Chapter 28 #2
It turns out my parents aren’t very good at running a business, and they've spent the past five years borrowing money against a home they no longer own, with people who have no business loaning money. All in all, my parents truly have nothing left, but they’re too stubborn to ask for help, instead choosing to threaten their children to get ahead.
On the drive home, I think of all the things my parents have done, and although I should feel angry with them, I can’t. Instead, all I feel is pity. I don’t wish them or anyone else harm, but I don’t want to make it easier for them, not with everything they’re doing to Thea.
When I arrive home, Nate’s sitting outside with Archie. As if they’re in sync, they both look towards my car as I pull up and smile. Nate stands and walks over, opening the car door for me.
When I step out and close the door, he pulls me towards him and places one hand on my cheek as his eyes search mine. Somehow, we don’t need words; it’s like he knows what’s going through my mind.
“You two are so weird talking with your minds.” Archie’s face pops up right next to us.
I roll my eyes before looking at him. “Hello to you, too, Arch.”
He hops from one foot to another. “I’m bursting to pee; can you hurry up and open the door?”
We walk to the house, and I open the door. Archie runs inside and up the stairs to the bathroom while Nate follows me into the kitchen.
I turn in time to see him pick up the envelope that was delivered this morning. His eyes flick to mine as he holds it up. “This guy’s relentless. Are you okay?”
I nod. “I’m okay, I’m ignoring it, I have nothing to say to him, and for once he’s the least of my worries.”
Nate’s brow creases. “What do you mean?”
I blow out a breath and scrub my hands down my face. “Thea came to see me this morning. She told me my grandad left me a lot of money, and my parents have told her that if she doesn't marry for money, they'll take my inheritance. They’re beyond broke.”
Nate’s face contorts with rage. “They can’t do that, it’s illegal. Let me ring my mum, we have Clive and–”
I step in front of him and cut him off. “Don’t worry, your mum asked me over this morning, and I told her everything that happened. I’ve already been to see Clive; he’s going to help me.”
Nate places a kiss on my forehead. “And here’s me thinking I could be all dramatic and save the day with a grand gesture.”
“Did someone say grand gesture? I can do that, I have loads of ideas.” Archie saunters into the kitchen, grabbing an apple out of my fruit bowl before taking a bite.
He hops onto my counter, looking between Nate and me, and he mumbles around a mouthful of apple. “What?”
Nate shakes his head, but I laugh. “I was just telling Nate about my parents. They don’t have anything left, so they’re using Thea to marry into a wealthy family, and if she doesn’t, they’ve threatened to take my inheritance.
Luckily, your mum put me in touch with your family lawyer to help me, so now I need to find a way to get Thea back here and away from them. ”
Archie snaps his fingers. “This calls for a code name. We could call it ‘Operation Breakout’; we need to get the rest of our brothers involved. We create a distraction at the front of the house while you, Hayleigh, sneak in through the back and grab Thea.” He winks at me, smiling his head off and nodding like a madman.
Nate pinches the bridge of his nose, shaking his head. “I’m sorry about him.”
Laughter bubbles up my throat. “Archie, there will be no ‘Operation Breakout’, have you learned absolutely nothing from the last ‘operation’ you did?”
Archie waves his hands. “Total misunderstanding, but this time, we’ll execute it perfectly.”
I step out of Nate’s embrace and walk towards Archie, lean forward and wrap my arms around his waist. “Thank you for being such a good friend, but this is something I have to do by myself. I have to be able to stand up to my mother once and for all.”
He hugs me back. “At least let us come with you? What if she kidnaps you and tries to sell you on?”
I giggle. “I take it you read the latest book I gave you?”
He nods. “Yes, and if Riker and his men hadn’t gotten to Cassidy in time, then her parents would have sold her off to the bad guy biker group.”
I pat his cheek softly. “I’m not Cassidy, and as far as I know, my parents don’t know any outlaw biker groups. They’re more tea and biscuits at the country club, kind of people.”
He grumbles. “I still don’t like it.”
Nate hums his agreement. “Same, Hayleigh. I know they’re your parents, but I don’t like it either.”
I roll my eyes while secretly loving how protective they both are. “I’ll be okay. Who wants food, because I am starving.”
Archie gets down from the counter with ease before pointing at me. “That’s some next-level subject change, but as it so happens, I too am starving, so where are your menus?” He roots through my kitchen drawers before I wave my phone in his face.
“No one uses menus anymore, Arch.”
He looks from me to Nate, his mouth hanging open. “If we’re going to be besties, Hayleigh, you need to understand that all this digital crap isn’t how I roll. What would you do if there were a global internet attack and you needed food? You would wish then that you had a menu handy.”
I look at Nate, but he holds his hands up and shakes his head. I look back at Archie and shrug. “Fine, you win. I’ll start collecting them.”
We leave Archie grumbling about having to use an online menu and head for the living room. Nate takes hold of my hand, stopping me.
His eyes flicker uncertainly between mine. “You will tell me before you go, won’t you?”
I nod. “I promise, Nate. I’m not staying there, but I do need to go. I left Thea once before, and I won’t do it again. I have to do this alone, you understand that, don’t you?”
He smiles. “Of course I do. It’s one of the last things on your list.”
“Don’t forget the safari.” I’m smiling, but I also feel lost. “I have no idea what to do once the list is complete.”
He bops my nose with his finger. “That’s easy, we can add to it, or we can take each day as it comes. It’s entirely up to you.”
I smile up at him, safe in his arms, as I realise that he’s right.
I don’t always need a plan, and that’s okay.