CHAPTER 42 Everleigh Bradley
Where to Work
I’m crying as I walk around my condo, haphazardly tossing items into a suitcase as if I care what I bring back to Chicago with me and what stays here.
It’s better this way. I’ll get to go home, spend Mom’s last few months with her. Or year. However much time she has.
I really just need my toiletries, maybe a few clothing items. My red lipstick. My favorite heels. Everything else is back in Chicago anyway.
I never should’ve taken this job in the first place. I am terrified to tell Stuart that Jack fired me, but honestly, he probably already knows. Still, it’s a call I know I need to make.
Before I get the chance to make the call, though, my phone rings. I glance at my screen and see my brother Ford calling.
I draw in a deep breath and say a few practice heys aloud so I don’t sound like I’ve been crying before I answer. “Hey.”
“What’s wrong?” he immediately asks, clearly catching me.
“I was fired,” I wail.
“Because of Dad,” he says flatly.
I mean…I guess in a way, it does all lead directly back to him, doesn’t it?
More wailing is my response. And some babbling.
“And I fell in love with Maverick Jennings but it’s over now because he was caught there at Dad’s lounge and the police said if he named the operator the DA might let him off but he didn’t and he came to me and I said he couldn’t and now he feels like I didn’t choose him. ”
“Well, you didn’t,” he points out, ever the man of logic. As if I need that right now.
“Whatever,” I mutter.
“This whole thing gets even messier. Did you know about Dex?”
“That Dad wanted him to run it when it opened?” I ask, supplying what information I know.
“Yeah. I guess he was bringing in whales. But Dad had listed his name as the operator originally. If it hadn’t been for Ainsley…” He trails off as I think that one through, finally filling in the ending.
“The FBI would be on his ass right now.”
“Yeah. And instead, they’re on someone else’s,” he murmurs.
“Who’s?” I demand, a little nervous to know the answer.
“Archer.”
“What?” I breathe. “How do you know? And how did Dad get him involved? And how? Just…how?”
“I’m trying to find out more. Tatum called me. She and Archer are done,” he says quietly.
Holy shit. “They’re done? And she called you?”
“She always calls me when they’re fighting. It used to be the way I kept tabs on him,” he admits.
“But then you went and fell for your younger brother’s girlfriend,” I say. It’s a clear accusation, but it’s also common knowledge between Ford and me.
“Shut up,” he mutters petulantly.
“Did Archer know Dad put his name down? Is that why they broke up?”
“I’m not sure, but right now it’s all very hush-hush. I wouldn’t be surprised if authorities came to talk to you, too, though. To all of us,” he says.
“Are they listening right now? Do we need to get our stories straight?” I don’t know if I’m joking or not.
“I don’t know,” he murmurs. “But what is this telling us about our father? Why should we be loyal to a father who would turn his back on his own kids and turn one of us in to save himself?”
“Is that what happened?” I ask.
He’s quiet a long time, and I’m not sure if or when we’ll get the answer to that. Eventually, he says, “I need to get back to practice.”
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“Are you?” he counters.
“No,” we both say at the same time.
I blow out a breath. “Love you, little bro.”
“Love you, big sis.” He ends the call, and I’m left reeling.
Archer?
Really?
He avoids the family for years and years, plays baseball when the rest of the boys play football, only to reappear to take the fall for our father’s crimes?
Something is going on, and I intend to find out what.
You know…right after I nurse this broken heart.
I pull my suitcase toward the door and glance around my condo one more time.
It’s been fun living here, and I actually have the contract on this place signed for another ten months, so maybe I’ll come visit once my heart has mended a little.
Once I have my feet under me again. Once I think I can face him without feeling the sting of what could have been.
Okay, fine. On second note, maybe I won’t be back for a while.
I walk out the door, and I lock up. I briefly debate knocking on Maverick’s door to say goodbye. I stare at the door, and I glance at the spot where he pinned me up against the wall to almost kiss me—the same place he pinned me up against the wall to actually kiss me.
I blow out a breath, and then I press the button to call the elevator.
I stop by the desk since Milton’s there, and I say, “Can you let Dex know I went back to Chicago?”
He nods once. “Any messages for Mr. Jennings?”
I press my lips together and shake my head as tears brim in my eyes.
“Oh, Ms. Bradley,” he says gently, and there’s a kind of apology in his tone without him having to say it. “Can I offer you a ride to the airport?”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“For what it’s worth, you really did turn that man around,” he says quietly.
“Thank you. I hope so, but Mr. Dalton didn’t seem to think so.”
“Will you be back?” he asks.
“I’m not sure.” I walk over to him and give him a hug. “Thanks for everything, Milton. You’ve been a lifesaver more than once.”
“That’s why they pay me the big bucks, ma’am.” He winks at me.
I head to the car waiting out front, and twenty minutes later, I’m getting out at the airport. I check in for my flight, check my bag, and head toward the gate.
I call Penny on the way.
“Evs!” she answers, and she sounds happy. On the other hand, I’m crying again. “Oh, no,” she says. “What happened?”
“Jack fired me, and I’m catching a flight home right now.”
“Oh, Ev. I’m so, so sorry. What can I do?”
“I know it’s Halloween and you’ll be busy with the kids, but maybe I can see you tomorrow or something?” I beg.
“I’ll do you one better,” she says. “I’m trick-or-treating with the kids tonight and then dropping them at their dad’s apartment afterward.
I’ll come over to your place, and we’ll veg out and have a sleepover like the good ole days before I got married and you got Billy-ed and we both got fucked over. ”
“Deal. I’ll pick up ice cream on my way home. And vodka.”
“And I’ll raid the candy bags for all of the M&Ms,” she offers.
I feel like she was probably going to do that anyway. “If you see any Snickers bars…”
“You got it. I’ll call you when I’m on my way.”
I feel a little better as we hang up, and a short while later, I’m boarding my flight and leaving behind this place that has caused so many issues and so much pain.