Page 58 of Accidentally Forever
Crew
“Ithink you’re making a mistake.”
Paintbrush in hand, I did my best not to reach up and pinch the bridge of my nose. I had enough paint in my hair at this point. “I will tell her, but when I see her in person later today. Calling her last night or interrupting her work would just worry her. And we’re finally getting to a place where we can actually relax. I don’t want to stress her out.”
After the police had come to take their photos and do whatever they did for collecting evidence, Noah, Ford, Daisy, and Hugh had shown up, hands on hips, worry on their faces, and had gone through every inch of security I had put in. Considering they had been the team who had installed it in the first place, they werejust as pissed as I was that someone had come to destroy my property.
The cameras hadn’t caught who’d broken in since the person had worn all black and a ski mask like they’d watched too many movies. Though considering the damn routine had worked, I couldn’t comment much on that.
The Montgomery crew would be coming back tomorrow to add more security throughout the property. They were hell-bent on helping me figure out exactly who it was, since the cops could only do so much when I pointed out who it had to be.
They had reminded me that my family was well known in some circles. That my father and mother were both assholes. Though they hadn’t used those words. They had been a little kinder but not much. So maybe it had been an enemy of my family. Somebody who wanted access to our bank accounts.
Except they hadn’t taken a damn thing. Instead, they had merely destroyed. Although it didn’t truly feel like the wordmerelyworked like that.
The intruder had taken out their hate, and whatever other rage they might’ve been feeling, on my cars. Thankfully it seemed to be just focused on the tires themselves. After all, those were easier to stab with a knife than the metal body of the vehicles. But it was stilla mess. I had appointments to deal with the damage with our friends who owned a body shop. Lex and the rest of the Montgomery Construction crew would help with the damage to the building as well. Once Aria walked into that garage, she would know something was different. Not to mention she would notice the increased security.
“Are you listening to me? She’s going to find out. And I don’t want my cousin to get hurt because some asshole has his sights set on you or her or even just your tires.”
I set the paintbrush down, knowing if I held onto it any longer, I would crack it in my hands. “Nothing is going to happen to Aria. I will kill the son of bitch before that happens.”
Lex met my gaze. “You still think it’s Travis.”
“Who else could it be? While my parents are narcissistic, terrible people, they don’t have violent enemies.”
No, they kept their violence behind closed doors, and only for their son. But it had been a long while since they had laid a hand on me. Even in my father’s misguided anger, hatred, and confusion, he didn’t leave bruises like my mother had.
So no, I didn’t think it was them. Or anything having to do with them.
“You’re right. It feels petty. Targeted. Notsomething randomly to do with the business that you don’t touch. He’s high most of the time though, so I wouldn’t have figured he’d have the energy to do this. I just can’t believe how far that guy has fallen.”
“And Aria still lets him text because she wants to be there just in case he reaches out. In case he finally sees the light and stops being so selfish. And there’s nothing I can do. Because the angrier I get, the closer I feel I’m becoming my parents or even Travis. So I just have to let it happen.”
Lex snarled. “I want to take her phone and throw it in the lake, but apparently that would be controlling.”
I rolled my eyes at his dry tone. “So I hear. The problem is, I’d tell you the same thing in her shoes. If one of you guys needed me, I’d be there.”
“If one of us tried to hurt someone though, we would have other people holding us back. And at this point I can’t feel much sympathy for a man who tried to kill my cousin.”
I let out a breath, knowing this conversation wasn’t going to get anywhere. The words cut and reminded me that I would truly end Travis if I had to. “We both agree. He’s a danger. The cops are looking for him to question him about the vandalism at least. Maybe this time he won’t be able to weasel out of charges. His parents won’t be able to game the system for him.” His parents ran inthe same circles as mine but I knew for a fact my parents would let me rot behind bars before they helped me unless it shined a black light on the McTavish name. “But until then, if I see that man, I’m going to kill him. He doesn’t get to come into my house, hurt Aria, or threaten me. Because that’s all he’s doing right now, threateningme. The one time we’re not in the house he just happens to break in and destroy my shit? No thank you. I’m done with him.”
“You’ve been done with him for a long while,” Lex put in. “You need to tell her, Crew.”
“Stop fucking badgering me. I will. Today. You’re right. If she doesn’t know he’s even more of a danger, it’s just going to put her in the middle of it. And that could lead to her getting hurt. So, I’m not going to let that happen.”
“You know, it is little ironic you’ve kept the secret for as many hours as you have, when you were just pissed at her for keeping the texts secret.”
I flipped him off as I went through my notes for the next phase of my project. “Don’t throw that back in my face. I have my reasons.”
“And so did she.”
“I thought you were on my side here.”
“Of course I am on your side. And hers. I love you both.” Lex held up his hands. “I don’t love you like that.I swear, this family loves to put me into weird situations when it comes to you.”
“You’re the one who started it.” I raised a brow. “Other than wanting to talk about what happened, is there a reason you’re here? Not that I don’t love you. As my best friend. But shouldn’t you be working?”
Lex ran his hand through his hair, looking far more lost than I had ever seen him. I had been so focused on my own life, things moving with Aria, my parents, that I was messing up when it came to my best friend.
