Page 48 of Just Another Chance

The first thing I do is go check on Owen. He’s sound asleep in his crib, completely oblivious to the creep who just threatened us.He threatened to hurt my baby.What kind of monster would harm a sweet, innocent child?

“It’s okay, sweet pea. I promise that no one is going to lay a finger on you.” I brush a hand over the soft brown hair on his little head. In the other room, my phone beeps with a text. With a heavy sigh, I leave Owen to his sweet dreams and head back into the living room.

It’s Kayla and she tells me that she’s here. It makes me feel a little better to have some company after what just happened. I’m still upset with her, but I’ve been hiding it well. Seems like today is the day to confront things head-on, though, so I’m going to ask Kayla why she lied to me two years ago.

At this point, what have I got to lose?

I buzz her in and open the door a minute later. My gaze zooms over her shoulder, checking the hallway beyond. After rushing her in, I hurriedly close and lock the door again.

“Are you okay?” she asks, noticing how jumpy I am.

“No,” I say. “Shit, Kayla. Today has been a nightmare.”

“What’s going on?”

I shake my hands, trying to eliminate the jitteriness. “I’m freaking the fuck out right now.”

Her dark eyes widen. “What the hell is going on? Is Owen okay?”

Pressing my hand over my mouth, I nod, and point to the couch. She sits and I drop down beside her.

“Some scary man was just here. Like a mafia guy or loan shark or something. He said Randy owes him $20 grand and now I have to pay or they’re going to hurt me and Owen.”

“Oh, my God!”

“I hate him! I can’t believe he’d put us in danger like this. That he’d sacrifice us!” I cover my face in my hands. “The guy said he’s coming back in one week for the money. I told him I don’t have it and he said to talk to my billionaire boyfriend.”

For a moment, Kayla doesn’t say anything. Then she sighs. “Do you think Tanner would give it to you once you tell him how dire the situation is?”

Asking Tanner for the money is the last thing I want to do, but what other options do I have? None that I can see.

“He found out about Owen,” I say softly.

“Oh, shit.”

“He was so mad at me, Kayla. He couldn’t understand why I took so long to tell him. Everything is such a mess, and I don’t know what to do.” I twist my hands in my lap, trying so hard not to have a breakdown.

“I promise that I’ll do everything I can to help you, Addie.”

“There’s something else, too,” I say carefully. “I’ve been meaning to ask you, but…” Tears fill my eyes. “We’ve been getting so close, and you’ve been such a help with Owen that I’ve been dreading this.”

A guarded look comes over her face. “Dreading what?”

“I know you lied to me, and that Tanner never talked to you about breaking up with me two years ago.” Her eyes slide shut. “Why?” I ask, my voice strained. “Why would you ever tell me that?”

“Oh, God, Addie, I am so damn sorry!” Tears fill her eyes. “I was a terrible person back then and so selfish. Ever since you came back here, I’ve been trying so hard to make up for what I did.”

“What exactly did you do?” I ask, my voice low, trying to understand the situation.

“You remember how I owed the credit card companies all that money?”

I nod, feeling sick to my stomach.

“Well...” She lets out a shaky breath. “Tanner’s father offered to pay it all off if I helped break you two up. And I feel awful. I really do, but I was so desperate at the time.”

“Oh, Kayla,” I whisper, betrayal searing through me.My own sister sold me out?

“I asked you for help and remember we got into an argument. So, I was mad at you and I was jealous, too. You and Tanner were so happy and perfect together. I didn’t have anything, but a ton of debt and I was so bitter. When Thomas waved that blank check in front of my face, I couldn’t resist. I took it and I’m so sorry for what I did.”

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