Page 132 of The Fix
Epilogue Two
Toby
The café is sparse for a chilly afternoon like this, especially considering I’ve chosen to take up one of those weirdly unstable mesh metal tables still standing outside.
It’s fucking freezing, but the brew is great and the space is wide open.
Space is a good thing when you’re trying for discretion.
I take a steaming sip from the plastic lid reminding me that this shit is hot and let the coffee heat me from the inside out as my gaze wanders over the few patrons braving the cold like I am.
Shouldn’t be long now.
At least, I’m hoping that my guest shows when she’s supposed to so that I don’t have to go through the bullshit of tracking her down again.
She had a hard enough time believing it was really me to begin with considering the sendoff she got when she received her hush money.
Probably shouldn’t call it that in front of her.
A shadow darkens my back, and a voice I don’t know whispers from behind me.
“Holy shit, it really is you.”
I aim a raised brow over my shoulder at the woman wearing not much more than an old band hoodie and even darker bags under her eyes. I wait until she makes her way around and takes the seat opposite me.
“In the flesh.”
“Wow,” Zoey Inna murmurs and rubs her hands together to combat the cold. “I really thought that I was being set up.” She shivers. “Again.”
I nod and settle my hand against the icicle of a table. “Understandable.”
Who wouldn’t feel that way after being chased away by the most notorious rock band’s entire label team?
“So …?” Zoey looks at me expectantly, though not maliciously, and I have to admit that the woman gives me pause.
Because exactly one year ago yesterday, the woman gave birth to a child that she’d claimed was mine just long enough to screw up my life.
While also being the catalyst to putting my life back together.
What I knew to be before Zoey showed up at Nitro’s radio show crumbled at her feet when she presented papers containing a lawsuit and custody claim for a kid that I knew wasn’t mine.
But what she did in return was drop Anna right in my lap for the taking.
I’m angry that she took advantage of me and mine. While also grateful as fuck that she did what she did that lead me to Anna and this life I get to live now. The peace I’ve gained. The spot I’ve earned.
I’m in her debt.
“So,” I state with my brows still bunched and my coffee cup twirling in my palm. “How’s Jack?”
Zoey shoots back in her seat, her shock flaring her already widened blue eyes. “How do you know my son’s name?”
I chuckle. “You think I wouldn’t? After the shitstorm you caused?”
She bites down on her lip. “I am so sorry for that, Toby. I—”
I hold up a hand and Zoey’s trembling lips snap shut. “We’re not here for apologies.”
“Okay,” she breathes out and leans back in her seat, her arms going across her chest. “What are we here for then?”