Page 86 of Wrecked
Preston Nolan.
State senator…and Katie’s grandfather.
This is all a political game for him. He is using the health of thedaughterhe raised her whole life as a pawn for political recognition. I have never been more disgusted with Nathaniel than I am right now. He knew I’d take the bait. Even though I don’t really believe he’d take on the negative publicity that a dying daughter he’s no longer supporting would cause. He knows I wouldn’t take the chance on Emmy’s life. Nathaniel is also egotistical enough to believe he’d come out of that kind of publicity unscathed.
Ash asked me if I wanted a deep dive into Katie’s family, information on her mom and dad, if she has any siblings, or where she grew up. I already feel like scum for approaching her with nefarious intentions, so I don’t want to dig too far into her life. I’m doing enough damage by weaving her into my father’s web.
In reality, this could all blow up in his face. She might not even be interested. She might be dating someone else. I sincerely hope one of those is true, because leading her on, dating her? It makes my stomach turn. Not just because it feels like I am cheating on Ellie, but because it’s not fair to this woman.
But I will do anything within my power to keep Emmy safe. Even if it hurts other people. I know that’s selfish. I know it makes me a hypocrite in a lot of ways. But a broken heart and a death sentence don’t measure up for me. The hardest part of this is knowing that I am setting this poor girl up to have a relationship with Nathaniel. If anything happens to her, I’d never forgive myself.
But if anything happens to Emmy? What’s left of my heart and soul would wither away.
I made sure to call Emmy as soon as I hung up with Nathaniel. She’s doing okay, but she sounded anxious. She’s starting that medication trial next week. They have her on the registry for a kidney donor, but her doctors said it could take years. I’m getting tested next week. Even my mother is getting tested, which surprised me. The surgery scar alone made me believe she would opt out. Nathaniel is not getting tested, of course. He callously told my sister that the chances of a match are rare, considering she is not his daughter.
A fact she didn’t know until that exact moment.
She knew almost immediately that our dear father was going to find a way to use this diagnosis to control me. After hours of blowing up my phone, I finally relented and told her the truth. She didn’t try to talk me out of it, even though it takes me further away from Ellie. That just shows me how truly scared she is.
I need to show up for Emmy now, and that means inserting myself into the life of Katie Nolan.
I parkmy car in the lot adjacent to the outdoor picnic area at the university. After a little recon from Ash, he figured out where I could “accidentally” run into Katie.
Jesus.
I’m not any better than Chris right now.
I can tell myself it’s different, that it’s not self-serving. But isn’t it? I am doing this for my sister, but in a way it’s also for me. My stomach is in knots thinking about this. How far will this go? How far will Nathaniel make me take it?
I take a deep breath and open my car door, stepping out onto the black pavement. The red paint on my Porsche gleams in the sunlight, drawing attention from the students around me. Attention that I hate.
I shove my hand in my pocket, the other holding my coffee cup, and walk toward the picnic tables. Ash said she always sits at the one closest to the water fountain, so that’s the direction I head.
I am still a good ten feet away when I see the small blonde hunched over her book. She’s got long, thick hair, tied back in a ponytail. The curves of her body are highlighted by the skintight athletic shorts and tank top she’s wearing. Her curves are definitely as…generous…as Ellie’s.
I walk toward her at a steady pace. If anyone were paying attention, it would be clear that I’m on a mission. She glances up, alerted by my approaching footsteps. I’m hit with the most alluring set of blue eyes I’ve ever seen. I can’t help but stare at them. Not because they are attractive, which they are, but because they look so…familiar. Everything about her feels oddly familiar, even though she hasn’t even spoken a word.
I’m drawn to her.
Not in the way I was drawn to Ellie, but in a way that tells me I’m going to care about her. Care about hurting her. Why am I so intrigued by this woman?
I put my books on the other side of the table and give her my most charming smile. “Anyone sitting here?”
She pops her brows like she’s surprised that I’m talking to her. Tucking a loose strand of her blonde hair behind her ear, she smiles warily. “I guess you are?”
She says it more like a question than a statement. She’s timid, reserved. I can tell my presence makes her nervous, and for some reason I want to make her feel safe with me. There is just something about her. Something that feels like home.
She’s beautiful, there’s no doubt about that. But I’m not drawn to her in that way. I feel strangely protective of her. I feel like I can see myself in her. Her eyes tell a story that feels similar to mine. Like she’s been through hell and back. It’s the face of a survivor.
Speaking of her face…her features remind me so much of Ellie. If I changed her hair color and eye color, I would almost be looking at the face of the girl that I love.
That has to be why I feel so connected to her.
I nod at her book. “Anything interesting?”
She scrunches her nose and shakes her head, turning her face into her shoulder like she’s embarrassed.
Her little nose scrunch is adorable. She’s adorable. I don’t think this girl could make an unattractive face if she tried.
