Page 70 of Always Knew It Was You

Hmm, it’s a tough problem to solve.

I decide to first head over to Declan’s to ask for his advice. Usually, he would be the last person to go to for relationship advice, but he’s known Carly longer than me and perhaps he can consult Emma on what to do. I would ask Emma myself, but she sounded serious on the phone about what she would do if I ever hurt Carly, and what I did seemed like a ball-cutting offense. Declan can play mediator and ask her on my behalf.

So once I pass by theWelcome to Laketownsign, I take the scenic route along the backroads, surrounded by trees with the barest hints of their spring bloom. The road to the Pink Hotel is a long, winding path that seems to go on forever, but eventually, the pink-painted Grand Pearl Hotel appears at the end of the road.

There are construction workers still on site, making the finishing touches. I nod at them as I park and walk around the back to Declan’s office.

But before I get there something stops me in my tracks. It damn near sucker punches me in the face.

It’s Carly, sitting on the porch next to another man.

She’s smiling at him and he’s smiling back at her. Holding her wrist as she pushes him laughing. They seem to be play-fighting and Carly looks to be enjoying herself very much. Definitely not sitting around moping like I’ve been.

She squeals out another trilling laugh as he grabs her by the shoulder, pulling her close.

That tinkling sound echoes in my ear and has a possessive rage flushing out every other thought.

Only one thing remains in my mind:

He’s going to die.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CARLY

“You okay, Carls?”

I turn around and squint against the sunlight to identify the broad, stocky man standing behind me. Robbie Wilkins. He once pushed me off a swing in middle school and I twisted my ankle in the process. And then after his mom tanned his hide for that, he had to help me carry my school bag to and from the bus stop every day until my ankle healed.

We became friendly-ish after that, or about as friendly as a hormonal teenage boy can be with a girl who his mother warned him was off limits due to her terrible family.

He now works in construction and was on the team that renovated the Pink Hotel. I guess they’re still working on it today.

I grin at him. “Yeah, I’m good. Just thinking.”It seems like all I do lately is think.

It’s been about three weeks since I last spoke to Micah, and I’m now sitting out on the porch of the Pink Hotel, waiting for Emma to finish her discussion with Declan so we can head to her house and finally have the talk.

Yes, the talk I’ve dreaded for weeks, but I don’t see any way out of it now. I’m going to swallow my pride and ask my best friend for money.

I’ll specify it’s a loan and insist we draw up a contract mandating that I’ll pay her back.

Then, I’m going to save like mad and make sure every spare penny goes toward paying the debt.

I still hate that I have to do this, but I don’t have a choice now. I have to ask so I can finish school.

I’m not going to let my pride destroy my only chance at a future.

But the situation is making me depressed still.

I was staring off, thinking about how to approach it when Robbie showed up behind me.

He steps down onto the base and sits beside me.

“Want to talk about whatever’s bugging you?” he asks.

I raise an eyebrow. “Youwant to talk about feelings?”

“God no.” He gives me a mock horrified look. “But I figure if it’s something practical you need help with, like a pipe leak or something, then I gotcha.”

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