Page 77 of Stay with Me

Reminisce

“Unbelievable … Right here, you admit to your wrong,” I say to myself as I circle the statement in red.

I rub the back of my neck as I read over the documents in front of me. There’s always something. It’s like people make up their own rules and then get mad when they get caught violating someone else’s IP.

So many times, I’ve had clients watch and wait for the stolen work to make money before they have me swoop in. After all, who wants to pay me to go after nothing. I sigh and squeeze at the building tension in my neck.

A knock sounds on my office door, causing me to look up. I find my sister standing in the doorway. I’m not expecting her, so I’m a bit confused to see her here.

I’ve been trying to get through these documents before Knight shows up to take me home. I place my pen down and look at the clock. I’ve missed lunch.

I kept telling myself one more page. My stomach rumbles in protest, demanding I get my butt up and find something to eat.

“I hate to bother you, I just needed to get out of the house and clear my head. You have a minute?” Saga says as she steps inside.

“For my big sister, of course. You want to join me for lunch?”

“Sure, my treat.”

“Cool, let me close things up here, and I’ll be right with you. Was Mike at his desk?”

“He was on the phone,” she says.

I roll my eyes. I swear he picks and chooses who to announce. However, looking more closely at my sister’s face, I’m glad he did let her come on through.

Picking up the pace, I put the files away and grab my purse from the drawer. I pull Saga into a hug as I get to the doorway. She sags into me, and I know something is wrong.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

She shakes her head, but no words come out. Wrapping my arm around her shoulders, I lead her out of my office. I hate seeing my big sister upset.

“Mike, I’ll be back in an hour. I’ll call if anything changes,” I say as we walk by his desk.

He waves and nods. I hold onto my sister and wait to pry into what’s going on. Afternoon drinks might be in order.

We make our way to my favorite bar and grill and are seated right away. I stare at Saga as she holds her gaze down on the menu before her. She looks lost for a moment. I can’t imagine what has her like this.

“I’m going to tell you this because you’re my sister. I’m not ready to say anything to anyone else because I’m not sure of the facts. I’m trying not to jump to conclusions, because if I’m wrong, Bishop will be devastated that I gave up on him.

“I’m not giving up. I … I just need to process what’s going on. Tabloids are one thing. This is something else.”

“Saga, what’s going on? You’re scaring me.”

“You remember the woman I was telling you about? The one the band brought in to work with Bishop on a few songs.”

“Yeah, what about her?”

“She approached me today while the band was warming up. She mentioned something Bishop and I haven’t discussed outside the two of us as if he’s been pillow talking with her. My first thought was to go off on Bishop, but something told me to calm down first, so I came to you,” she explains.

“Is there any way she could have found out about it any other way?”

She blows out a breath and knits her brows. Then she shakes her head. My heart sinks. My brother-in-law has always come off as such a good guy, and he loves my sister more than anything. I’m having a hard time thinking he could ever step out on her.

“I don’t think so. We haven’t told anyone, but we’ve been trying to have another baby, but it’s not happening as easily as having the boys. I’ve been a little depressed about it. Bishop says I shouldn’t worry so much. It will happen when it’s supposed to.”

She pauses and licks her lips. “Why would he share something like that with her of all people? How could he break my trust like that? I want to believe something else is going on, but …”

“Listen to me. Take a deep breath. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for this. First, you need to talk to your husband. Then, we need that heifer fired and away from your life and family.

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