One Big Little Secret (The Rory Brothers #2)

25. Down To The Wire （Salem）

25

DOWN TO THE WIRE (SALEM)

I ncredibly, it only takes a couple days for Arlo to recover.

Two days of sitting by his side at the hospital in that endless bustle of muffled noises and claustrophobic disinfectant before he turns back into his normal chatty little self with puppy energy.

Two days of running through every single thing I could’ve done differently.

Two days of agonizing over Patton.

Every time I close my eyes, I see his face. The way he looked at me when I told him about my plans to strike out on my own—a plan that isn’t even a plan. A plan that I’ve slowly been researching as a parachute escape from all things Rory related.

A just-in-case backup I have little confidence I can actually make a reality.

God.

I didn’t think it was possible to screw up this bad, but I’ve done it. Maybe it’s not rotten luck that’s following me after all.

More like karma grabbing me by the throat and throwing me through the wall.

Delly Rory takes us back to her house from the hospital the day Arlo gets discharged.

“I insist, dear,” she says as I strap Arlo’s kid seat into her expensive white SUV. “I know how difficult these past few days have been for you.”

“Thank you so much for the food.” I stifle a yawn. “I don’t know how I’d have gotten by without it.”

“You’re welcome. And you should thank Junie, too. She’s the one who’s been cooking up a storm in our kitchen with a little help from her lovely grandmother.”

I drag my fingers over my eyes.

Junie. Another near-stranger whose kindness I don’t deserve. Clearly, none of them know about my fallout with Patton, even if I haven’t heard from him in days.

“I appreciate it. More than you’ll ever know,” I say as I climb into her passenger seat.

She tells stories about Patton as a kid all the way home, thinking they’ll entertain me.

And yeah, I’m amused when she tells me about the time four-year-old Patton ate crayons after Dexter convinced him they were candy. But she doesn’t know story time slowly carves more chunks out of my heart.

There’s something different about Delly today that makes me wonder.

She’s dimmer, more subdued.

Evelyn’s betrayal, probably. It’s wilting her like a bright flower under a merciless heat lamp. The warm, easy smile that’s been there ever since we met seems more forced now, a mask she wears for appearances only.

It makes my heart hurt.

This lovely woman shouldn’t have to fade like this.

Not when she glitters like Kansas City itself on a long summer night.

“I’ve got a spare room you can use,” she says, changing subjects so fast I almost get whiplash. “I made them up for you. You don’t have to stay, of course. But Arlo can, if you’d like, while your parents are visiting.”

My jaw pops from being clenched.

I don’t know what possessed them to call, really.

But that’s a lie. I do.

In my panic after Arlo was rushed to the hospital, I stress-dialed my mother. She didn’t answer, of course, but I’m sure she heard me crying on the voicemail, desperate for comfort from a source I can’t trust.

The damage was done, even after I texted and told them it was a false alarm.

She called me yesterday and insisted they were flying in on a charter jet from some pharma guy Dad met at the golf course. They’re due very soon and I don’t know what I’m going to say to them.

I don’t know what I want to say—if there’s anything to say at all.

After so long apart, effectively estranged, we barely know each other.

Motherhood has changed me a lot, obviously. I’m guessing they haven’t changed one bit.

I chew on a hangnail anxiously.

It’s a real relief to have Delly helping with Arlo so I’m free to meet them without him—they don’t deserve to see him right away after what they’ve pulled over the years—but the uncertainty makes me break out in hives.

I don’t know if I even want him meeting his absentee grandparents, the same people who wanted me to give him up the minute he was born.

I also hate that Patton won’t return my messages.

He’s opened my texts, leaving them on Read. That’s worse than not knowing if he ever saw them at all.

I almost crack and ask Delly where he is, but I’m not sure I want to know.

I was worried for him after he made noise about going off on his own to find Evelyn Hibbing. How dangerous could she be?

And what prayer would I have of stopping him?

We arrive at Delly’s house soon, just before sunset. It’s blazing with light against the pink stained sky when we go inside.

Arlo’s stay has left him sleeping, and he dozes on my shoulder. Dexter and Juniper are there in the great room, along with Archer and his son, Colt.

“Good to see you,” Juniper whispers, giving me a brisk hug. “Need some help putting him to bed?”

“Just show me the way.”

We leave Delly to settle in with her family. I follow Junie upstairs to the spare room Delly made up for us. This house must be about a hundred years old, yet the guest room is still bigger than my apartment.

And although Junie hasn’t been part of the family for that long, she seems completely at home in this enormous space.

“Don’t feel obligated to stay up and chitchat if you’d like to catch up on sleep. You’ve been through a lot,” she says, catching me looking at her.

Unlike Delly, whose sense of style is immaculate, Juniper looks more comfortable in jeans and an old tee than high fashion. And although she’s beautiful in her own way—could she be anything else to wind up hitched to Dexter Rory?—there’s a sweet simplicity to her, too.

I’m a little in awe of the way she seems so confident here when she must be around my age. Does that all come from Dexter or from running the best bakery in town?

If I had a successful venture under my belt like her, I might flit around glowing too.

“You look like you manage pretty effortlessly,” I say. Arlo stirs as I lay him across the big plush bed and pull off his shoes. “How do you manage it?”

She laughs. “Delly, that’s how! The brothers, they take a bit to get used to—Archer especially was slow warming up to me—but Delly? She’s always treated me like the daughter she never had. Not bad for a boring baker girl, huh?”

“If you mean an awesome one, you’re right. I’m going to come in and try some cupcakes soon. Arlo could use a little spoiling after this scare.”

She smiles. “That’d be cool. We certainly try to make everything yummy at the Sugar Bowl. But this family, I thought they’d be more stuck up. Giant sticks up their asses, just like I thought about Dex at first.” She winces. “But they’re not like that at all. I was so wrong. If you’re worried you and Patton—”

“I’m not. He hasn’t even spoken to me in a few days,” I say, wishing the words hadn’t left my mouth. There’s no hiding it now, though, so I sigh and give her the truth. “We had an argument, Junie. I said crap I didn’t mean, and I think he did, too. Not that I can ever read that man’s mind.”

Arlo’s mouth moves sleepily as he rolls over. I decide to let him doze instead of wrestling him into his pajamas.

“Oh, I mean, that’s no surprise. I kinda thought you guys were fighting,” Juniper nods, tucking a lock of her auburn hair behind her ear. “When he came back here, he just seemed different. Way more protective and guarded, I guess.”

My heart sinks.

“That’s my fault. I made him think—” I bite back the hurt in my voice. What’s the point of waiting for someone who’s so damn scared she won’t stop running from the past? “I don’t know what to do. Is he even in town? I couldn’t bring myself to ask Delly.” It’s a long shot, I know, but I suddenly have the fiercest urge to see him, to hash this out in person.

“I’m sorry. He’s on a mission, I heard.” Juniper shakes her head slowly.

“Where?”

She shrugs. “I wish I knew. The guys made it clear this was their thing, and I’m trusting they won’t screw it up. Feel free to ask Dex if you want, though. Or I’ll be happy to do it for you.”

I stare at Arlo, the light of my life. He’s back to sleeping peacefully and the color in his cheeks looks almost normal again.

Alive.

He’s alive and okay, thank God.

I repeat the words in my head as I follow Junie back downstairs, but she stops me before we head into the dining room, where I guess they’ve all moved for dinner.

“Also, not to make this awkward, but I know about Arlo and Patton,” she says softly.

She knows?

Shit .

I stop mid-step and stare. “Patton told you?”

“No. I’m just a good observer, and I’m pretty well acquainted with Rory eyes by now. There’s no mistaking that shade of blue with Arlo.” She smiles gently. I try to relax before her next words turn me to stone. “But he told his brothers. Accidentally, I think.”

“Oh my God, he… he told them? What did they say?”

“Not much. Delly doesn’t know, not yet. They decided it’s not their place to drop the bomb. They want her to hear it from the horse’s mouth. From him, from you, whenever things are less crazy…”

She can say that again.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt so heavy with everything pulling me down.

“I’m not trying to make this harder. I just wanted to let you know that you’re not alone. And also that”—her brows draw together slightly—“Patton really loves the boy. There’s no faking that.”

“I know, I just—” I stop. What else can I say when his words pummel me in the face again?

What’s the point of waiting for someone who’s so damn scared she won’t stop running from the past?

God, he’s right, and I’m still living like I’m afraid of my own shadow.

“It’ll be fine, I’m sure, even if it feels pretty difficult right now.” She pushes the door open to the formal dining room.

Sure enough, Dexter and Archer are arguing again, although their voices hold a little less vitriol than usual. Delly sits at the head of the table like the queen she is, massaging her temples.

I see Colt at the other end of the table. He’s checked out of the conversation with his earbuds in, playing a game on his phone.

When they see me, everyone goes silent.

Archer pulls out an empty chair next to him.

“Have a seat,” he says, unusually kind. Not that he’s ever un kind, it just seems extra gentle, coming from a human bear.

Plus, I doubt Archer Rory ever makes being gentle a habit.

I look at Juniper for guidance, but she takes the seat beside Dexter. They exchange a slow, heavy look that feels like an entire secret conversation condensed into a wordless second.

Ugh, I miss that.

I had it with Patton.

He hasn’t told his family about our argument, I’m sure. I get the feeling he hasn’t said much, even to his brothers, before he decided to disappear.

“Let’s say a prayer. We owe it to this family tonight—and to little Arlo,” Delly says. I look down at the meal in front of me. It’s simple enough, beef brisket and whipped potatoes with some collard greens. I’m in awe that anybody had the energy to cook.

Warmth floods my eyes and I blink rapidly.

She doesn’t know.

She doesn’t know he’s her grandson and she’s already giving so much energy to making sure he’s safe and happy and comfortable.

Archer pats me clumsily on the shoulder, clearing his throat.

I. Miss. Patton. So. Much.

He knows when to be tender, when to be serious, when to lighten the mood with humor and when I need his stoic, gruff advice. He’d probably hold my hand under the table and mutter some wisecrack.

I’d get annoyed, but I’d also—

A rattle slips out of me, escaping my tight throat. Archer doesn’t look at me deliberately.

Thankfully, no one else notices.

I listen in as Juniper and Delly carry on about some art-related project. The conversation turns away from me like the tide, leaving me free to talk to Archer.

Halfway through dinner, I ask him the question I know Junie has been waiting for me to ask.

“I need to know,” I whisper. His gaze flicks to me and away again, training it on the fork in my hand. “Where’s Patton? He hasn’t spoken to me in days and Juniper made it sound like he’s gone.”

“He was tight-lipped about the details.” He swallows, still not looking at me. “Honestly, it’s not my place to—”

“Screw that, Archer.” My anger boils over, and I struggle to contain it. I’ve burned enough bridges with this family already. “I need to know.”

“It’s—”

“My business.”

He sighs, knowing I’ve won.

“All right, dammit. He asked me not to tell you,” he growls. “But he went after Evelyn himself. Left a few days ago. He said he was heading to Miami first, and from there, anywhere else he can get a lead on her. And before you ask, no, no one’s heard anything.”

The shock pins me in my chair, the iciness spreading to my hands. I drop my fork. Holding anything now feels impossible.

Of course he went after Evelyn. I already knew that.

But hearing confirmation hits different.

On the one hand, she’s an old lady. He’s much younger and he’s a Navy veteran. He’s strong and he works out regularly. He’s more than capable if anything goes horribly wrong.

But Evelyn poisoned Arlo right under our noses without anyone noticing. A horrible feat I’m still not sure how she managed.

If she’s capable of poisoning a kid so discreetly, what else could she do?

“He’ll be okay. Trust me.” Archer nods at Dexter for support. “Last year, this guy took on a whole crime syndicate. We handled ourselves well, even that knucklehead little brother of ours.”

Dexter looks over, smirking.

“You make it sound more impressive than it was. I fought a guy with a broken bottle. I wasn’t dodging bullets or anything,” he tells us.

I’m not sure that helps.

My eyes rake over him, sizing him up. He’s slightly bigger than Patton or maybe it’s just the age difference. Everyone in Kansas City heard about the case, the monster of a man Dexter fought.

“He can handle her,” Dexter promises. “Don’t lose any sleep over him, Salem.”

“Yeah. He’s not as stupid as he looks—sometimes. She won’t trip him up,” Archer agrees, though I think he shares my worries about poison. “He’ll be on her with the cops right behind him, I’m sure. Pat has more common sense than you’d think in these situations.”

I really, really hope he’s right.

For now, there’s nothing I can do but agree.

Two more days pass by in a haze of anxiety.

Still no word from Patton, and I’m afraid to reach out to him again. I’ve already left a half a dozen voicemails apologizing for what I said and how we left things in chaos.

Not quite taking back my fears, but almost.

If he just came home, if he’d talk to me, then I could tell him exactly what the situation is, and—well, if he’ll listen, I could explain how I’ve come to my senses.

There are better ways to deal with love than running away to the Ozarks and starting a half-baked boat business.

And I try to will myself into believing I have a shred of courage as the day comes for the meeting I’ve dreaded.

I chose to meet my parents at the Sugar Bowl, Juniper’s bakery, thinking it can’t hurt to have a friendly face around. She doesn’t know the whole story, but I know her well enough to trust that she’ll step in and help if she needs to.

Not that I think my parents will do anything terrible in public.

I just can’t predict what they will do.

At three o’clock sharp, they walk through the doors.

Dad looks older than I remember. His hair has receded another inch or two and he’s wearing his pointy grey shot beard longer these days.

Weirdly, my mother looks like she hasn’t aged a day in five years. I’m sure she’s kept time at bay ruthlessly with scalpels and weekly salon treatments, though her hair sports a shiny new shade of black. It makes her skin look oddly colorless by contrast, despite the slight blush.

I suddenly wish I’d worn something smarter. Not this blue blouse tucked into a grey pinstripe skirt. It feels too formal, like what I’d wear to work, but not chic .

A shame it’s too late to ask Delly for advice.

Mom throws her arms open with an exaggerated grin the second she sees me.

“Salem,” she whispers, her voice choked. “Lemmy, sweetheart, it’s so good to see you!”

Dazed, I stand up and allow her to kiss both cheeks. She’s behaving like she’s missed me all these years. Like we don’t both know she never tried to contact me once.

Anger flares in my gut. I lean back from her sickly strong perfume.

“You made it,” I say neutrally.

“Of course, we made it, honey. And how is he? How are you ?” She talks like she cares, her eyes searching mine. “We heard about poor Arlo and we came as soon as we could.”

“I canceled a business trip for this,” Dad adds weakly.

My eye twitches. Probably because I know he’s expecting me to be grateful, like the good accessory daughter they always wanted me to be.

Yeah, I don’t have words to express how much they disgust me.

“I didn’t ask you to come here,” I say. “When he had to go in, I panicked a little, I’ll admit. If I’d slowed down, I never would’ve called.”

Mom’s brows pull together, her smile vanishing. “You didn’t need to ask us. We’re your parents, even if—”

“If you abandoned me after Arlo was born.”

Yep. This is off to a fantabulous start.

“Salem, we assured you our door was always open. We sent you a card with the same note every year for Christmas.”

“ Without Arlo, you mean. You never addressed him by name. Not once. Believe me, I kept track.” I’m lucky the bakery is mostly deserted right now. My voice is too loud and shrill.

Juniper glances up from behind the counter, checking in as she wipes down some counters.

I’m sure she has enough money to never work again with Dex, but she’s still here, practically every day from what I can tell. She loves this job and making people happy.

I shake my head quickly, quietly assuring her I’m okay.

“You didn’t show a speck of interest in Arlo’s life or mine. Not after I had him,” I say through gritted teeth, dialing my volume back.

The corners of Mom’s eyes tighten, fighting the false plumpness that holds her skin in place.

“I wonder, what’s changed?” I ask pointedly. “Why did you really come?”

“You think we want to live like this? Separated from our only daughter, our grandson?” She throws herself into a chair miserably. Her nails are fake and long, painted a pale pink coral that matches her jacket perfectly. “Frankly, we want you to come back to California with us. Both of you. We’d like to start over and be a family again.”

They want, they want.

They want me to do their bidding without so much as an apology.

Patton flashes in my mind. Before I went and scared him away, I found my family. Something real and loving with him and the Rorys, with Delly and Juniper and Archer and Dexter.

I had a future I hope I can still salvage with a man who stood like a rock when he found out he had a surprise son.

“Lemmy, please. Don’t tell me that means nothing?” Mom’s eyes are big, pleading.

It’s almost worse if she’s done some real soul-searching, all these years apart.

I wasn’t expecting that.

But my voice is granite when I answer. “My home’s here now, Mom. You know that. I have a job and a life. I’m not interested in giving it up to live by the ocean in some overpriced neighborhood where people will judge you if you go for a jog without a designer jacket.”

Certainly not at your mercy, I almost add, but I hold it in.

“But what do you do ? I’m sure you can transfer your job to LA.” Dad, like always, tries to fix our problems like it’s as easy as moving the millions in his retirement accounts. “If you’re worried about being stuck under our roof, we can find a place for you and the boy. Do you still pay rent?” He waves a hand dismissively. “Never mind. I’ll speak to your landlord and get you out of your lease.”

“Dad, no. I’m not moving.”

A muscle works in his jaw. “Salem, we—”

Mom places a hand over his. “Careful, Byron. It’s been a hectic week for them. Let’s all just think about this. Calmly, ” she stresses.

A tall boy with a shock of sandy hair comes over and sets down coffee and a few small bites for us. I asked Junie to give us whatever she recommended, and she’s totally outdone herself. It’s a small tower of tiny cakes, bite-sized so we can have as many as we choose.

For a second, my parents shut their mouths and start stuffing them instead.

Good timing.

The only thing I agree on is that we need breathing space, before anyone says something they can’t take back.

My participation in this talk is hanging by a thread.

Mom looks at me, the force of her gaze pinning me down.

She always gave me that look when I was a kid and stepped out of line. Right now, it’s more like an invitation for me to fall back in line.

For me to give up what I’ve built, what I’ve lived, and go back to being the doormat she always wanted in a daughter.

Worse, it’s the future she wants to inflict on Arlo.

I take a deep breath as I finish chewing my cake. Lemon, with a sweet icing that counteracts the sharpness.

“Look, you can talk all you want about a fresh start,” I tell them both. “And you can try to tempt me with money and promises, but I have a life here. I have a family . And I have no intention of giving that up. If you’d like to meet Arlo and come back into my life, you’ll respect my terms.”

Mom’s perfectly outlined mouth tightens at the corners. “ We’re your family, Lemmy. Oh, it’s been years. Can’t we just forget this whole mess ever happened?”

“No. You abandoned me to raise my son alone so you could go chase beaches and your holiday trips to Hawaii.” The ire in my voice scrapes them raw with the truth, judging from the way they flinch back. I take a bite of the cake. “Also, I don’t need your money or your assistance. I’m co-parenting now.”

“With who?” Dad sucks in a sharp breath.

“Arlo’s father,” I say flatly.

Mom blinks at me as she swallows a gasp. “You—you knew who he was? Not your ex?”

“Not even close. He’s a wonderful part of Arlo’s life, and mine.” There’s a secret wish in my words, a prayer that Patton will always be around.

“Who is he?” she demands, drumming her nails on the table.

“His name is Patton Rory. He’s smart. He’s kind. More importantly, he’s always there for us, and I never need to have to ask him twice for anything.” There’s no point in hiding it now, or the sour little victory I feel at the shock shadowing their faces.

“Rory? As in…” Mom trails off as her face falls.

Dad’s expression withers.

Even with their California dreaming, the Rory name hits them like a bullet. That’s how it is with Kansas City royalty. Maybe Mom even met Delly while she was here, moving frantically in her lofty social circles.

“One of the Rory brothers,” Dad says in disbelief. “Higher Ends?”

“The one and only. The youngest brother, Patton.” I don’t bother hiding the smugness in my voice. If they thought they could lure me back with money, they’re mistaken. Patton Rory earns more in a year than they’ll earn in a lifetime.

“Impossible!” Mom hisses. “How could you possibly know them?”

“I didn’t, but things change fast. Arlo’s actually staying with Delly Rory right now while we have this family reunion.”

They gawk at me for what feels like a century.

I’m sure they’re waiting for me to back down and say I lied.

No dice.

I don’t back down. I meet their gazes with all the defiance Patton taught me, knocking me out of my own head and my fears with every kiss. I wish so badly I’d appreciated it more.

“Arlo’s on the mend. He’ll be fine, in case you wondered,” I say finally, when they don’t speak. “You came here because you were worried about him, right?”

Dad takes off his glasses and meticulously cleans them on the edge of his shirt before putting them back on. It’s a tell he’s had forever when he’s nervous or at a loss for words.

His eyes are the same watery light-brown glass they’ve always been, but they can’t hide his feelings now.

“Patton Rory,” he repeats. “Of all people, she could have at least told us—”

“Byron,” Mom snaps, unleashing the anger that’s been building inside her.

She’s always been the one with the temper. She uses words like swords, but time and motherhood has hardened my skin.

If she wants to stab me in the face, I’m ready.

I’ll never let Arlo experience the same awful feelings she inflicted on me, the dread that I was never good enough.

“Salem Hopper, you need to tread lightly,” she whispers. Her anger is unsheathed, and the kid working with Junie looks at us. “This is not a game. Men like Patton Rory will entertain you as long as you’re pretty and interesting, but that doesn’t last forever. Come home before it’s too late, before you lose everything.”

“Did I say we were dating?” I retort. The color drains from Mom’s overdone face. “He’s a good man to the end. He’s responsible and he’s perfectly happy to step up.” I stand then, taking one more little cake from the beautifully crafted stand. “It’s nice to know it’s possible, especially when he’s so rich. If you guys want back in my life, you should think about how you want to handle things next time. Think about how Patton treats me. Think hard. ”

“Salem, wait. Don’t you dare walk out. Don’t you dare leave us—” Mom says, but I don’t turn around. I’m up and moving.

Just like before, we part ways with someone walking out.

Only, this time it’s me.

This day has no chill whatsoever.

I get home to find Kayla waiting for me—the cyanide icing on this awful day.

I just wanted a quick stop to grab a few things before I return to Delly’s place to pick up Arlo.

She’s sitting on the stairs by the door, her coat hunched around her shoulders, looking like a demented flamingo. She must like the way the fluffy pink draws eyes to her waist.

“Lemmy, where have you been ? I’ve been waiting forever.”

I don’t take her hand. “You never said you were stopping by.”

“Um, did I need to? What’s with the attitude?” Her bottom lip juts out in a pout that’s worked miracles a thousand times before. It’s definitely worked me over, before I figured out how to grow a backbone. “I heard about Arlo and I wanted to drop by and give my condolences.”

“He’s still alive, Kay.”

“Oh, wow. Of course he is. Yay?” She gives me a pained smile.

Someone needs to strangle this girl.

Also, it’s a weird coincidence to find her here after that toxic meeting with my parents. But this time I don’t spiral.

I don’t let myself believe I was cursed in a past life and the universe is really out to get me. I can learn.

“Did you tell my mother about Arlo? Did you ask her to come out?” I ask point-blank.

Her eyelashes flutter at the hardness in my tone.

I know they still talk once in a blue moon. My parents practically worshipped the Persephones and hoped that just being around Kay would make me richer.

And although I know I summoned my mom in the panic over Arlo, I never put her up to coming back to Kansas City. With Kay showing up unannounced, I’m suspicious Mom had encouragement.

“Nope,” she says, but she hesitates a beat. “I told my mom, of course, but you know how it is… She might have told your mom, but as for me, I—”

“Spare me the excuses.”

Surprise flashes on her face, mingled with something else.

Hurt?

I’m not sorry.

We’ve been quasi-friends long enough for me to say something like that without her acting like I just shot her.

Even for this unexpected visit, she’s perfectly made up, like the dolls I used to play with as a kid.

Always perfect. Always presentable. Always the same selfish brat.

“What do you want, anyway? I need to get back to Arlo soon.”

“Oh, right. But did you meet your parents? I heard they were in town,” she says, following me up the stairs. “I hope it went okay.”

“I didn’t tell them I was filing a restraining order, so I guess that’s a plus. They have one chance to start behaving themselves. We’ll see where we go from there.”

“Holy crap. Pretty hardass for you, Lemmy.” What gives ? That’s what she really means. Surprise colors her voice. “I thought they might hit you up to go back to California.”

“They did.”

“Oh. And you said no?”

I turn around and face her, huffing a breath.

“Why, you’re trying to get rid of me?” I ask dryly, staring at the water stain on the wall and hoping she notices too. Any hint of mold will send her into a hypochondriac fit. “Or are you just wondering where Patton went?”

“I mean… I stopped by his office today in Lee’s Summit. He’s been out for a while, according to his secretary, and I wondered—”

“If I know where he is,” I finish.

Her eyes widen at whatever the look is on my face. Hopefully bitter rage because that’s what’s burning through my chest.

How dare she.

How dare she show up and pull this crap, now of all times.

“You decided you’d ambush me while I’m at my most vulnerable. Be honest,” I bite off.

“What? No, I—” She flinches back.

“Kayla, you could have visited anytime this past week after Arlo was poisoned. You could have called. But you chose the exact second when you couldn’t find Patton Rory. So you came sailing over here, pretending to be worried, all so I could bail out your latest boy toy quest. I’m not stupid. You’re in luck, I guess, because I have news for you.” I walk down a step and she stumbles back a few steps. “Here’s the thing, Kayla. He’s not going to date you.”

“What? What the hell is wrong with you?” Twin red suns flare on her cheeks. “Don’t talk to me like that! You don’t know him. Guys like Patton always come around.”

“Do they?” I laugh harshly. “Because I’ve figured out Patton Rory’s type—me.”

The red heat on her face melts into whiteness under her bronze skin. She grips the banister, not seeming to notice the metal is flecked with rust and grime from years of neglect.

“Y-you? What do you mean? Lemmy, you’re talking crazy.” She shakes her head. “Are you sure this Arlo situation hasn’t gone to your head?”

“No, Kay. Patton Rory is Arlo’s father.”

Her mouth almost hits the floor.

It would be hilarious if we weren’t standing here on a rundown staircase, arguing about Patton, a man I may never see again.

“You’re lying!” she yells back. “Do you think I’m stupid?”

“Are you? Let’s see. Think about it, Kay, just for a second. I got pregnant from your little party on the casino riverboat. Guess who was there? And you showed zero interest in him then.” I tick off the points on my fingers as I go. “And now he’s my boss and mentor. We’re working together, so thick as thieves you had to come here to find out where he is.”

“You—you—oh my God.”

“Yeah. Baby daddy. You get it now.” I’m growling, my fingers balling up into fists. “Thankfully, he’s a way better person than you’ll ever be.”

It’s pure venom, this anger ripping through me now.

I want to hurt her.

To make her feel a sliver of the agony I’ve lived for the past week.

“But even if that wasn’t true, and even if he didn’t have a kid with me, and even if you were his equal as a human being… even if you were someone who didn’t prey on people’s misery…” I take a deep breath, ready for the kill shot. “He told me he’d never date you. He said that himself. In fact, he thinks you’re pretty fucking rude.”

Her eyes widen, hate and hurt bouncing in her pupils.

Not because of my betrayal, of course—I’m sure she’s plenty livid about that—but because she knows I’m telling the truth. We’ve been friends long enough for her to know when I lie.

“I wasn’t going to tell you, not like this… but since you came here trying to capitalize on my grief, why not? You deserve to know everything.” She backs up another step as I walk toward her. “I don’t want to see you here again, Kayla. Not now, not ever. Life’s too short for the kind of friend you pretend to be.”

After all, just think about what happened to Delly. And she trusted Evelyn Hibbing with her life, her family, until that screwy woman backstabbed her brutally.

The thought makes me sick.

Kayla looks ash-white now, her eyes heavy with tears of humiliation.

I’m surprised she doesn’t snap a heel as she turns and flees, the door echoing behind her as she slams it shut.

I stand there, breathing raggedly until I can feel my own body again.

This isn’t my home anymore, I realize.

Not since Patton Rory invited me into his life.

I need him back. I need to make this right. I need him reunited with Arlo and his family, and this time with everybody knowing what I just told Kayla.

‘Baby daddy’ doesn’t scratch the surface of what Patton Rory truly means to me.

He’s my home.

He’s something to fight for, a man who’s given me more courage than I knew.

Now, I just have to hope it isn’t too late to show him how brave I can be.