58. Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Blake
“ W hen do you think I can go to the house?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll call John and get an update.”
“Thank you.” I finished my coffee but before I could get up to refill it, AJ turned towards the counter and reached for the carafe.
“Here you go,” he said, grinning at me. “What?”
“Must be nice to have such long arms.” Arms I was currently staring at and maybe even drooling over. We hadn’t talked about last night, though I figured we probably should.
That and a million other things.
“A perk of being tall,” he laughed, “though I’m not that tall for a guy.”
“You’re tall compared to me,” I said with a smile. Not like it’s much of a challenge .
He raised an eyebrow. “Everyone is tall compared to you.”
“Not everyone,” I feigned offense.
I added a spoonful of sugar and a generous pour of half and half to my coffee.
AJ watched me, but I could tell he wasn’t concerned about my coffee drinking habits.
“How are you holding up?” He reached across the table with those impossibly long arms and put his hand over mine.
“I’m not sure.” After thinking about it, I said, “I’m mostly putting off thinking about everything.”
AJ wove his fingers with mine. “I’ll be okay. I’ll be here every step of the way.”
I wasn’t sure how to answer. Would he be here on a professional or personal level, or maybe some combination of both?
He brushed his thumb over the back of my hand, causing me to look up.
“If you want, we can put everything off until tomorrow and spend all day in bed.”
His grin, and those damn dimples, did wicked things to my insides. I felt myself blush as memories of the night we’d shared flashed through my mind. AJ was the most generous lover I’d ever had; his gentle touch, demanding kisses, and powerful… I cut off the thought, because now my cheeks weren’t the only part of my body that was over-heating.
I laughed to cover my embarrassment. “As tempting as that sounds, I can’t. I’ve got too much to do.”
AJ couldn’t have known what I was thinking, but he was probably in the ballpark. He shook his head and chuckled before saying, “Your choice. Let’s list the things you have to do and make a game plan.”
I listed the things that immediately came to mind: talking to the family attorney, my attorney, picking up some stuff from the house, and finding a place to stay.
I groaned. “Midterms start today.” I needed to call my professors ASAP to ask if I could make up the work and exams I’d missed. Otherwise, I’d have to withdraw and retake my classes in the fall. Panic set in again. If I didn’t graduate in May, I’d lose my internship.
“I’m sure they’ll understand and work something out with you,” he offered.
“Do you think I can check on my father?” I assumed he was still in jail. The judge wouldn’t be around to set bail until nine, and it was barely past seven.
Crap, AJ would need to leave soon. “What time do you have to leave for work?” I couldn’t hide the anxiety in my shaky voice.
“I don’t. John gave me the day off, so I’m all yours,” he said. “I’ll call the county jail and ask how your father is doing. Do you want to see him, if I can arrange it?”
I stared at my coffee, hoping it'd give me the answer. I wanted to make sure he was okay, but the pain of his betrayal was still too strong for me to want to talk to him.
Am I a bad daughter for not wanting to see him?
“You don’t need to do anything you don’t want to do. That includes deciding right now.”
His ability to see to me so clearly still caught me off guard. “Okay. Thanks.” He deserved so much more than my clumsy words, but I was struggling to hold myself together.
“Let’s tackle the things you can do from here first,” AJ ignored my awkwardness. “Email your professors and ask if they’ll meet with you.”
His suggestion was perfect; it allowed me to tackle my list without having to deal with the heavier problems first.
I emailed my professors. The family lawyer wouldn’t be in his office until nine, so I called and left a voice mail. Then I did the same for my attorney. Knowing I’d need help navigating the legal mess my father left, I wanted to talk to them right away. While I did that, AJ called John. Unlike my attorneys, John was already in his office and working.
“Will do. Thanks, John,” AJ said before disconnecting the call and sitting back down. “John called the Sherriff’s office. He doesn’t think the judge will grant bail.”
“They think he’s a flight risk?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I expected as much,” I answered, sounding calmer than I felt. “What about the house?”
“The FBI and police should finish today or tomorrow at the latest.” He hesitated before continuing, “I should warn you; they ransacked the place looking for evidence.”
My life is a fucking nightmare right now. “Even my room?” My voice squeaked.
“I’m sorry.” He didn’t offer more than that. He didn’t need to.
“It’s not like I want to stay there.” Priscilla will be unbearable . “And I don’t need to. I can stay in my dorm-”
AJ’s low growl interrupted me.
“What? It’s not like I can stay here.” I didn’t think AJ would want me intruding on his space for more than a night or two. Do I want to stay if he asks? I did.
“Why the hell not?” He asked, sounding mad, but looking hurt.
I scanned his face, looking for clues before asking, “You want me to stay?”
“Of course I do.” His tone had the quality of a kid rolling his eyes while saying, well duh. “I’m sorry. I thought it was obvious.” He reached for my hands. “Let me be perfectly clear. I want you to stay here with me.”
He smiled, adding, “Please.”
I smiled back. I should invite him to my birthday party.
“Shit.” I said, tearing my hands away.
AJ was on his feet and circling the table in a flash. “What’s wrong?”
“I just remembered my birthday party.” I fought back tears as anxiety washed over me. Now that I remembered, a thousand and one things I needed to add to my list flashed through my mind.
AJ squatted beside me and turned me so I was facing him. “It’s okay. I got you. Breathe in, nice and slow. And out.”
I felt stupid for panicking, but my emotional reserves were depleted.
He waited until my breathing returned to normal, then hugged me. “Okay, first things first; when is the party?"
My twenty-fifth birthday party was Friday night at the Sussex Country Club. The guest list was a who’s who of Dallas politicians and its wealthiest players, and a few of my friends. I’d have to cancel the reservation, the caterers, the musicians, and contact all the guests.
“Did your father hire a party planner?” AJ asked.
I blinked up at him. In my panic, I’d completely forgotten.
“He did.” Tension drained from my shoulders; I only had to make one call. Scratch that, send one email. I want to talk to as few people as possible today .
In four days, I’d have access to my trust fund, making me a millionaire. I'd never hurt for money, but it still felt weird knowing I’d be rich in my own right.