Page 83 of Myself

“Ah, yes. My soon-to-be ex-wife called me and informed me of that. Seems that both of our kids are ignoring her.” I nod. “I told her to go fuck herself.”

I run a hand through my hair. “It’s getting too much for her. Becca is a sensitive person, and I’m tired of seeing her cry.”

“I’m taking care of it,” he says.

“Are you sure?” I ask.

His eyes narrow on me. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that shit just keeps happening. There’s been this big secret for four years now, and all of a sudden, everyone knows?” I shake my head. “Vicki said that her mother talked about it all the time. Who else in this town knew Conner was being paid to be with her?”

“I don’t know,” he snaps. “But I’m going to find out.”

I stand. “Well, when you do, be sure to let me know. I’m really getting tired of surprises.” Then I turn to walk toward the door.

“Speaking of no more surprises ...” He trails off, and I stop.

“What?” I ask, looking at him over my shoulder.

“She told me that she’s moving in with you.” He arches a brow. “When were you going to tell me that?”

“Probably the same time Ryder was going to tell Ashlyn that he is planning to buy Talia’s,” I snap, pissed off at the entire situation we have found ourselves in.

I walk out of his office and down the hall. I stop at Ryder’s office and walk in without even bothering to knock.

He stands behind his desk; papers scatter the black top. He holds a paper in his right hand and a cell between his shoulder and his ear. “Yes. I agree, but ...” He nods. “I know,” he growls. “I made the call. Now, I’m just waiting to hear back...” He looks up to see me. His eyes are still bloodshot like last night, and I notice he’s still wearing the same clothes. “I’ll take care of it.” Then he drops his shoulder; the phone falls from his ear and hits his desk with a thud.

“Bad day?” I ask.

He lets out a frustrated breath. “Fuck this day,” he snaps.

I plop down in the chair in front of his desk. “Drank a little too much last night.”

“Not sure how much I had,” he says honestly.

“Enough to want to fuck a woman in the bathroom,” I say flatly.

His head snaps up, and he looks at me wide-eyed. “I did what?”

I hold up my hand. “You didn’t do it. Just tried.” He falls down into his seat and lets out a long breath. “You really remember nothing?” I ask, leaning forward and placing my elbows on my knees.

He shakes his head. “I woke up this morning on my office floor with a pounding headache and smelling like booze,” he says.

I sniff the air and pull my lips back. “You do stink.”

He snorts. “That’s the least of my worries.”

I sit back, wanting to tell him about the phone call last night when he speaks. “Then my sister shows up yelling at me about how I should do business.” He huffs. “Like she knows what she’s talking about.”

“Did she make sense?” I ask him.

He shakes his head. “No. She doesn’t know what’s going on here, and I don’t have time to explain that to her.”

I nod, letting that slide. “And Ashlyn? How is that going?”

“It’s over,” he says again.

“You didn’t seem that way last night. You were checking your phone every two minutes.” He snorts. “Then you were willing to go to the bathroom with that woman like you were a man trying to forget another.”

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