Page 48 of Rumor Has It

I’d like to believe my bestie and I share everything. Though, I abruptly become possessive of my personal life. I want to keep the memories I’m making with Isaiah hidden. And that feels significant.

Chapter Nineteen

ISAIAH

“That bruise will fade in a few days. Otherwise, you are the picture of health,” the doctor wraps his stethoscope into a figure eight and tucks it inside his medical bag. “I can write a prescription for the pain.”

“It’s not bothering me too much,” I reply, tugging my tee back on.

Refusing the doc’s offer is easy. Plenty of industry friends have checked into rehab after getting hooked on prescription pain relievers. My shrink is weaning me off anti-depressants and anxiety meds. He warned me about mixing my pills with alcohol when I started taking them.

The drinks I’ve shared with Cassidy are about as much as I’ve imbibed since the summer. Monty, being Monty, replaced my favorite craft beers and mollified me with six-packs of Mountain Dew and Monster Energy during our late night gaming sessions. A slippery slope by themselves, the only other thing that makes my heart race faster is the woman downstairs.

I’d like to enjoy a glass of wine or a bourbon with the meal today, and Cassidy doesn’t need me drunk and disorderly.

Between her reasons for bolting from the Sanchezes and me falling through the ceiling, I’ve done enough to embarrass her. Public appearances matter, and I control what I can of that. However, a year ago, I didn’t really care what anyone thought of me on a personal level. I relied on my PR team to be in charge of my image. Wanting to fit in and make a good impression for her sake is strange.

Although it could also be for my sake, seeing as I’m pulling out all the stops for Cassidy now, knowing I’ll need her forgiveness later.

I escort the doctor out to the landing and thank him for coming. He descends the staircase as a familiar female face dashes up the steps. It takes me a moment to place where I know her from.

“Hey,um, aren’t you Cadence theKnock-out!girl,uh, lady?” I ask the woman.

“I think the word you’re searching for is host. I heard you were kicking around here somewhere.” Cadence winks, looking beyond me to Cassidy’s bedroom with a coy smile.

Pins realign in my brain like a locking mechanism on a bank vault.CadenceWalsh. Like Walsh Security, the company that handles surveillance both at Kingsbrier and at my house in Nashville.

Cris and Jake. Bellamy and Gatlin. Gatlin’s father is a former pro-football player. Gatlin once mentioned Cadence was also his cousin. So, don’t I feel stupid? Cadence’s mother is Colette Strand, the supermodel, who eloped with a security company CTO.

Given the company the Cavanaughs keep, it’s no fucking wonder I can be just Isaiah here. But I regret not falling further down the rabbit hole, clicking on the “people also search for” link under Gatlin’s internet profile.

“Gracyn called you to patch the hole I made in the ceiling. I don’t know if I’m impressed they hired a celebrity expert or mortified.” I slap my forehead.

Cadence chuckles. “Refurbs are my forté and I’m consulting, which is a fancy way of saying, ‘ya gotta get a load of this’.”

I lock my jaw and cringe.

“Don’t worry. It could’ve happened to anybody. We’re glad you weren’t hurt worse, and it seems like Cass is taking good care of you. Anyway, the Tudor is special, and it’s old. Uncle Eric and Uncle Colton’s crews did most of the B&B’s remodeling. They are far more experienced than I am, but I’ll probably stop in to see the progress once the plastering work begins.”

“Then I guess I’ll see you around.”

Cadence exits to inspect the mess I made and I hear my name called from the bottom of the stairs.

“Good morning, Isaiah.” Gracyn is in the foyer, picking apart twisted ornament strings. Meanwhile, she tells her fathers where to place a tall, full Douglas Fir they’re squeezing through the front door.

A third man with salt and pepper hair—who I presume is her husband, Joe, given their interactions—is busy setting up several round tables. I’m certain beyond being the innkeeper, Gracyn taking charge is normal for everyone.

I prefer staying on her good side, so I stop to talk when she asks how I’m doing today. Having to wait for Gracyn’s approval, the three other men surround us, joining our conversation.

I shake Joe, Adam, and Cassidy’s dad’s hands.

Colton Cavanaugh is less weirded out that his younger daughter isn’t present for the introduction than I am. When I mention needing to find her, with the slightest hitch in his gate, Colton offers to help me search. I only take notice because Cassidy’s dad lost his leg before she was born.

“The doctor gave you a clean bill of health?”

I step lightly. “Yes… The confusion my assistant caused… I don’t mind paying for the repairs—”

Colton cuts me off with a shake of his head. “Two thirds board majority. Daveigh, Adam, and I already settled the matter. That’s what insurance is for. Just don’t let the rockstar mentality go to your head and start spray painting the walls of your suite, jumping on the mattress and breaking the bed, or causing any more damage. After everything you’ve been through, we’re glad you’re comfortable staying here, but this is our house. The home we grew up in. The place we’re trying to create lasting memories that carry to the next generation when we’re gone. If you treat our hospitality at Christmastime like Kingsbrier is a truck stop on the way to the next destination, you’re welcome to stay at the seedy motel between here and the highway. Get my drift?”

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