Abi.”
“He came to offer a warning. Apparently he had someone track him down and ask about me.”
Roger’s head jerks back. “What?”
“Yeah. Out of the goodness of his tiny little heart, he thought he’d warn me.”
He snorts. “That’s nice of him. Did he also pay you back what he owes?”
Now it’s my turn to quirk a brow. “You know that’ll never happen.”
“Sometimes miracles do occur.”
“Yeah, not where Bryce Wilder is concerned.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“I have to quit.”
Roger slowly closes his eyes and drops his head, his shoulders sagging as a low sigh escapes his lips.
“I’m sorry, but you knew it would happen eventually. I just . . .” I take a deep breath as my throat constricts. I didn’t think this would be so hard. Roger opens his eyes and looks at me, urging me to continue. “I need to do this for me. I’ve met someone and—”
“Is he the reason you’re quitting?”
“No. And yes. But mostly no.”
A smile plays at his lips. “So that’s a yes then?”
I shake my head and grin up at him. “Okay. Yes. But I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I love you and Brandi, but all good things must come to an end.”
“That they must.” He downs the rest of his scotch and puts his glass back on the table before standing up and moving towards my chair.
I lean over to put my tumbler on the floor and move to my feet, stepping into his open arms and hugging him. “Thank you, Roger. For everything.”
He gives me a squeeze and holds me back with his hands on my shoulders. “You’re not gonna do a disappearing act, lovely. I expect to see your ass on a bar stool now and then.”
Now the tears come, an unladylike sob escaping my lips. “Okay.”
He dips his head down so we’re eye to eye. “Do you need help with the investigator?
“My manfriend is the son of Cade Carsen,” I say by way of explanation.
“Enough said.” Of course he’d say that. Everyone knows who he is, especially with less than three months to go in the campaign.
“You hooked yourself a rich one,” he muses. “Brandi would be so proud.”
I giggle, gently slapping his back. “I need to do this. For me and for him.”
“Tell me he treats you right, Abi. That’s all I need to know to be okay with this.”
My heart melts at his concern, and I wrap my arms around him again and bury my face in his chest. “He’s perfect. I’m just doing what I can to be perfect for him back.”
After leaving Roger’s office after he insisted I take the rest of the night off, I say goodbye to Brandi before emptying my locker for the final time. Then my favorite bouncer, Adam, walks me to my car.
Sitting there for what seems like forever, I contemplate where I should go. I’m supposed to stay at Cade’s but after the events of tonight, I need some breathing room.
I pull out my phone and bring up Cade’s last text.
Abi: I’m going to head home tonight. Rain-check until tomorrow?
It takes a few minutes for him to get back to me.
Cade: Okay, sweetheart. I’m with the boys tomorrow afternoon but tomorrow night, you’re mine.
Abi: Yes, sir.
Cade: Don’t tempt me, Spitfire.
Just our text banter has me smiling.
In all honestly, it sounds bad, but I’m relieved he didn’t call because there’s no way I’d be able to lie to him—or actually want to—which means I’d have to tell him about Bryce’s visit, and I have a lot more processing to do before I do that.
Speaking of processing, it’s time to head home and process my bottle of tequila, because it soon hits me that I’ve just broken one of my most cardinal rules. That being to never change myself for anyone—especially a man.
Well, damn.
Saturday afternoon and Noah, Daniel, Thomas, and I are halfway through the back nine holes at the country club our parents all belong to.
“I didn’t see Abi this morning. Did she have to work?” Thomas asks as we watch Daniel place his ball on the tee.
“She stayed at her place last night. She texted me to say she was going to sleep at home,” I reply, and his head jerks back
“Since when does she sleep anywhere without you?
“It’s not like we’re joined at the hip.”
He quirks a brow and shakes his head. “Maybe not the hip . . .”
Noah and I chuckle, because he’s not wrong.
“Maybe she just wanted some time to herself. Zoe likes