“It helped you to have a long-distance boyfriend, too.”Keane could see the advantages for Olivia.“It kept your parents off yourback.”
“Well, apparently Mom knew most of the time.But as to theproblem of Scott.”She was silent for a moment.“I should have told him to fuckoff.”
He was surprised she didn’t.Olivia Barnes-Fleetwood was aconfident woman.She knew what she wanted and asked for it.So why didn’t she simplytell the guy off?Why had she hidden behind them?
She also had her pride, and it had recently taken a hit.She’d had to acknowledge that the man she loved since she was a kid didn’t loveher the way she needed to be loved.There was a part of him that wanted to tellher he was out.He wasn’t built for this kind of drama.He’d had enough of itin his life, and he’d learned that stepping in to save someone didn’tnecessarily make him a hero.Sometimes it just made him a fool.
“Let me know how I can help.You don’t have to let us staywith you.We’ll help you without that,” he heard himself say.
Damn, but she got to him.He had promised long ago to nevergo somewhere he wasn’t wanted, but here he was again.
She turned and looked back at him.“I shouldn’t have draggedyou into this, and if I had half a spine I would correct the situation, but Ihave to work with him.I would let my dad handle him, but he’s not here and Ican’t put this off.Our contracts are out of date.They’re our biggestdistributor, and I need a good deal out of them.Of course now that I thinkabout it, I probably should have played him differently if I wanted a gooddeal.”
“No, you did exactly the right thing,” Garrett countered.“Keane and I can be a shield for you, and I’m serious about calling HR on hisass if he can’t take no for an answer.And I do think we should probably staywith you.The hands talk.This scenario doesn’t work if he knows you’repretending.I wish Gwen didn’t know.We might have to silence her.”
“Garrett,” Keane began.
Gwen laughed, the sound ringing through the car.“How aboutI promise to keep the secret?You know I love to know what everyone elsedoesn’t.”
“I think Gwen’s kept my secrets before.Even when I didn’tknow she was doing it.”She turned back and seemed to relax a bit.“I wouldlike for you to stay with me, and we can talk about that over dinner tonight ifyou’ll let me cook for you.”
“Of course,” Garrett said.
It would be so nice to not have the dark voices in his head.To be able to say yes to everything that came his way and have real optimismabout it.“We should talk before you allow me in your home, Olivia.I thinkGarrett should stay with you.You can tell your ex I come and go.”
“Oh, Olivia’s momma would be so upset.Now that would be ascandal,” Gwen whispered.“Treating one man as better than the other?It’sawful.”
Olivia’s hand came out, pointing Gwen’s way.“What she said.The hands talk.Gossip is gold in this town.They might not like my parents’relationship, but they know the rules.I introduced two boyfriends.They knowdamn well I wouldn’t keep one a dirty secret.It would be an insult to my papa,who still has to endure those rumors.Of course then my dad shows everyone Papaisn’t a secret at all.”
“Do you have enough room?”The thought of sleeping on thecouch while the woman of his dreams was so close did not sound perfect to him.It sounded like hell.
“I have a guest bedroom and a pull out in another room,” shereplied.“But we can talk about the living arrangements when we get there.After I arrange for someone to pick up my car.I’m going to have to driveMom’s.”
See, he thought they hadn’t talked about this enough.“Thecops didn’t seem too serious about what happened.”
They seemed pretty useless.They had looked at the car,nodded, asked her if she had insurance, and told her they would write a report.
Was Muffin in medical distress?She had all four paws up andher tongue hanging half out of her mouth.She hadn’t moved in minutes.
“It probably was kids, like they said,” Olivia announced.“But just in case, I’ll ask for the security footage.”
“Let me do it.I’ll introduce myself as your attorney,”Garrett offered,
“Are you saying you’re willing to handle all the phone callsand being put on hold and all the people who say you’re overreacting?”Oliviaasked.
“Yes,” Garrett replied.“I spend most of my life on a phone,so it’s no big deal.”
“I appreciate that, Garrett,” she replied and then pointed.“Hey, Gwen, that was the turnoff.I guess you can turn around up ahead.”
But Gwen didn’t take that advice.Nope.She made a U-turn inthe middle of the highway.There was honking and tires screeching, and he waspretty sure the station wagon left the ground at one point.On pure instinct,he grabbed the dog so she didn’t go flying.He saw his life flash before him.
He wanted more time with her.With Olivia.With Garrett.Hewanted all the potential he felt the night before.
“Everyone okay?”Olivia asked as Gwen managed to get controland turn down the long road that led to the Barnes-Fleetwood Ranch.
Muffin barked.Perhaps that turn sent some adrenalinethrough her system.
Adrenaline pumped through his, too.He was wayoverstimulated, and it was all her fault.