Once Upon A Half-Time: A Sports Romance - Sosie Frost Page 0,215

the night passed out on his mattress.

And then I would have been put in jail for murder.

“What?” She bit her lip. She pulled the plans from my hand before I tore them to shreds. “Maddox, of course I knew you were innocent. You’d never hurt me, no matter what the town says. I know you. I trust you. I—”

She silenced, but those unspoken words weren’t enough to ease the churning, gut-aching rage that threatened to rend through my sanity.

Nolan.

This confirmed it. No more hunches. No more suspicions.

He wanted her. He nearly stole her. And, when she refused him, he destroyed her store, her life, her future. And he framed me for it.

She knew it too. Hell, only one reason she would have those plans. She stepped away from me, her eyes wide with hesitance.

“Nolan Rhys torched your shop?” I asked.

She swallowed. “I’m going to prove that he did.”

“And then what?”

“I’m going to put him in jail.”

That wasn’t enough. It wouldn’t be enough. I turned, stalking to the door.

Josie called for me to stay. Her hands wrapped over my bicep, pulling me back. “What are you going to do?”

Like she had to ask. Like she hadn’t already figured it out.

“I told you. I’m getting revenge on the son of a bitch who hurt you.”

“How?”

I didn’t answer. Josie stepped before me, preventing me from leaving.

“Maddox…how?”

What I should have done before the bastard tried to ruin her.

“I’m going to find Nolan, and I’m going to kill him.”

7

Josie

Saint Christie wasn’t a dangerous town, but in the past year, I’d dealt with arsonists who ruined lives, villains who threatened to kill, and heroes who vowed to murder.

This was what happened when people were denied desserts. Chocolate made everyone happy—cookies, cakes, ice creams, candies. Give a person a sweet in both hands and they couldn’t hold a weapon. My new motto. World peace and spun sugar.

Nolan emailed, asking for a second chance to talk with me. He chose the location—one of Saint Christie’s little bistros. It was the nicer of the two, though some in the town insisted the local Subway shouldn’t count as an artisan restaurant.

No way was I actually eating with him, but Nolan ordered a salad for me before I arrived. He waved me to my seat, grinning as though he weren’t the one responsible for my lost store, love, and life.

“Thanks for coming, Josie,” he said. “I hope I’m not inconveniencing you.”

I didn’t answer. He knew my schedule. Part-time work at the newspaper was the best I could get. Apparently, lunch on the city’s tab was a perk of being a mayor. Nolan ordered us iced tea. I sipped my water instead, my own form of silent protest. It wasn’t very effective.

“Josie, I want to apologize for my behavior a few days ago. I lost my temper, and it was…a stressful moment while I was organizing the campaign. Your cookies were the hit of the event.”

Usually cookie complements won me over. Not today. I said nothing. He expected it.

Or he preferred it.

At least we’d be done with this quickly and quietly, before Maddox knew I snuck out to lunch with the man he planned to kill.

I wasn’t doing Nolan any favors. He didn’t deserve my protection, but I wasn’t losing Maddox to any more jail time. I refused to compromise the only thing I wanted more than my store, my life, or another night with Maddox.

Justice.

I wanted Nolan to live, to face the judge, and to suffer, humiliated and ashamed, as the newspaper published his crimes to the entirety of the town.

He slid the folder across the table. His eyebrows were blonde, but thick. They gave him that insistent look as I delayed opening the offer.

“It’s generous.” Nolan grew impatient. “Please.”

I flipped the pages open and read through the appraisals. Then I eyed the sales number.

“This is more than the land is worth,” I said.

“It’s the same amount I offered you the night you lost the store.”

I closed the folder. “I don’t remember that night.”

He nodded. “I do. You looked lovely.”

Creeper. “I’m not interested, no matter how good an offer for a vacant lot.”

“I know it’s hard to part with the property, but…just take as long as you need to consider it.”

Ten seconds did it. I counted them silently. “No.”

“This deal would be in your best interests, Josie.”

“How would you know what’s in my best interests?”

“Because I know the kind of girl you are.” He smiled like it’d make a damn difference. “You’re too sweet for this world. Wholesome. I know you’ve