust you, Miles.” Her voice is hard. “You were willing to fake a marriage to get ahead. Yes, I know about that. Amanda told me it wasn’t real. And your reputation is shit.”

I open my mouth to protest, but she keeps going. “I mean it already was before the engagement. It feels like you’re in the news every week for some underhanded tactic or other. I heard a rumor you bribed someone to break a deal off with Mark Taylor just last week. I should sell him the land just to spite you.”

Fuck. Not Mark. The man who hit on my mother at my father’s wake will not be buying the land my father dreamed of owning.

“You can’t.”

“I can, and I’m tempted to. I used to like you, Miles, but now? I don’t know who you are anymore. And I don’t trust you. I’m not selling you anything.”

“Catherine. What do you want from me? Anything you want. Name it, and it’s yours.” I’m not above bribery, though I don’t think it will sway Catherine. I’ve known her for years, and she’s stubborn as they come. And oddly principled for someone with such a shitty family.

“Anything?” I can almost hear the wheels turning. She gives a short laugh. “Okay, Miles. Come to Amanda’s wedding then. Put your pride aside. Show me you’ve changed. Show me you’re loyal and trustworthy. Show me you respect something other than money and your petty feud with Mark. And then I’ll sell you the property.” Her tone makes it clear she doesn’t think that will ever happen.

“I’ll see you there.”

I hang up with a press of the button when I want to throw the phone across the room. Fucking Mark. And Amanda’s awful father. And Catherine.

Things used to be simple. Hang out with Liam on the weekends in Montauk, surf, party, ignore the lust I felt for his sister. Build my business, make my father proud. But now? Lane hasn’t spoken to me in two years, my father is gone, my mother is finally eating again after nearly dying, and Mark fucking Taylor is about to steal the piece of my father’s memory that I’ve been trying to get my hands on for years.

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