Page 104 of The Truth of Our Secrets

“Hello, sir, I didn’t catch your name, but I’m Jayce McKenna.” Before I can go on, the man sputters.

“The Jayce McKenna? Mac Truck McKenna.”

I force a chuckle. “Well, not anymore, but it was fun while it lasted.” He’s making noises I ignore. “I’m also Emmet’s boyfriend. Let me ask you, what’s the average order a customer places?” I wink at Emmet, who’s standing frozen with his mouth hanging open.

“I can’t give out client information and I don’t have those numbers handy.”

“From the quantity, it seems like his mother ordered more than a lifetime supply. Why would a customer buy more product than they will need in a lifetime, especially if they’ve never used it?” Hopefully logic works.

“Umm well…” He trails off and doesn’t continue.

“I believe it’s against the law to refuse refunds as a blanket policy. Especially if you use predatory practices.” I lay the foundation before I nail him.

“We don’t, we don’t do that.”

“So if I call my friend at The Daily Buzz and they decide my claims are worth looking into, they won’t find anything in their investigation?”

“The show does segments on bad businesses?” he squeaks.

“Yes, businesses that break rules and take advantage of people. Imagine how much free publicity you and The Daily Buzz would get if I did an on-camera interview. I’ll take a video of the run-down trailer filled with your product for them.” I smile at Emmet as the guy on the phone fumbles for words.

“Noooo, I mean, that wouldn’t be good.”

“No, it wouldn’t, so you get someone who can authorize a full refund for Mrs. Asher.” I loop my arm around Emmet’s head and his cheek rubs my neck.

Fifteen minutes later, we arrange for the disreputable company to pick up the items at my office and cancel the credit line that was opened in Mrs. Asher’s name.

“That was...” Emmet stares at his phone as I hand it back to him.

“You said I couldn’t throw money at the problem and I didn’t. Are you mad?” He’s unreadable.

Emmet

I’m not mad. The man literally saved my sanity. So much went wrong, but he did everything right.

I lean in and kiss him. “Do you actually know someone at The Daily Buzz?”

He smiles into our kiss, neither of us ready to break apart. “I figure New York is the biggest small town in the world. Someone at the Enforcers’ organization has to know someone there. It was a stretch, but not an outright lie.”

He pulls back in alarm. “Shit. That’s bad right? I shouldn’t have done that.”

I take his face in my hands and drop my phone. “The fact that you’re worried means you’re changing your perspective. I appreciate that more than anything.” My lips hover over his.“You didn’t lie to someone you love. You stretched the truth to a disreputable company. It’s not bad.” I kiss him again. “I’m calling you Mac Truck from now on.”

“Other people call me that. I’m your J-Bear.” He skims his nose along mine.

“Fair enough.” My resistance melts away. “But we should make sure Firecracker hasn’t verbally beaten my mother down. She looked pissed when we left.”

“Madyson isn’t known for holding back, but she’s safe. She’s your mom.” Jayce pecks my lips one more time, wrapping an arm around me.

To our surprise, Madyson has her hands in a sink full of water doing dishes while my mom gathers trash in an almost full bag.

“All set?” she asks, unfazed.

“Ahhh, yeah. Jayce used his power of persuasion to make sure we can return all the merchandise, but we need to bring it back to the city.” I laugh at her confused expression. “Believe me, it’s the best option.”

“So I don’t get to keep any of the medicine to cure me?” My mom pouts.

“Mom, I’m so sorry he lied to you about what the pills can do. If they actually worked, your doctor would’ve prescribed themyears ago. We can ask if there are any supplements your doctor thinks will help you.” It takes an enormous amount of patience to parent my mother.

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