Page 94 of Shallow

I palm the back of my neck and sigh. I was hoping to avoid having this conversation, but the woman is like a bloodhound. “She has a name, Mom, and what does it matter where it came from? The motel is safe, and you and Dad can stopworrying.”

Moving back behind the desk, she looks away and starts to obsessively shuffle papers. “It matters because it’s blood money, son. She’s buying yourforgiveness.”

“No, she isn’t,” I insist, slapping a hand on top of the stack to stop her. “Mom, you have no idea what’s been going on right under yournose.”

She grips the edge of the desk. “Then why don’t you tell me foronce.”

We say nothing for a few seconds. I can’t lie to her. She’d know anyway, so it’s sink or swim time for me, and I’m out ofair.

I sigh. “I got in way over my head. Taryn had me by the balls. She’s been blackmailing me with the money her family lent me to start the center, the money you guys borrowed, with her uncle being the health inspector, and now withShiloh…”

“What aboutShiloh?”

“She hates her, Mom,” I admit, sweat beading my forehead. “At the Rugged Maniac Race, she told me if I broke up with her, she’d come after both of us. She’scrazy.”

I wait for her to tell me how disappointed she is in me. Instead, her expression softens. “You loveher.”

“Yeah. I alwayshave.”

“I know. I wish youdidn’t.”

The breath I let out is a mix of relief and resentment. “Me too. It’d be easier if Ididn’t.”

My mother is unfazed by my admission. “We don’t choose who we fall in love with, son. If we did, they’d call it stepping in love. We fall because we have no control. You’re walking along just fine and then before you know it, the ground is gone, your heart is gone, and you’re falling.” She emphasizes her point by dropping her arms toward theground.

A thought suddenly hits me. “Did Grandma and Grandpa likeDad?”

She snorts and wrinkles her nose. “Are you kidding? He whisked me away from Spartanburg at eighteen with dreams of owning a motel in a tourist trap like Myrtle Beach. They hated him for taking me away, but their opinion didn’t matter to me.” A smile pulls at the corners of her mouth. “I would’ve moved cross country for him and lived in atent.”

“I’d live in a tent forher.”

Reaching for my hand, she gives it a squeeze. “Then that tells me all I need toknow.”

* * *

Sittingin the parking lot of the motel, I wait for Shiloh’s call and think about what my mothersaid.

We don’t choose who we fall in lovewith.

I sure as hell wouldn’t have chosen Shiloh, but it’s too late. The ground is gone, my heart is gone, and I’vefallen.

“I’m so sorry.” I’m not sure if I’m saying it to Shiloh for lying, or to myself for being a shitbag. All I do know is that as much as I promised her a clean slate, I can’t risk losing her by telling her what I’vedone.

Since I haven’t spent a dime yet, I’ll find a way to get her money back in her account, and somehow, I’ll keep her away from Taryn until I can figure out what the hell she has planned. I have to. I have no otherchoice.

Turning up the radio, I find a station that suits my mood and lean back against the headrest. As the heavy guitar riffs hit the chorus, I reach for the button to crank it even louder when my phone rings. Seeing her gorgeous face pop up on my screen, I cut the music andanswer.

“All done,beautiful?”

“You need to get here, now,” a panicked male voiceyells.

My heart races, and I immediately start the car. “Frankie? What’swrong?”

“Shiloh’s beenarrested.”

Thirty-One

Shiloh