Page 67 of Smooth Talk

Chapter 31

Grayson

“What’s going on Pres?” I say as I round my desk and take a seat behind it. She looks upset. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her cry before, even when we were kids. Something about that screams, not normal. I’ve learned my lesson from her type in the past, distance and barriers are good things. How she knows where I live is beyond me. She’s never been here before, my residence isn’t listed publicly, and she’s not on my approved guest list. I wasn’t notified by security; visitors have to be buzzed through the gate. How is she here?

I hear her sniffle; she’s taking her time with this. Time, I don’t have. I could be in bed with Poppy right now. I could be spending this afternoon with her and Harper. Instead I’m sitting here with a whiney, rich brat who’s snotting all over my brand-new leather armchair. Okay, that isn’t completely fair. Yes, Pres is spoiled and used to getting her way, but whatever has made her so upset, has to be huge if she’s here and bawling this hard.

“I’m so sorry Grayson, I didn’t know. I am such an idiot.” She must’ve done something terrible if she’s starting with an apology. Pres tries hard to never be wrong.

“Didn’t know what? Why are you sorry? What is going on Presley?” My patience is deteriorating quickly.

She sniffles again then wails out two words that no man wants to hear (especially from a woman he’s not currently in a committed relationship with). “I’m pregnant!” Her sobs grow louder and louder. My thoughts jumble in my head. I shake it quickly and start making a timeline. Presley’s pregnant. The last time she and I were together I wore a condom; she’s on birth control. I know accidents happen. It’s a statistical possibility. Wait a second. That was 10 months ago. There’s literally no way! Just as I’m preparing my denial, she waves me off.

“It’s not yours.” Then how is this my business? Once she sees the look of confusion on my face, she quickly adds, “It’s Jamie’s. He left this morning.” She starts crying again, pulls a folded piece of paper out of her bag and hands it to me to read.

Dearest Presley,

I can’t stay. I’m only putting both you and the baby in danger. You know what I did, and I’ll always regret the choices I made. I can’t stand the disappointment in your eyes every time you look at me. I’m so sorry. Sorry I ever involved you. I never intended to fall for you; once I did, it was too late. I know I hurt you, but I’m leaving to protect you. Please believe that I’ll always love you. Both of you, more than anything. I can’t tell you where I’m going, it would only put you at further risk. I will always be grateful for your love and kindness. I hope someday, you’ll forgive me.

Love always,

Jamie

P.S. Check your safety deposit box. Trust no one.

What the fuck kind of Dear John letter is this? Better yet, who the fuck is Jamie? What was he involved in? What did he involve Pres in? Who is she in danger from? How does any of this involve me? And what did he leave in the deposit box? I didn’t realize I was talking out loud until I heard Presley answering my questions.

“Cannon’s the only one that knows. Well, and you too, now. I kept our relationship a secret from my parents.” She breaks off on a sob, “I can’t believe he did it. Once he told me what he’d done, I knew he couldn’t stay. But I just thought…” She breaks off again. I still have no clue who she’s talking about; thankfully, she’s not too distraught to pick up on my confused expression. “James Blalock, the manager at Willow Creek Bank and Securities.”

Shit, I’ve just been so wrapped up in all the other stuff in my life, I forgot Cann telling me about them. I nod my head, so she knows I understand who she’s referring to. “James, Jamie, was my boyfriend; my fiancée.” Well, that was fast.

“He was more than okay with keeping things quiet for a while; said he didn’t like all the attention dating a senator’s daughter gave him. Which made me like him even more because everyone I’ve ever dated was out for what they could get from me; most of the time it’s a piece of Daddy’s spotlight. I thought he’d liked me for me. If I’d known…’ she hiccups loudly, and I push a box of tissues toward her. ‘Oh, God, I fucked up so badly.

“I found out I was pregnant about a month ago, and I was worried Daddy wouldn’t approve of him, you know? Worried how I’d look— the senator’s unwed, pregnant daughter; he’s gonna run for president someday. He’s always said I need to find a man that can take care of me. A man with prospects. Well, I fell for a man without any. Without honor or integrity. Without anything at all as it turns out. His real name isn’t even Jamie Blalock!” She hiccups again.

Okay, Pres is pregnant; her fiancée is apparently a liar and a deserter. But I’m not seeing what either one has to do with me.

“Pres, just breathe. Talk to me; tell me what happened and start at the beginning.” I grab a couple bottles of water out of the mini fridge and pass her one. I have a feeling we’re going to be here for a while.

She chugs half the bottle, before putting it on my desk. “Okay. I met Jamie at a fundraiser. I bumped into him trying to get away from Georgia Tate, you know what a bitch she can be.’ I nod so she’ll continue, Georgie is one of those women who’s cruel just for fun. ‘Well, he caught me as I stumbled, and we just started talking and really hit it off. He drove me home and called me for a week straight until I finally said yes to dinner. It was the best date I’d ever been on. We had this amazing connection. Soon, we were inseparable. We talked about everything. I completely trusted him. He asked me about diversifying my assets and showed me some investments I might be interested in. Half of my money is in that bank. I gave him a little to play the market with and he doubled it. So, I gave him more.”

Shit, I really don’t like where this is going. “When was this?”

“June, a couple weeks after the Gala.’ She looks down at her lap, cheeks flushing. ‘Sorry about that by the way. I wasn’t myself that night.”

“I know; no worries.”

“Thank you. I felt like I was out of control, like I was going nowhere. Then I met Jamie, and he was just the perfect man, G. Everything I’d ever wanted. And when we found out we were expecting, he was so excited. Everything was perfect… until two nights ago.

“He got a phone call just before we went to bed and left the room to take it. When he came back, he was clearly shaken up, but said it was nothing to worry about. There was a problem at the bank, and he’d fix it tomorrow. Oh God, Grayson!”

She bows her head again, and I wait for her sobs to lessen. “I didn’t know; I swear! I thought everything was fine. We were making plans for our future. He was gonna move in with me; we were gonna get married. We were gonna have dinner with my parents yesterday and tell them everything together and leave on our babymoon this morning. And those plans are fucked now! How could I have been so stupid?” I don’t like where we’re heading; I need to know everything.

“What happened Pres?”

“I swear Grayson if I’d known… He just seemed so perfect,’ she keeps using that word. Obviously, Jamie was not perfect. ‘Someone who’d never do anything wrong. So sweet and thoughtful. He wanted to take care of me, of us.’ She says, looking down and rubbing her belly. ‘He didn’t have to do it. I have so much money, and I would’ve given him all of it if he’d asked.”

Okay, now we’re talking about money. Did he steal from her?

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