Danger (The Driven World)

“Why?”

“Because you are patient and kind. That makes you the best person in the world.”

I smile. “You’re just saying that because you’re my father.”

He holds his hand out for me to take. “Monterey, it’s ok to fall in love. It’s ok to give your heart to someone.”

“Even if they don’t want it?”

“Danger would be lucky to have it.”

“Still doesn’t answer my question.”

My father smiles and the crow’s feet cornering his eyes deepen. “I see the way he looks at you. I see the way he protects you when he doesn’t think you’re paying attention. He wants your heart, Monterey. He’s just not sure what to do with it once he gets it.”

“Well, I don’t know if that makes me feel any better.” There’s a warmth spreading up my spine at the words of my father.

“He’ll figure it out. He just needs time.” My father lets go of my hand. “You just need to figure out if you can wait for him to figure it out, or if you can’t and you need to move on.”

“What if I make the wrong choice?”

My father smiles. “That’s impossible.”

Chapter 27

Danger

After practice I can’t wait to get back to the hotel to find Monterey. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her all day, and here’s the thing, I like knowing she’ll be there when I get back. It’s a security I haven’t felt in a long time.

Warren’s been a pain in my ass all day, and I have to say, I don’t regret pinning that asshole up to the wall.

I won’t let anyone know what he said today scared the ever loving hell out of me. The thought of Monterey leaving me when this is all over hadn’t really crossed my mind. Like I know this is all pretend, but I wasn’t ready to face that fact.

As I walk back to the hotel it hits me. What we have has an expiration date. One day soon it’ll come to an end. I don’t know how I feel about this. I guess I shouldn’t be too shocked that it’ll end. It’s what I signed up for. Besides, when this season’s over, I’ve got shit to do.

I glance at my phone, remembering the number Rylee gave me. I pull it up and make the call I’ve been dreading to make since the moment I received the number. But, it’s better to know than not know.

“Is this Jack Johnson?” I ask as soon as someone answers.

“It is.”

“I got your name from Rylee Donavan and was wondering if I could set up a meeting with you.”

“Pertaining?”

I go into great lengths about who I am and what I’m after. And like the many times before it’s another fucking dead end. Always with the dead ends. I slam my fist on the bedside table.

Fuck.

I breathe in through my nose and out my mouth, trying to calm myself down.

And then there’s a knock at my door.

I try to fight away the madness. The disappointment of another lead going nowhere. I open the door, and Monterey stands before me like an angel, ready to take me away from this godforsaken hell.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” she asks, when I just stand at the doorway to our room.

I can’t really say what I’m thinking, but I know I need to not let her affect me the way she does. It’s insane how much she turns me on with just a lift of her sexy lips. “Nothing.” I rush into the bathroom, trying to get a little breathing room away from her.

“My father and the crew want to have dinner with us,” Monterey says through the bathroom door.

I guess my wish for a peaceful night of not being tempted by the enticing Monterey Grander isn’t going to happen. I open the door. “That sounds good. I’ll just shower and get ready.”

“Are you ok?”

I kiss her forehead. “I’m good.”

I just need some down time. Some time to think about the impact the phone call I made today will have on my future. On my everything. I can’t drag Monterey down into the underbelly which is my world. She’s already had too much bad press in her life. I need to make sure she comes out of this relationship, and this whole season, a winner.

I won’t let my crimes punish the good in which Monterey is.

I hop in the shower, getting ready in record time, and when I exit the bathroom, Monterey’s gone. There’s a note on the bed. “Meet you at the hotel restaurant at seven.”

Am I wrong that a small part of me feels I shouldn’t even go? That a tiny bit of me wonders what Monterey’s life would be like if she’d never even met me?

I won’t let myself dwell on what ifs. My whole life has been one what if after another. Instead, I decide to turn all this negative energy around and enjoy the little amount of time I have left with this beautiful goddess who’s pretending to be my fiancée.