Settling the Score (The Summer Games #1)(86)

“Freddie Archibald!” the announcer yelled hours later. “GOLD!”

I couldn’t hear the crowd over the sound of my heart beating in my ears, reminding me of its true desire.





I READ THROUGH the article about Caroline’s pregnancy for the fourth time that day, confirming she hadn’t said anything to harm Andie. She rambled on about how excited she was to be pregnant, how much she was looking forward to our wedding, and how happy she’d be to raise a child on my family’s estate. None of that bothered me. I was immune to her insanity and my lawyer was already working on retracting the article.

Apparently Caroline had appreciated my interview the day before though, because she’d quashed any rumors about Andie in the article. Sure, she was lying, but when the reporters asked her if she knew anything about my alleged affair with Andie, she’d smiled and reveled in the martyrdom. “The past is the past, and Freddie and I are looking forward to a bright future for our family.”

I hated playing her game. I hated having to tell that reporter Andie meant nothing to me, but I did it because I had to. If Caroline announced to the world that I had any kind of relationship with Andie now that I knew that Caroline was pregnant, they’d crucify Andie. I couldn’t let that happen.

I stretched and adjusted the ice pack on my shoulder. “Georgie, listen—I have a plan, but I need your help.”

She put her phone down and perked up.

“I hope your plan involves a time machine so you can go back and kill baby Caroline—and baby Hitler too, I suppose, if there’s time,” Georgie said.

It was late, I was knackered, and if I hadn’t needed Georgie’s help, I would have told her to bugger off.

“I have a million things on my plate,” I said, motioning toward the growing pile of medals on the counter. “And no matter what I’ve done to fix this, Caroline always seems to be one step ahead of me. But you’re not busy, and you have an advantage I don’t: you’re living with her.”

Georgie nodded in agreement as I continued, “I think you can help me find some dirt to undermine her efforts.”

Her eyes grew wide. “So I’d be like a…proper investigator?”

I shook my head. “No cloak-and-dagger stuff, Georgie. The last thing we need to do is give Caroline more leverage. I just need you to keep your eyes and ears open, in case she lets something slip.”

“Fine I’ll do it.”

That was easier than expected.

“I’ve had plenty of time to think about about how looney Caroline is,” she continued. “And I’ve come to one conclusion.”

“What it is?”

“She’s obviously lying about the baby.”

My brows arched. “Lying?”

Georgie rounded the coffee table and took a seat beside me on the couch. Her light brown hair was pulled up into a bun with a pencil shoved through the center. Her t-shirt was stained with what looked to be jam and I couldn’t be sure, but I thought she hadn’t changed her socks in two days.

“G, have you showered yet today?”

She held up her hand. “No. Given the impending doom of a lifetime with Caroline, my hygiene is the least of my concerns.”

“I figured the baby might not be mine, but what would she have to gain by lying about the pregnancy entirely? She’d lose everything when it becomes apparent.”

Georgie threw her hands into the air like she was done with me. “It’s not what she stood to gain, it’s what she stood to lose as soon as Andie came into the picture. She had to do something that would at once sever you from Andie and bind you to her. And guess what—it’s working.”

I let my head fall back on the couch, considering her theory.

“Well if you are right, we’ll know eventually, right?”

Georgie jumped up. “Well I for one won’t be waiting for eventually. I want to crack this case wide open.”

“You know Andie has her final game tomorrow,” I said, tilting my head to look back at Georgie. “I can’t go and watch because I’ve got my races.”

“Think she’ll stay after that? For the closing ceremonies?”

My heart dropped; I hadn’t even thought of that. Would she really leave as soon as she was done competing?

“I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to her since the party,” I admitted.

Georgie finally glanced up with a frown. “She’s been busy. You know that.”

I nodded.

“But now that you’ve promoted me from sister to Minister of Espionage, I could probably help arrange a meeting if you want me to…”

I shot up off the couch. “Georgie, you’re brilliant.”

She smiled. “I know.”

“After her game tomorrow, could you try and figure out where she is? I have a race in the afternoon, but I’m free after that.”

“What are you going to do?” she laughed. “Kidnap her? If she wins the game she’ll be celebrating with her team.”

I nodded. “Right, well, I’ll have to work that part out later. For now, I just need you to promise me you’ll help me. I can’t let her leave Rio without knowing how I feel.”

“Okay, but you owe me. I’m already up to my ears in detective work and now you want me to help you win Andie back too?”