Page 27 of Redeemed (Dirty Air 4)

“Wait! You didn’t mention anything about a missing leg. Tell me more.”

“Well, I think everything below his right knee is missing. I couldn’t see much else because his nephew was in the way.”

“He sounds hot in a damaged kind of way. I’d do him.”

I groan. “Brooke!”

“What? You think he’s sexy and you kissed him. It’s not like you’re going to marry the man. No harm, no foul.”

“Yes, foul! Big forking foul.”

&nb

sp; “Forking?”

Shit. “I couldn’t curse in front of Marko.”

“Look at you going all Disney Channel on me. Cute.”

“Anyway, your plan sucks because even if I wanted to kiss him again, I don’t even have his number or full name.”

“I’m going to light a candle for you.”

“That only works in churches.”

She scoffs. “Nonsense. The power is in the will. That and the highest quality Jesus candle a dollar can buy.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re crazy.”

“Right back at you. So in this whole story, you missed out on a big part.”

I purse my lips considering what I could’ve missed.

Brooke fills in the silence. “Have you introduced yourself to your dad yet?”

“Oh.” Yes, Chloe, the whole damn reason you came here in the first place! “I was a little preoccupied.”

“Right, too busy playing house with Santiago, whose name is unfairly sexy, thank you very much.” Her laugh cackles through the tiny speaker.

“I plan on stopping by Matteo’s house tomorrow since I know Santiago won’t be there.”

“Atta girl! Are you planning on scaling a tree again?”

“No.” I snort. “But seriously, I’m not sure what I’ll do. The idea of speaking to him face-to-face terrifies me.”

“Understandable. But I believe in you and your wishes. This was meant to be.”

The more people say it, the more I believe it. But there’s a reason people say be careful what you wish for. I just haven’t figured out why yet.

I stare at the same gate I walked up to three days ago. This time I don’t see any cars in the driveway or hear any music pounding from the backyard.

I eye the speaker box next to the entrance. No matter how much I yell at my limbs to move toward it, I stay glued in place. Questions flood my head every time I consider speaking to Matteo. How should I introduce myself? What if he says he knew about me this entire time and didn’t care about meeting me? What if he asks me how my life was up until this point, and my honesty scares him away?

My confidence drains with every new question that pops up in my head. I dial Brooke, desperate for support.

She picks up on the second ring. “What’s up, betch? I was wondering where you have been all morning.”

“It’s still nighttime there. What are you even doing awake right now?”