Page 91 of Chasing Lynda

“I wish y’all stopped coddling me and treating me like a goddamn baby!” she snaps. “So it was ok for Dodge to marry that skank to get his trust fund and help the family out, but my trust fund isn’t good enough?”

Carter shakes his blond head, throwing a sideways glance to his bestie. “You’re right about that. We all told him he was a dipshit for even thinking about marrying Chrissie. Thankfully he dodged that bullet.”

Both twins roll their eyes in unison and the resemblance between them is truly uncanny.

“So what you’re saying is that Dodge’s trust fund was good enough to save the day but mine isn’t? And you say you aren’t coddling me? You know I love each of you guys like brothers.” Her eyes stop on Bennett for a second longer than the others, if I didn’t know how she feels about him, I’d have missed it. “But sometimes you can be a bunch of stubborn, patronizing assholes.”

Dodge doesn’t look offended by his sister’s statement. “Whatever. So you do admit that this whole thing is a sweet but fucking misguided attempt to help out Dad?”

Callie shakes her blonde head. “Yes and no. Look Dodge, I might’ve signed up for the app with the intention to see if I could get married before the end of the summer and get that trust fund. But to be honest, I wouldn’t do it just for the money. I’m just weighing my options right now and I swear I won’t do anything stupid. I really like this guy or you know I’d never waste my time with him. What’s the harm in seeing how things go? If he turns out to be the one, wouldn’t it be awesome to also help our families?”

A muscle in Dodge’s jaw is ticking as he looks at his sister. “No. That’s fucked up, Cals. And I hope you understand that I’m going to call Dad right this second and tell him what you’re up to. I don’t give a fuck if he’s at a party convention.”

Callie sighs. “You’d be wasting your time. Dad knows what I’m doing and unlike you, he trusts my judgment.”

“Goddam!” Dodge slams his fist on the coffee table, wincing in pain since it’s his injured side. “So he did put you up to this!”

She folds her arms over her chest, the stubborn light in her eyes matches her brother’s. “He didn’t. He told me what was going on, assuring me that the money for my start up company was secure. When Denise told me about the app, I thought why not? Like I said, I’m not going to marry someone just for the money. But if the right guy came along, would it be so terrible if I saved the day too? After all, I’ve always found guys our age boring for the most part.”

She throws another glance at Bennett but he doesn’t react.

Dodge’s lips are set in a grim line. “Just promise me that you won’t do anything stupid, Callie. That you’ll ditch this or any other guy if there’s even the tiniest red flag.”

Callie runs to hug her brother, before running out of the room. “I will, Dodge. I love you.”

***

Carter

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THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE room lightens just a little as soon as Callie leaves.

Dodge runs a weary hand over his face. “Fuck, I don’t like this one bit. At least when she was dating in our immediate social circle, we could warn her against losers.”

Zane chimes in. “Well fuck, maybe that’s why she decided to try that app?”

Dodge immediately chastises him. “What the fuck, dude? Whose fucking side are you on?”

Zane’s expression is serious, as he reassures our best friend. “You have to admit that we might’ve overdone it in the past when it came to keeping an eye on her.”

I agree with Zane. “He’s right, dude. You name one guy she’s seen or been interested in since high school that we approved of.”

Dodge doesn’t look repentant. “Is it my fault if no one is good enough for Callie? You all know how sweet and generous she is. I don’t want her to be hurt or taken advantage of.”

Lynda speaks up for the first time since she entered the room with Callie. “But maybe by scaring off all her dates, you aren’t helping her or protecting her as much as you think. Trust me Dodge, being inexperienced and being babied by everyone around you can backfire even more than getting hurt once or twice. Even if you do it because you love her. I think she’s trying to get your approval and your father’s at the same time, while she’s also trying to live her life. I know firsthand that it’s very hard. Just try to make her feel like she doesn’t have to work so hard at least when it comes to you.”

I’m impressed by Lynda’s maturity and that she seems to speak from experience, if I am trusting the tinge of sadness in her soft voice.

Dodge looks as awed as I am by Lynda’s insight. “I—shit! I think you’re right. I know my father is a selfish asshole, but I feel terrible if I made her feel like she has to act a certain way to earn my love and respect. Callie is literally a part of me and I’d jump through fire for her.”

Lynda’s smile softens as she perches on the arm of the couch next to Dodge, letting him pull her closer for a side hug. “I understand that, Dodge. And there’s nothing wrong with beating the shit out of whoever even tries to hurt her. Just let her make her own choices though. It isn’t like she’s engaged to her billionaire, right?”

We all look at each other, in awe with how sensible and compassionate Lynda sounds. I’ve liked her from the first time I saw her, but the more I get to know her, the more I’m aware that if she doesn’t choose me, I’ll be nursing one hell of a broken heart.

Bennett’s chuckle pulls me out of my reveries. “Come on guys, we have a party to go to, not a fucking funeral. Callie is an angel but we’ve always known that she has daddy issues. At least she was dressed conservatively and wasn’t flaunting her ass to the app billionaire with her usual short skirts.”

I know what he means, Dodge’s father has always presented a veneer of old-fashioned values to his constituents; and Callie has always rebelled by dressing provocatively as a cry for attention.

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