Page 88 of Chasing Xander
“What the hell?” Xander threw his hands up in the air.
She glanced at him over her shoulder and gave him an apologetic shrug. Then she got in the car with Jules.
Once they were on the road, Jules turned to her. “So, you and Xander?”
“Yeah, I don’t know.” She laughed nervously. “We haven’t really labeled our relationship. It’s complicated.” Kylie took a deep breath and looked out the window.
“Of course it is. He’s a Collins.” Jules laughed. “I know we don’t know each other, but if you need someone to talk to, I’m here.”
“Thank you.” She had no idea what to make of Jules’s offer, but right about now, she would take all the help she could get. Jules pulled into the hotel lot and parked next to Xander.
“We’ll wait down here, but make it quick.” Tanner gave a stern look. “Dad’s already going to be pissed we’re late.”
Xander rolled his eyes and muttered something she couldn’t understand. They walked through the lobby and took the elevator to their rooms, neither of them speaking.
He stopped in front of her door. “Sheriff Rick told me you were at the jail to see your father.”
She hung her head. “I had to.”
“But you didn’t have to come see me?” There was a sharp, accusatory edge to his tone. He shoved the key card into the lock and motioned for her to go in.
She lifted her head. “I had to convince my father to do the right thing and not pursue his claim that you assaulted him.” She exhaled loudly. “I made a deal with him.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What kind of deal?”
She shifted on her feet and refused to meet his gaze, knowing he wouldn’t be happy about what she’d agreed to do.
“Kylie, what deal?”
“I agreed to give him all the money if he told Rick that you didn’t attack him.”
“Fuck.” Xander turned his back on her and took a few steps into the room. “Did you already do it?” He spun back around, his dark eyes angry.
She shook her head. “I told him I’d call Mr. Stanton later today and start the process to transfer everything to him.”
“The hell you will.” He put his hands on the door on either side of her head, his face inches from hers. “I will not let you give up your inheritance to that drunk, no-good piece of shit. He doesn’t deserve it. He doesn’t deserve anything. He wished you were dead, Ky.”
She swallowed hard. “I told you. I don’t care about the money. I care about you, and I didn’t know what else to do. It was my fault you were arrested, and I needed to do whatever I could to get you out.”
“Well, I’m out now, and you’re not making that call. I won’t let you.”
“You can’t stop me.” Her heart raced, and she licked her lips, worried she wouldn’t be able to change his mind. But it wasn’t his choice. It was hers, and she stood by the deal she made.
“You’re right, I can’t, but I’m begging you. Please don’t do this. Please just talk to my dad first. I know he can help you.”
She put her palms on his chest. His hard body beneath her hands was warm and familiar. “Why do you care so much?”
He covered her hands with his. “Because this money can change your life. Think of the freedom that it will give you.” He brushed his lips over hers, leaving her wanting more. “I’m sure your grandmother worked hard to save up that much money, and she wantedyouto have it. Not him.”
She chewed on her lip, contemplating what he was saying. Everything he said was true. This money would change her life. She could buy a car and not have to rely on him or anyone else to drive her around. She could get an off-campus apartment like she and Celeste had talked about. She could pay her tuition and not have to graduate with massive student loan debt.
“If Nammy Joyce were standing here in front of you, what would she tell you to do?”
Her lips twitched into a smile. “She’d tell me I was crazy for even considering it.” She sighed.
“Then don’t do it.”
She nodded. “You’re right.”
