Page 136 of Everything Has Changed
My voice is harsher than I intend, and I instantly feel bad for the flinch that crosses her face, but my head is spinning and I can’t stop my racing thoughts long enough to calm down.
“The lawyer looked over the contracts and, while they were a mess, Triton was careful to place a clause that if your dad is caught in a scandal or his name is tied up in something they can’t fix, then they have the right to cut ties.” She points at the evidence. “This is exactly what they don’t want to come to light and it’s exactly what will keep Triton from coming in where they aren’t welcome. Your mom gave me these for that exact reason.”
Stepping back, I fall into the stool next to the island, laying the papers out to see them all on the counter. Gwen walks closer, though staying on the opposite side.
“She doesn’t want this merger anymore than the rest of us do, but she was too scared to go against your dad.”
“Then why is she doing this now? Seems a little late. Why didn’t she come to me about this?”
One slender shoulder pops up and back down. “I think you’ll have to talk to her about that. But, Logan, I need you to tell me you understand that I have to release this information. Your dad isn’t going to stop and it’s our only chance.”
I shake my head. “Give me some time, please. I’m trying to sort this out, but it’s taking longer. I’ve got the lawyers combing through it.”
“You mean the same lawyers that work for your dad?” She sighs. “Logan, there is no other way. Trust me, we already tried.”
“This will destroy him.” I whisper.
“Then he shouldn’t have been doing bad things. He has been cheating on your mom for years with your ex! The same girl he kept pushing in your direction, for some fucked up reason. Not to mention,” she tugs the bank statement out so it’s in front of everything else, “he’s been transferring money to her. Anything that came through the town, he was skimming off the top and wiring it to her. This right here is from the festival. The money we worked hard to raise for this town, he gave a portion of it to his mistress!”
“This can’t be real,” I mutter.
“This is insane, but it’s absolutely real.” She places her hand over my, squeezing until I give in and lock into her captivating green eyes which are pleading with me to listen to her. “Logan, your father is taking a huge payday to destroy your home, which he had full plans for you to be left to pick up the pieces.”
“But my mom—”
“Already knows what’s coming. She was waiting for this day to come and is ready for the fallout and whatever may come. I wanted to tell you first, though. Because this is going to blow it all up. And, while I’m not going to stop it, I want you to be prepared. This is going to usher you right into his spot.”
My mouth goes dry at the thought. It was one thing to play with the idea that I could possibly see myself stepping into the role, but it was another to know that there was no way tomorrow would come and go without me having to make a big decision.
How could he do this to my mother? To me?
He made me feel like I was crazy for going against him and for not being one hundred percent on his side. He was forcing me to choose between my dreams and his, just so he could set everything on fire and walk away unscathed.
I’m staring down at the pages in front of me while every scenario plays in my head of what could and would happen when this comes out. Unsure how long I’m silent, I don’t break out of my thoughts until I feel Gwen squeeze my hand again. This time when our eyes connect, she removes her touch and I instantly feel the loss reverberate through my soul.
“Say something, please.”
I swallow against the lump forming in my throat.
“Do what you have to do, Gwen. I understand.” Stacking all of the papers together again and placing them back in the folder, I slide it back to her side of the counter.
“You’re not mad at me, right?”
Her voice is small and the pinch in her face has me physically ill.
I slide from my stool and take slow steps toward her. She straightens from where she was leaning against the counter, turning as I approach her, only stopping when we are a breath away from each other.
I want to make sure she hears every word coming from my mouth so there is no question where I stand right now.
“Listen to me, Gwen. I think I’m incapable of being mad at you. You just told me my father is a bigger piece of shit than I could have imagined, and not once did I think to be mad at you over it. None of this is on you. It’s him, my mother, and me that I’m mad at now.”
She parts her lips to say something, but I need her to hear what I have to say before she decides what she needs to respond with. I place my finger on her lips to stop her, letting my finger trace the lower one before dropping my hand again.
“You are doing more for this town and its people than he ever did. Probably more than I will ever do in the future, as well. I am so fucking proud of you, baby. And I hate that this happened. I hate that you have to deal with this. But I’m glad we all have you to fight for us. You are… incredible. That word doesn’t even feel like enough, but for now it’ll have to do. You do what you need to do with this information. I’ll deal with whatever comes my way from it. Can you promise me one thing, though?”
Until this moment, I wondered if we would move forward with anything between us. If she felt something for me even after the lies and drama, when I feel everything for her.
Her words ease a bit of that worry when she looks me directly in the eyes and says, “Anything for you.”
