Page 135 of Keep Me Never
Those have passed now.
“The position that you’re in,” he finally says, his voice softening just a little.
I shift in my seat, my body stiffening despite myself. “It’s not exactly something I could keep secret. It was televised, after all.” I go the easy route.
Everyone knows I didn’t finish the season out strong.
He looks at me for a long moment, then sighs, almost like he’s acknowledging something unspoken. “Ah, yes. The game. Sorry about that, son. Truly.”
I’m not sure if he means the apology or if he’s just acknowledging the mess of my life as something that can’t be easily fixed. I don’t respond right away. I don’t know how to, and honestly, I’m pretty fucking confused right now.
But he presses on, lowering his voice more. “I wasn’t talking about your football career. I was talking about the fact that my granddaughter is planning your last semester of college, and yet…” He holds my gaze. “You’re not even registered.”
I stiffen, the lie rolling off my tongue too quickly: “I’m just late deciding what to take.” My voice is guarded, but it doesn’t quite cover the tightness in my chest. I feel the weight of his words like a slow pressure on my ribs.
He can’t possibly know…
He watches me closely, his gaze sharp. “I know what your mother did to you, the tough spot she put you in.”
I can feel the anger rising in my throat. “Are you looking into my finances?” My eyes snap in the direction Paige disappeared and back.
Grant’s lips curl up into a firm smile, one that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’re close to Paige. I’m afraid it comes with the territory.”
I clench my jaw. I don’t like this conversation, and something tells me I should cut it off here, but there is a look in this man’s eyes—a challenge—that I’m not understanding, that keeps me in my seat.
He leans back in his chair. “I have an offer for you.”
“I didn’t come here for an offer.”
“You will be leaving with one.” He reaches into his jacket and pulls out a small envelope, placing it on the table between us.
My eyes flick from the envelope to him, unsure of what to make of it, so I wait, my pulse hammering in my neck.
“I know you’ve been struggling,” he continues, voice steady. “And I’m here to offer my help.”
“I don’t need your help. I’m handling things?—”
“Selling your truck isn’t going to get you far,” he says, cutting me off, and my brows jump.
“Are you following me?” I hiss, leaning over the table. “How could you possibly know that? No one knows that!”
“In this envelope is your way out.” He speaks as if I hadn’t said a word. “Your chance to finish school and leave this town with something after years of dedication. It’s a future for yourself, son. Right here.” He taps the envelope, pushing it even closer.
I tear my arms from the table, shoving them in my lap. “What’s all this about? What am I missing here? Because you didn’t invite your granddaughter’s boyfriend to dinner to solve his problems.”
“Unfortunately, you’re correct.” He nods once. “There is a catch.” His eyes hold mine, and for a moment, I wonder if I see a flash of concern within them. I must be mistaken though as with his next breath, his face goes blank.
“Inside this envelope is a check. It is the exact dollar amount, right down to the penny, to cover your final semester of school. Tuition, room and board, books, and a meal card. It’s made out to them and everything. All you have to do is take it by the admissions office and drop it off, and it’s done. But the moment that money leaves my account, the relationship you have with Paige ends too.”
All the air leaves my lungs, and I shove my chair back, staring wide-eyed at the man. “Are you out of your fucking mind?” I hiss, then fly to my feet.
“Sit down, son.”
“Sit down,” I deadpan. “Sit down?!” I nearly shout. “You’re trying to buy your granddaughter from me. That is so beyond fucked up I don’t even know what to say to you right now.”
“Say nothing.” He watches me closely. “Take the money, Chase. Do this for yourself.”
“Jesus.” I shake my head, a humorless laugh leaving me. I narrow my eyes on this… I can’t even call him a man right now. Men don’t do this. Not to the ones they love. But the longer I stare, the more I realize… “You really think I’m going to go for this, don’t you? You think I’d take what you’re offering and just walk away from the woman who has my entire fucking heart? Well, let me be the one to tell you, you don’t know me, you delusional old man, and that girl,mygirl, she’s not for fucking sale. Not even for everything you’ve got, so with all due respect,sir, go fuck yourself.” I tear away from the table, my entire being vibrating as?—
