Page 91 of Hard To Love

In a split second, all the doubts I had about this plan rushed back paralyzing me. I should have known that a man like Brad who spent every day sifting between fact and fiction would see through this sham. I studied his face and I could clearly see the look of a man who thought he was being fucked with. My eyes shot to his in a panic.

“Brad, I can explain.”

“Did he know that I was picking you up tonight?”

His comment caused me to pause while I tried to work the words out in my head. I didn’t go to all this trouble for nothing. I was determined to give it my all. Even if it killed me.

“I may have mentioned it, but it really doesn’t matter, because he was just dropping off a key. It’s not a big deal.” I lied giving this shit show one last

ditched effort. Because really, what other choice did I have?

“Do you trust me, Emily?”

I took in a deep breath and released it, and tried to fight the panic that crawled its way through my system. “Um…Why would you ask me that?”

“I’m not going to lie to you. I’m thrilled that you’re no longer with him. I deal with ego-maniacs like him all the time and I’m concerned that he may not be as over things, as you think he is.”

The concern in his eyes told me he was sincere, but it was the tone he used that had me nervous. “Brad,” I interjected but he held up his hand urging me to stop. I braced for his next words because I was sure I wasn’t going to like what he had to say next.

“Please, hear me out. In my line of work, you develop a sixth sense about people and I don’t think he’s the kind of guy you think he is. Guys like Chase only care about one thing. Themselves. Trust me, the less you have to do with him the better off your life will be. You have to make it clear to him that you’ve moved on.”

“Come again?” I asked, puzzled by where this conversation was now going.

“Let me take you to Pulse tonight. Once he sees us together, he’ll assume that we’ve reconciled and then he’ll have no other choice but to back off. Trust me when I say this, Emily, he’s bad news and not someone you want to be associated with. He’s not like me and won’t just sit home drowning his sorrows in a bottle of whiskey because of your break up. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s already moved on to his next victim.”

Something about his words really struck me. Either he knew something that confirmed for him that Chase was a bad person or he had convinced himself that that was the case. Still, something about his tone made me wonder if maybe I didn’t have all my facts straight.

But none of that mattered, because I didn’t like the direction our conversation was headed.

“I really don’t see the need to make a grand entrance tonight at Chase’s club. I’m sure he isn’t giving me a second thought.”

He leaned back in his seat and stretched out his long legs. “Do this for me.” He closed his eyes as if he were weighing his next words carefully.

“I know you, Emily, and that man is no good for you. You may be naïve enough to believe that he’s over you. But I’m not. I’m trying to help you. He’s dangerous and he’s no good for you.”

“Fine,” I said feeling backed into a corner. Chase was going to go ballistic.

After the waitress came over to take our order, I excused myself and went into the bathroom. I needed air. I needed to fucking breathe. I pulled my phone out and shot Cassie a text telling her what was going on. I paced back and forth in the small bathroom, waiting for her reply. After what seemed like forever she responded.

Holy shit! What can I do to help?

My response was quick.

I need you to meet me there. And bring Liam and Jack. We may need all the muscle we can get when these two come face to face.

I slid my phone shut then stuffed it in my purse. I needed to get out of here. The more I thought about things, the more worked up I got. I swung the door open just in time to see another text from Cassie.

I’m leaving for the club now. See you soon. Don’t worry, I got you covered.

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