Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

Lola

Sitting rink side, waiting for the game to begin, it’s the first time I’ve had a minute to relax all day.

My body feels exhausted, and I can hear my muscles sighing with relief as I sit back in my seat.

Emotionally and physically, I’m spent.

When Jordy dropped me off at Wade’s place he unloaded all my belongings, then carried each box up the giant staircase leading to my new temporary bedroom.

The way he kissed me goodbye didn’t feel like he wanted to go, and I almost asked him to stay but didn’t, for fear of sounding too needy.

He’ll never understand how grateful I am for the things he did for me to help spin my shitty day yesterday into a joy-filled one.

Offering to buy me dinner was one thing, but it meant everything to me when he suggested the wrecking room to help me vent my anger.

He was right. It was exactly what I needed.

Although, I might need to make another visit due to spending most of the afternoon at the police station filing a criminal report.

I’m still unable to comprehend what I discovered this afternoon, and while my body is bone-deep tired, my brain feels like it’s wired to the main power grid.

I was right about Graham being hell-bent on making me look incompetent. This afternoon confirmed what he’s been doing behind my back; one cleverly calculated step at a time.

It all hit me like a wrecking ball to the gut.

Yet again I cried, not for the loss of Graham, because he’s shown his true colors, but for the loss of a life I thought I was building with him. I thought we wanted the same things: marriage, a family, to build a business together, open more sneaker stores while the businesses I inherited from my father ticked along nicely, making healthy profits.

I got it wrong.

Where I expected faithfulness, loyalty, and a partnership, what he wanted was to steal my money to help him succeed. And now, I’m not even sure he ever loved me at all, which hurts like hell.

Had it not been for the fact that the mailman arrived at my old apartment at the exact moment Jordy and I were leaving, I would still be in the dark about Graham stealing money from my bank accounts.

Full of sadness, after I finished unpacking my things at Wade’s, I opened the mail I’d haphazardly stuffed into my purse, only to discover my savings account, which I realized I hadn’t seen a bank statement for in months, was not as high as it should have been.

Pulling a new credit card in my name out of another envelope, which I never applied for, was yet another shock.

At one point I genuinely thought I was having a cardiac arrest when my heart rate took on a life of its own and every memory of Graham discussing money with me crashed into my brain like a tsunami.

Having spent the time this afternoon checking every one of my bank accounts, I realized it wasn’t me he wanted. He only cared about filling his pockets at my expense.

Cunning and ruthless, he lacks any sense of morality because stealing over one hundred thousand dollars from me is the lowest of the low.

My only excuse for not seeing what was going on right under my nose is that I've been distracted. My life has been a whirlwind with my dad dying and sorting out his estate on top of organizing a wedding while Graham opened his new store. I’ve also been mentally distracted, trying to work through the news my father disclosed before he passed away—that I have a famous half-brother to a mother I thought was dead. And who I hate.

But I can’t think about her now. Or my estranged brother.

My thoughts flick back to Graham. Deceptive and manipulative, he charmed his way into my life only to take advantage of me.

I blame myself.

I should have seen the red flags from the beginning. As the reality of Graham’s deceit weaved its way through my day, my disbelief and embarrassment quickly shifted to uncontrollable anger.

Jordy may have advised me last night not to let my hate toward Graham poison me, but after learning what he’d done, it’s about the only emotion I can feel.

He took what didn’t belong to him. Stole it.

With all my bank cards canceled and security passwords changed, he can’t get anywhere near my finances again. I never gave him permission in the first place, and the only thing I can think of is if he found my username and password to access my accounts in a note on my phone.

I’m mad at myself for saving it there. It was an oversight. Something I will never do again.

For a smart businesswoman, I haven’t been very smart.

Discovering Graham’s been stealing my money has made me wake up and pay attention. I took my eye off the ball for a second, and I will not let that happen again.

In an odd way, I’m grateful.

Grateful that I just so happened to be passing by Graham’s store on the way to my wax appointment, which led to uncovering Graham’s affair. Otherwise, I would still be unaware of what Graham was scheming behind my back.

Then out of nowhere, like a knight wearing the snuggest of designer jeans, in a pair of unlaced biker books, Jordy turned up at Wade’s at the right time to help heal my heart.

While it was lovely of him to want to cheer me up and give me a room for the night, what I didn’t expect was what followed.

The way he took care of me was… I can’t even put into words how it felt… it was that special.

Every kiss and touch seemed like there was more to it than a one-night stand.

Which it was, until I suggested seeing him again tonight.

It was a long shot and if he’d said no, I might have died inside.

Whipping out his keycard to his penthouse apartment faster than a hiccup surprised me more than it should have. I knew that he liked me because he told me so, but I did wonder if he would think I was using him to get over Graham—which maybe I was but now I do really want him to fuck every single piece of Graham out of my mind and from my body.

Although from the sounds of it, I think Jordy has not long gotten over Sienna.

We’re both slightly broken.

Maybe we could heal one another.

I push my fingers into my eye sockets and give them a rub.

My eyes sting from crying most of the afternoon. Not from sadness, but from being angry at myself. For allowing myself to be targeted by a thief. The police used the words alleged thief because he’s a suspect until they have enough evidence to charge him with theft, forgery, and fraud.

I can’t believe I was so clueless.

Pulling my phone out of my purse, I finally drop a text to my best friend, Piper.

It’s the moment I've been putting off.

I wish I had listened to her when she told me to seek legal advice when Graham asked me to financially help him with his business.

There was never a doubt in my mind about his intentions. He swore he loved me and I believed him. He promised me that he would pay back every dollar he borrowed, but I’ve yet to see a dime of it. Now, I might never see any of it again.

Me:

I have something to tell you, and I can’t even bring myself to call you because I feel so stupid. x

She instantly replies.

Piper:

I’m your best friend. You know I would never judge. x

My fingers hover over the keyboard, hesitant to share the shit show that my life has become as another text drops in from her.

Piper:

Did he do something? Are you okay? Please tell me you’re okay or I am jumping in my car and driving to your apartment to check on you if you don’t text me back right this hot minute.

I quickly type my reply before she gets a chance to make good on her threat.

Me:

Don’t do that. I moved out. I’m at the arena, please don’t call as I won’t hear you.

I look around me. Having arrived much too early, the arena is only half full, but I don’t have the strength to talk to her. Texting seems like an easier option.

Piper:

What happened? What time does the game finish? I can meet you straight after. Where are you living? Lola, I am freaking out right now. Please tell me before I have a seizure.

I chuckle to myself imagining her frantically pacing up and down her lavish art gallery.

Me:

I caught Graham having sex with Nicole.

Piper:

His store manager?

Me:

Yes.

Piper:

Me:

There’s more.

Piper:

Please give me one more reason to drive there and poke his eyes out with a rotten stick.

Me:

Calm down. I've been advised to stay away from him. The police are more than likely there now anyway.

Piper:

Why the hell are the police involved? Did he hurt you? If he so much as laid a finger on you, I will skin him alive and frame his carcass in my gallery.

I cover my mouth with my hand to stifle my laugh. Knowing how protective Piper is of me, I wouldn’t put it past her.

Me:

He didn’t hurt me physically. I promise. But he’s hurt me financially and has been draining my bank accounts for months.

Piper:

I need to see you. What are you doing after the game?

Me:

I have plans.

Piper:

I have a spare room. Do you have a place to stay?

Me:

Yes. Wade offered me a room at his new house.

Piper:

That’s great news. Maybe this was all meant to be. Living with Wade means you get to be closer to him, which is what you wanted.

Me:

I told Kali everything.

Piper:

Holy shit, this is huge. What did she say?

Me:

She went straight to Marcus and struck a deal. We’re telling Wade when the season is over.

Piper:

I’m so happy for you.

Me:

I hope Wade sees it that way.

Piper:

Are you ok?

Me:

Apart from being mad at Graham and feeling a bit stupid for not noticing the money that’s missing from my account, it’s nothing a good night’s sleep won’t fix.

Piper:

Let’s meet up tomorrow for coffee. Meet me at the art gallery.

Me:

Noon? We can do lunch.

Piper:

Perfect. See you then. And Lola?

Me:

Yes.

Piper:

I fucking hated Graham.

Me:

I know and I’m sorry for not listening.

Piper:

I’ll always look out for you.

Me:

I love you, girl.

Piper:

Love you more. Enjoy the hockey.

Me:

See you tomorrow.

Piper:

Can you get me Jordan Miller’s autograph, please? Or his puck. In fact, bring his face for me to sit on.

I blush redder than a tomato. If only she knew his face was between my legs this morning after he spent a whole night fucking Graham out of my system. But, while he did an excellent job, he went and did something even more spectacular… he fucked himself into my brain, my body, and my soul.

He’s now stuck there, and I don’t want him to leave.

But I know all too well that nothing lasts forever.