husband’s best friend was the most honest man she knew, aside from her husband, and her plan was sound. See, her plan was that this: Xander Raynes would put my entire life in his name financially, and that way I could live life off the grid and the odds of finding me would diminish greatly. Karla promised he was a decent guy and I could trust him not to make off with everything I owned-but didn’t own.
Over the past six years, I’ve managed to save about eighty-thousand dollars, and I was looking to buy a small home or use most of it for down payment on whatever I could find. I planned on finding a cheap, used car, but even then, I was finding Brant to be small enough that I might be able to get away with not having a car. Of course, I needed a job first before most everything else.
For years, I’ve fought this…invisible monster on my own. And the first time I agree to lean on someone for help, it’s a complete stranger who owes me nothing.
I trusted Karla, though. And I had to accept that if she says this guy is trustworthy, well then, he must be. But what about his wife? Did he have a wife? Kids? I’m entrusting my life to a complete stranger and that’s probably just as frightening as living in fear of someone coming for me.
I said the only thing I could say. “Thanks, Karla. That sounds good.”
Her smile remained. “I’ll let you get settled,” she replied as she walked out of the room.
Ironic words considering that I didn’t think I’d ever feel settled.
Chapter 6
Xander~
I cut off the engine after pulling up to the curb in front of Trevor’s house and, again, I swore a blue streak for even showing up.
It’s been a shitty day and, sitting here, I realized I didn’t really want to do this.
I mulled over everything Karla had said, but at the end of it all, I’d be tying myself to a complete stranger financially. Even if she did pay for everything, I would still be taking responsibility for someone who was embroiled in some seriously heavy drama. And after a supplier trying to fuck me earlier today, that didn’t sound enticing at all. The love of money was the root of all evil for a reason.
Not to mention, if I did this, what would happen if I did meet someone I wanted to get serious with? What then? How would I explain this crazy situation?
I took a deep breath and steeled myself for the conversation I promised to have. I gave Karla my word that I would hear her friend out and really give this proposition some serious thought. And I would. I have. It’s all I’ve been thinking about. However, I still couldn’t shake the twinge in my gut telling me that I shouldn’t get involved in this mess. My instincts were telling me not to borrow trouble when I didn’t need to. I had a great life. Why would I risk fucking it up for a complete stranger?
I got out of my truck, click the key fob to lock it, and made my way up the walkway to the front door. I’ve been here a million times. But, right now, I felt like a formal guest. I felt like I was here officially, and the feeling left a lot to be desired.
I rang the doorbell and waited until Trevor or Karla answered. A few seconds later, Trevor was opening the door, and that told me they were already in there waiting on me.
Trevor smiled. “Hey, man.”
I gave him a quick nod. “Hey,” I greeted back.
I watched as his eyes sliced to the side and he closed the door tighter behind him before facing me and saying, “Look, Xander, before we go in there, I just want you to know that there will be no hard feelings if you say no to this.”
I wasn’t too sure about that, but I nodded anyway. I knew Trevor wouldn’t hold it against me, but I wasn’t too sure about Karla. “Okay. Sure, man.”
He grimaced a bit before opening the door all the way and stepping aside, so I could enter. “We’re all in the back,” he said. “On the deck.”
Since I knew my way around, I didn’t bother with letting Trevor lead the way. I just started walking towards the back of the house and he followed. Once we got to the sliding glass door that led