Page 28 of Invisible String (The Underground #1)
RAINEY
D ad is the last person I wanted to see ended up on my doorstep, and he surveys around him. Then his gaze lands on Max’s hat and shirt, then on the tree. “Who’s here?”
I lift a hand. “Dad, sorry to sound disrespectful, but I’m a grown-ass woman. I can have company over if I’d like. Now, if it’s because this is your place, I’ll leave. I can rent a cabin for the remainder of my time.”
He sighs. “Sweetheart, I just need to speak with you.”
I’m so pissed right now. “Yeah, and I said I would call you. I have company coming over, Dad. Now is not the time. To be honest, I don’t want to speak to you.
” My hands go up in the air. “I came here because home doesn’t feel like home anymore.
You ruined it all. Our family. For God’s sake, you fucked a woman in your office and kissed her in our home.
Mom had suspected it all along. She told me everything,” I shout, my hands shaking.
My dad winces, his usually confident demeanor faltering.
Rowan Collins is a renowned attorney known for his skill in the courtroom, but many fear him.
But at this moment, he seems small and helpless, unable to fix the pain he has caused our family.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know I made a mistake.
Your mother means everything to me; she’s my one true love.
I’ll do anything to make things right again. ”
“Great, Dad. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll call you tomorrow to talk about whatever you need to talk about. I have company coming over.”
His palms flatten on the kitchen island. “Your mother came home from visiting you a couple of weeks ago. She smiled from ear to ear about how happy you were with a charming man staying at the cabin next door.” His lips curl, displeased.
“And what if I am? Yes, I’m seeing the guy next door. Like I said, I’m not a child.”
“Do you even know anything about him?” He huffs, pacing the kitchen.
Where the hell is this coming from? He’s never questioned who I date or see.
“Yes, I actually do know him. His dad owns the cabin next door. They rent it out. I’ve known him since high school.”
He yanks at his hair. “You don’t know shit. He lied to you. He doesn’t own the cabin?—”
“So what? Where is this all coming from? Why do you care so much? Why come here to tell me this? My love life is none of your business.” I grind my molars, irritated. How would he know if Max’s dad owns it or not?
Before I can ask, he interrupts, “Love?” He laughs. “You don’t know him. He’s not good for you, Rainey. He’s nothing.”
My blood boils. “Don’t you dare talk about him like that. You’re the one who doesn’t know him,” I shout, my pulse racing. The pressure cooker beeps. I turn to shut it off.
“I do know. I did a background check on the man my daughter is seeing.”
“You what? Unfucking believable. You’re something else, Dad, and right now, I have some nasty words for you, so maybe you should go.” Of course, he would, Mr. Powerful Attorney.
“You know our long-time family friend's son is doing good for himself. He’s a great young man. He’d be perfect for you.”
I raise my brow, my lip lifts.
“You know exactly who I’m speaking of.”
I lift my hand, warning him to stop.
Dad takes five steps toward me and puts a hand on my shoulder. I shrug it off to get away from his space. “Honey, I’m just looking out for you. I want the best for my daughter.”
“No, you’re judging him without meeting and getting to know him. I’m in love with him and will be with whoever I choose. Why don’t you try being happy for your daughter for once?”
His face sags, almost as if he’s in pain from my words. Almost. “He’s not good for you,” he repeats. “I found out he’s a boxer. They are aggressive. He can hurt you.”
The man is not a dog. My blood pressure spikes, and I haven’t even had a glass of wine. Thunder rolls in the distance. The storm is getting closer. And Max should be back soon. “It’s pretty sad you’re looking for anything to keep me away from him. The thing is, I don’t care what you say.”
“He’s chaos,” he adds.
I shrug, reaching for the bottle of wine. “I love his chaos.” Opening the cabinet, I get a glass and pour wine into it. My father watches me.
“He’s homeless and doesn’t have a job,” he says, clenching his hands to his side.
In all my years, never has he acted this way, not even with my older brother. I hate how he’s judging Max when he doesn’t know him. Of course, I know he doesn’t have a job. If it is or isn’t his cabin, so what? If he lied, there is a reason behind it.
“Dad, you need to leave. I’m done talking to you. Why don’t you work on your own damn relationship and leave mine alone?”
He’s silent for a little too long. Then says, “I’ll go, Rainey, but think about what I said. He lives in Vegas anyway. It won’t work, and you’ll end up hurt. I love you, honey. All I want is the best for my little girl.”
I walk toward the door, and Max’s car is parked with the cabin light on. “Thanks, Dad, but I don’t appreciate your judgment.”
He steps out without a word. I shut the door behind him. I pretty much kicked him out of his own place.
Rounding back into the kitchen, I check on the roast, then refill my glass with wine. My dad’s last words ring in my ear. He lives in Vegas. Tonight, I’ll ask how we can make it work. I love him. I’m positive he has feelings for me as well.
Max
When I left Rainey’s, I planned on getting her a gift since she wanted to do the whole Christmas in July shit.
I think it’s crazy that stores make it a holiday in July for sales.
I get it, but do people really put trees up?
I understand why Rainey is doing it for me, and I’m grateful she cares enough to want me to experience it.
I let out a deep exhale, gazing at the contents of my wallet.
I had to use the money I was saving to buy back my mom’s ring from the pawnshop to buy Rainey a present.
Now, all I have left is enough for gas. Carlos offered to lend me some money, but I couldn’t bring myself to accept it; my pride won’t allow it.
I need to earn my own money. It’s time for me to head out for work.
Fuck.
My car’s tires splash through puddles, sending sheets of water flying as I drive up the slick driveway, the rain beating down on my windshield.
A truck is parked on Rainey’s side of the house. She didn’t say she was expecting anyone. I walk toward her front door to check if she’s okay. If it’s family, I’ll return to my place—well, not my place, per se.
“No, you’re judging him without meeting and getting to know him. I’m in love with him and will be with whoever I choose. Why don’t you try being happy for your daughter for once?” Rainey’s voice pours with range.
Love? She loves me?
It must be her dad here. He disapproves of me with his daughter, and I don’t blame him.
“He’s not good for you. I found out he’s a boxer. They are aggressive. He can hurt you,” her father shouts.
I hesitate for a moment at the foot of the porch, wondering if I should knock and assure her father I would never harm Rainey. I wait and listen a little longer.
His words, “he’s homeless and jobless,” echo in my mind, pulling me back to the times when my father said I was a fucking nothing.
I can’t shake the feeling that I’m not good enough for her.
I’ve always known that deep down, yet here we are, and she’s in love with me.
I’m torn, unsure of what to say about this unexpected turn.
It wasn’t supposed to happen like this; she wasn’t supposed to fall for someone like me.
Maybe she’s just saying that to her dad to piss him off.
Regardless, I’m grateful for her defending me.
No one ever has. I step back and make my way back to the house.
It’s not my place to intervene. I will only if she wants me to.
In the meantime, I open the jewelry box with a pair of earrings I bought for Rainey. I’ve never bought a woman a gift. Jewelry seems like the way to go. It’s nothing expensive, probably the cheapest earrings she’ll have in her jewelry box.
As I hold them up, the delicate silver angel wings shimmer in the light. Suddenly, there is a loud knock on the door, breaking my concentration. It must be Rainey. In a panic, I quickly stuff the box back in its bag and hide it in the pantry.
I didn’t expect to find Rainey’s dad standing at the door. “Max?” His eyebrows rise, and he surveys me.
“Yes,” I say in a sharper tone than intended.
“Can I come in?”
I step back and gesture for him to come in.
His gaze goes throughout the house. “I’m guessing Mike let you stay here?
I know his parents. I spoke to them when they bought this place.
On the other hand, my daughter knows nothing of the owners.
” He stands, arms crossed to his chest. His aura reeks of chauvinism and power because he is an attorney. Conceited much.
The old bastard doesn’t intimidate me. I answer him, shoulders squared, chin up. “What is it you need? I know you’re not here to speak of the Owens.”
He lifts the receipt from the counter. “Thirty dollars for a pair of earrings? Rainey is used to expensive jewelry.” Rowan turns to me, displeasure written all over his face.
He doesn’t stop there. He adds, “You know very damn well you can’t see her.
If this was a coincidence, then let it be a summer fling.
” His gaze scrutinizes me from head to toe.
“You’re a boxer. You must think you’re going to go big. But you’re not. You come from nothing.”
“I know where I fucking come from, asshole. You don’t need to remind me,” I bellow, my voice rising. The gates of hell can hear me.
“You’re going back to Vegas, aren’t you? Rainey has school. She has a career to pursue. You’ll ruin her. You have nothing to offer her, not even a home.” A grimace of rage paints his face. “You two”—he holds two fingers up—“are forbidden.”