Wordlessly, she reached for the remote and clicked on the TV. The twenty-four-hour news channel flashed up Melinda’s picture. Next to hers was a picture of me.
No.
Fucking hell, no.
I sat forward, setting my drink down on the coffee table. I felt sick.
Beth hovered over me, her eyes fully of worry. “Are you okay, Coop? You don’t look too good,” she said uneasily.
“What have they been saying?” I asked, burying my head in my hands.
“Just that you’re the escort who was last with Melinda.” She coughed. “And that I am also thought to be a client of yours.”
“Fuck,” I groaned. “Shit, Beth, I’m so sorry.”
“You’re sorry? Coop, I’m sorry. They got a picture of us in that coffee shop. They also have surveillance of you going into Melinda’s room,” she added meekly.
“How the hell did they get that?” I exploded angrily.
“Same way they get anything. Someone out to make a quick buck. Probably a hotel employee or something. Look, I don’t give a damn about me. I mean, it’s not like this is going to ruin my reputation,” she said dryly.
“This is bad.” I sighed. No wonder Lucy had looked at me strangely.
“Is there anything I can do?” asked Beth, her eyes full of sadness.
I shook my head. I didn’t see what anyone could do.
Oh, shit. Mia.
“I’m screwed,” I said flatly.
“It’s not that bad, Coop. This will blow over really quickly.”
“By then it will be too fucking late,” I said through gritted teeth.
Beth’s face dropped, and I immediately felt bad. She was only trying to help. All she’d done since this thing began was just try to help me.
“I’m sorry. It’s just that this will screw everything over. I don’t give a shit about me . . . “
“Then what is it? The girl you like?” Beth’s mouth went hard.
“Mia.” I nodded. “She won’t want anything to do with me once she knows the truth. But it’s not only that.” I shook my head, angry at myself, at everyone. “Mom is pretty sick. She has Alzheimer’s. Pretty advanced. I managed to get her in a trial at Childerdale, but it costs a ton. There is no way I will be able to afford it without my job, but if I want Mia . . . “
&nb
sp; “You can’t have both,” Beth finished.
Exactly.
“Go talk to her, Coop. Explain things to her before she finds out on the news.”
That sounded great in theory, but what if I was too late? Why the fuck hadn’t I just told her that morning when I’d had the chance?
Chapter Twenty-Four
Even before I’d unlocked the door to my apartment, my gut was telling me I was too late.
I stormed through the kitchen and down the hall to her room. Empty. Her suitcase was gone, and so was every sign that she’d ever been there.