Page 15 of Hideaway Heart

I supposed she’d be glad to know the lummox was here. So would Kevin, Wags, Jess, Kayla, and the rest of my team. I finished my glass of wine, picked up my phone, and sent a note to my brother.

I know you won’t get this for a while, but your big beardy babysitter arrived and refuses to leave. Congratulations, you won this round.

I also sent texts to my mom, Jess, Kayla, and Wags, filling them in and letting them know that while I wasn’t too happy about it, the guy was staying.

While my phone was still in my hand, I got a call from my dad. I nearly rejected it, but then I felt guilty. Maybe taking his call would serve as penance for telling Xander to bark like a dog.

“Hello?”

“Hey there, Pixie girl.”

It took me a second. “Duke?”

“Surprise.”

“Why are you calling me from my dad’s phone?”

“We got together for a beer tonight for old times’ sake. He said you’re on vacation up north by yourself. We’re both worried about you. Everything okay?”

“You got together for a beer with my dad?” The back of my neck prickled. My father had always been dazzled by Duke’s fame and money and success, and therefore in favor of our relationship, but I’d had no idea they were drinking buddies.

“We’ve kept in touch,” Duke said casually. “He reached out, said he was back in town, and I invited him over. We’ve had a nice time catching up.”

Of course, said a cynical voice in my head. Of course my father would keep in touch with my ex. Duke was probably giving him money for information about my whereabouts.

Thankfully, I hadn’t told my parents my exact location—only Jess knew that. She wouldn’t give Duke the time of day, let alone say anything about where I was. She’d been with me throughout the entire toxic relationship, and she couldn’t stand him.

“What do you want, Duke?”

“I’m worried about you, baby. You should have told me you wanted to go on vacation. I’d have taken you to the farm, or my place in the mountains. I remember how much you liked that house.”

“I’m good where I am.”

“But are you sure it’s safe there, sweetheart? Your dad told me about the trouble with the previous security team. Unbelievable. Didn’t PMG vet those guys?”

“Not well enough, apparently. I have to go, Duke.”

“That never would have happened if I’d been around. And who’s this military prick your brother hired to provide security on your trip?”

My blood simmered.Damn you, Daddy.“He’s not a prick. He’s a friend of Kevin’s.”

“Listen, when you get back, let’s get together, okay? I think this separation has gone on long enough.”

“It’s not a separation. We broke up.”

He laughed. “Come on, Pix. Nothing’s over ’til it’s over, you know?”

It’s over, Duke. It’s been over.But as usual, it was like talking to a brick wall. “Goodbye, Duke.”

I ended the call and sat there fuming for a minute. I didn’t know who I was more mad at—my father, for colluding with my ex; Duke, for using my father to get to me; Kevin, for sticking me with Xander; or Xander himself for refusing to leave me alone. It felt like they were all on the other side of the room conspiring against me. Everyone knew better than I did. Everyone wanted a say.

No one was in my corner.

But while I was cleaning up the kitchen, I had a thought—maybe one of them could be persuaded to join my side. Maybe Xander and I could make a deal.

Determined to play nice, I went out to the porch. The sky was dark, and it was cool enough to raise goose pimples on my arms. Xander still sat with his laptop open, his expression serious as he studied the screen. His bowl and fork were resting on the second rocking chair. I smiled—not only was the bowl empty, but licked clean. There wasn’t a single spot of tomato sauce left behind.

I hid a smile as I picked it up. “Did you like the pasta?”