Page 152 of Repairing the Wreckage

I can’t deny her that chance. I want to protect my girlfriend, but I can’t do it by treating her like a little kid who can’t make her own decisions.

Dread slows my steps as we approach the front door.

Last time, I was here alone. I made friends in the house but never shook the feeling of impending betrayal.

This time Molly’s at my side. I trust her completely.

We’re going to get through the reunion. Together. As a team. Then we’ll collect our money and go the fuck home. Put this chapter of our lives behind us once and for all.

The door opens before we have a chance to ring the bell. Jordan’s mustached face greets us.

“Did you get demoted to butler?” I ask. “Why’re you answering the door?”

“Good to see you too, Stonewall.” He opens the door wider then drops his gaze to our empty hands. “You don’t have an overnight bag?”

“It’s in the car.” I jerk my thumb over my shoulder. “I’ll grab our stuff later.”

“Very well.” Jordan won’t even look Molly in the eye. Guilty conscience? Is he the one responsible for the Kiki storyline? Or did that come from higher up?

I need to chill.

“Well, you’ll be staying in your old room if you want to show your girlfriend?—”

“Molly. My name is Molly,” she says in a firm tone, forcing Jordan to acknowledge her.

“Yes. Right. Molly. Nice to finally meet you.”

“Is it?” she asks.

I bite my lip. Damn, she’s comin’ in hot and I fucking love it.

Jordan takes a deep breath. “I’m sure you have mixed feelings about being here. But the SUF family appreciates your attendance. I think you’ll be pleased. We’ll be able to set the record straight tomorrow about a couple of matters.”

I don’t know whether to be happy or terrified.

“A few things.” Jordan claps his hands together. “Naptime, Kiki, and the other ring girls won’t be staying here tonight.”

“Aw, shucks.” I pull a fake sad face to go with the sarcastic comment.

A hint of a smile twitches under his mustache. “People are still arriving. You can give Molly a tour of the house if you’d like. We won’t be doing any filming until a little later.” He leans in and lowers his voice. “All the cameras have been removed from the private quarters.”

“All of them?” I ask.

“Yes. Tonight is just a low-key get together.” He gestures to Molly. “And to give the families a little behind the scenes look.”

Molly nods and lets her gaze wander around the foyer.

“I’ll leave you two. If you need something, just let me know.”

“Thanks.” I rest my hand on Molly’s lower back and guide her toward the kitchen and the hallways behind it leading to the bedrooms.

“I like the kitchen.” Molly waves her hand toward the long island with a prep sink in the middle and a row of tall stools on the outside. “I’d like a counter setup with stools like that in our house one day.”

Such a simple request fills me with happiness. No matter her mixed feelings about this weekend, she’s still planning our future. “Yeah? I thought you wanted to live in your grandparents’ place?”

“We could always remodel the kitchen one day.” She shrugs. “Or not. If you don’t want to stay in Johnsonville.”

I frown at the suggestion. “Where would we go?”

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