Page 42 of Wreck Me

‘Is that her?’ My mother is not a woman who’s easily shocked, but right now, she looks positively stunned.

Before I can answer, my phone vibrates on the desk again.

*Inserts eye roll* I never had you pegged as cheesy! And I’m not sure I believe in heaven.

Remind me again what that billionaire does to Anastasia Steele when she rolls her eyes at him… And heaven is real. If only you’d let me show you.

I laugh out loud as I hit send.

You read Fifty Shades? *inserts wide eyes*

I was curious.

Ihave no words.

Laters, baby. *inserts winky face*

I’m still grinning like an idiot when I drop my phone back on the desk.

My mother is positively preening. ‘So, this looks like it could be serious.’

‘Stranger things have happened.’ I knew Scarlett and I were capable of putting on a convincing show. We’re nailing it and she’s thirty miles away.

‘You have a huge heart . Don’t think your father and I don’t see it.’ Mother waggles her pointer finger over my sternum.

She’s not wrong, but the last time I showed it to someone, it didn't end so well. Which is why I’ve never tried since, why I need a fake girlfriend, and why it’s a good thing there’s an end date on our agreement.

God forbid I’d be the one to get attached. Scarlett is so young. She has no family depending on her to carry on the family business and name. She has her whole life ahead of her. A life full of travel and new experiences, free of responsibility.

My life is here. With my family. Running our businesses. It will always be.

Which is why I’m determined to make the most of the next few months of fun.

‘Don’t let your past ruin your future.’ My mother clicks her tongue against the roof of her mouth. ‘So, Scarlett…what’s her surname? Who are her parents? Your father said she’s studying finance at Trinity.’

‘Does it matter who her family are?’ Irritation flares in mychest. ‘Look at the Van Darwins. They had a great name, great reputation and look how that turned out.’

My mother has the grace to look at the floor.

Cynthia was employed as one of our accountants. She came from a respectable family. Old money. But that didn't stop her embezzling Beckett money. I don’t know what was worse, that she tried to steal millions, or that she actually stole my heart in the process.

To this day, I still don’t know if any of what we had was real, or if it was all just a distraction ploy. The stupid thing is, if she’d have just come to me, I would have given her the money.

I force away the memories, clenching my knuckles. ‘Scarlett’s parents have passed, Mother. Please, for the love of God, do not bring them up tonight.’

‘Were you fighting?’ My mother’s hawk like eyes zone in on the grazes on my knuckles.

‘Tim and I were sparring in the gym.’ Tim is the only person mad enough to get in the ring with me, so I avail of his foolishness several times a week.

Mother shakes her head. ‘I wish you boys would take up golf or something. It’s far more dignified than taking chunks out of each other.’

‘But nowhere near as satisfying.’ I grin.

‘So, back to Scarlett.’ She’s like a dog with a bone.

‘Stop with all the questions. You’ll meet her tonight.’ I rake my fingers through my hair. ‘Try not to terrify her with the Spanish Inquisition.’

My mother lurches forward in her seat. ‘For real?’

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