Billion Dollar Revenge (The Lincoln Brothers #2)

28. Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Chelsea

There’s still no news about Bobby, but I find myself in the car after a morning flight to Connecticut. Anna picked me up, and she’s been talking the whole time about her professor. It’s a nice distraction.

Evan, well, he’s gone radio silent. No calls or texts. But I haven’t reached out to him either. Deep down, I wish he’d change his mind about getting engaged, but I can’t expect him to change for me.

“You’re quiet. Are you still thinking about the article?” Anna asks.

I grimace, remembering my semi-naked picture plastered for the world to see. Not that I permitted Bobby to do it.

“Yeah, a little.”

“What’s going on?”

I stare out the car window, watching the houses pass us by. We don’t have much longer before we’re with my parents.

“I haven’t heard from Evan.”

Her head whips to me, smirking. “You like a guy?”

I rub my makeup-free face, sinking into the seat. “Yes, but why is my life a mess?”

“It’s not a mess. It’s life. Nothing you love ever comes easy.”

“I love him,” I say quietly. Expecting her to lecture me about falling so soon after Bobby, but her next words leave me shocked.

“I know.”

My head turns to look at her. Her lips twist into a small smirk.

“You knew?”

She tilts her head, meeting my gaze for a brief moment. “Of course.”

“How?”

“Mom told me all about him helping you with the studio.”

Of course she did…

“And what do you think?” I ask, knowing she has opinions on everything.

“I like him.”

I exhale. “He’s better than Bobby.”

“Not hard to beat that.” She laughs.

The sound of her laugh makes my lips part in the first true smile from me in twenty-four hours. “True.”

“Will you press charges against Bobby for invading your privacy?”

It’s suddenly cold in the car as I think about her question. I hadn’t given any thought to it. I was too embarrassed to think clearly.

“Maybe.”

“You’re too nice.”

“I’m not,” I argue.

She doesn’t know I broke things off with Evan because I chose me. My usual pattern of letting people’s life choices become mine is gone. As much as I’m hurting, I know I couldn’t keep doing it.

She pulls up into our parents' long drive, and another smile breaks free across my face. Trees and flowers line the driveway. My parents’ wrap-around porch and house remind me how big the land is here. The garden is spectacular. I can’t wait to sit out here and think.

Think about my next steps. And also unwind before my studio opens.

I don’t even get a foot out before the wire door opens. I’m practically pulled from the car by my mom.

“Mom. Hi,” I say, as she wraps her arms around me in a tight squeeze.

“I’m so glad to see you.”

Her warm body and thumping heart relax me instantly. I needed her. I may be an adult, but I still need my parents’ hugs sometimes.

“I missed you too,” I mumble into her shoulder.

“How was the flight?” she asks, pulling away to hold my cheeks in her hands.

“Good. I watched a movie.”

“Which one?”

“Some action one.”

Truthfully, I wanted something safe. Nothing with romance or comedy; I didn’t want to cry on the flight.

“Have you eaten?”

“Yes.”

Not much, but I don’t need her asking questions.

“Okay, come and sit down.” She touches my arm, guiding me toward the chair. She speaks as if I’ve been traveling all day, even though it was just a short flight.

“I might put my bags down and walk through the garden, if you don’t mind.”

Her eyes roam my face. “Of course not. Do you want some company?”

I put on a fake smile. “Maybe next time.”

“Okay, enjoy.” Mom winks.

I take my bag from the trunk, but my dad's already there, taking it from me.

“No daughter of mine is carrying her bag.”

“Thanks, Dad,” I say, giving him a big hug.

He brings it inside, so I turn on my heel and walk toward the garden. It’s a slow wander, and I take in the sounds of the birds, wind, and trees. The air is warmer here. My dad must have cut the grass today; it’s got that fresh-cut smell.

I take a big inhale through my nose. My childhood memories coming back. My sister and I would swing in a tire from that big oak tree. It’s still there because my dad refuses to remove it. He says one day the grandchildren will play with it like me and Anna did.

The memory makes me shudder. Children. I feel like that’s getting further out of reach every day.

Of course, when I finally find a guy worth sharing my life with, he doesn’t want it.

Just my luck.

And it’s as if the tree is mocking me by being his favorite. I remember that time at his gram’s and being in her garden.

I keep wandering along the path when I come to the open area. I remember practicing Pilates out here when I was eighteen. My passion started at such a young age. My parents always encouraged me to pursue it, and it helped me dream big. In a way, they are so similar to Evan. He allowed me to follow my goals and supported what I was passionate about. Never once did he look down on me. He was always encouraging. Am I ready to throw that all away?

I need to clear my thoughts, so I take my old spot on the grass and do some stretches. Moving my body feels incredible. I end up doing a mixture of yoga and Pilates until my sister comes out to tell me it’s dinnertime.

It’s only been half a day, and although I’m getting what I came here for, I miss Evan. It will take a lot of self-talk to stop me from messaging him tonight. I owe myself a few days of no contact to do what I said I was coming here to do. Think.

So I message Nova and Summer to tell them I arrived, with a picture of the garden and a message to let them know I’ll speak to them in a few days. Then I do the hardest yet the most important thing, turn my phone off and put it in my bag. I promise myself this time to take the space I need to think without distractions.