Page 58 of Invisible String
“Yes, it’s an amateur fight. Unfortunately, I don’t get paid for them. I have a lot of wins. Carlos, my trainer, called me the other day. I’m unsure if I’ve told you, but Carlos has trained me since I was sixteen. I’ve been fighting for quite some time now.” He runs his hands through his hair, shaking water out. “Carlos thinks I’m ready to go pro once I get a couple more fights in.” He shrugs. “We’ll see.”
“Do you not want to go pro?”
“I love boxing, but I’m not sure I would like the attention that comes with it.”
Max shuts the water off and then hands me a towel. Yeah, my broody man, he’s not big on attention or speaking with people.
Max quickly throws on a pair of jeans and a snug black shirt. We’ve made plans for Christmas in July tonight, and I can’t wait to see his reaction. I’ve never really celebrated the holiday in July before, aside from taking advantage of sales.
“If you ever decide to go pro, I’ll always cheer you on.”
Thunder strikes, causing the house to tremble. I guess the storm coming in is like a winter storm with no snow for us.
“You look beautiful.” He flashes his white teeth, his gaze fixed on my green summer dress.
An hour later, Max left for the store. I’m unsure for what. He said he’d be back soon before the storm hit.
I pressure-cook a perfectly seasoned roast with vegetables. It’s probably the easiest thing to make so I can bake cookies.
The front door slams open. “Rainey Collins,” a loud, familiar voice echoes in the empty house.
I jump, startled, and put my hands on my chest.
My father stands in the doorway with his copper-red hair a mess. A frown deepens on his handsome face.
“Dad, what are you doing here?”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
RAINEY
Dad is the last person I wanted to see ended up on my doorstep, and he surveys around him. Then his gaze lands on Max’s hat and shirt, then on the tree. “Who’s here?”
I lift a hand. “Dad, sorry to sound disrespectful, but I’m a grown-ass woman. I can have company over if I’d like. Now, if it’s because this is your place, I’ll leave. I can rent a cabin for the remainder of my time.”
He sighs. “Sweetheart, I just need to speak with you.”
I’m so pissed right now. “Yeah, and I said I would call you. I have company coming over, Dad. Now is not the time. To be honest, I don’t want to speak to you.” My hands go up in the air. “I came here because home doesn’t feel like home anymore. You ruined it all. Our family. For God’s sake, you fucked a woman in your office and kissed her in our home. Mom had suspected it all along. She told me everything,” I shout, my hands shaking.
My dad winces, his usually confident demeanor faltering. Rowan Collins is a renowned attorney known for his skill in the courtroom, but many fear him. But at this moment, he seems small and helpless, unable to fix the pain he has caused our family. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know I made a mistake. Yourmother means everything to me; she’s my one true love. I’ll do anything to make things right again.”
“Great, Dad. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll call you tomorrow to talk about whatever you need to talk about. I have company coming over.”
His palms flatten on the kitchen island. “Your mother came home from visiting you a couple of weeks ago. She smiled from ear to ear about how happy you were with a charming man staying at the cabin next door.” His lips curl, displeased.
“And what if I am? Yes, I’m seeing the guy next door. Like I said, I’m not a child.”
“Do you even know anything about him?” He huffs, pacing the kitchen.
Where the hell is this coming from? He’s never questioned who I date or see.
“Yes, I actually do know him. His dad owns the cabin next door. They rent it out. I’ve known him since high school.”
He yanks at his hair. “You don’t know shit. He lied to you. He doesn’t own the cabin?—”
“So what? Where is this all coming from? Why do you care so much? Why come here to tell me this? My love life is none of your business.” I grind my molars, irritated. How would he know if Max’s dad owns it or not?
Before I can ask, he interrupts, “Love?” He laughs. “You don’t know him. He’s not good for you, Rainey. He’s nothing.”
