Chapter Nineteen
EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING, before the end of her shift, Shauna tried to work up the courage to talk to Cap about what was going on with Brian and Zander.
She’d tried yesterday, but every time she talked herself into it, they either got a call or she chickened out.
She never should have lied to him about Brian’s relapse.
It wasn’t lost on her that she thought of Cap like a father figure, but she’d never felt bad about lying to her own father.
Luckily, Cap wasn’t one to poke around in her personal business.
The day Zander had come by the firehouse, Cap had mentioned knowing the Wickeds and attending fundraisers hosted by the Dark Knights.
He’d said they were good people, but she hadn’t asked for more information, and he hadn’t offered.
She hoped that when she told him what was going on, he wouldn’t fire her for lying or completely lose trust in her.
On top of that, when she and Zander had texted yesterday, his texts didn’t have the same fun, flirty vibe as they had in the days prior.
She could tell something was wrong. They’d talked on the phone late last night after the rest of the crew was asleep, and she’d heard the strain in his voice.
It was like pulling teeth getting him to open up to her, but he finally told her that his cousins and brothers had been giving him shit all day, trying to talk him out of going through with their plan.
She’d said they should forget the whole thing, but Zander wasn’t having it.
You’re not getting rid of me that easily.
It was his determination that fueled her confidence now, as she finished restocking the rig and headed inside to find Cap.
She caught herself absently stroking the underside of her left ring finger with her thumb and made herself stop.
She didn’t know how it had happened so fast, but she’d gotten used to playing with the bottom of her engagement ring and had been brushing that empty spot all day.
She found Cap coming out of the kitchen as she came down the hall. “Cap? Can I talk to you for a sec?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
“Would you mind if we talk in your office?”
“Fuck!” Mike hollered from upstairs, as Trey and Howie howled with laughter. “Flores!”
Shauna stifled a laugh. Zander had helped her make a spring-loaded glitter bomb that looked like a birthday gift for Mike instead of a card. She’d put it in his locker about half an hour ago.
Cap cocked his head. “You need to handle that first?”
“Nope. Sounds like he found the birthday present I left him.”
As she hurried toward his office, Cap said, “What’d you give him?”
“A glitter bomb.”
“Brave girl.” Cap shut the door behind them. “Take a seat.”
“Thanks.” She sat on the chair across from his desk, and he took the seat beside her, which wasn’t unusual, but for some reason, today it made her even more nervous.
“What’s on your mind?”
“A couple of things.” She wrung her hands. “What I’m about to tell you might make you lose all trust in me, and I would understand that, but I also hope you’ll try to see it from my side and give me a chance to earn that trust back.”
His expression turned serious. “Are you drinking again, Shauna?”
“No. I promise,” she said quickly. “I never want to go back to that, and if I ever did, I’d tell you right away. I wouldn’t jeopardize other people’s lives by being less than one hundred percent on the job.”
“That’s good to know. Then what’s got you so worried?”
“Remember over the holidays when you invited me and Brian to Christmas dinner, and I said Brian was sick?”
“Yes.”
“He wasn’t sick. He relapsed. He lost his job, and at first he was just drinking, and I didn’t want to say anything, because I thought I could get him back on track.
But then things got worse, and I wanted to get him into rehab, but I couldn’t afford it.
I was afraid to say anything because I had already lied to you, and I wanted to help him so badly.
I just kept trying, but…” She shook her head.
“Last week I caught him snorting heroin, and he grabbed me—”
“Where is Brian now?” Cap leaned forward.
“He’s in rehab, and I’m okay.”
“How bad was it? All those bruises you said were from pole class, did he do that to you? Should you press charges?”
“No. It wasn’t like that. The random bruises really are from pole class. I promise. That was the first time he’s ever grabbed me, and thanks to Zander Wicked, now Brian is where he needs to be to get help. But, Cap, before I tell you the rest, I’m really sorry I lied to you.”
“Me too,” he said with disappointment and compassion. “I wish you’d come to me. I could’ve helped before it got that far.”
“I know. I just…I was scared that you might tell me I have to move out of there in order to keep my job, and he couldn’t afford the rent without me.
I was stupid to try to help on my own for so long, and I promise, I learned my lesson.
I’ll never allow myself to be in that position again. Not even for a day.”
“I’m holding you to that. How does Zander play into this?”
She sat up straighter and said, “He is helping me pay for Brian’s rehab. I haven’t told anyone this, and I need your word that you won’t tell anyone what I’m about to tell you.”
“That’s a big ask for someone who just admitted lying to me.”
“I realize that, but I want to be honest with you. It’s nothing horrible. It’s just not something to be proud of.”
“Now I’m worried,” he said with a wrinkled brow. “But you have my word.”
“Thank you. That means a lot to me. Especially now.” She told him about the inheritance, and that she’d been staying with Zander, and about Brian showing up in the middle of the night.
Then she told him about Zander’s brothers and cousins stepping in to help, and finally, she told him about their plans to get married.
“With how bad off Brian had gotten, marrying Zander is the only way I can think of to get Brian into rehab right away.”
“Married?” Cap sat back and whistled. “When you make an entrance, you don’t mess around.”
“I know it sounds crazy, but it’s just for a few months, and Zander has been amazingly supportive and a good friend.
” She looked down at the tattoo on her hand and warmed with the memory of when she realized Zander had been the one whose words had set her on the path to change her life.
When she lifted her gaze, Cap was watching her intently.
“He’s the one who drove me home that Fourth of July when I decided I wanted to change my life.
We didn’t realize it until that day he showed up here and we got to talking.
It’s the weirdest thing, Cap. With the accident, and his showing up at our cottage to do the work for our landlord, and everything that’s happened since, it feels like we’ve known each other longer. ”
“They say people come into our lives for a reason.”
“Like you came into mine,” she said fondly. “I’m grateful he’s willing to help, but his family isn’t thrilled about it.”
“I can’t say I blame them. This is something you see in movies. Are you sure about this? I can lend you the money to pay Zander back, and then you can take your time reimbursing me.”
“That’s really nice of you, but it would take me a lifetime, and borrowing money from my boss wouldn’t be right.”
“Can you get into legal trouble over this?”
“Probably if they find out,” she admitted. “But I’m willing to take that chance for Brian to get help.”
“You must really love him,” Cap said compassionately.
“Always have, always will.”
He steepled his hands beneath his chin, studying her. “I didn’t even know you and Zander were dating.”
“We’re not. I mean, technically we’re engaged now, but it’s not real.”
He glanced at her left hand. “Guess there’s no need for a ring.”
She caught herself brushing the underside of her ring finger with her thumb and flattened her hand on her leg. “That’s what I said.” She lowered her voice, as if sharing a secret. “But he got me the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”
“Really?” he asked with shock. “Are you sure there’s nothing between you two?”
“Yes. It’s not like that.”
He arched a brow. “Does he know that?”
She smiled. “Yes, and trust me, Cap, he’s not the marrying type any more than I am. He’s been honest with me about how he’s been a player his whole life, and now he’s trying to change, but not for me. For himself. He had a revelation after the accident.”
“A lot of people do, but going from a player to a husband is like going from zero to one fifty in three seconds flat. Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
“Yes. I want to help Brian, and Zander has never made me feel uncomfortable in any way. He’s…” Charming? Kind? Generous? Sexy? She definitely shouldn’t mention sexy. “He’s so real, I can’t imagine him making any woman uncomfortable.”
“I’m sure he knows better. The Wickeds have deep roots in the community and a reputation for being trustworthy.”
“How well do you know his family?”
He crossed his ankle over his knee. “Well enough to have a conversation if you need me to.”
“No, I don’t. He can handle them however he sees fit. But I don’t want to ruin his relationship with them over this.”
“I doubt anyone could ruin their relationship with any of their kids. They’re a tight-knit, loyal group.”
“That makes me feel a little better.”
“Haven’t you met them yet?”
She shook her head. “No. I met his brothers and his cousin, but it all happened so fast, and we had to get all our ducks in a row with Brian and the bank and the courthouse. We’re picking up the marriage license tomorrow and getting married Friday morning before work.”
“That is fast. I know you’re both adults and you don’t need anyone’s approval, but it would seem to me that meeting his family before marrying into their family might go a long way,” he suggested. “Let them see who you are. Maybe that’ll ease their minds.”
“That makes sense, but to be honest, I was kind of relieved that he didn’t ask me to meet them.
I didn’t want to bring his family into it at all, because the marriage isn’t real, you know?
It’s a blip in our lives, a few months that’ll fly by and then be over.
” A pang of disappointment caught her off guard, but she dismissed it, knowing she and Zander would still be friends after they ended the fake marriage.
“I meant to ease their minds, and yours,” he said.
“Maybe you’re right. I’ll bring it up to Zander, but I have a big favor to ask you. Actually, I have two.”
He waved a hand. “Fire away, Flores.”
“The first is, I know you promised to keep our conversation to yourself, but I want to be sure you won’t mention it to the guys. I need to figure out how to tell them I’m getting married, but Zander and I think it’s best if only you and his family know the truth, since it has to look real.”
“I won’t say a word.”
She exhaled with relief. “Thank you. The second favor is a bigger one. Would you be willing to come to the courthouse with us Friday morning to be our witness? We have the first appointment at seven thirty, and the clerk said we’d be out of there in twenty minutes. Thirty minutes, tops.”
A wide smile appeared, and he said, “I’ve got to be honest with you. I had hoped that if you ever got married, you’d ask me to walk you down the aisle.”
“You did?” That warmed her all over.
“Yes, indeed. You’re the closest thing I’ll ever have to a daughter. I realize this isn’t the white wedding I’d anticipated, but I’d be honored to be there for you.”
She got choked up. “Really? Does that mean you forgive me for lying to you?”
“Yes, I forgive you.”
“Thank you!” She jumped up, and as he rose to his feet, she threw her arms around him, but quickly stepped back. “Sorry. You’re my boss. I shouldn’t hug you.”
“It’s okay, but, Flores?” He waggled a finger at her. “Just so we’re clear, after Friday I’ll have blackmail to hold over your head, so don’t even think about lying to me again, or you will find out just how much trouble you can get into for this sham of a marriage.”
She couldn’t stop smiling. “Yes, sir. I promise I won’t.” She drew an X over her heart, and couldn’t wait to tell Zander they had a witness.