Dirty Player (The Montgomery Billionaires #3)

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

KAYLEE

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“Mom!” I cry as I race into the waiting room where she’s pacing the floor.

I cross the room and pull her into my arms.

“Kaylee. Oh god.”

“How is he?”

“I’m waiting for the doctor. He’s in surgery. It’s not good,” Mom says, and I can feel her shaking.

All the hope that my super optimistic personality had conjured on the drive here vanishes. I’d convinced myself that Mom was overreacting and that when I arrived there’d be good news.

“Is he...” I can’t finish the sentence.

Mom bursts into tears.

Oh shit.

I lead her over to a seat, feeling numb, and we sit holding one another’s hand. I have so many questions and want to tell her about tonight.

My father might be dying right at this moment.

How could I have been so foolish and not told them the truth?

I don’t want to have this regret.

Nor do I want him knowing I’m the type of girl who cheats. His own daughter.

“You need to prepare yourself, Kaylee,” Mom says after a moment. “I’m not sure he’s going to make it.”

My face crumples and I twist my head, dropping it to her shoulder.

“Mom, don’t say that.”

Grief completely overwhelms me.

Don’t die, Dad.

Please don’t die. Not yet.

“He’s a fighter.” I lift my head, and we stare at one another. “He has to live, Mom.”

She nods, looking more and more grief-stricken by the moment.

“Stupid Thanksgiving.” I snap, getting angry suddenly. “All that food. We should have just not done anything this year.”

She takes my hand and squeezes. “Darling.”

Images of his funeral and the house without him being there fill me. My mom on her own. Our lives empty...her heart breaking.

My guilt consuming me.

Having to walk away from Levi because I can’t live with myself.

“Mom, he can’t die.” I sob.

“He might, sweetheart,” Mom whispers. “He’s given up recently. For him, changing the way he lives is just too hard.”

I stare at the ugly white wall with all the stupid medical posters and want to rip them off.

Give me my dad back.

Where is the damn doctor?

Why is it taking so long?

My phone beeps and I ignore it.

“He can’t die,” I say softly to no one, and Mom’s fingers tighten round mine. Suddenly I face her. “He can’t die, Mom. I need to tell him something.”

Her hand lifts, and she places it on my cheek.

“Your dad knows you love him, Kaylee. The moment you were born, you were the apple of his eye.” Mom’s eyes leak.

No.

No, that’s not it.

“He’s so proud of you working for his team.” She smiles through her own fear and grief. “Getting a doctorate and becoming a physio.”

Oh god.

“He told me just last week he wanted to live longer to watch you do more great things.”

A guttural noise escapes me, and I drop my head into my hands as Levi’s words return.

Both of us have kept this from the other people in our lives. But now we’ll ease them into it. Showing them how much we are in love.

“Mom.” I sob, dropping my face into my hands. “I lied. I lied to Dad.”

Silence.

She’s going to hate me, too.

I sit up and face her. She’s waiting for me to speak. “I lied about Levi.”

She frowns in confusion. Aside from being on the TV, she’s not heard his name from me in a long time.

“I don’t understand.” I watch her eyes lift over my head and I spin around, expecting to see the doctor.

“Kaylee.” Levi’s deep voice is low as he stands a few feet away looking a mix of furious and concerned. “How is your dad?

“What’s he doing here?” Mom asks. “And what is going on?”

Shit.

I stand abruptly and glance between them.

“Ah.”

“Mrs. Rose. Sorry to hear about your husband,” Levi says. “Kaylee and I were at the Hawkes Christmas party...”

“Not together,” I say too fast.

Levi slides his hands into his black dress pants and locks his eyes with mine.

I turn to Mom and she’s working it out, I can see that.

Fuck.

“Is this the man you’ve been seeing for the past few months?” she asks, unimpressed.

“Yes. I am,” Levi replies. “The man who loves her.”

Mom’s brows lift.

Shit.

“Wait. Stop.” I hold up my hands. “Let’s focus on Dad.”

Mom shakes her head and tugs her bag onto her lap, hugging it. “Is this what you lied to your dad about?”

I nod.

Not completely.

That was the moment I should’ve confessed everything, but like the coward I claim that Levi is, I don’t.

And it’s a second too late.

“He would’ve understood. I could’ve talked to him if you’d told me,” Mom says. “If you love one another, Dad would’ve forgiven Levi eventually for the way he treated you.”

NO!

“I’m sorry?” Levi asks, as my eyes close tightly.

No, no, no, no.

“I’m sorry, what? How? What?” Levi asks again and there’s an edge to his voice.

One that I deserve.

When I open my eyes I meet his deep blue globes, holding them for a long moment, then look over at my mom.

It’s time to tell the truth.

Finally.

And the worst time possible.

“I haven’t been honest about a few things.” I admit, then flop down into a seat, glancing at the one next to me, an invitation to Levi to sit.

“I’ll stand.” He crosses his arms and glares daggers at me.

Crap.

Then the doctor steps out.

“Mrs. Rose?”