Page 92 of Until Then

“Sorry. Keep going.”

“Anyway.” Hayley gives my brother a bemused look, then faces the camera again. “Noah was blindsided by this man—my father—extorting Noah with threats to his career. He was told he would never be able to work with Holston Films if he continued seeing me.” A flush of red creeps up her neck as her temper flares. “That’s how much Shane Holston doesn’t want my existence known.”

“Wildfire” I whisper to the dark. Pain is in her eyes, her voice. I want to hit Shane all over again.

Hayley clears her throat and barrels on. “Noah tried to end the meeting. What you saw was a good man trying to excuse himself from a toxic conversation. Shane followed him, grabbed him to get him to stop, said, frankly, disgusting things about me, and Noah reacted.”

She closes her eyes for a breath. “Noah will be the first to say he doesn’t condone violence, but he’s also human. He has . . . he has the best heart I’ve ever had the privilege of loving. What he did was in defense of me, and I . . . well, I just wanted people to know the other side. Cameras and rumor tabloids don’t tell the whole story.”

The camera shifts a bit as Rees moves.

Hayley’s shoulders rise and she opens her hands. “Well, that’s about all I wanted to say. I’m not being paid to do this, Noah has no idea.”

“Pretty sure he’s going to be pissed at us pretty soon,” Rees mutters.

“Probably.” Hayley nods. “I wanted to speak out because a good friend told me earlier, sometimes bullies like Shane Holston never learn until they’re brought out into the sunlight. I won’t let a man who will never be able to deserve the title of dad bully a man who is worth everything to me.” She looks like she’s about to wave goodbye until she stops. “Oh, and if anyone wants proof he’s my dad, I have pictures. A birth certificate?—”

“You’re not sharing your birth certificate,” Rees interjects.

“Right. Probably a bad idea.”

I laugh softly and press a palm to my chest. She’s so not accustomed to this life, yet there she is, stepping into view of millions, my own battle champion.

“Pictures then. He was there for about a year of my life, and his mom—my cute grandma—even more.” She glares at the phone. “As for you, Shane. Grandma Mim would be ashamed of you. I know I am. You’ve lived up to every disappointment I could ever imagine. That is your legacy to us, and it always will be.”

“Good?” Rees asks in a whisper.

Hayley nods. “Yeah, I’m good. Thanks for listening, everyone. Again, Noah will want me to say don’t punch people.” She lowers her voice. “But as for me, I’m saying ladies, get you a man who’s willing to stand up to anyone for merely speaking poorly of you. Ten out of ten, highly recommend.”

The screen recording stops. I fall back on my bed.

The woman is infuriating.

She’s perfect.

She’s mine.

A smile splits over my mouth.

When I step out of my room, showered and dressed, I find my brother and future wife lost to a rousing game of chess at my kitchen table.

Hayley nearly falls out of her chair when I sneak up behind her and kiss her cheek.

“You’re awake.” She beams up at me.

“Yeah. Woke up to my phone blowing up.” I shoot a glare at my brother. “What were you thinking, Regina?”

“I’m thinking your girlfriend had a really good idea.” He rolls a pawn between his fingers. “She didn’t want to let you take the fall without the full story, and I happened to agree.”

“Please don’t be angry at Rees,” Hayley says. “I didn’t let it go.”

“She asked me once.”

Now, Hayley glares at him, before squaring to me. “It doesn’t matter. I needed to confront Shane. Honestly, I should’ve a long time ago. He’s done interfering in my life, and I’m certainly not going to let him mess with yours. Consider the video my version of a punch to the nose.”

“I checked with Blake first,” Rees said. “You know. I wanted to make sure we didn’t hurt your case if the slimeball comes at you legally. We were assured if it’s on my account, with you nowhere to be seen, you really can’t control what people say on their public platforms.”

“But your clients.” I look to Hayley. “I don’t want this to put your business, your ranch, at risk.”

---