My phone vibrates across my desk. I grab it when I see Asher’s name lighting up the screen. He’s still in town, surprisingly. He also hasn’t told anyone that he’s banging his stepsister. I know, and I’m pretty sure Emily does too. She and Molly have been getting close. I know Asher has to get back to Japan at some point. I’m sure he’s waiting for school to be out so he can take Molly with him. That’s my guess, at least. I haven't been doing a lot of poking because I don’t want him to do any poking back in my direction.
“What’s up?” I ask when I answer, putting it on speaker so I can keep clearing the massive amount of emails I have in my inbox.
“Grace has been stealing money.” Now that grabs my attention.
“No way. I’m not buying it.”
“Honestly, Chase, I don’t give a fuck. I only want it to stop before my father finds out.”
“Oh shit.” I groan, knowing where this might be going, and it’s a bad idea. A very bad one because I know he’s wrong.
“I’m going to give her a payout, but unlike Heidi, I don’t want her to leave.”
“So, you’re paying her to stay?” Does my best friend not understand he’s calling his woman’s mother a whore essentially? This is not going to go well for him if he does this.
“Something like that. I’ll confront her but not be confrontational.”
“Have you even done anything like this where you haven’t been confrontational?” The man really should have been a lawyer.
“I need it to go away. It’s stupid. She can spend what she wants and never burn through what we have. Maybe if she understands that she'll stop with this side bullshit she’s pulling.”
“Asher, man.”
“I can’t lose her. You don’t understand. If her mom leaves, she could take Molly with her.” I understand more than he knows, but this is not the time for that conversation.
“Asher, that woman loves your father. I’d bet my life on it.”
“You might be right, but when people come from nothing, sometimes they get greedy or fearful they’ll lose it all.” I’m about to suggest that maybe he should rethink the whole prenup thing he’d made Grace and his father sign off on if he really believes this could be about that, but I think he’s got it all wrong, and I don’t get the chance. “Shit, I’ve got to go.” He ends the call before I can try and talk any sense into him.
My phone lights up again. This time it’s a text from Riley letting me know that Bradford High has let the seniors out early for their last day of school, and Emily is headed in the direction of her home with Molly in the car with her.
School is officially over. Time’s up, baby girl.
10
Emily
“How are you feeling?” Molly asks me. The car ride has been silent up until this point.
“I’m fine.” I shrug one of my shoulders.
My mood might not be the greatest, but Molly, on the other hand, has had a smile pasted on her face since the night of my father’s birthday. I’m driving us back home. Asher has been picking her up after school, but the seniors were let out early with it being our last day. I offered her a ride even though I know my brother would have dropped whatever he’s doing to come get her. With Molly still being a bit shy about asking for what she wants, I figured it was better if I just gave her a lift home.
“Fine? Doesn't that mean that you're really not okay?” she pushes.
I think she’s still trying to put together where I’d gotten that hickey. Molly might have only been going to Bradford High for a year, but it is pretty common knowledge that I don’t date. I was far too busy. At least that’s what I always told myself. I know with the Score last name I can get into any college I want, but I often feel I have something to prove. Asher took over for my father like it was nothing. He’s been thriving for years.
“I have a lot on my mind is all,” I give, not wanting to be rude to her. I really am enjoying the bond Molly and I are forming, and I don’t want to mess that up because I’m in my own head about a lot of crap.
“You can talk to me about it if you want,” she offers, being the sweet Molly that she is. It’s kind of funny. Normally I’m peppering her with questions. How the tables have turned.
“How about we talk about what’s going on with you and my brother?” I smirk, changing the subject. Molly's cheeks turn pink. “When are you two going to stop sneaking around?”
“I’ve been waiting.” She wrings her fingers together. If I’ve learned anything about Molly in the time I’ve gotten to know her, it’s that she doesn’t want to make waves.