28. Roman
ROMAN
“ J ust because you’re filthy rich now doesn’t mean I have to accept blood money.”
Brooklynn’s voice is defiant, but there’s a tremble under it, just enough to make my chest ache. I don’t correct her, even though after what Dad told me, I’m not sure how long the money will last if the Calloways have anything to say about it.
“Brooke…it’s not that simple.”
“So make it that simple,” she retorts.
“He’s getting Mom into rehab. She could come back to us.”
Brooklynn makes a noise. “You’re delusional, Bear. He’s not some fairy godmother, he’s a manipulative asshole in a fancy suit.”
“He doesn’t really wear suits.”
I cringe as soon as I say it, knowing my ill-timed sarcasm won’t land.
“He got health insurance,” I continue, not sure why I’m defending him so much. “And if you’d just say yes to this trust, it will pay automatically every year for you. You’ll never have to worry about it again. You’ll have money at your fingertips, kid.”
Say yes.
She makes a disgusted noise. “You sound like his little bitch boy.”
I grit my teeth. “I’m not .”
“What if he changes his mind?” she asks. “If he decides he doesn’t want to help anymore? If he needs to use me to control you again?”
“He isn’t?—”
“Don’t act like I’m naive to what’s going on,” she cuts me off. “I can put two and two together as easily as anyone else.”
“I’m trying to take care of you.”
“Well, don’t . I can take care of myself. What do you think is gonna happen when Mom goes to rehab, anyway? That I’ll come live there with you?”
The thought of her on her own freaks me out, but I know if I tell her that, she’ll just force the issue even more.
“I know you can,” I soothe. “You’ve always been the strongest one out of the two of us. I just don’t want you looking back and regretting anything. I want you to let me make your life easier.”
I’m not sure I’m doing a great job at selling it to her.
“I hate you for doing this,” she whispers. “You just left me here. With her .”
Her words cut through my chest. But if she needs to have me as a punching bag for her anger, then that’s fine, I’ll be that. I remember what it was like to be a seventeen-year-old kid with a ton of anger on my shoulders and nowhere to direct the pain.
I run a hand through my hair. “You know, once things settle down, you could come live with me. I know you hate me and all right now, but would it really be so bad?”
“My doctors are here.”
“Connecticut has better ones.”
I don’t know if that’s true, but now I have the means to get her the best care in the world, and I’ll make sure she has it, whether she likes that or not. And it may not be safe for her right now in Rosebrook, but maybe one day…
“That all takes time.” she says sharply.
“Not when you’re a Montgomery it doesn’t,” I snap, my tone strong.
She scoffs. “Who are you?”
“Guess you’d better keep talking to me, so you can find out.”
A blacked-out Rolls-Royce pulls into my driveway, and my spine straightens. That looks like my father’s driver.
It pulls to a stop, and the door swings open, Benjamin appearing, followed by Merrick.
“Listen, I’ve gotta go. Just think about what I said, okay?”
Brooklynn sighs. “Yeah, all right.”
“Love you, kid.”
“Ditto.”
Click.
I stare at the two guys standing in my driveway. “What are you two doing here?”
Benjamin lifts a brow and leans against the car, picking at his nails like he’s bored, but Merrick puts his arms out and shimmies his chest. “Here to party, sweetheart.”
I look behind me at my house and then back at them. “I think you’re at the wrong place, then.”
“Afraid not.” Merrick jogs over to me and pats me on the back, his fingers digging into my shoulder blade. “We’re taking you out.”
My life is split into three parts.
Before the car accident, after the car accident, and then whatever this fresh hell is.
Before , I used to watch the life of my father like a kid looking at candy through a storefront window. So close but out of my price range.
Sitting here in the HillPoint at the Round Table with Merrick and Benjamin, things feel a little different.
Now, I have that life, and I wonder if there’s a little kid standing outside a frosted window, gazing in and wishing he could be me. The thought makes me sick to my stomach. I’m playing a part now, emulating the way I envisioned my father when I was growing up.
I lean back in the booth, my ears tuning out the noise of the other bar patrons until it’s a dull, soft murmur.
“How’s life, sweetheart?” Merrick asks, tipping his beer.
“Would you quit calling me that?” I complain.
He grins, unfazed. “That good, huh?”
“It’s fine.” I shrug, my mind flicking to those stolen moments with the woman I can’t get out of my head.
“Don’t be so modest,” Benjamin cuts in, looking at me before focusing on Merrick. “Him and Daddy are thick as thieves now. Practically sharing a toothbrush.”
I want to get defensive, but I bite back the urge, knowing it will only make things worse. Instead, I smirk at him. “Jealous, Benny? You need a hug?”
He scoffs, lifting his chin.
Merrick slaps his shoulder. “Don’t be so bitter, Benny. Roman can’t help that he was born with a trust fund and perfect cheekbones any more than you can help that you’re just the unfortunate cousin.”
“I’m not fucking bitter.” Benjamin shrugs him off.
Merrick cackles, slamming his hand on the table and picking up the other shot glass, raising it high in the air.
“To Roman. May he be more than just another pretty face in a town full of assholes. And with any luck…” He winks.
“A decent fuck, too. That way people will still like you even if you lose Daddy’s money. ”
Benjamin cracks a grin and tilts his own glass. “We can only hope.”
I down the shot, the burn of tequila scorching my throat and settling in my chest. I point a finger at Merrick. “I’m an excellent fuck.”
“Is that right?” He leans in close, dark eyes sparkling. “I’m more than willing to test out the merchandise.”
I click my tongue. “No can do, my friend. I’m too afraid you’d start writing me love letters on the back of bar napkins.”
“Maybe I already am,” he replies.
Benjamin groans. “God, get a room.”
“Wasn’t it you,” I say, turning fully toward Merrick, “who said Rosebrook Falls is where love goes to die?”
He flops back in the booth, his arm lazily draped across the top. “Even ghosts have dreams.”
“Speaking of dreams, I had one last night,” Benjamin cuts in, swirling the rim of his glass with a finger.
“Oh?” Merrick perks up. “What was your dream?”
He leans in, lowering his voice to a whisper. “That dreamers lie.”
Merrick looks at him, unimpressed. “Wow. Life-changing, Benny. Truly.”
Benjamin shrugs. “I thought it was apt. This town’s full of liars pretending their dreams will come true.”
Merrick laughs. “Pretty philosophical there for someone who peaked in high school.”
Benjamin flashes a grin. “Yet here you are, sitting at my table, drinking Tequila I paid for, and using the Montgomery name like you earned it.”
“Jesus, Benny,” I remark.
Merrick lifts his glass. “Shit, are we fighting or bonding? I can’t tell.”
A bartender walks over and sets fresh beers down on the table. She’s pretty. I don’t think she can be taller than five-three, and her copper-red hair is pulled back in a bun on top of her head.
“Thanks, beautiful Ginny,” Merrick says as he takes his beer from her.
She gives him a smile and then turns her gaze on Benjamin, something colder taking its place, all nicety dropping from her heart-shaped face. “Where’s Rosalie, Benny?”
He stretches out his arm over the back of the booth. “Do I look like Rosalie’s keeper, Genevieve?”
Her eyes narrow. “I don’t know, Benjamin , you seem to care enough when you’re sticking your filthy pencil dick inside of her.”
“She likes it when I’m filthy.” He winks.
“You’re a pig,” she spits.
He shrugs. “She knows how it is.”
“Well, if you see her, tell her I don’t appreciate her not showing up for her shift tonight.”
He nods, sucking on his teeth. “Will do.”
“And you’re tipping me sixty percent for being a prick. I’ll add it to your tab.”
“What?” He throws his hands up. “How is this my fault?”
She lifts a shoulder. “It’s not. It’s just because you’re an asshole.”
Something sparks in Benjamin’s eyes, and I lean back, taking in the scene.
He laughs and shakes his head. “It’s a wonder Art still walks around with a stick up his ass with how much spirit you have, Gin. Does that not translate to the bedroom?”
Art. That name sounds familiar.
She glares and spins around, stomping away, and he laughs. “Fuck, she’s so hot. I don’t know why she’s sleeping with Art Penngrove of all people.”
“Because he’s the mayor’s son, probably,” Merrick says, swigging from his beer. “Women love power. Plus, it probably helps that he owns the place now. Bet she gets all the good shifts.”
“She looked like she wanted to kill you,” I chime in.
A dark look coasts across Benjamin’s face. “One day, I’ll ruin her. Mark my words.”
“So, what’s up with this place?” I ask, throwing my arm on the back of the booth and looking around.
“This is where it all happens, sweetheart.” Merrick spreads his arms like he’s unveiling a magic trick. “You want to know the true pulse of Rosebrook Falls? This is where you need to be.”
I lift a brow. “At a bar in the HillPoint?”
Merrick grins wickedly. “It’s more than just a bar. At least now that Art owns it. But it’s good how well it hides it, don’t you think?”
I squint. “What does that even mean?”
Benjamin says something else, but I’m not paying attention anymore, because like a beacon in a storm, my gaze snaps to the front door, laser focused on the women who just waltzed in.
One woman in particular.
Juliette.
My veins heat like every single molecule of my body is hardwired to react to her, and I track her as she walks through the space, moving through bodies and sitting down at the bar.
My heart slams against my chest, and my knee bounces beneath the table. I grab my beer and gulp down a mouthful just to give myself something to do.
But fuck , she’s here .
And I’m a little drunk.
I break my gaze away, my eyes meeting Merrick’s knowing look.
Clearing my throat, I take another sip of my beer, but my eyes trail back to her every few seconds, the urge to go to her so strong it takes everything in me to stay in my seat.
And I’m successful at it, too…until some douchebag walks up behind her and her friend, his arm a little too close to her exposed back and his eyes wandering a little too south.