Chapter Fourteen
The next morning at the gym Eve felt like she was floating. She and Beck were going to go shop for engagement rings after he practiced at the rink and she finished work this afternoon. Then they’d FaceTime each of her family members, starting with her dad for Beck to ask for her hand, and then his grandfather. She’d let Rachel plan the wedding. Her sister would love that.
Beck texted her this morning that he had some big news to share over dinner. Abbie had volunteered to watch Paisley since Beck had some extravagant date planned. Eve assumed he’d formally ask her to marry him tonight in some romantic setting once they had the ring.
She had a nine o’clock training with an older lady named Isabel. John stalked over to her the moment she finished at ten o’clock and hissed, “I need to talk to you in your office.”
She blinked up at him. “Something wrong with the gym or your training?”
“You could say that.”
She swallowed and walked with him to the stairs that led to her office. She didn’t need him to attack her gym or her training in front of everyone. Beck watched her walk away and gave her a questioning glance but she smiled at him and gave him an ok symbol to let him know all was well.
Eve walked into her office, followed by John. He sat heavily in the chair in front of the desk. She didn’t shut the door. Not that she didn’t trust him but it was just safer that way. Hopefully, he wasn’t too upset and wouldn’t start yelling. John didn’t seem like that type though.
“What’s going on, John?” she asked.
“You might want to sit down,” he said quietly.
She arched her eyebrows and didn’t comply. “I’m fine standing.” Looking at him, she nodded her encouragement. Whatever it was he might as well get it out.
“You’re marrying Beckett Tanner,” he stated.
“Yes,” she said. “How’d you hear?”
“Trudy.”
She suddenly remembered John asking her if it was serious with Beck and she’d said no. He’d asked her to talk to him before she committed to Beck. She hadn’t even thought of his request again until this moment. Yet what business was it of John’s anyway?
He pushed out a heavy breath. “I was in the locker room not long ago and overheard Beckett talking to someone. He called him Papa.”
Eve nodded. “His grandfather.” Her gut churned and she had no clue why.
“There’s no easy way to say this,” John clenched his hands and then rushed out. “He’s marrying you for money, Eve.”
“Excuse me?” Beck had plenty of his own money. He didn’t need to marry her for her inheritance. He wasn’t like Mark. Fear pricked at her spine but she refused to believe it. No way. Beck was nothing like Mark.
“Not your money. His grandfather’s. The guy seemed to be threatening him. If Beckett doesn’t get married by a certain date, I gathered it was soon, his grandfather will gift his billions to someone else.”
Eve’s legs weakened. She stumbled over to her desk chair. John sprang to his feet and helped her sit down. “No,” she whispered. Not Beck. He’d been so patient with her, so committed to her and Paisley, so perfect. Would he truly marry her to get billions of dollars? That was an insane amount of money. Who wouldn’t be swayed by that much money?
“I’m sorry,” John said. “I wouldn’t want you to be hurt, but I didn’t want you to marry someone under false pretenses and for all the wrong reasons.”
False pretenses. Lies. The wrong reasons. She’d wanted to marry Beck for all the right reasons. She thought. She loved him. She’d grown to trust him completely. He adored her daughter and had saved Paisley from Mark. Beck was good, kind, fun, spiritual, talented, amazing in every which way… and he’d lied to her. Maybe it wasn’t as bad as she feared. John could have misunderstood the conversation. Sadly, it didn’t matter. If there was any truth to Beck marrying her for money it would hurt her far worse than Mark ever did.
She sat there in a stupor trying to think it all through. Was Beck like Mark? He cared for her. He obviously loved Paisley. Did he love Eve? Did he love her enough? Was she simply the best option so he could get his money? No wonder he’d asked her to marry him so quickly and when she was emotionally a mess after the kidnapping attempt. That had been a smart move on his part. She’d trusted him so deeply and would’ve said yes to anything he’d asked yesterday.
Her head ached as if Mark had slammed another log into it. Was Beck planning to stay with them after he got his billions or ditch them? She wished she knew the stipulations of his grandfather’s will. Would they have to stay married for a certain length of time? Maybe she could make him fall in love with her in whatever time she got with him. Somehow convince him she was worthy of him and he wouldn’t leave her sitting alone in a hotel room, watching the door—desperate, alone, heartbroken.
Her spine straightened and horror rushed through her. No. She wasn’t going to grovel for Beck’s affections like she sadly would’ve for Mark’s years ago. She’d never forget waiting in that hotel room for days, ordering takeout, and trying to distract herself with books, games on her phone, and movies, jumping each time she heard movement in the hallway. She hadn’t dared leave in case Mark changed his mind and came for her. She wouldneveract so needy and desperate again. Not even for Beck who she loved desperately compared to the lame fake love she’d had for Mark.
Glancing around she realized John was gone. She tried to take some steadying breaths. She closed her eyes and said a prayer. She would’ve called Rachel for advice but there was a soft rap on the doorframe and there he stood. Beck. He was glorious. He was glistening with sweat from his workout and his muscles popped in his arms. His handsome face and bright blue eyes were more serious than usual. No dimples showed through his trimmed beard. Was he concerned for her, or for what she may have heard?
“You okay?” he asked.
Eve bit at her lip, willing herself not to cry. She shook her head.
Beck hurried into the room and knelt next to where she sat. The move made her want to cry even more. He appeared so genuine, so invested in her, so patient and exactly what she and Paisley needed. He took both her hands in his and said, “I’d hug you but I’m all sweaty.”