“How can they get away with this?” Chris paced Carter’s penthouse apartment. He’d driven straight there after sending his phone to cellular heaven. Or maybe it was hell in this case. That was certainly where Chris wanted it to go.
Carter lounged casually at the chaise end of a large leather sectional sofa. A sports news channel played on mute through his eighty-two inch flat screen. “I don’t see what the big deal is, didn’t you tell her what was going on? It was just some low-life paparazzi scum trying to make a buck by creating the most sensational narrative?”
Chris stopped in his pacing to glare at his brother. “Maybe that kind of crap happens to you all the time, but it doesn’t to me. Oakley has trust issues. Her ex was a huge jerk. I’ve just barely convinced her not to hate me for not telling her who I am.” Chris wanted to throw up just thinking about how hurt she must be feeling right now. He knew she was angry. He knew right now she hated him, but all he wanted to do was comfort her.
Well, that, and beg forgiveness for not telling her what he was doing in the first place. Heck, he should have just invited her to come along, but he’d wanted to surprise her. Part of the plan he’d made with Harley about Uncle Ray’s house included a fancy gala where he and Harley would be announcing the organization of a foundation formed by the two of them to benefit military families who needed housing. Chris had planned to ask Oakley to attend the gala with him as soon as he got home. And he’d planned to ask her even more at the gala.
Now, it looked like he wouldn’t even be seeing her.
Carter gave him a look. “You know those pictures were about Harley Stone and not about you, right? Chris Bragg is a big name in certain circles, but Harley’s is big in every circle.”
“Don’t be condescending, Carter. Of course, I know nobody cares about me. But Oakley does. Or did. And now, she’s done.” Chris’s heart broke all over agin. “It’s not just about her, either.” Chris stared at his brother with dead eyes. “I’ve lost Kaden, too.”
Carter sat up with a frown, resting his elbows on his knees, he studied Chris. “You really love her.” It was a statement, not a question.
Chris didn’t answer. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a box.
Carter’s eyes bulged. “Is that what I think it is?” He reached for the box, but Chris pulled it back. No one was going to see what was inside. At least not before the one it was meant for did.
Carter sat back and appraised his brother. “Well, what are you going to do? How are you going to win her back?”
Chris snorted. Win her back? “What makes you think I can win her back? She’ll never believe those pictures don’t mean exactly what the photographer wanted them to mean.”
Carter held his gaze. “I don’t know, man. But don’t you think you should try? If you love her the way you say you do, the way that box says you do, then don’t you think you both deserve a chance?”
Chris let Carter’s words sink in. Was his brother right? Was there a chance for a future with Kaden and Oakley? He hated himself for the spark of hope in his heart. But if there was hope, even just a spark, then shouldn’t he do something about it?
Yes. The answer was yes.
Carter was right. Chris loved Oakley. He loved Kaden. He couldn’t even envision a future without both of them in it. He’d even let himself imagine adding more to their small circle of three. A vision of Oakley, her abdomen rounded, a new life growing within. A life they’d created together.
His throat burned with emotion.
“You’re right,” Chris said. “I have to win her back.”
And he knew just how he was going to do it.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Oakley hadn’t been home since he’d been back from LA. Chris stayed that night at Carter’s apartment, then returned to Uncle Ray’s house more determined than ever to finish what he’d started. And that included his relationship with Oakley.
He missed her. It had been exactly a week since he’d seen her last. Someone must have stopped by when he wasn’t around to pick up some of their belongings. He felt terrible she felt it was necessary to avoid him like she was doing, but what else could he do?
Once he replaced his broken cell phone, Chris called and talked to his agent, who then contacted his lawyer who constructed a firmly worded letter to the agency who’d published the pictures and article about his supposed relationship with Harley. The letter consisted of his denial of any such relationship as well as letting them know if they published another such article, he would be coming after them.
He knew he didn’t have a leg to stand on, but it felt good to do something.
After connecting to his cellular account, Chris found he had several texts from Harley apologizing for the pictures. He’d told her all about Oakley during their dinner, which was one of the reasons they’d connected so well. Apparently, Harley was a romantic who believed in true love. She’d been all ears and stars in her eyes as he’d told her what he wanted to do at the gala to surprise Oakley.
Needless to say, she’d been horrified at the implications made with those pictures of two acquaintances who’d done nothing more than hug and exchange a kiss on the cheek. Oh, and Harley had patted his hand at one point after he’d told her how much he loved Kaden and hoped he’d get the chance to be a part of the little boy’s life forever.
So, while Chris had been gushing like a love sick fool to the hottest actress to hit Hollywood in the last decade, some slime ball had been taking pictures to sell to the highest bidder. Who then proceeded to misconstrue each and every one of them, effectively ruining Chris’s chances with the woman of his dreams.
Or so it would seem.
Chris jerked his head up at the sound of a vehicle in the cul-de-sac. He’d been doing the same thing since he’d returned to Uncle Ray’s. It was usually a resident of one of the three other houses in the cul-de-sac, but sometimes it was someone browsing the free pile in the front lawn. There were only a few things there now and most of them were remnants from the shed in the back and not even parts from the house. Most of that had already been hauled away.
But this car was familiar. He’d seen it plenty of times sitting in Oakley’s drive. He knew before the car parked Oakley wasn’t in it. However, he wasn’t going to waste the opportunity to speak to the person who was.
“I’m not going to talk to you, Chris,” Cam said the moment she stepped foot out of her car.
Chris approached her with his hands held out in front of him. He hoped she knew she had nothing to fear from him, but he still didn’t want her to bolt.
“She won’t answer my texts.” He figured she’d blocked his number.
Cam marched toward the front door, intent on ignoring him. Chris took a few tentative steps to follow her, knowing he’d only go so far as the front steps, when she whirled around, her finger like a weapon pointed at him.
“You are- are-,” she sputtered, then growled. Her eyes narrowed and she started again. “Leave her alone. She’s been through enough. You great, big, gorgeous, jerk!”
Chris wanted to smile at that, but now wasn’t the time. Cam was hilarious. Even when she was angry. Whatever man ended up with her in his life was in for a wild ride.
“I know. I know. But those pictures weren’t what they seemed, Cam. I swear, I’d never hurt Oakley like that. I love her.” He wasn’t above using the best friend to get through to the girl. In fact, winning over Cam was probably as important as winning over the woman he loved.
Cam paused and Chris recognized his opening. “I had dinner with Harley. A business dinner, where I was nothing more than a complete gentleman. I helped her from her car and kissed her cheek when we parted ways. But that is all that happened.” He ran his hands through his hair and pulled before dropping them back at his sides. “I would never hurt her. I promise, I love her.”
Cam watched him with wary eyes. Chris didn’t blame her.
“You look like crap,” she said after a few moments.
&nbs
p; Chris barked out a laugh. “I’m sure I do. I’ve been having a hard time sleeping.”
Cam’s expression softened just the slightest bit. “If it makes you feel better, she looks just as bad.”
He shook his head. “It doesn’t.” It broke his heart. How many times could a heart break before it just didn’t work anymore? He glanced up at Cam. “Will you give her something for me?”
Her eyes narrowed again. “What is it?”
Chris reached into his back pocket for the envelope he’d grabbed from the cab of his truck once he realized it was Cam driving up to Oakley’s house. He held it out to her. “Just this.”
Cam eyed it suspiciously. “What is it?”
Chris laughed. “You’ll have to convince her to open it if you want to find out.”
Cam’s lips curled up just a little before she pinched them flat. “That’s a dirty trick, Bragg.”
Chris grinned unrepentantly. At least she hadn’t chucked the thing at his head. He could tell from the look in her eye Cam was curious. It was why he’d waited for the opportunity to hand deliver it to her rather than send it in the mail to Oakley’s parents house or drop it by himself. Cam would make her actually open it rather than just toss it in the garbage without a second glance.
Cam glared at him, then she let her smile loose for just a split second, just long enough for him to register it’s appearance. “Alright, I’ll give it to her.” She lifted her brows and pointed to him again, this time with the envelope. “I’m telling you right now, if this is a joke or- or- I don’t even know. But if this hurts her, I’m going to hurt you.” Her eyes raked him over top to bottom. “I’m going to hire somebody to hurt you. You got it?”
Chris wrangled his grin because he knew she meant what she said. He’d honestly have been a little terrified, but he knew for certain there was nothing in that envelope that could hurt Oakley. He’d inflicted all the pain he planned to ever inflict on her already. From now on, if she’d let him, he’d never let anything hurt her again.
“Cam, I swear. It was all a misunderstanding. And nothing in that envelope will hurt her. I promise.”
Chris watched as the little spit-fire’s shoulders relaxed. She nodded. “I’ll give it to her,” she said again.
“Thank you.” And he meant it. From the bottom of his heart, he meant it.
“If you don’t open it, I will.” Cam folded her arms over her chest in a way Oakley recognized all too well. They were in the kitchen at her parents house. Kaden was asleep on the bed in her old bedroom upstairs and her parents had been asleep for hours after spending the day boating with some of their friends. Cam had been after her for the last two hours about opening that blasted envelope from Chris to the point that Oakley was ready to light the thing on fire.
“I don’t care what’s in that envelope.” Lie. She cared so much it was killing her not to pounce on it and rip it open to see what was so important it had to be sent in a thick cream envelope Cam had told her from experience cost more than dinner at Saint Ivory’s. Which was stupid. Who paid that kind of money for paper? Dumb billionaire’s that’s who!
“Fine. Then give it to me. I’ll just see for myself.” Cam held out her hand, her brow lifted in silent challenge.
It wouldn’t have worked except there was no way between the two of them Cam was going to be the one to open that envelope.
Oakley growled. “Fine!” Marching to the junk draw in her parent’s kitchen, she withdrew a letter opener. This wasn’t the kind of mail you opened by sliding your finger across the seam. No.
She held the point under one corner flap and stopped. Oakley turned her gaze to her friend. “What if it’s nothing? What if it’s an invitation to his wedding? And he’s marrying that horrible woman from those pictures?”
Cam made a face. “That horrible woman has a name, you know. Harley. Stone.”
Oakley scowled. “I told you not to speak it!”
Reaching out, Cam set her hands on Oakley’s shoulders. “Hon, I’m giving you to the count of three and then I’m ripping that thing open with my bare hands.” She dropped her hands and began counting. “One.”
“I’m doing it!” Oakley slid the point of the letter opener a little further along the folded edge.
“Two!”
“Stop! You’re making me nervous.” Pulling up, she cut a half inch of paper that was apparently worth more than her last paycheck.
“Then hurry up already!” Cam shouted so loudly Oakley’s hand jerked and she sliced the rest of the way through the sealed envelope.
Oakley gasped. “It’s open.”
Cam frowned. “You have to look inside or it doesn’t count and I’m going to take it from you anyway. Tthhrreee!” she cried, lunging for the envelope.
Thankfully, Oakley had anticipated just such a move and turned her back just in time. But Cam needn’t have worried. In less than a breath, Oakley had the contents of the envelope in her hand.
She blinked. What was it?
Cam peered over her shoulder. “What is it?”
Oakley shrugged. “I have no idea.”
“Well, read it, you ninny.”
It was an invitation. For a brief, shattering moment, Oakley thought it might be a wedding invitation. The names ‘Chris Bragg’ and ‘Harley Stone’ stood in relief in the center of the thick card stock, but there was no mention of a wedding. Instead, it was an invitation to a charity gala to be held in LA in two weeks. She read further. According to the invitation, Homes for Warriors, would be awarding a house to a surviving family who’d lost their warrior. Oakley knew without being told the house the family would be getting was Chris’s house. But why hadn’t he told her? Why all the secrecy?
And did that mean she’d been wrong to believe the story those pictures told? Was the meeting between them about the charity? And not something more personal?
With a soul-deep cry, Oakley slid to the floor. Cam was right beside her.
“Oh, hon,” was all she said.
“Cam.” Her breaths came in short, shallow bursts. Her head felt light and her body numb.
Cam’s arms came around her. “Breathe. You’re going to pass out. That’s it. In through your nose.”
For several long moments, Cam helped her get under control as they sat in the middle of the kitchen floor.
“He kissed her. Didn’t he? You showed me the picture. We both read the article.” Oakley had read it ten times a day since that night. She’d tortured herself looking through those pictures over and over. How could Chris have done that to her? If nothing else, hadn’t they become friends? Why didn’t he just tell her they were through before moving on to some Hollywood starlet?
“I know, Oak. I know.” She pointed to the bottom of the invitation to a few handwritten sentences at the bottom in a bold script. “What does it say?”
Oakley studied the words without reading them. Chris had written them for her. She’d ignored his texts until finally she blocked his number from her phone. It had just been too painful. It felt like Wes all over again. Of course, Chris hadn’t left her with a small child to raise, but he’d given her hope she wouldn’t be alone forever and, she thought, ripped it away again.
Cam nudged her shoulder. “Read it.”
Taking a deep breath, Oakley read aloud. “Oakley, I’m sorry. I know I keep having to say those words to you, but I am. Those pictures are not what you think they are. I know that might be hard to believe. But I hoped you were beginning to trust me. Please remember, I will always want you. My love forever, Chris. P.S. Tell Kaden I miss him. I miss you, too.”
Neither of them said anything for several moments.
“Wow.” Cam was the first to break the silence.
“Cam, what have I done?” Oakley breathed.
“Not you. We. I’m the one who showed you those pictures in the first place.” Cam sounded miserable. “What are you going to do?”
Oakley shook her head. “I can’t go to LA. I can barely afford my rent. I don’t
even have a car.” The Honda had finally given up. Oakley had been driving her mom’s car to and from work until Rafe was able to find her something she could afford that he could vouch for.
Cam frowned. Leaning over, she picked up another smaller envelope. “What’s this?” She looked to Oakley. “I think it fell out of the envelope.”
Reaching out, Oakley took it from Cam’s hand. It was another card folded in half. She opened it and gasped. “Oh, my goodness. Oh, my goodness! Cam.”
“What? What!” she cried, scrambling to her knees.
Oakley held up the card for her friend to see. Cam scanned the contents and screamed.
“Hey! Shhhh!” She clapped a hand over Cam’s mouth. “Do you want to wake everyone up?”
Cam’s eyes widened comically over Oakley’s hand, before she pushed it away. “That card is worth twenty-thousand dollars, Oakley! Twenty-thousand dollars!”
She couldn’t believe it either. Oakley shook her head. “I’m not keeping it. I’ll just give it back to him. There is no way I can take that kind of money from him.”
Cam sat up. “What? Why not? The guy is a billionaire. Twenty-thousand dollars is like pocket change to him.”
“You’re right. Thanks for the reminder.” Oakley stood and brushed off her backside. As calmly as she could, she walked over to her purse and took it down from the hook where she’d hung it earlier that day. “I don’t have any business with a man like him. I mean, who just leaves a twenty-thousand dollar gift card in an invitation to a charity event?” She didn’t wait for Cam to answer her question. It was rhetorical anyway.
Cam rolled to her feet and rushed to Oakley’s side.
She’d just removed her phone from her purse. All she had to do was send Chris a text. Tell him she didn’t need his money and ask him where she should send it. There was no way she could keep that kind of money.
“Wait a second. He said that money was for you to go to the gala.”
Oakley snorted. “Why would it take twenty grand to get to LA and go to a party?”
Cam raised one brow and began ticking a list off on her fingers. “Oh, I don’t know. A dress. A ticket down there. Hotels. Hair. Makeup. Nails. Food. Cab fare.” Cam pointed to the card. “Did you see what he put at the bottom? He said to use what was left over as a down payment on a car.”
Marrying the Football Billionaire Page 22