Cocky Romance: Chapter 21

I’d like to give the ‘Douchebag of the Year’ trophy to Max, but seeing that explosion of headlines about my one-night stand with Trevor pop up three days ago…

No, that ‘Douchebag of the Year’ trophy definitely belongs to Max’s dad.

I’ve noticed interest in the article has toppled since last week, but the damage has been done. Everyone who knows me personally now knows the truth of Dawn’s birth.

It’s not just mortifying, it’s also exhausting. My dad’s old mechanic friends have been making a scene online, typing publicly under the articles and threatening Trevor’s life. My old friends from out-of-state have been calling me, eager to hear the details.

Even strangers in my orbit want more.

When I walked into the PTA meeting last night, the room went deathly silent. The kind of greedy silence that tells me there are questions floating in everyone’s minds and they’re practically drooling for answers.

I can handle everything that comes my way.

I’m an adult.

It’s true I opened my legs for a man I barely knew. It doesn’t matter why I did it. Doesn’t matter that I was reeling from dad’s death and I needed something to numb the pain.

It happened.

All people can see are the results.

And you know what? No matter how hard life has been as a single mother, I wouldn’t trade my daughter for anything.

Unfortunately, Beth hasn’t been responding well to the comments. She’s gotten frosty with me. We barely speak around the dinner table. When I drop her off at school, she wears her headphones. She doesn’t look at me when she mumbles a goodbye and runs to meet Bailey on the school steps.

It’s like getting locked in the cold, and what’s worse is that I wasn’t expecting it. I assumed that my baby girl would always come to me if she had an issue. I thought that we would weather any storm together.

We’re a unit.

We’re a two-woman army against the world.

Beth’s retreated into herself. I’m torn between insisting that we work this out and giving her space.

I check my phone, taking a break from fiddling with my car.

Sunny and Kenya are checking up on me. I text back that I’m okay.

Those two women have been a constant source of support since the news broke out, always there to talk if I need to and checking on me every day.

I feel especially sorry that Sunny’s worrying about me when her wedding to Darrel is so close. I’m sure she has bigger things to fret about and yet she always makes time for me.

I sigh heavily and reach for another tool. Although tons of garages have been clamoring to work with me, I’ve spent my free time hunkered in the apartment garage, trying not to think about Max.

He’s been tugging on my mind, no matter how hard I try to forget about him. Our love was an illusion, but the feelings I had were real. Tackling them into a box that I can shove away is my priority.

Besides, Max’s compensation for my time as the face of Stinton Group made sure I could retire tomorrow and not have to worry about money again.

It’s guilt money.

Obviously.

I thought of returning it to him, but I didn’t. And why should I? I worked my butt off as the face of the company. Dealt with rude hosts, lights being shoved in my face to the point that it’s a wonder I’m not blind. Not to mention, the complete and total infringement on my personal life.

Besides, I don’t have the energy to fight with a Stinton—not Trevor, not George, and certainly not Max.

As if my mind conjured him, my phone starts ringing and the screen reveals Max’s number.

My heart snaps to attention.

No matter how much I tell myself that he’s a sick hunter who feeds on the bones of his prey, I can’t release the tiny glimmers of charm and kindness that he revealed when we were together.

Against my better judgement, I pick up the call.

For a second, there’s no sound.

Just his breathing.

Oof.

I tilt my head back, close my eyes and breathe with him.

My heart aches and twists and cries out.

His reign of terror ripped through my life eight years ago, but I wasn’t miserable when I was with him these past few months. Not until after I found out what he’d done. Not until after he lied to my face about it.

Before everything fell apart, I was… happy.

For me, those feelings, those moments of laughter and joy, were real.

Max clears his throat and it jars me out of my moody thoughts. “Dawn.”

I close my eyes when I hear my name in that soft, husky tone.

With a frown, I dig my fingers into the phone and wrap myself in a cloak of anger. It’s the easiest emotion to default to. It’s the only way I can act stronger than I feel.

“Why are you calling me, Max? I thought I told you to keep your distance.”

I stab the dagger in his throat as if I don’t care about the damage, but I cringe the moment it makes impact. It’s like I can see the hurt coursing through his cobalt eyes. I can see his brows tightening and his lips turning thin and tense.

My head throbs angrily and, this time, I don’t have anyone but myself to blame.

I’m gutting him to survive, but every time I swipe my claws over him, I start bleeding too.

It hurts worse than I can say.

But this isn’t Romeo and Juliet.

Max Stinton will always be the dirty bastard who sent lawyers at me. Who tried to manipulate me into getting rid of my baby.

No matter what I have to do, I’ll keep him in my rearview mirror. Soldier on. Find a way to pretend the prince of Stinton Group with a dark vortex for a soul doesn’t exist.

From the very first time he gave me butterflies to the moment our relationship imploded in front of me, I’ll swipe him clean from my mind. Punch the reset button. Find happiness again.

“I’m going to hang up now,” I say stiffly.

“Wait.” He pauses. “I debated whether I should tell you this, but I really don’t want to keep any more secrets from you, Dawn.”

I stiffen. “What are you talking about?”

Is there something else? Is he responsible for some other tragedy or injustice in my life that I don’t know about?

“It’s about Beth.”

Now he has my full attention.

“She called me… yesterday.”

“What?” I take a frantic step forward before realizing that I don’t even know where I’m supposed to go. “How did she get your number?”

“I don’t know. We didn’t discuss that. She asked me if the rumors about you and Trevor were true.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and groan.

I’m dying on the inside. Every single part of me takes a painful, shuddering breath. Why would Beth run to Max, of all people, for assurance? I’m right here. I’m… I’m her mother.

“I told her how much you love her.” Max’s voice is gentle as if he can sense that I’m spiraling. “We had a short conversation and then I took her back to school—”

“What? She skipped school and ran away to talk to you?” I fling my arms out.

My daughter’s seven. She’s not supposed to be roaming the streets on her own. What if something had happened to her?

“She wasn’t alone. She had… assistance.”

“Bailey and Micheal.”

“I will neither confirm nor deny that.”

If it wasn’t my child and if it wasn’t Max Stinton, I’d probably find amusement in his sorry attempt at keeping the kids’ secret.

As it stands, I can barely breathe. Flapping my arms at my face, I try to offset the heat of frustration climbing through my body.

“I need to go,” I hiss.

“Okay.”

We both stay on the line even though it’s clear the conversation is over. I’ve obviously lost my mind.

“Dawn?”

My throat tightens when I hear my name again. He’s so tender with it. It makes me want to ugly cry.

But I steel myself against his charms. “What?”

“Go easy on her, will you? She asked me to keep it a secret and I’m breaking her confidence because I believe it’s the right thing to do. But this is a really confusing time for her.”

“I’ll handle my own daughter, Max,” I snap.

He goes quiet again.

I breathe out and realize that I never would have known a thing if he hadn’t told me.

Hanging my head, I squeeze out the words. “Thank you… for letting me know.” I don’t wait to hear his response. Yanking the phone from my ear, I hang up and then pace the garage.

Time crawls while I wait for school to be out. I’m in the pick-up lane fifteen minutes early, waiting for Beth.

When I finally see her walk out with Bailey, I crack the door open, plant my foot on the running board, and launch myself up so my face is above the roof of my truck.

Beth sees me and stops in her tracks.

I narrow my eyes. “Get in the car. Now.”

“Ms. Dawn.” Bailey’s voice has a nervous tremor. “Uh… can Beth come home with me today? Dad asked us to help them choose a cake for the wedding.”

“Thank you, Bailey.” My tone is as stiff as a board. “But Elizabeth is coming straight home today.”

My daughter pushes out her lips and stomps to my car.

Beth fastens her seatbelt. “Why did you yell like that? It was so embarrassing.”

“Embarrassing?” I train my eyes on the road. My temper spikes the more I think about her rummaging through my phone for Max’s number and then sneaking out of school to meet him. “What’s embarrassing is a daughter who skips class and goes off to meet strangers.”

She pushes up, frowning at me. “Did Bailey squeal?”

“It doesn’t matter who told me.” I grip the steering wheel tighter.

Her jaw drops and she actually looks hurt. “It was Max?”

I throw the car into a parking spot in front of our apartment. With the engine still running, I turn to my child. “Beth, you broke so many rules I don’t even know where to start. First of all, going through my phone is a deep invasion of privacy. Second, you do not ever leave your school compound without supervision. I don’t care what the reason is. You stay there where it’s safe. And third, you are not to contact Max Stinton ever again, do you hear me?”

“Why not? At least he doesn’t lie to me,” she yells.

My head is about to explode. “What does that mean?”

“It means you’re a liar.” Tears filling her eyes, she pops her door open and takes off at a sprint into the building.

I groan aloud, slap my hand against the steering wheel and then scramble after her.

My footsteps thump the ground.

Beth’s pace increases when she hears me coming.

Even though we’re both petite, I’m still taller than her and I catch up with her in front of our apartment door. Gripping her arm, I lurch her to a stop. “You do not walk away from me, young lady. Don’t you dare be disrespectful.”

A door up ahead creaks open.

One of our neighbors pokes his head out.

Even though I want to scold Beth into the next century, I suck the words back, throw our apartment door open and march her inside.

The moment I slam the door shut, I whirl on her. “I know this is a very confusing time, but that doesn’t mean you get to throw rules out the window and act like I didn’t teach you better.”

“You told me my dad was dead, mom.” Her eyes flash with anger.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. She’s got me there. “Look, there are some things you’ll only understand when you’re older.”

“So it’s okay to lie to me because I’m a kid? How fair is that?” She pins her lips together and gives me another frustrated look. “Why didn’t you tell me Trevor Stinton is my dad?”

“Because…” I suck in a deep breath and try to calm my racing heart, “he… we met when we were young and in a bad place.” I blink rapidly. “We were so immature—”

“I looked him up.” She purses her lips. “Mom, he did a lot of bad things. Is my dad a bad person?”

I lose it when I see the first tear slip down her cheek. Rushing to her, I wrap her in my arms and pull her close.

She gives up the fight and cries into my shoulder. Beth is so small and fragile. She acts tough for her age. Maybe because we both had to be tough to survive. But it’s my fault for forgetting she’s just a kid.

“Sweetie, I’m sorry.” I brush her curls away from her face. “Your dad got himself into a lot of trouble, but that has nothing to do with you.” I ease back so I can stare into her eyes. “You are the most amazing little girl in the world.”

“Then why isn’t he here?”

“Sometimes, people just don’t see what’s good for them. That’s not your fault. That’s his.” I rub her shoulder. “Why didn’t you come to me and talk about what you were feeling? I was so worried that things would be hard at school. No one is bullying you, right?”

She shrugs sadly. “Casey Anderson said I never should have been born.”

“What?” Rage sweeps through me. “Beth, I am never going to regret what happened with Trevor Stinton because it gave me you. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. Whether Trevor sees that or not, it doesn’t change how I feel about you.”

“What about Max? How do you feel about him? Do you like him?”

“Why are you talking about Max?” I shake my head. “Look, Max did a bad thing a long time ago. You can’t trust him.”

“Is Max still doing bad things?” She gives me a challenging look. “And is he sorry about it?”

My mouth opens. Closes. “Elizabeth—”

“You make mistakes too.” She points out. “Why are you still angry at Max if he’s sorry and if he’s not doing those bad things now? That’s like me being angry at you for what you did back then too.”

My eyelashes flap up and down.

So much for thinking that my seven-year-old was too young to understand. She understands way too much.

I clamor to my feet. “Let’s get back to the point.”

“Mom, if Max—”

“No more talk about Max,” I shriek. And then I lower my voice. “If you have any questions about Trevor Stinton, I’m going to answer them.” Placing my hand on her shoulder, I put on a strained smile. “From now on, I won’t keep any more secrets between us. In exchange, you have to promise me that you won’t do anything as dangerous as what you did yesterday. And you don’t keep secrets either.”

She studies me for a long moment. Then she nods. “Okay.”

I give my daughter a hug and a kiss on the head. Then I lead her to the kitchen. “How about I cook tonight?”

She groans. “I’d rather get pizza.”

I narrow my eyes at her. The little smart mouth.

As I get my phone, I start thinking about Beth’s words.

My smile wobbles.

You made mistakes too. Why are you still angry at Max?

I want to move forward, but it can’t be that simple to forget what Max has done, can it?

After dropping Beth off at school the next day, I unconsciously drive to my old garage. When I realize what I’m doing, I yank on the steering wheel and make a U-turn, heading back home.

That’s embarrassing.

I guess I have too much free time. Starting today, I’ll seriously take a look at all the job offers I’ve received and decide on my next course of action. Maybe I might even take a job in another state. That way, Beth will be able to start clean without all the Trevor Stinton gossip surrounding her.

Sure, it’ll suck to leave Bailey and Micheal behind. I’ll miss Sunny, Kenya and Mama Moira too, but it’s not like we’ll lose touch completely. There’s still internet and video calls.

Admit it, Dawn. You’re running.

I ignore that voice in my head.

I’m not running.

Even if I was, there is no shame in retreat. I’m not moving on from Max Stinton while living here. I still can’t stop thinking about him, even though I know I shouldn’t. It kills me that he stepped down from Stinton Group because of me. I’m waiting—looking—for news that he took his seat back.

It’s unhealthy.

A fresh start will give me a better chance to scrape him out of my heart.

I head up the stairs to my apartment, more determined than ever.

Then I stop short.

There’s someone waiting outside my door.

Is that…

Oh crap.

It’s Vanya Beckford also known as Vanya Scott.

Deep breaths.

One, two. One, two.

Is she real?

I almost stumble when she turns around and a supermodel smiles spreads on her supermodel face. “Dawn, hey. I was wondering why no one answered when I knocked.”

“You’re…” I point at her, my jaw slackening. “You’re here. Outside my apartment.”

She laughs and I swear, even her laughter sounds dainty and high fashion. I didn’t even know laughter could be high fashion, but there you go.

“You saw me at the school gym that day.” She arches an eyebrow.

“We didn’t have time to be introduced. You had to give your speech, and you left so quickly.” I draw near to her, still looking up in awe.

She’s as tall and regal as an Amazonian woman. Her generous curves are scooped into a red, sequined dress with the corset on the outside. It shows off her wide hips and the dramatic curve of her waist. Zebra print heels complete a look that would seem garish on anyone else but is perfect on Vanya.

“Oh.” She flutters her thick eyelashes. “You’re right.” Putting a hand to her lips, she gives me a sweet smile that every corporation in the world would gladly hand over millions to photograph. “I’m sorry. I’ve heard so much about you that it feels like I know you.”

Oh, boy.

She knows me through Max.

Which means she’s here because of him.

The reminder slaps me in the face and sucks the joy of meeting a real-life celebrity straight out of my bones.

Vanya pats at her stunning pixie cut. Her long, slender fingers are dripping in delicate rings and red coats her triangle nails.

Resting one delicate hand under her chin, she gives me a patient gaze. “Can I come in?”

“It depends. Did Max send you?”

“Oh, he wishes he could send me anywhere.” She tosses her head and shows off the perfect cut of her chin. “No, I’m here because I want to be.”

I fight with my feelings of starstruck awe and try to think rationally. She’s on Max’s side. That much was clear from the moment I saw them walking into the gym together.

And though I don’t pick up romantic feelings between either Vanya or Max, I’m also aware that Max treasures her as a friend. He wouldn’t let her close if he didn’t.

Vanya pops an eyebrow. “Well?”

I shrug and let her in. How often does a supermodel stop by for a chat? Especially a supermodel with a body positivity message that I really admire.

Vanya’s eyes survey my living room sharply, but her gaze softens when it lands on a picture of me and Beth.

“Your daughter’s so cute. I thought so that day at the school gym too. She takes after her very beautiful mother.”

“Thank you.”

Vanya chuckles. “Why do I get the feeling you don’t believe me?”

“Oh, I’m no supermodel,” I stammer. I’m not usually taken aback by a compliment, but come on. This is a woman whose beauty is what pays her bills.

I glance over her—gently wavy hair, perfect makeup, long nails and that dress. She’s the very definition of desirable and feminine. I wouldn’t even begin to compare myself to her.

“I’ll be honest. I didn’t respect models until I had to do work for Stinton Auto. Getting in front of that camera is tough. I had no idea what I was doing.”

“Right. Well, I wouldn’t know what to do if my car ever broke down. I think you’re amazing.”

I chuckle. “Wow.”

Her eyes glitter. “Look at us, fan-girling over each other.”

I smile, but it’s tinged with caution. “I’m assuming you don’t make personal visits to all your fans.”

“No, I don’t.” She clasps her fingers over her knee, the polite expression dropping into a more intense one. “I’m here to talk about Max. Specifically, you and Max.”

I bristle. “And why do you think you have any right to speak about that topic?”

Her eyes brighten with amusement. “Wow. He told me you were blunt, but I didn’t expect you to be so likable while you inflict your damage.” She tilts her head. “No wonder he fell so hard for you.”

“Ms. Beckford—”

“Don’t stop calling me Vanya, Dawn. We’re on the same side of this fight.”

“I’m not sure what you mean. There’s no fight. Max and I came to a mutual decision to break ties—”

“Mutual?” She snorts. “I’ve known Max since his mother was the receptionist at Hadyn’s racetrack. He’s always been that kid with the chip on his shoulder. Really serious. Really intense. But I’ve never seen him focus on any woman the way he focuses on you. It’s like he has tunnel vision. All that attention and care that he gave to Stinton Group, he shifted to you. It’s like seeing a completely different person.”

I gulp.

“Look, I know I don’t have a right to meddle, but I’m going to anyway because Max is my friend and I really hate seeing him in pain. The truth is, he’s been miserable without you, Dawn.”

I gasp sharply.

Vanya’s frank brown eyes lock on me. As much as I want to flinch and glance away, I force myself to meet her stare.

“If Max is having a hard time, it’s probably because he gave up Stinton Group. Maybe, instead of visiting me, you should try to convince him to go back to where he belongs.”

“It won’t work. Losing you messed him up way more than losing Stinton Group did.”

Her words are pummeling me in the chest.

“I’ve never seen Max lose his cool. Not once. He’s that guy who always has to be perfect. Who always has to be in control.” Her voice doesn’t waver. Instead, it thickens. “But after he had to walk away from you, he looked like a car spinning its wheels. All the right motions, but no forward momentum. You broke the great Max Stinton. You turned the killer wolf into a loyal dog who just wants to follow you around and protect you and Beth.”

My eyelashes flutter.

I’m trying so hard to keep my cool, but it’s impossible.

“Okay.” Vanya leans back with a satisfied smirk on her red lips. “Okay, that’s what I was hoping to see.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If you were fine, if it looked like you truly believed Max being gone from your life was better for you and your daughter, I would have walked away and not said another word.” She points at me, her red nails shining in the sunlight. “But it’s all over your face. You’re as broken as he is.”

“I can’t trust that I know who the real Max is,” I admit hoarsely. Maybe it’s because she’s a stranger. Or maybe it’s because it still feels like a dream that someone as famous as her is in my living room, pleading with me on Max’s behalf.

But I find myself being honest.

“I didn’t realize it at the time, but one of the reasons I broke down when I found out the truth was because I couldn’t believe what I’d seen of Max wasn’t real. It felt real. I mean, yeah, I saw the terror that he could be. I saw the darkness. I saw him being cold and brutal. But when he stood up for me, when he was gentle with me, when he protected me and Beth, I thought I was seeing a part of him that he didn’t show to anyone else. And I started to show him parts of me I hadn’t shown to anyone either.” My throat hurts to swallow. I’m amazed my voice is so steady. “We were close to something. Close to something real. It was devastating to be jerked away from that in the cruelest way possible. I feel like I can’t trust myself anymore.”

“I can tell you right now that Max doesn’t open up easily. If he let you in, it’s because he trusts you. If he allowed you to get close, it’s because he’s going to be loyal for life. Why do you think he only has, like, three friends when he’s got so much money? I’m not here to tell you what to do, but I want you to know that the person Max became when he was with you… that was real.” She tilts her head back. “What he did to you eight years ago was messed up. I’m not going to take up for him on that. But if you let go of all the things he did before, if you just focus on the man that he is to you now and not then, what do you see?”

“I see…” I close my eyes. “Happiness.”

“And?”

“Forever.” My heart is stuttering.

Vanya gives me a pleased look. “I thought so.” She tilts her head. “I really hope you don’t mind my interference. I had to do something or I’d go crazy. Max wouldn’t. That stubborn man was not going to come after you. Something about not making the same mistakes and pressuring you to…” She waves her hand in a yada, yada, yada gesture. “Whatever. Typical man stuff. Shall I take you to kiss and make up now?”

“Wait.”

She groans. “Woman, what more does he have to do to prove he loves you? Max is so obsessed, he’s been watching out for you and protecting you behind the scenes.” She slides a finger over her forehead and leans back dramatically. “You won’t believe the way he begged me to help bury those articles. I couldn’t say no—”

My eyes widen. “Max buried the articles?”

“He worked without sleeping or eating to make sure it didn’t spread.”

Her words rip the last of my doubts from my mind. The evidence piles up in front of me like a car hooked up to a scanner.

Max gave up Stinton Group.

He ended the contract to protect me from his father.

He saved me and Beth from becoming international gossip fodder.

He’s still looking out for us even though our relationship’s over and he won’t get anything from it.

I launch out of my seat. “I have an idea.” My eyes slide to hers. “But I’m going to need your help.”

A slow, mischievous smile crosses Vanya’s face. “Go on. I’m listening.”