Page 41 of The Troublemaker
I nod.“Just tell me what to do.”
Jagger smiles for the first time in this conversation.“Finally… now, if we do this right, you can remain the fan favorite.”
He tells me again exactly what to do and tells the other three guys how they’re going to help.It all sounds doable.I knew I wouldn’t be sleeping with any other women, but this solidifies I won’t for sure.I’m going to have to talk to Hadley about keeping up the benefits part of our friends-with-benefits relationship.I like to celebrate my wins by getting laid, and I’d prefer not to give that up.
“So, I’ll tell Hadley tonight when I’m going to propose.”I stand, eager to get back on the field where I always excel.
Jagger points at me.“No, you won’t.You’ll lose the element of surprise.”
“That doesn’t seem fair.We’re a team in this, and I’m going to sabotage her?”
The other guys stand, heading toward the door as though maybe Jagger will release them.
“And it will benefit her in the end.She needs to be genuinely surprised.The fans will know the difference, and nothing can be faked when we’re actually deceiving them.”
I blow out a breath.All of this sucks.The whole thing is becoming much bigger than I anticipated.
“Keep your mouths shut,” Jagger warns me with his stern gaze.“Now, one of you better figure out which Colt was with Bianca Banks because it better not have been one of my clients.”
We all tell him we have no idea who it would’ve been, and he lets us go, telling me he’ll be in touch.
All the acting this entails makes me sick to my stomach, but what choice do I have?I always honor my promises.Here goes nothing.
ChapterThirteen
Hadley
My only saving grace about getting Tanner to The Story Jar is that I can walk.Sure, it’s a mile, but he seemed to enjoy it, and he fell asleep the minute we got inside the bookstore.
“Who’s this?”Vera asks, moving away from the counter, unboxing what I’m guessing is a new book.“Did you get a cat?”
I glance at the stroller, wondering why she thought it was a cat.“No, I’m doing a favor for a friend.”I point at the stroller.“It’s a baby.”
“Oh…” She steps back.“I’m not really good with babies.”
“He’s asleep if you want to take a peek.”
She shakes her head and goes back to unpacking the boxes.“Nope, that’s okay.Pete might smell the baby on me and get jealous.”
“How is Pete?”
“Kidney stone.”She cringes.“It’s so hard to see him in pain.He’s on a muscle relaxer with the hopes that he passes it without a lot of agony.”
I frown.“I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.”She wipes tears from her eyes.“He’s just been through so much.I know he misses Mae too.”
I walk around the counter, leaving Tanner asleep in the stroller, so I can comfort her.She turns into me, clinging to me and crying.
As if I needed another reason to make sure this store stays open so Vera and Pete do not end up on the streets.
The bell over the door rings.
“Afternoon.”Whit eyes me over Vera’s shoulder, then locks in on the stroller.
I’d rather comfort Vera about Pete and my grandma than have the conversation I have to have with Whit.He’s going to think I’m being irresponsible and crazy, but there are literally no other options.
“Hi, Whit.”Vera pulls back and wipes her tears.“You two go.I’ll hold down the fort, but the baby goes with.”
