Page 76 of Rhet

“Penny doesn’t knock,” he replies.

We both look at each other. “Shit.”

I close Dante’s bedroom door behind me and run downstairs.

I pass my hands over my hair, fix my t-shirt and open the door. Rhet is standing there about to knock again “Good evening? Rhet, no offense but what the hell are you doing here?”

“I’m wondering the same damn thing actually,” he mummers to himself.

We both stand at my door watching each other in silence.

Rhet is sexy in a suit, but the ash gray Henley and black jeans he has on are a perfect combo.

“Did you need something?” I lean on the door and hold the knob at the back.

“Um, I need the report for the Smile for Miles event.” He rotates his pinky ring on his finger.

Someone shuffles behind me. The door at my side opens wider as my mother who was sleeping moments ago stands in her pink house dress.

“Why Jared Banner is that you? Did you come to see my husband? My mom smiles broadly at Rhet.

Rhet stares at her with his eyes wide open.

“Ma this is Rhet, not Jared. He doesn’t know a Jared.” I should wrap this up and get her back to her chair.

“Actually, my grandfather’s name was Jared. My dad and I look a lot like him,” he replies as he takes in my mom.

“Oh, well, you’re the splitting image of him, come on in.” My mom opens the door wider for him to enter.

“You knew my grandfather?” Rhet asks, still standing on the other side of the threshold.

My mom nods her head. “I sure do, my hubby plays football, and Jared is his assistant coach”.”

“She has Alzheimer’s, I am so sorry. My dad played football in the 80’s.” I hold her shoulders trying to turn her away.

My mom brushes my arm away. “What brings you here?”

“Um, actually Rhet only came to pick up a report.” I leer at my mom

I take a quick deep breath. This is starting to feel all sorts of awkward. Let me nip this in the bud quickly.

“I would love to come in,” he says, watching me.

Okay, now I’m confused. “You would?”

He pushes pass me, making sure his arm rubs against my body as he enters. “Yes, I would.”

Suddenly I think to get the pictures of Dante down. I scramble into the living room, and I do just that.

RHET

What the fuck am I doing here? Dax is going to have my head for this shit.

One minute I’m driving to my bar. The next minute I’m calling Julian to get her address. Then I drive myself, cursing all the way to her house.

I need to know that no one hurt her. That’s a lie. I want to see her.

For God knows what.

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