Chapter 3
Reese storms from the room and before I can follow her, Lachlan walks through the door. “Walker?”
“Lachlan.” I grind my teeth, trying to compose myself.
“Who’s the lass?” He motions to the closing door Reese just bolted from.
I throw my briefcase on the table, my blood boiling. “Reese Morgan. She volunteers at Lea’s crisis center that your girlfriend told me about.” I glare at him, pounding the side of my leg with my fist. “She’s infuriating. She gets under my skin at every turn, irritating me like a fucking rash.”
“Don’t hold back. Tell me how you really feel.” Lachlan crosses his arms over his chest.
“She accused me of volunteering at the center to get close to her for this case. Can you believe her? Arrogant, self-righteous, goody-two-shoes. Who in the hell does she think she is?” My chest heaves with anger, my lips flattening into a thin line.
“First– calm down. There’s no thinking clearly when you’re this angry. Second—does she realize who Maisyn is?” he questions with a frown. I know he’s concerned for his girl, but no one would ever guess they were together.
“I can’t calm down.” I glare at him. “I don’t believe so. There’s no way in hell she would be friendly with Maisyn, if so.”
Lachlan pulls his phone from his pocket and begins to text. He’s probably letting Maisyn know. “Can you work with her?”
“The question is… will she work with me?” I crack my knuckles to relieve some pent-up tension.
“Make it work. I trust your judgment.” Lachlan finishes his text, shoving his phone back in his pocket. “Maisyn had no clue. She’s concerned whether Reese’ll return to help out.”
“If I know one thing, she won’t quit.” I sigh heavily. “And by God, I won’t either.”
“This just got interesting.” Lachlan smirks.
“Glad to be the comic relief,” I answer snidely.
“Not at all, Walker,” he says with a furrowed brow. “I see two people wanting the same things but in a different way. Two passionate, caring, intelligent people wanting to make a difference. It would be amazing if you could find a happy medium, for all of us.”
“Happy?” I chuckle. “I can assure you, there will never be a time Reese Morgan will be happy.”
“I hope you’re wrong for both our sakes.” Lachlan grabs the door handle. “Time to be charming.”
“Prince Charming couldn’t make her happy.”
He laughs. “Well, then, kill her with kindness.”
“Oh, I could think of plenty of ways to kill her.” I jerk my briefcase from the table. “Come to think of it, kindness might be the best way.”
“There’s the Walker I know and love.” He pats me on the back as we step out of the room.
“Wait until you get my bill.” Lachlan laughs loudly, and I chuckle. “I’m not kidding.” He laughs even louder as we walk from the courthouse.
I jump in my Tahoe and head to the office, Reese Morgan not far from my mind. “If she’s the enemy, I better be ready for war,” I mutter to myself before placing a call to my brother as soon as I park.
“What’s up?” Riley’s always so flippant.
“Can you be a grown up for two fucking seconds?”
“Damn. Who pissed in your Cheerios?” Riley asks.
“I need help.” I choose to ignore his ass.
“I’m not fucking you,” he says.
“Fuck you. Are you gonna help me or not?”
“Damn. Sure.” He pauses. “With what?”
“I’m going to convert a few rooms over my office into an apartment,” I explain.
“Just tell me when. Although, building is a better investment of your money,” Riley tells me.
“I know but there’s no one to share my life with, so I’m going to knock down a few walls for a loft. I already have the kitchen. A few minor adjustments and I can settle in.” I lay my head against the seat.
“Bad day in court?” Riley asks.
“Something like that.”
“I’ll run by this evening, see what we can figure out,” he offers.
“Sounds good.” I release a long-held breath. “Thanks, lil’ brother.”
“Anytime.” Riley ends the call, and I continue to sit in my SUV, gathering myself.
I grab my things and head in to get to work. Riley will be by later, and I’ll need to finish two consultations from last night. I’ve never prayed harder to not have to see someone than I am to miss Reese this evening.
The rest of the day flies by, and I ready for my next appointment. “Hey, Donna?”
“Yes?” she answers quickly.
“Am I missing something, or do I have an appointment in a few minutes?”
“You do. The client asked for anonymity. He’ll discuss with you what he needs when he arrives.” Her words, although odd, just round out this crazy as fuck day. “As a matter of fact, he’s here.”
“Please, show him in.” I stand, straightening my clothes. But when I glance at the door, I’m left speechless.
“Walker.” Chord’s head lulls. “I hope this is okay.”
I’m wide-eyed, gobsmacked that my ex-fiancé’s younger brother would be here to see me. I close my mouth to gather myself before speaking. From the look on his face, this isn’t about my former relationship. “I’m not sure I understand.”
He drops his head. “Maybe this was a bad idea after all.”
For some ungodly reason, I ask him to sit down. “Please, wait. Let’s talk.” I walk to the door, closing it behind him. I take my seat and turn to him. “How can I help you?”
Chord sits with his head down, looking beaten up by the world. If I know anything, I know this look. “I’m not sure where to start.” When his eyes meet mine, I know exactly what to say.
“Who is she?”
“Huh. Damn you’re good, but I’m not sure where to start,” he explains.
“Only women can make us this crazy.” I chuckle. “But I can’t help until you tell me what you need from me.”
“Secrecy.” He stares me in the eye. “I know we haven’t always gotten along and the shit with my sister was messed up, but I’m told you’re a damn good lawyer.”
“I’m working on it. I apologized to Thayer and Hardy not long ago.” I press my lips into a thin line and swallow hard. Still bitter tasting. “And I like to think I’m pretty badass in the legal aspect.”
“That’s what I hear.” He nods. “So, I need you to keep this between us. You know my family will more than likely dig, but as of right now, I want as few as possible to know.”
“We can give your case a name so that I’m the only one who knows what it is. Will that work?”
“Yes, thank you.” He rubs the back of his neck, trying to relieve the tension. “I have a problem down in Charleston.”
“All right, I can still practice there.” I refrain from writing anything down until I know what we’re looking at. I can make mental notes as we go.
“Good.” Chord sighs. “This all started eight years ago.”
Two hours and a glass of bourbon later, Chord stands with a sigh of relief. “Thanks, man. This means so much to me.”
“As long as you understand, it’s an uphill battle and at some point, you’ll have to go public.”
“I understand.” He reaches for my hand, and I’m taken aback. He smiles as I take his proffered hand. “Thank you.”
“Thank you, Chord. I appreciate your trust in me. I know I didn’t deserve it not long ago.” I swallow, not only my pride but my past. “I was an ass in high school. I treated your sister poorly. I’m having a hard time forgiving myself for my transgressions.”
“Man, we’ve known each other for years. That shit is water under the bridge. The only person making you pay for it is yourself. Ain’t it time you work on forgiving yourself?” He raises his brows.
“Who the hell are you?” I chuckle. “Yeah, maybe so. In that case, we need to work on it together.”
“Ain’t that the truth.” Chord laughs with me.
“Just a word of precaution.” I hesitate, taking time to find the right words.
“What you’re about to do is a huge deal.
I mean, it’s big and almost unheard of around here.
Although we need to exercise caution, I couldn’t care less about status quo.
What I am concerned about is your relationship.
This may be something you can’t go back on.
Please, take time to think it through and everything we’ve discussed, to be positive this is your only avenue.
I, of all people, know it’s not something you can just do and walk away. ”
He smirks. “I guess it’s time for me to ask, who in the hell are you?” He raises his brows. “I know but what she’s done, I can’t walk away from. Ever. She’s left me no other choice.”
“I understand.” The pain must be great for Chord. I watch him rub his chest, his face twisting in anguish.
“Thank you.” He turns toward the door before adding, “Hit me up this weekend, and we’ll grab some drinks.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Just as he opens the door, Riley and his friend, Brannon, walk through the front entrance.
Shit, think fast. “Well, I didn’t know you were asking Brannon to stop by.
I ran into Chord and asked him to look at what I wanted to do.
” Turning to Chord, I play it off. “Thanks, man, but I’ll just show Brannon. ”
“Hey, y’all.” He fist-bumps the guys. “I’m out then, Walker.”
“Later.” He shakes hands as he passes by the two headed into my office.
“Seriously impressed.” Riley throws his thumb toward Chord as he leaves.
“It’s all good. Let’s get upstairs and I’ll tell you what I want.” I walk toward the door. “Good thinking, bringing Brannon.”
“Ava’s idea. He dropped Andi off for the weekend,” Riley says. Andi is Ava’s daughter.
We stop on the landing for me to give them the basics. “Kitchen, bathroom, and four rooms. The four rooms are all the same size. I need a wall down, a built-in for entertainment on one end and a closet on the other.”
Brannon checks the specifications. “It’s an interior wall. Once it’s gone, the rest is cosmetic. Give me two weeks and you can move in.”
“Good deal. Let’s do it.” I shake his hand, pleased to be moving forward.
“I still think you need to build. Better investment,” Riley says.
“I know, but I’ve got time.”
“Let me check on permits tomorrow, and I’ll give you a call,” Brannon tells me.
“I’ll be expecting your call. I appreciate your time, but I need to run. I’m volunteering at the crisis center, and I have clients waiting,” I say, checking my watch.
“Ava wants you over for dinner this weekend. Don’t say no or I’ll make her call you.” Riley laughs as we take the stairs.