Something like this requires a strong personality to shut something down, and while you’re not a weak person, we just feel that you wouldn’t be able to put her in her place if you need to.”
While I didn’t necessarily agree with this, I didn’t want to throw Ty under the bus. He was just as much a victim in this as I was, so it wouldn’t be fair to let him take the fall. Regarding Adam, who continued to sit on the couch in silence, I contemplated how to handle this situation. “And you’re all right with this plan?” I asked him.
He nodded slowly, but then he licked his lips and spoke for the first time since walking into the room and scaring the crap out of me. “A rumor like that doesn’t only affect Tiffany. It affects me, too—as well as our relationship—so yes, I’m good with this.”
I glanced at the back door, wondering when Jacoby would show up, or if he already had and noticed I had company. Either way, I wanted to hurry up and get this over with so I could see him. Normally, I would want to immediately tell Dave what all had just happened, but for some reason, Jacoby was the only person I wanted right now.
And these morons were preventing that.
“Okay, so what’s the plan?”
“As you know, there’s an event scheduled for tomorrow,” Ty said, taking over the conversation again. “It’s the grand opening of a local restaurant that Nicole and her husband, Trent, are investors in, and everyone has been invited to attend.”
“What about Adam, though? Hasn’t he said that he doesn’t want any part in the show?”
“Yes, but just stick to the narrative that Adam has managed to get the weekend off from training and came to surprise you. You don’t want to cancel on the girls, and he doesn’t want to give up what little bit of time he gets with you, so you guys decide to go together.”
This plan was far from foolproof, but at least I wasn’t the one who came up with it. If it backfired, then someone else would have to deal with the fallout, because I refused to take on that responsibility on top of everything else that came along with being Tiffany. “Well, it sounds like you thought of everything. What can go wrong?”
“Nothing. Nothing can or will go wrong.” The way Ty said that made it sound like a threat, except there was no way it would’ve been aimed at me. He couldn’t have possibly thought that I would be the one to expose Tiffany’s secrets. After realizing how much it would hurt others, not just my sister, I abandoned that ship.
Not much else was said before Ty stood and made his excuses to leave. I got up to walk them to the door, but when Adam remained seated, I pointed to him and asked Ty, “He’s not staying here, is he?”
“Well, it’s his house.”
I opened my eyes so wide in shock that I could feel the air quickly drying them out. “Yeah, but… I’ve been sleeping in Tiff’s bed. I have all my things in there.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure that out together.” We were talking about Adam like he wasn’t even there. Meanwhile, he continued to watch, as if we were talking about somebody else. It was very strange to say the least. “I suggest you take a little time to get to know him so that you don’t show up on his arm yet act like he’s a total stranger.”
“I’m going to start demanding bonuses every time something else is thrown at me.”
“Do I get to deduct from your pay every time you throw something at me?” Adam’s expression remained neutral, though his tone was light and teasing. Maybe this guy wasn’t as much of a box of rocks as I’d assumed.
I walked Ty out to his car in the driveway, closing the door behind me so that Adam couldn’t overhear our conversation. It was clear that Ty was opposed to discussing anything while Adam was at the house, but unfortunately for him, he didn’t have a choice. I followed him to his car, which was parked behind a truck that I assumed was Adam’s, and cornered him.
“This has got to be the worst idea I’ve ever heard. Worse than having me pretend to be my sister. Please tell me this wasn’t your genius plan.”
He glanced over my shoulder at the house behind me, likely ensuring that we were completely alone