Page 92 of The Summer of Wild

"What does it matter?" I answer. "Cash is in Europe."

"I don't think Cash would like knowing his best friend and ex-girlfriend are shacking up in his absence."

"I don't think you have room to talk," I smile as I fish my phone out of my pocket. I open the folder labeled Blackmail and show her the images of Archibald and Clementine at the country club. "I'd really hate for these to get out. So, whatever you think you saw here tonight, forget you saw it."

Fanny grips her purse closer to her body. "Those are innocent photos of two people having a business dinner."

I give her a triumphant smile. "That'll be for everyone in town to decide."

"I knew you were trailer trash," Fanny directs to Wilder. "And you," she points a finger at me, "a whore looking to cash in on our family fortune."

"You should go," I smile up at her. "Before your husband forgets he brought you with him tonight."

Fanny glances around the diner, searching for Archibald.

"You should know," I add, "the only trash in this place tonight is you. And I'm glad Cash broke up with me. Because I'd rather be poor, miserable, and alone than spend another second putting on a show like you do. It must be exhausting, Fanny. Always smiling while you're screaming on the inside."

"Watch your mouth, missy," Fanny spits at me.

"I always wondered why you stayed when you were so miserable," I continue. "But then I remembered Cash told me you signed a prenup. You don't get anything if the marriage ends. Don't you think freedom and a chance at happiness are better than a lifetime of misery?"

"Money," Fanny hisses, "doesn't make me miserable. It makes me—"

"Mean," Wilder finishes. "You're mean, and everyone knows it."

"That's rich coming from the boy whose father left him," Fanny smacks her lips.

"My dad left me," Wilder responds, "but that's on him. That was his decision. Despite everything he's done, I still graduated with honors and I'm paying for college outright with the money I earned. You can call me whatever you want, but I've made my own way in this judgy little town. One day, I'll leave it. You? You'll still be here in twenty years, picking on everyone who doesn't live a life of luxury. You're a bully, Fanny. That's all you'll ever be."

I turn to peer up at Wilder. He's wild and free like lightning, but gentle and steady like the rising sun.

"If you're done," I breathe in, "we'd like to get back to our dinner."

"Have a good night, Fanny," Wilder winks at her.

"You're the reason we sent him away, you know," Fanny grits her teeth as her evil eyes zone in on me. "He never would have gone if we hadn't threatened your dad's livelihood."

My heart stops beating in my chest. "Wh-what?"

"That's right," Fanny places a hand on her hip. "Cash wouldn't leave you until I got Jason fired by framing him for embezzlement."

"My dad would never steal," I defend the patriarch of the Winthrop family.

"That's what Cash said, too," she purses her loose lips. "The only reason Jason's company didn't press charges is because Cash told us he'd go to Europe without you. I saved the day by generously donating all the missing funds as a favor to my son's girlfriend. You know, to keep things hush-hush. So, you'll delete those photos," Fanny threatens, "or I'll go back to Jason's company and personally see to it that he does prison time for the money everyone thinks he stole."

My throat dries and my ears begin ringing as I try to breathe through my nose. Fanny stole. She waltzed into Dad's company and stole money. How? Who helped her?

Fanny took the money, and then she blamed it all on Dad. He lost his job because she didn't want Cash and me together. She literally blackmailed Cash into leaving me. She can't be that manipulative and conniving, can she?

"Have a good night," Fanny trills before sauntering away.

"Is she... is she telling the truth?" I ask Wilder. "Did she frame my dad to force Cash to break up with me?"

Wilder's chest heaves up and down. "I don't know, Blondie. I don't know."

Chapter 24

The Back Seat

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