Better If He Goes (Always You #1) - Allie Everhart Page 0,100

through the year?"

"I don't know. Maybe." He stops next to his SUV, leaning against it and shaking his head. "None of this would've happened if he'd just stopped gambling. How the hell did he lose that much money?"

"He can earn it back. Lawyers make a lot, right?"

"He was making a million a year, but he didn't save much. He was always buying expensive cars, suits, wine, jewelry for my mom. And then the country club memberships, which cost a ton. I bet he's still paying for those. My parents don't want their friends thinking they can't afford the membership anymore."

"They'd pay for that over your education?"

He huffs. "Hell yeah. They'll do whatever they have to to hide this from people."

"That's crazy! Who cares what people think?"

"They do. Couldn't you tell by the way they were shooting questions at you?"

I look down. "They don't think I'm good enough for you."

"It doesn't matter what they think. No one will ever be good enough."

"Brad!" his dad yells, waving at us from across the parking lot. "Pull the car up. We're leaving."

We get in the SUV and Brad pulls up to the entrance. Everyone gets in and nobody says a word the entire drive back.

We arrive at the house and as I'm getting out of the SUV, Nate comes up to me. "You should go. This is a family matter."

"You used to say I was family."

"Yeah, well, you're not anymore."

Brad comes up beside me, putting his arm around me. "She can stay if she wants."

"It's my house, and I didn't invite her. I'd kick you out too if I could."

"It's your mom's house, not yours. C'mon, Riley."

Brad and I go around Nate into the house.

"Would anyone like some coffee?" Kathy asks.

"Not now," Brad's mom says, sitting on one of the chairs by the couch. Her husband sits in the one next to it. "We need to speak with Brad."

"Maybe I should go," I tell Brad.

"No." He grips my hand. "I want you here."

"The girl should leave," Brad's dad says. "This is a family matter."

"The girl has a name." Brad walks us over to them. "Riley is my girlfriend, and she's staying."

Brad and I sit down on the couch. Kathy comes over and sits beside us while Nate stands off to the side.

"So what is?" Brad asks. "What other bad news could you possibly have? Did Paul knock up his girlfriend? That'd be just what we need. A baby to join this fucked-up family."

"Brad, stop it!" his mother scolds.

"Does he know?" Brad says. "Did you tell him?"

"Yes, we already spoke with your brother."

"Brad, we need you to come home," his dad says. "Your mother needs help getting the house ready to sell and I can't afford to hire anyone to do it."

"And you can't do it?" Brad asks, sounding annoyed.

"I'll be—" He glances at his wife. "I'm going away for a while."

"Where are you going?" Brad asks.

"He's going to a special program to help him deal with his addiction," Brad's mom says.

"You're going to rehab?" Brad says to his dad. "And how much does that cost?"

"It doesn't matter," his mom says. "Your father needs help. We don't have a choice."

"Where are you going to live?" he asks his mom. "If the house sells."

"I've picked out a condo in Scottsdale. You know the one. It's close to the pool you used to work at."

"The one on the golf course? Mom, that place costs a fortune."

"It costs far less than it would cost for me to stay in the house."

"Yeah, but there's cheaper places than that. A LOT cheaper."

"Brad, you know how this works. I have an image to uphold. Even though your father and I are divorcing, I still need to appear as though he's supporting me in the way I'm accustomed. We can't have people thinking he's no longer successful. It could harm his career."

"And the gambling addiction hasn't already done that?"

"Very few people know about that. We've told everyone that the divorce, along with you and your brother leaving home, is the reason we're downsizing."

"So you're spending my college money to keep up appearances," Brad says, sounding annoyed and angry.

"And to support your father's career, when he's able to return to work."

"So it's about alimony. You want to make sure you get a big check every month."

John bursts up from his chair. "Brad, that's enough! Go to your room and pack your bags. We'll be leaving first thing in the morning. You and I will drive the car and your mother will be flying