Page 23 of November's Bad Boy: Kacen
"Thank You to Our Anonymous Angel: A Quiet Tribute at Friendsgiving"
My heart stops.
I stare at the words for a long second. Maybe I read them wrong. But they don’t change. It’s not signed. There’s no explanation. Just a line at the bottom that says:
"For the one who gave without asking for thanks. We see you."
My blood runs cold. My vision narrows. The edges of the Merc blur. My chest tightens, shallow breath after shallow breath pushing in and out like I forgot how to breathe fully.
Ruby's voice floats from behind the counter. "Cute, right? Natalie helped with it."
I blink. "What?"
She glances up, cheerful as ever. "The little tribute idea. For the anonymous investor. Nothing flashy, just a quiet moment of gratitude. I figured you boys would appreciate that."
You boys.
The words hit like a punch. My hand tightens around the paper cup until the lid pops off and hot coffee splashes onto my fingers. I barely flinch. All I can hear is Ruby's voice echoing in my skull.
Natalie helped with it.
I think back to a conversation with Kingston months ago, one of those rare quiet moments between us. He’d said it while unpacking a box of books for the new library wing:
“If people know where the help’s coming from, they’ll start expecting something in return. That’s not why we do this. Let them think it’s luck. Let them believe in miracles.”
“So, you’re just gonna stay the town’s secret fairy godmother?” I’d asked, half-joking.
He’d met my eyes, serious as hell. “No. I’m gonna be the guy who doesn’t need his name on anything to feel good about doing the right thing.”
And now? Natalie made him a headline.
I nod at Ruby, numb, and leave without another word.
I barely remember the drive to Natalie’s. Just the thunder of blood in my ears, the sound of Ruby's voice echoing over and over.
Natalie helped with it. She couldn’t keep the secret, and I never should have told her. Of course, she’d try to get revenge against me the first chance she got. After everything I did to her back then, I probably deserve it, but Kingston doesn’t. He will never forgive me for this.
When I get to Natalie’s house, I slam the truck door. By the time I’m at her porch, my fists are clenched.
I reach the steps and stop. Trying to breathe. In through the nose, out through the mouth. My hands flex at my sides. I pace once, twice. Grip the porch rail until my knuckles go white. I tell myself not to go in angry. Not to yell.
But the betrayal roils hotter with every breath. My chest is tight. My throat is closing. I press my palm to the doorframe, willing the anger down.
And I fail.
I don’t bother knocking. The door's unlocked, like always, and I step inside.
She’s in the kitchen, barefoot, hair pulled back in a loose bun, wearing that oversized hoodie I like too damn much on her. She looks up with a smile that falters when she sees my face.
"Kacen?"
I hold up the flyer. It shakes in my hand.
"You told her."
Her brow furrows. "What?"
"Ruby. You told her about Kingston. About the investments. About everything."
