Page 16 of Renegade Rift

Mostly, that I wish she was right. But knowing Tyler, this would probably only serve as another reason to hate me. It’s a good thing I’m not only doing this for him. I made a promise to make things right, and come hell or high water, I’m going to.

CHAPTER FIVE

FORD: Hey bud. It’s me. Again. I’m working with Willow to get you reinstated to the Renegades. It’s looking like you should be here by the end of the season if it all goes as planned. If not, then the beginning of next.

FORD: I know you’re still alive if Willow is still trying to get your ass here.

FORD: I found Julietta.

FORD: Not that you care, but I figure I’d update you after that drunk message I left you before the season started.

FORD: Mercer.

FORD: I can see you’re reading these.

FORD: Stop being a prick and answer your phone.

CHAPTER SIX

JULIET

Paige is a godsend.

Really. I have never been more grateful for her lack of shits to give—her words—and her general distaste for men who push their weight around.

I don’t know what I would have done if it had been my day to be on desk duty. As it is, my secondhand embarrassment has me wishing the ground would open and swallow me whole.

This man’s audacity blows me away.

Today is not the first day Ford has called the office trying to get information about me. He’s called every day for the last week. Each time, he’s politely reminded of the anonymity policy in place to protect the women working here.

I’m sure he thought today would be the same. Unfortunately, he’s finding out the hard way it’s Paige’s turn to man the phones. And there’s nothing polite about the way she’s handing him his ass in a handbag. Lucky for me, she’s doing it on speakerphone.

“Please.” Ford sighs, the frustration in his voice palpable. “I just need to talk to her.”

“Said every toxicex-boyfriend ever.” Paige dramatically lolls her head to the side and rolls her eyes. She liftsher hand, clapping the pads of her thumb and fingers together, mimicking a mouth talking.

I can’t help the laugh that bubbles instantly from me. She knows damn well she’s pushing his buttons, but when she gets going like this, there’s no stopping her.

“I’m not—can you please just have her call me?”

“I wouldn’t hold your breath, bat boy. Or maybe do.” She slams her hand on the button to end the call and sticks her tongue out.

“Very mature.”

“Eh.” She shrugs her shoulders. “You love me.”

My heart swells. “I really do.”

Paige spins around in her swivel chair and catches herself, palms flat on the desk in front of her. She trains her gaze on the phone again like she’s waiting for it to ring—begging for round two. When it doesn’t make a sound, she glances my way, all traces of playfulness gone from her expression.

“You know I’m always on your side, right?”

“Yes.” My voice is steady despite the alarm bells going off in my head. “Why do I get the feeling there’s abutcoming?”

Paige brings her hands together, twisting her fingers together like she’s afraid of how I’m going to take what she’s about to say next.

I just need her to spit it out already.

---