Page 63 of Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming

“Shut up, fool. Listen. Sheila is on her last legs, as far as getting you to want her. Using Courtney isn’t working, and pretty soon, it won’t work anyway. She’ll be off to college, and the one thing Sheila has connecting the two of you will be gone. And now Aimee’s in the picture? These are the actions of a desperate woman. Remember my dad’s fifth wife?”

“That woman was a hot mess. I don’t think Sheila’s that bad.”

One of Ranson’s former stepmothers wasn’t pleased to be set aside by his dad, Parker. So, she did what any logical person would do. She hired some thugs to bust Parker’s kneecaps, but unfortunately, the guys she hired were as effective as five hundred dollars will pay for. She got caught and is currently serving eight years in Chino.

“She’s not too far from it, bruh. Going to your girl’s book signing to act a fool is some hot mess behavior.”

“You’re right. Let me go and handle this.”

“Good luck.”

Patrick ends the call then leaves his house and heads to the guest house. It’s a two-story Italian villa that matches the Tuscan style design of the main house. It boasts five bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom. It also has a Jacuzzi, a wave pool and a game room. There’s a state-of-the-art kitchen and a private gym. He also hired a housekeeper, a personal trainer—at Sheila’s request—and a personal chef.

How is she not satisfied with this setup?Most women would kill for this.Imagine living like a millionaire’s wife but without the headache of actually being married to a millionaire.Who the fuck wouldn’t want that?

Patrick knocks on the door, and Courtney answers. “Hi, daddy.”

“Hi, baby girl. Can you do me a favor? Go to the main house and ask Tamarind to make you a snack. I need to talk to your mom.”

“That works. She made me the most amazing smoothie the other day.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.”

“What did mom do anyway?” Courtney asks.

“What makes you think she did something?”

“Daddy, I’m twelve.”

“I’m aware of how old you are.”

“Then you should know that hiding adult matters from me doesn’t work anymore.”

Patrick raises an eyebrow. “And what exactly do you think you know?”

“You’re dating a woman named Aimee, and mom’s upset. She’s been on the phone with Auntie Sadie for hours. She was in her room, and I could only get every other word. But I heard, ‘Four-eyed, no-writing ass b-word.’”

Patrick’s jaw ticks, and he has to take deep breaths.

“Go to the main house, sweetheart.”

Courtney does as her father says and heads to over.

He enters the house and hears Sheila cackling like a hyena to her sister. He walks up the stairs and knocks on the bedroom door before opening it.

She says, “Sadie, I need to call you back.” She waits a few seconds. “Yeah, it’s him. Okay, bye.” She ends the call.

“We need to talk,” Patrick says.

“I’m assuming your little girlfriend told you?—”

“You know what? I should have said I need to talk, and you need to listen. You’re moving into your new home right now. It’s literally three blocks away, and it’s already furnished with clothes in the closets. A car will come get you and take you there.Courtney can stay here, if she chooses, and will join you after I have all your stuff sent over.”

“How can you do this to me?”

“Do what! For the love of God, woman, you act like I’m sending you to a gulag. You’re going to an eight-bedroom mini mansion in Bel Air.”

“I can’t believe you’re kicking me out over that?—”