Page 65 of Chasing Storm
“He’s going to be fine.”
“Good. Now sit. I need to set you boys up with Storm. I know she has her reservations, but…”
“Wait,” I say. “Storm is seriously pissed off with us right now. Christopher Montgomery stuck his oar in, and now she thinks we were only after her to get JP’s final trust when he turns thirty.”
“And why would she think that?” she asks, her shrewd eyes narrowed with something akin to anger.
“Because Christopher made her think that. It’s not true. This all came upafterwe decided we wanted to be with her. But JP delayed in telling her and got stung. Badly. And all of us in the process.”
“Yes, I can see that this especially would rile Storm up like nothing else. She is very peculiar when it comes to money.”
“Peculiar, how?” I’m intrigued.
Exasperated, she says, “She is obsessed with making it on her own. She won’t even take a safety net from her father and me. I worry about her. And then, of course, she fell in with the Robbs, and we all know they’re drowning in debt…” She takes in a deep breath and plasters a smile on her face. “Never mind that. How can I help?”
“Give me ammo. As much as you can, that will fix this. You know we are right for her.”
“I do. Okay, here’s what you need to do.”
I listen intently to her plan, my eyebrows going up as she lays it out play-by-play. She’s really thought about this. Or, probably, she knows Storm that well, she doesn’t need to think. That’s how well I want to know her.
An hour later, I’m on my way back home, armed with our last shot. If this doesn’t work, we are fucked. Well and truly fucked, because there is nothing left in the tank.
All we can do now is go over there and do what Gloria has instructed and hope to fuck Storm sees the truth and lets us in.
Once and for all.
40
STORM
Iwake up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window. I groan and roll over, my head pounding with a dull throb. I'd been crying all night before I fell asleep. My eyes are puffy and dry. My pillow is still damp with tears, but I have to get my act in gear. Today is the day I start at my parents’ practice in my new—temporary—job.
Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves; the anxiety nearly makes me groan. How could I be so stupid to fall for the guys? I knew, and I stayed away, but then a few kisses and a pretty song later, I’m falling into the pit of despair I knew they’d cause me.
“Fucking wankers.”
JP has some fucking nerve trying to use me to get his money. How dare he treat me this way. Or anyone, for that matter. He deserves to have his cock fall off like I originally wanted.
Growling, I get up and stumble to the bathroom, my head still pounding. I quickly pee and brush my teeth before washing my face. I run a brush through my hair, practically scalping myself with the vigour brought on by the sheer anger I feel. My heart races in my chest, and I try once again to steady my breathing. I don’t want to end up having a mini panic attack again like I did after the incident with the pushy arsehole, but not only that, I need to prove to myself and my parents that I’m capable of taking care of myself. I won’t be taking that date to meet my mum’s first-choice guys. Not now. I’m too heartbroken to even contemplate dating anyone right now.
After getting dressed in a smart work suit, I hastily make myself a packed lunch and grab my travel mug for my coffee. I slip my feet into my trainers and shove the high heels into my bag. I have a twenty-minute walk, which I’m not doing in heels. Wolfing down some toast, I grab the handle of my bag, swinging it over my shoulder, and I head out of the door, praying that none of the guys are lurking, hoping to convince me to change my mind.
Not a chance.
I walk quickly and with purpose, luckily not coming across anyone I know and breathe out a sigh of relief when the practice comes into view. I pick up my pace. I’m out of breath and a bit sweaty by the time I shove the door open and hurry across the waiting room, feeling the sereneness of the space wash over me. I quickly stop to change my shoes and then march up to the counter where Miriam is already sitting, waiting for me with a big smile. Nothing like Sadie. I won’t miss her sour face, but I feel a pang over Cheryl.
“Come through,” Miriam says. “Dr Gloria is out on concierge today, and Dr Stanley is operating all day, so it’s just you and me.”
I return her smile and duck through the door. I’m almost relieved my parents aren’t here to hover over me. At least now I can get the first day over with and move on.
Miriam shows me to my desk and says, “You’re a godsend. I loathe invoicing, and I hear you’re a whizz with it. Here.” She hands me a stack of folders about as tall as me. Grunting, I drop them on the desk and knock over a photo.
“Sorry,” I murmur and straighten it, only to grimace at it with menace. A fucking Cockapoo is glaring back at me, almost as if it knew I’d knocked the picture over.
“Can’t seem to get away from the fuckers,” I mutter.
“Hmm?” Miriam asks. “Oh, that’s Sadie, my Cockapoo.”
