“So you thought you could call me, and I’d just hand her over?”
“No, nothing like that at all.” I released a rush of air and fought the desire to drop my forehead to the table. “You’re kind of like my last-ditch effort. I’ve called almost every gaming store in Glenndale looking for her.”
“That was a waste of time,” he said before I could get that far. “She doesn’t work there anymore.”
“That’s what I was told, but they wouldn’t tell me why.”
“Can you hold on for just a second?” He barely waited for me to agree before putting the call on hold. Music played for about a minute before he came back on the line. “Sorry about that. The kids were about to come inside from the basketball court, and I didn’t want to get interrupted. I’m in the office now, so I have a couple more minutes.”
Oddly enough, he didn’t sound angry with me. If anything, he spoke to me the same way he always had—like a friend. Or at the very least, like someone who was important to his best friend.
“So, about Tasha’s job…” He told me about how they had to replace her because her boss couldn’t manage the store alone—apparently, something Tasha was able to do without a problem. And that when she returned, they didn’t have room on their payroll for two assistant managers, so rather than kick out the guy who’d replaced her, they gave her a choice: transfer to another location or stay where she was but as a part-time, hourly associate.
Jessa must’ve noticed that my blood was boiling because she got up from the table to get me something to drink. Unfortunately, she returned with a glass of water, not a bottle of liquor. If I were Tasha, I’d have asked for a hot chocolate with a shot of whiskey and a large pizza.
The only thing that eased my mind was knowing that she at least had some money after being here for over a month. From what she’d told me, it would be enough to hold her over for a bit. Without that, I didn’t know if she’d be able to afford to live. She’d given everything in her savings to Dave to help with the rent while she was gone, which meant she'd be completely broke without the money from Tiffany. “Where’s she working now?”
His sigh filled the kitchen. “She’s currently unemployed. Right now, we only have my salary, and to be honest, it’s not much. But she’s been applying everywhere, so we’re hopeful that she’ll get hired somewhere soon.”
I wasn’t sure if that was meant to be a guilt trip, but it certainly felt like one. Like he was saying that they wouldn’t be in this mess if I hadn’t needed a little bit of space until the media died down. “What about the money she earned for the time she was here?”
Dave barked out a sardonic laugh. “Tiffany refused to pay her. She said that the only way she’ll get the money is to fulfill the contract in its entirety.”
If I thought my blood was boiling before, that was nothing compared to how I felt now.
I saw red. My blood pressure was so high that it felt like I had cotton balls shoved into my ears, and my fingertips were tingly. My outer vision dimmed, and a high-pitched ringing sound filled the room.
I. Was. Livid.
“Listen, I understand that this isn’t your fault,” Dave continued while I fought to regain control over my anger. “We both know that you didn’t want any of this to happen. But just like you had asked her for time and space until things calmed down, I think it’s best if you give her the same right now. She has a lot on her plate—we both do. So how about you let her get things here sorted, and then I’ll tell her to call you. That’s the best I can offer, Jacoby.”
“Yeah, no. I totally understand. “I’m just grateful that you didn’t hang up as soon as you found out it was me on the other end of the line.”
“Nah. Just because I’m pissed at the situation doesn’t mean I completely blame you. I’m disappointed in the way you handled things, but I think, all things considered, I completely understand why you reacted the way you did.”
Dave basically admitted that they both knew about my past.
Not like I hadn’t expected it. I’d just hoped that they didn’t.
“Well, thanks, Dave. I really appreciate it.”
I should’ve felt better after that call, but I felt worse.
And by the following morning, I was determined to make things right.
* * *
I stood in front of my worst fears and nightmares come true—the press.
I’d let it slip to a few media outlets that I was ready to speak out about the rumors. Within an hour, there were six different tabloid reporters in front of Tiffany’s house. This was the last thing I ever expected to do, but this wasn’t for me. This was for Tasha. And if it meant righting the wrongs that were done to her, then I would do it without complaint.
“Thank you all for coming,” I announced to the small gathering of people with cameras, cell phones, and handheld recorders. “These past couple of weeks have been some of the worst in my life, but I’m honestly thankful for what they have taught me. You see, I have been in a romantic—and sexual—relationship with Tiffany Lewis behind her fiancé’s back. I foolishly fell for her words and promises of being together in the future. Every time I tried to end things, she’d convince me to give her more time to break things off with Adam. And I believed her. I believed her because
