Page 13 of Until the End

My body softens with a laugh. “I know. I’m sorry I pushed you away; I just needed time to come to terms with everything.”

“I don’t blame you! The lying sack of shit tricked us all.” Her words are a balm to my nerves. It’s nice to have someoneon my side who isn’t in my family. “Look, I’ve been doing my best to handle things, but Tanya and I could use your input on our strategy if you’re up for it.”

“That’s why I’m calling. It’s way past time to have Tanya work her social media magic. I’m ready to come out in front of this.”

“We’re really glad to hear that.” Tanya’s voice comes through the phone. My social media manager is a gorgeous Black woman who doesn’t hold back on her opinion. Tanya and Chelsea are the only two people on my team I trust. I hired both of them myself. Cecelia never had any input.

“Yeah, we’re sort of on our way to you now.”

I cough out a laugh. “You’re in North Carolina?”

“We just left the city limits of Greensboro.”

“Oh my god. Okay, I’ll let Daren know to expect you.”

“Sorry we didn’t call first. We’d planned on surprising you with ice cream to get a read on where you were emotionally. If you were up for it, we’d talk business, and if not, we just wanted to be there for you.”

“You have no idea how much I appreciate that. Thank you. I’ll have snacks ready when you get here.”

We say our goodbyes, and I set my phone on the counter. In all the mess of Wesley’s—and to some degree, Cecelia’s—betrayal, I forgot that I have people who care about me. Things got too overwhelming with the wedding plans. Chelsea and Tanya ran around like lunatics to keep up with Cecelia and the wedding planner. It made them inaccessible to me, which was fine, but I forgot who was on my side.

After informing Daren that Chelsea and Tanya were on their way, I put together plates of snacks to give us something to do while we plot. I have no doubt they both have ideas on how to best handle this situation.

I get a text as I put a tray of crackers and cheese in the fridge.

Carson

Does this hard hat make me look hot?

Along with the text is an image of him with his white hard hat askew and sweat pouring down his face. On anyone else, it would be disgusting; on Carson, it’s sexier than anything I’ve ever seen. His white cutoff T-shirt is stuck to his chest, highlighting every muscle. I had no idea his body had become so cut. I’ve always found him attractive, but…damn. He’s turned into one hell of a hottie.

I shake my head at those thoughts. All they’ll do is send me down a path of delusion. Carson and I have only ever been best friends. There was one moment before I left for Nashville when I thoughtmaybehe had feelings for me, but it passed just as quickly as it came.

Me

Yes, you look quite sweaty. Are you okay? In need of medical assistance?

I’m not sure if it’s healthy to be sweating that much.

Carson

*annoyed emoji* You were supposed to give me compliments.

Oh, so sorry.

Yes, that hard hat is quite something. Makes your head look normally proportioned.

You’re mean. I’m going to go cry in my lunch now.

Aww. Poor baby. Don’t you have some woman hanging on your arm who will compliment you?

I regret the message as soon as I send it. Carson and I don’t talk about our dating lives with each other. It’s one of the only things we don’t discuss. I also have no desire to know if he’s dating anyone right now. It’ll make me feel even worse about forcing him to stay in a hotel with me.

He responds before I can take the text back.

Carson

Nah, I’m not interested in dating anyone here. Too much work.

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