Page 53 of Could Be Worse
There was one other person who might have paid my loan off, but it was a long shot. Either way, I dialed his number.
“Hey, buddy. How’s it going?”
It annoyed me how he always sounded happy. “Hey, Zander. It’s going all right. I know this is going to sound weird, but did you pay off my home loan?” Jeez, I sounded ridiculous.
“Nope, it wasn’t me.”
“Do you know who did?”
“I might. What difference does it make?”
“Come on, this is insane. And I don’t appreciate people messing with my personal business.”
“Shit, man. Most people would love to have their debts paid anonymously.”
“Not me, and it’s not that anonymous if you know who did it.” Wait. “Was it Sadie?”
“Does it matter? Just count your blessings and move on, son.”
“Was it?” I dialed in but couldn’t hear anything. “Zander? You there?” I checked my phone, but the call had ended.
Why would he hang up on me?
Holy fuck. It must’ve been Sadie. I dialed her number.
“Bryce? Is everything okay?” she asked, sounding panicked. “Are the girls okay?”
“Why’d you do it?”
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t play games with me. Everything is always a game to you. Well, not this time. I don’t need you fixing my life or paying my bills.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You paid off my house.”
“Um, no I didn’t. I’m only twenty-three and a struggling ballerina. I don’t have that kind of money.”
“Oh. I see your point. Sorry.” I wilted against the kitchen counter.
“I think it is wonderful someone paid off your home though. Now you can focus on your business.”
“I suppose.” Hearing her voice made me miss her more than before. “How are you doing?”
“We should end the call now.”
“Sadie, don’t hate me. I was just trying to protect my girls.” They were all I had and I would die if something happened to them.
“I don’t hate you. I respect your rights as their father. It just hurts.”
“Why does it hurt?”
“Because I’m not good enough for you. For them.”
“That’s not true.”
“Oh, stop it, Bryce. You look down on the club, and that means you look down on me. I grew up in the Knight’s Legion MC and had the greatest childhood. So many kids to play with and people who loved me and would give their life to protect me. My family is massive, and you gave up the chance to be part of it.”