Page 213 of The Re-Proposal

“It’s one thing to hate on the boss. Memes and stuff, not much to it. It’s another thing to try and plot harm. Bolton’s a bastard, but giving him that much thought isn’t worth it. The others had their real lives. Their new jobs. Families. Not like me. Not like Winifred. They tried to tell me not to bother. That Bolton wasn’t worth it. But I got sucked in because nothing was working out for me.”

My fists tighten into a solid rock. “I’ve heard enough.”

Clay’s eyes are thrown in shadows. “What’s your conclusion?”

“He’s an idiot. And I’m not dropping charges.”

“Cody, that’s how we got his confession.”

“He could have hurt Clarissa,” I growl. “Glass could have fallen in her eyes. She could have been blind. Then what would he have said? Sorry?”

“Cody.”

“I don’t care what you promised. Tell him to lawyer up.”

I stalk out of the police station before my brother can argue.

Clay follows me into the dusk. “Are you okay, man?”

“Fine.”

“You look about as ‘fine’ as Joel does.”

I wince at the reminder of my foster son who’s currently fighting for his life in a hospital room that I can’t enter.

It’s not that I don’t check up on him. I do. But I’m stuck creeping down the hallway after he’s asleep.

Joel’s cold shoulder is just another reminder of how I let down all the people I want to protect.

“Have you been getting any rest?”

“Who needs rest.”

My brother grabs my arm. “Humans. Humans need sleep. And despite your nickname, you’re not made of ice, Cody.”

“I told you. I’m fine.”

“Are you troubled by the whole anti-fan thing? Or is it Clarissa?”

I whip around to stare at him.

He shrugs. “She’s been in touch with Island.”

“And?”

Clay waits, making me grind the words out.

“How is she?”

“Not well. But you probably guessed that.”

I feel sick to my stomach.

“Why don’t you just explain what you meant by that interview?” Clay suggests. “Just lay it all out and grovel.”

“She didn’t leave because of the interview.”

“Any woman would have been angry after hearing that.”

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