Chapter 16
CHAPTER
SIXTEEN
APRIL
I park in front of the Happy Go Lucky nursing home. The acreage is bracketed by an apple orchard to the left and a stone pathway that leads to a sprawling garden, tended by the residents.
Despite the lush grounds, the buildings are straight-edged brick with glass doors, large windows, and golden door handles.
It’s the most upscale nursing home in the county and, though I’m grateful I was able to get dad a suite here, I can admit that I was overly ambitious.
Dad was my rock growing up. I want him to have the best of the best.
However, ‘the best’ comes with a hefty price tag and right now, my purse is empty.
“I’m so sorry it’s taken me this long. I’ll have the money wired to you by the end of the month,” I practice to myself in the car. “So sorry…”
Mid-speech, my phone rings.
Blushing despite being alone in the car and not actually talking to anyone about my money troubles yet, I pick up. “Hey, Rebel.”
“Hey, I just wanted to let you know that Chance dropped by and picked up the Bel Air.”
“Oh.”
She sighs heavily. “I wanted one more day with her. Twenty-four hours wasn’t enough.”
The memory of Rebel squealing when I drove the Bel Air into the garage yesterday zips through my head. We both ‘eeeeped’ for three minutes straight, forcing May to get on her bike and pedal home to spare her eardrums.
“Chance said he has a fleet of luxury cars to drive down, so we just have to be patient,” I remind her.
“That’s the only reason I let him take her back,” Rebel admits. “That and I felt sorry for him.”
“Why?”
“He was physically standing still, but his eyes were looking all over the shop for you. When I finally told him that you weren’t coming in today, he seemed devastated.”
I roll my eyes. Rebel can be so dramatic.
“Poor thing. You should have given him a heads-up that you’d be gone. He was really looking forward to talking with you, April.”
“About his car? I told him all it needed was an oil change.”
“Not that, silly.”
“Then what?”
“I think Chance missed you.”
It’s such a ridiculous statement that it makes me choke. “Me? Missed me?”
“That’s what I said.”
I wrap my fingers around the steering wheel and squeeze. “Might I remind you that he’s the Chance McLanely. Hockey all-star, famous heir to a fortune, Chance McLanely?”
“And?”
“Aaaand,” I stress, “if he’d be missing anyone it wouldn’t be me. A supermodel? Yes. A social media influencer? Sure. A celebrity? Of course. But me?”
“What’s wrong with you? ” Rebel snaps, sounding ready to fight.
You’re just too much like the guys, April. Sometimes, you feel like one of the bros to me.
Unwarranted, Evan’s voice rings through my head from the day we broke up.
I scramble outside into the sunshine to escape the memories.
“Can we not talk about this?” I mumble.
“No, we’re talking about this. I want to know. What do those women have that you don’t?”
“Come on, Rebel. Let’s be realistic. I spend more time in a jumpsuit than I do in a dress. I know more about cars than the average guy. And I come home with dirt under my nails that’s impossible to clean off. It’s embarrassing when I have to shake hands with people. Nothing about me is sexy or soft or ladylike. Does that sound remotely like someone a super famous athlete would want?”
“ Heck yeah! ” Rebel yells. I can picture her with her head tilted, blonde hair spilling down her shoulders and eyes ablaze. “Is having dirt under your nails a crime? Is it the same as going on a murdering spree? Or throwing old ladies off buildings? No! You’re a mechanic. It comes with the job. And who decides what’s feminine and sexy and soft and what’s not? You look super cute in your jumpsuits. Supermodels and social media girls can’t compete with your gorgeous natural curls and those adorable freckles! Absolutely not.”
I bark out a laugh as I pass a row of shiny cars. “Aw, you’re so sweet, Rebel. This is why I have a freakish amount of confidence. You know how to butter me up.”
“I’m telling the truth.”
“The point is,” I wave my hand, “Chance is just a business partner.”
“I know what I saw.”
“Then maybe that’s a sign to get your eyes checked,” I tease.
Something glints in the corner of my eye. I notice a familiar convertible in the line of cars parked in front of the nursing home. Am I the one who needs to get her eyes checked? Why does that look like Chance’s car?
“I’ll call you later, Rebel.” Hurrying up the stairs and through the revolving glass door, I slip my phone into my purse.
A receptionist greets me with a smile in the lobby.
“April, hi.” She checks her watch. “You’re a little late today.”
My eyes dart around. “Oh… yeah. It was a busy day.” I peer past the archway leading to a long, marble hallway. “Is my dad in his suite?”
“He’s in the entertainment room with the other residents.”
“Thanks.” I push away from the counter and hurry to the entertainment room. It’s the largest room in the building with wall-to-ceiling windows that lets in lots of sunlight.
Usually, there are tables set up all over the room for residents to use their coloring books, knit or play bingo. Today, the tables are pushed against the wall and there are several rows of chairs facing a small, raised platform.
My gaze is immediately drawn to Chance and it’s not only because he’s dazzling in a button-down shirt that matches his screaming blue eyes.
Photographers surround the stage, snapping pictures of him as he hands out some kind of plastic-wrapped gift.
“Thank you so much,” an unfamiliar man dressed in a flashy suit and a jewel-studded watch gestures for a grandmother to step off the stage. “Next!”
I ease into a chair at the back of the row, my eyes drifting from Chance to the banners on either side of the stage. They’re images of a man with silver hair wearing nothing but Photoshopped abs and tidy-whities.
The label FreshButtFitt is plastered over the banner.
I gasp when my eyes return to center stage and I see Chance handing over a package of boxer briefs to my father.
“FrsehButtFitt is the brand for silver foxes like you.” He winks. “Enjoy, my friend.”
My father grins and hugs the boxers to his chest, skipping down the stairs like he won the last round of Bingo.
I gasp, covering my face with my hands. I’m not sure if Chance hears my gasp or if he just happens to look my way, but his eyes collide with mine. They widen in shock, allowing me to see the dazzling blue even from this distance.
“Chance? Chance?” The flashy suit guy gets Chance’s attention. He does a distracted head shake, glancing at me once more before continuing to hand out the underwear.
My face is red. I can feel the heat cross my cheeks and down to my chest.
Fighting to act normal, I weave past the rows of chairs and stoop next to my father.
“Hey,” I whisper.
His eyes dart to me and back to his gift.
“How are you?”
“Look what I got?” He shows me the boxers.
I laugh at his delighted expression. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him smile like that. Usually, he’s grumbling about the food they serve or the fact that someone took his keys and he can’t find his car.
“That’s great.” I smile back at him.
“April?” A woman dressed in a teal blue nursing uniform touches my shoulder. “Miss Tina from admin is looking for you.”
My smile shatters and I straighten immediately. Of course, the office is looking for me. I’m behind in my payments.
Unease swirling in my heart, I turn to dad. “I’ll be right back, okay?”
Dad doesn’t answer.
I follow the nurse, dipping and weaving through the residents who all smile and call me by name.
“April, you’ll play a round of Bingo with us later, right?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I say.
“April, my dahlia’s bloomed. I’ll take you to see them.”
“I’ll go as soon as I’m finished,” I promise.
As I move, I can feel Chance’s eyes on me, but I refuse to acknowledge him. I’m afraid if he looks at me, he’ll be able to read my mind and know my financial struggles.
When we get into the hallway and are free from prying eyes, I ask the nurse, “How has dad been? Is he eating better now?”
“No. He’s still not touching his food. We had to IV him earlier this week.”
I frown in concern. “Is his condition getting worse?”
“That’s the strange thing. He’s had several moments of clarity this week. He was even able to recognize one of his old friends from a photo.”
My pulse quickens. “Do you think…” I lick my lips, “that maybe he’d be able to remember me?”
“He might, but we always caution family members to prepare themselves. There’s no guarantee that he will.”
I’d expected that answer but my heart sinks anyway.
“However, we’re doing everything we can to improve his appetite. The chef makes him a special meal every day to entice him. We’re taking the best care of your father.”
Which is why you should pay what you owe .
But that last part echoes only in the silence of my guilty conscience.
Dad always taught us to pay our debts. Since opening the garage, things have been really difficult. It’s the first time in my life I’ve ever been this behind on my responsibilities.
“This way, April.” The nurse opens the door to the admin office and gestures for me to walk in.
Heart in my throat, I step past her. I need to assure the admin that I’m doing everything I can to get the money. Everything. Pretending to date Chance and being thrust into the spotlight was for this reason.
So far, dating Chance has gotten my social media tons of likes, but it hasn’t produced any new customers for the business. Even so, I’ll work harder. I have to.
I’m staking my life on this fake relationship.
There’s no other option than for it to work.