And knowing Vaughn, he’ll never believe it.
I just have to sell it well.
I haven’t been into the office since the moment I made the declaration that Chuck and I were having an affair. I’m afraid to show my face, and it kills me that I’m doing this to Chuck. Like full on gutted.
He’s a great guy and doesn’t deserve what I’m doing.
He’s tried calling me a few times, but I’ve ignored the calls.
Everyone’s tried calling me.
My brother.
Colby.
Vaughn.
His calls are the hardest to ignore, but I do it because I know there’s simply no other way. I stayed up all night last night trying to come up with a plan out of this, but couldn’t think of a single thing.
Rhonda holds all the cards. She has all the money. She could bury Two Ordinary Guys if she wanted.
She could bury me too.
Even though my business has doubled since releasing that video of Vaughn and me, it isn’t enough to stand on my own two feet against a tycoon in this industry.
“Paisley, your brother and Vaughn will be here soon. Come down and get ready for Sunday dinner,” my mother calls out.
I forgot about Sunday dinner. There’s no way I can stick around for that.
I grab my purse, slipping out the back door before anyone notices. I don’t want to run into my brother, and I especially don’t want to run into Vaughn.
I don’t think I’d be able to keep up the pretense that I’m with Chuck. One look at Vaughn and I’m positive I’d crumble.
I decide to head out to my home.
I drive and drive, turning up my music as high as it will go along the way.
When I turn down the street where my house sits, I spot Vaughn’s truck in my driveway.
I debate turning around and heading back home, but instead I decide to get out and face the music.
“Hi,” I say to him as I step out of my car.
He’s sitting on my porch step, so I take a seat next to him, wanting more than anything for him to wrap his strong arms around me. “Tell me it isn’t true.”
“It is. I’m so sorry.” I can’t look him in the eyes.
“I don’t believe you.” He stands up, taking my hand and making me stand right in front of him. I avoid his eyes. “Look at me,” he says.
“No, I can’t.” Tears threaten my eyes and I focus on the trees in the distance.
“Look at me, Paisley. Tell me to my face you’ve been with Chuck while you were with me.”
Tears fall, and I try to look at him. “I’ve been with Chuck.”
His tousled hair looks like it’s grown in the past few weeks. He appears different, like he’s aged ten years overnight.
“I don’t believe you.”
I step away from him, still not meeting his eyes. “Well, it’s true. You’re not the only cold-hearted person around here.”
“Why are you doing this to me?” He steps behind me, and I lean my back against his chest.
My heart cracks in two. “I’m sorry,” I sob out.
“I love you, Paisley.”
Hearing those words fall from his lips does something to me. I spin around. “You love me?” I think I’ve been waiting my whole life to hear him utter these words to me. “Seriously?” I ask.
“Yes, I’m so fucking in love with you. You want to know what I think?”
I’m stunned, so I only nod.
“I think someone was stalking you. I think that person got to you and is making you say these outlandish lies. I think you’re doing it because you feel you have to.”
My eyes widen. “No.”
He wraps an arm around my waist. “Who is it?”
I shake my head, trying my best to not meet his eyes. “No one.”
“Who?” He keeps me in his arms. “Is it Chuck’s wife?”
I meet his eyes, biting my bottom lip. “No.”
“Who is it?” He leans in to kiss me, and I let him.
Oh, god, I let him kiss me because it’s something I need so much from him. It moves from needy to possessive in the matter of minutes. I keep holding onto Vaughn like my life depends on it.
He explores my mouth with his tongue, his arms holding me close. A moan erupts from his throat as I break the kiss.
“We need to stop.”
“Just tell me one thing.”
I don’t dare look at him. “What?”
“Tell me you don’t love me.”
I’m full on crying as my eyes meet his. “I can’t do that. I love you.”
He wraps me tighter in his arms and kisses me hard. It takes us no time at all to get into the house and he’s pinned me up against the front door. “I love you, Paisley. Let me help you.”
I stare deep into his blue eyes. “Ok.”
We take a seat in the two chairs we’ve brought into the place while we work. Lawn chairs really, but it’s only temporary while the house is being worked on.