I only bought the essentials because I still don’t know where I’m going to live. Cayden said I can stay for as long as I like. Even though I don’t doubt my feelings for him, I still want to take things slow. Moving in together is definitely not doing that.
“Do you need me to move any more stuff?” Cayden asks as I pack my things into a drawer.
“No, it’s okay. I’ve already imposed enough.”
“You’re no imposition,” he says, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around me. “I like having you here.”
“I like being here.” I melt against him, soon forgetting about rolling my socks into neat little balls. “But eventually, I will have to find a place of my own.”
A sigh leaves him. “I know. Where will you go?”
“I don’t know.”
“Will you come back to work?” he asks, laying a soft kiss on the side of my neck.
“I like the diner,” I reply, closing my eyes and arching my head to the side so he can continue his kisses. “Besides, what will everyone say if they find out I’m sleeping with the boss?”
I moan low when he bites over my pulse.
“Well, lucky I’m the boss, and I don’t care.” His breath heats my skin, and I sag against him, loving this openness between us. But the unspoken lingers.
When will he make the dreaded call?
Speaking of…
My cell chimes, forcing me to untangle himself from his arms. Reaching into my back pocket, I retrieve the phone, only wishing I let it go to voicemail. “What do you want, Stella?”
I don’t have time for her bullshit because she’s part of the reason I’m here in the first place.
“You didn’t think to call to tell me you hadn’t burned to death?” Most would expect their mother to show a fraction of concern if their child lost everything they owned to a fire, but lucky for me, I’m not most.
“I didn’t think you’d care,” I reply, turning around to face Cayden. My annoyed expression must give away who I’m speaking with.
“Don’t you dare turn this on me. You were the one who left here hysterical.”
“That’s because you are a heartless bitch,” I counter with lightning-quick speed. When I think about how our last conversation ended, how she insinuated losing my baby was a blessing in disguise, I know I’m being kind.
Cayden’s eyes pop open. He’s clearly surprised by my bluntness, but I’m done with her.
“You can forgive everyone else, it seems, but not me.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I spit.
I’m suddenly scorching hot, so I brush past Cayden and yank open the balcony doors, needing the fresh air. The moment I see the vacant spot in front of me, the spot where my house once stood, I wish I had stayed inside.
“I’m assuming you’re staying with Cayden Coachman.” His name has never sounded so dirty. “You can seem to forget the fact that he lied to you, even forgive him, but you can’t with me. I only did what I had to, to protect you.”
“That excuse didn’t stick the first time around, so I don’t know why you’d think it would now.” I should just hang up because no good will come from talking to her. But I can’t help but wonder why she’s called.
“You should come back to Myrtle Beach. It’s not safe there.” My anger soon simmers, and I steady my breaths. Does she know something?
“Going back to Myrtle Beach isn’t safe,” I correct. “I appreciate your concern, but it’s come a little too late.”
Cayden stands beside me, peering over the balcony ledge. We both seem transfixed on the emptiness.
“How did you even know the house burned down? Did one of your spies tell you?”
What she says next, however, has my spirit soon waning. “A detective came by the house, asking a lot of questions about you,” she reveals smugly as if that supports her claims of me returning home. “I told him you had amnesia and weren’t yourself.”
“What?” I gasp, gripping the railing and shaking my head. “Why would you say that?”
“Because it’s the truth. You have uncovered so much. I know what you think of me, but I know you, Peyton, better than you know yourself. Sooner or later, you’ll soon come to realize that I only want what’s best for you.”
“Yeah, well, don’t hold your breath,” I reply, so done with this conversation.
“I will prove that to you one day.”
“Well, today is not that day.” Before she has a chance to reply, I hang up as I don’t need any more negativity.
Groaning low, I squeeze the phone in my hand, wishing it was Stella’s head. How dare she call me like nothing happened, expressing concern. That ship has sailed and no matter what she says, I will never forgive her for what she did.
“Everything all right?” Cayden gives me space, but I know if I asked him to, he would wrap me in his arms and shelter me from this mess.
“I now know why Detective Parks knew so much about me. He spoke to Stella,” I explain, shaking my head in disbelief. “She told him I’m not myself because I have amnesia.”
Cayden sighs, just as horrified as me. “That detective is trouble. You were right. He will continue to dig until he gets answers.”
The unspoken lingers.