Chapter 3 #2
“Text me a time.” I stop, turning to him. “If Andi’s gonna be there, I’ll be there.”
“Y’all are gonna have to stop spoiling her,” Brannon groans.
“I’m the uncle. I get to but you need to tell her poppa to slow down.” I shove my thumb at Riley.
“No way. She’s precious.” He smiles.
“Y’all are wrapped.” Brannon laughs. He’s Andi’s dad. Yeah, you heard me. My brother and his soon-to-be wife’s ex are good friends. It’s the way it should be.
“Thanks for coming. Be careful headin’ home. I’m gone.” I wave over my head as I make a break for my SUV. I really don’t want to be late with Reese on watch.
I hit Seventeen, anxious to get to the center. I want her to see I’m serious and trustworthy. I loosen my tie as I drive, yanking it off when I park. I open the two top buttons and try to look business casual. I want to be approachable and hope to earn their trust.
“What the fuck, Walker?” I say to myself as I shake my head. I walk through the front door and into the war zone. “Hey, everyone. Give me two minutes to check in, and I’ll be right with you.”
As I get closer to the closed door at the back of the hallway, I hear voices. Not friendly-sounding voices, either. I tap on the door, announcing myself as I stick my head through. “Ladies, I wanted you to know I’m here to work.”
Reese leers at me before unleashing her venom. “You asshole.”
“Excuse me?” Why do I continue to be tolerant of her? I step through, closing the door behind me.
“You knew. You both knew and decided this was the best way to derail my work for CCHS.” Her face turns red, and she stands, planting her hands on the table.
“No, Reese. I swear to you, neither of us knew you were working with The Historical Society,” Maisyn pleads with her.
“I’ll be damned if you didn’t.” Reese slams her hand on the table. Maisyn’s face flames the color of her magenta highlights. She owns and operates a tattoo shop. Maisyn is such a badass.
Maisyn leans over the table, toward Reese. “I’ll be damned if we did. What the fuck is wrong with you? Do you think we’d undermine the work done here for land? Fuck that.”
“What am I supposed to think? Tell me, please.” Reese’s voice raises with each word.
“Okay, ladies. Enough.” I grit my teeth to keep from saying what I want to. “Maisyn, could you give us a minute and check on our clients? Please.”
She’s hesitant but concedes. “It’s probably best if I do.” She glares at Reese, who isn’t giving an inch to my shock.
“Thank you,” I say.
She jerks the door open without a word. I turn my attention back to Reese and try to calm her the fuck down.
“Spit it out.” Her eyes burn with discontent.
I lay my hands on the table across from hers, leaning in as close as possible. “I need you to calm the hell down, Reese. I understand you feel betrayed—especially by Maisyn, considering she’s your friend— but no one, I repeat, no one tried to fuck with you.”
“Don’t you dare talk down to me. I’m not ignorant, nor am I easily manipulated.” Her words set me on my heels as they explode like a bomb of my making.
I take a deep, steadying breath before I say something I regret. “Listen. There are twenty people in the other room waiting for help. Are you going to allow this to get in the way?”
She straightens, glaring at me. Her face unmoving as she grabs her bag, rounding the table. She pauses reaching for the door. Reese turns on me like a predator instead of the prey.
“I’ve dealt with controlling assholes my entire life, but you… I suppose it’s what makes you so successful. I’m not easily influenced, nor will I be swayed.” She jerks the door open, but I lay my hand on it to stop her from leaving.
For the love of God. Whatever in the hell comes over me, I slowly lose my cool. Leaning close, I grit my teeth in a feeble attempt to remain calm.
Breathing against her ear, I growl, “Maybe someone should control you or at least control something for you.” I watch as her body trembles, swaying into mine.
Where the fuck did that come from?
I shake my head to clear it. Before I can say another word, she widens the door, taking one shaky step after the other until she’s far enough away from me that I can breathe. I move my neck from side to side until it pops, helping to relieve some tension.
“Fuck. She drives me insane.” I sigh.
“Excuse me?” Maisyn says from the room opposite me, scaring the shit out of me.
I grasp my chest. “Seriously?” I stare at her wide-eyed.
Her face breaks into a smile. “What were you saying?” Her smile turns into a smirk.
I shake my head as I turn to get my briefcase, once again admonishing myself over the fiery redhead. “Nothing.” I turn to see Maisyn appraising me.
“Hmmmm.” She crosses her arms over her chest.
My mouth pops open as I struggle for words. “I can’t stand her. She’s a fucking nightmare.”
Maisyn’s eyes dart behind me. I squeeze my eyes shut, knowing Reese is standing there. “It’s not what you think.” Maisyn’s face softens as she looks from me to the injured woman. My heart pounds, and I swallow hard.
Turning, I’m faced with her hazel eyes. The sadness behind them can’t be all my fault. But I am an asshole. “Reese.”
She licks her lips, slowly moving her head to look at Maisyn. “Donovan’s threatened Jenn again. I need to get her a ride to file a restraining order as soon as possible. Thank you.” Reese turns without another thought of me.
I grind my teeth. “Fuck.”
“Seems as though you’ve been saying that a lot lately.” Maisyn moves past me. I stand rooted to the spot. “I think you need to do it instead of just saying it.”
I smash my mouth into a thin line before saying something and making matters worse. I’ll be damned if I don’t say it anyway. “That’s the problem, not the solution.”
Maisyn cocks her brow at me. “What or is it, whom?”
“I need to get moving, I’m taking the room across from her.”
“I’ll send your client in.” Thankful Maisyn lets the topic of Reese go, I wrestle with doing it myself. I want to know more about Reese Morgan. I want to know everything. “And Walker.” Maisyn draws my attention back to her. “She’s single.”
“I don’t care.” I walk away shaking my head.