Page 2 of Insincerity

“I have a message from your brother,” he said. “Logan wanted me to tell you that this will be the last one for a while.”

Disappointment threatened to crush me, but I just nodded in understanding. I knew that this day would come eventually. Hailee was slated to start college in a few short weeks, meaning she would no longer be living at my brother’s house for most of the year. I was so damned proud of her when I found out she’d gotten into her dream college, UC Berkeley. But I also knew that Logan’s cameras couldn’t follow her to the dorms.

I grunted my assent, effectively capping the conversation. My lawyer stuck around for a few more minutes to update me on the status of my appeal, but not much had changed since our last consultation. As he’d explained to me, these things took time, and I knew better than to expect a miracle. He left shortly after.

The cuffs around my wrists felt heavier on the march back to my cell. Normally, I would console myself with the knowledge that I’d get to watch Hailee again in a few weeks. How the hell was I going to make it through the next few months without seeing my girl?

2

HAILEE

I watchedthe snow fall through the large sliding-glass doors in the equally spacious living room. White-capped trees and frosted boulders lined the banks of a rushing river. The sight of all that natural beauty instilled in me a sense of peace. I was glad to be back in my uncle’s house for winter break. My first semester at college had been a new adventure, exciting and scary at the same time. I’d had a lot of fun, made some new friends, and gained a sense of independence over the last few months at UC Berkely. But I was happy to trade it all for familiar surroundings, at least for a while.

I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see Uncle Logan approaching with two steaming mugs in his hands. I accepted the mug that he offered me, took a sip, and smiled when I realized he’d prepared my coffee just the way I liked it. Two scoops of sugar and just a dash of peppermint creamer. I knew he bought the creamer specifically for me, and it made my heart swell with affection. He’d always gone above and beyond when it came to caring for me, and even though I was an adult now, his desire to pamper me hadn’t changed.

He wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I leaned into his side, inhaling the spicy scent of his aftershave. I’d missed him a lot more than I thought I would while I was away.

“This view right here,” he said, looking out over the snowy landscape, “it’s what sold me on this house.”

“I can see why. It’s beautiful.” I wasn’t particularly attached to the house itself, having only lived here for a few months before school started, but I was glad to find him just as in love with the place as he was when we moved in.

Last summer, we made the jump from Palo Alto, California, where I’d lived with him since I was fifteen years old, to this five-bedroom mansion in Bend, Oregon. The kitchen alone was a marvel, fitted with professional-grade appliances and all the counterspace you could dream of. Half the walls in my bedroom consisted of windows, with smart blinds that could be drawn using an app on my phone. Somehow, all the modern fixtures didn’t clash with the cedar and sandstone exterior. From the outside, the massive house looked like an extension of nature, nestled between the forest and the Deschutes River.

Gazing at the river, I couldn’t help but miss the ocean. I’d lived close to the beach for so long that the change in view was still an adjustment. But it was enough to be close to my uncle. Logan was one of the few people in my life who I could depend on, and there was a certain comfort in knowing that I had a home with him for as long as I wanted one.

“I was thinking this spot would be good for the Christmas tree,” he said. “Imagine it all decorated and lit up in front of this view.”

“Sounds perfect.” I sipped my coffee, picturing how amazing this place would look all decked out for the holidays. It didn’t snow in Palo Alto—or Eureka, where I was originally from—so I was excited to experience a white Christmas for the first time. I could already see the twinkling lights reflecting off the glass doors. My uncle and I would exchange presents and eat cookies in front of the fireplace. The only thing missing from that perfect Christmas portrait was my dad?—

My chest tightened as I pushed the thought away. I didn’t want to think about why he couldn’t celebrate Christmas with us. It would ruin my good mood. But Uncle Logan must’ve felt the tension in my muscles. He had a knack for guessing what was bothering me.

“I talked to your dad a few days ago,” he said. “He asked about you, like always, wanted an update on how you’re doing. He was glad to hear that your exams went well, not that either of us were surprised. He’s proud of you.”

My jaw clenched, and I was sure that he noticed because he tightened his grip around my shoulders. I didn’t want to talk about my dad, least of all with him. I didn’t want to put him in that awkward position, stuck between his brother and me. But I couldn’t help my reaction. Thinking about my dad upset me.

It had been four years since he went to prison, and I was still so angry with him for what he’d done. He ruined everything by getting sent away, by letting his own impulsive actions separate us.

“I don’t want to talk about him,” I said, keeping my voice gentle so that Uncle Logan would know that I wasn’t mad athim. I understood that he was just trying to keep his brother in the loop. “Please, can we just not?”

“Of course.” If he was disappointed in my request, he didn’t show it. He finished his coffee and then pulled away from me, taking his empty mug into the kitchen.

“What are your plans for the day?” he asked upon returning to the living room.

I shrugged. “Not sure. Maybe read for a while or watch a movie.”

“You can try.” He grimaced. “The wi-fi’s been pretty spotty. Don’t worry, I already ordered a new router with a mesh system that should cover the whole house.”

“I guess we’re lucky that you’re such a technical genius.” I wasn’t exaggerating. He had made a literal fortune in the tech industry. After working as a software engineer for a big tech company, he left to start his own software business where he designed a healthcare revenue management platform that was adopted by hospitals and doctors’ offices around the country. He’d stepped down from the CEO position a year ago, giving him more free time to pursue his passion projects, but he continued to serve on the board and hold shares in the company.

Like the computer geek that he was, the first thing he did after he bought the new house was outfit it with the most up-do-date and expensive smart home technology. Everything here, from the outdoor hot tub to the wine fridge, could be controlled from his smartphone.

“I’m going to work out downstairs,” he said. I hadn’t noticed until that moment that he was already dressed in his workout clothes, a blue muscle shirt and black gym shorts.

“Come get me if you need anything,” he said, planting a kiss on my forehead.

As he pulled away, I let my gaze trail over his muscular arms and broad chest. He’d had the basement converted to a full-scale gym shortly after we moved in, claiming that exercise helped him solve complicated coding challenges. Personally, I preferred to work through my mental blocks in the shower. My gaze drifted lower, to the front of his gym shorts. I hadn’t meant to look there, but I couldn’t help noticing a distinctly shaped bulge pulling at the fabric.

My cheeks flamed as I tore my gaze away from his groin. I forced myself to nod in acknowledgement of what he’d said, then turned my attention back to the window to avoid looking at him.

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