Chapter 78
Crazy Together
Ryder
She was silent for a long moment before saying, "I do…want to tell you, I mean." A note of worry crept into her voice. "But what if you think I'm crazy?"
The answer to that was easy. "Then we'll be crazy together."
With a stifled laugh, she said, "I'm serious."
"Me, too." I smiled into the phone. "Hey, I'm the one with the talking fridge." But then, I wiped the smile from my face to ask, "You said it's about your sister?"
"Yeah, but not only her. Do you remember what I told you about my mom…about how she played favorites?"
"I remember."
"Well…a few weeks ago, she did something that I just know will send Delaney over the edge."
Concern flared in my chest. "How far over the edge?"
"I don't mean she'll do something dangerous. I'm just worried she'll never forgive me."
"Because of something you did?"
"Not directly. But it's still pretty awful." She gave a nervous laugh. "And really embarrassing."
"So you'd rather not say?"
"Not particularly," she admitted. "But you deserve to know."
"Because…?"
"Because I realize what I'm asking sounds completely unreasonable. I mean, there you are – the kind of guy any girl would love to show off, and here I am, trying to hide us under a bushel."
It was a lot to unpack, and I recalled something she'd said the other day. "Because your sister will be jealous."
"See, that's the thing. If it were just a matter of jealousy, I'd deal with it. I mean, I'm not going to live my whole life hiding under a rock just to make someone else happy, even if she is my sister."
I sure as hell hoped not, because that was no way to live. "Good to know."
"But a few weeks ago, I learned something that I really need to handle before Delaney hears about us."
"What kind of something?"
"Long story short? My mom drained my sister's bank account to pay some of my bills."
I blinked. "You're shitting me."
"I wish," Tessa said. "And if you were just a regular guy, it wouldn't matter if Delaney knew we were dating. But you're not, so I know exactly what she'd think."
I had a pretty good idea myself. But I was curious how Tessa saw it. "And what's that?"
"I can practically hear her already." Tessa's tone grew sarcastic, like she was mimicking someone else. "Oh, there Tessa is, dating a super-rich guy, and she drained my bank account? If she was so desperate, why didn't she borrow money from him?"
The thought of Tessa being desperate for anything settled like a rock in my stomach. Still, I kept my tone level to clarify, "Him meaning me."
"Right. And just so you know, that's not a hint for a loan or anything."
"You wouldn't need to hint," I said. "If there's something you need, just let me know."
"Oh, God," she groaned. "So you do think I'm hinting?"
"No. But I'm offering just the same."
She gave a shaky laugh. "Trust me, I'm not looking for a loan."
"Then we'll call it a gift."
"Oh, stop," she said. "You're missing the point."
"Which is…?"
"Delaney's gonna hate me already. I don't dare make it worse."
"Except you weren't the one who drained her account."
"Yeah, I know. But for all Delaney knows, I put Mom up to it." She sighed. "And don't get me started on the trip to Paris."
"Wait…you went to Paris?"
"No, not me. My mom. And she used Delaney's money to do it."
Holy shit. "And Delaney doesn't know?"
"Honestly, I have no idea. But when she does find out, it'll be ten times worse if she also hears I'm dating you, which could happen at any time if we're all lovey-dovey in public, and she talks to Maisie."
Forget lovey-dovey. The logic didn't add up. "But you said they haven't spoken in months."
"Right. But for all I know, they'll touch base tomorrow, and the last thing I need is for Maisie to say something about us dating before I catch Delaney myself."
The solution seemed simple. "So ask Maisie to keep it quiet."
"I can't do that."
"Why not?"
"Because it's not fair to Maisie. I can't ask her to lie for me." She hesitated. "And even if I did ask, I'm not sure she would. She and Delaney have been friends for ages. And besides, it wouldn't be right."
That kind of integrity was rare, and I couldn't help but admire it, even as the selfish bastard in me asked, "So you'd rather sneak around?"
"No. I'd rather not sneak around – or make you sneak around – which was why I suggested the break." But then, more softly she added, "Even though I hated the idea."
That settled it. "Screw the break."
She went quiet for a long beat before asking, "What do you mean?"
"I'd rather sneak than lose what we have."
Her voice grew hopeful. "You would?"
"Yeah. Is that such a surprise?"
With a soft laugh, she said, "Yes, actually."
"Well, believe it," I said. "And you know what else?"
"What?"
"I still owe you a date."