Page 12 of Wicked Truths
We step out of the elevator and I continue. “Plus, your dad isn’t making us pay rent, so that made our decision easier. I’m sorry, I thought you knew.”
She shakes her head. “All he said was that there was a new apartment complex within a few minutes’ walk to the arena. He never told me he owned the building.”
As soon as the old warehouse went up for sale,Arturo bought it and tore it down, with plans to put an upscale apartment complex in its place. Why wouldn’t he tell her?
“I’m sorry.”
She glances down both hallways before turning her attention to me.
Changing the conversation, I say, “There are three elevators. This one is in the middle of the lobby and the one that everyone seems to use. The other two are on opposite ends of the hallway. The one closest to your apartment is in the L.”
She nods. “Which way is your apartment?”
“This way. The total opposite direction from yours.”
She chuckles and glances down at the floor.
It’s like Joey and Arturo planned to have her as far away from my apartment as possible. If I could have things my way, she wouldn’t need her own apartment because she’d be in my bed every night.
I playfully knock my arm against hers. “Come on. I’ll show you my place, and then I’ll cook us some dinner.”
She looks up at me and gives me a half smile, but I can tell something is bothering her. Her poker face isn’t as good as it once was.
Or maybe she knows she can trust me and doesn’t need to hide her true emotions.
Reaching out, I grab her hand. “Chessie, what’s wrong?”
She freezes at the old nickname before shaking her head. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Yes, it does. It matters to me. I care about you and what’s going on with you. I always have and always will.”
My heart pounds in my chest. I just practically confessed my feelings for her, but it’s the truth. Even after being apart, I still care for her.
Chapter Four
FRANCESCA
I feellike there are certain moments in your life where you’re at a crossroads and you have to choose your path wisely.
If you choose the wrong one, then your future will be forever changed, and you won’t be able to get your old life back.
As I process Rhett’s words, I know I’m at the proverbial crossroads.
No matter what path I choose, it will alter my future.
Rhett’s words replay in my mind.
Yes, it does.
It matters to me. I care about you and what’s going on with you. I always have and always will.
I can’t go down that pathway.
There’s still so much he doesn’t know about me and my family. It wouldn’t be fair to drag him into this lifestyle.
So for now, I change the subject and react to the news about Dad owning the apartment building that I am now a resident of.
“I can’t believe he didn’t tell me he bought an apartment building. What else has he been hiding from me?”