Collided: Dirty Air (Book 2)(101)

“You know, I kept my daughter away from this place for years because I love her. I want her to be happy—not caught up in this life of deception and shitty people like Rick. I tried to protect her from a life full of missed dinners, phone calls interrupting important moments, and men who can’t commit for shit. All I asked her to do was follow three simple rules. But during this season with you and her, I realize I made mistakes of my own, trying to protect her from making the same errors. She needs to live a life riddled with slipups and learned lessons. Because that’s the point. One day when you have kids, you’ll understand. You’ll want to protect them with everything in you because you’ve never loved anything as fucking much as them. You’ll want to stop time and hold on to the special moments with a death-grip.” He taps on the photo of a bubble-wrapped Sophie. “No bubble wrap can save her from you. I know my daughter and you are the one thing I can’t shield her from.”

I don’t know what to say because words don’t come easily. The statement he shares affects me in different ways, pulling me apart in multiple directions.

“What you do with this information is your choice, but I thought it was worth sharing with you. If you want to prove to me that you’re the man for my daughter, then I suggest you choose what you do next very carefully. You’re a fortunate asshole because my daughter forgives easily.” His challenging glare doesn’t fill me with alarm. Instead, hope floods my veins and takes root.

I flip open the file James made for me. My eyes scan the pages, flipping through information, transcripts, and heaps of dishonesty. If I didn’t want to look psychotic in front of him, I’d scream up to the fucking ceiling at the information he found.

Instead, I mumble a thank you to James before taking the file and booking it to my suite. Lukas hangs out on the living room couch, still dressed in his McCoy gear after attending my qualifier. I itch to rip off my own McCoy shirt, but I keep it on, not wanting to waste time.

“I need your help.” I toss the file on his lap.

“What’s this?” He leaves it unopened as he stares at me.

“I don’t even know how to start without losing my shit. I’ve been a fucking idiot, standing around while two assholes played with my future. They messed with Sophie, my deals, everything. All for money.”

“You’re losing me.”

“McCoy. Peter. Even Rick was in on the plan.” I motion toward the file. My hands shake from built-up anger and frustration, begging to unleash on the two people who tried to mess with my life at the expense of a paycheck.

Lukas combs through the papers James gathered from God knows where. “Who gave you all this?”

“Sophie’s dad.”

“Shit.”

I clench my hands. “I’m such an idiot. Sophie told me she loved me, and I said nothing. At least nothing worthy of her. She knew about McCoy offering me a contract if I dropped her and our friendship. She fucking knew, and still gave me a chance to prove her wrong.”

“What do you mean?”

“She asked me if I wanted to work for a company with drama revolving Claudia and Peter.” I take in a sharp breath to ease the panicky feeling growing inside my chest. “I told her yes. I told the girl who loves me that I didn’t mind dealing with an ex-fling as long as I got a deal in the end. I’m a fucking moron. I don’t know how she can forgive me. Her knowing I kept that secret from her, it changes things.”

“Liam, stop being an idiot. It doesn’t change anything. You’re still in the same position, with her not talking to you. Now you have to work harder to get her back. That’s it.”

I pull on the collar of my shirt. “I don’t know how to go about fixing this. The whole damn thing gives me anxiety.”

“Okay, well I have an idea, but it might be crazy.”

I settle into the couch across from Lukas. “I have a feeling your version of crazy is pretty tame.”

“Hey, you’re looking at the man who got arrested for public nudity.”

“Does it count if you were busted with Jo because the cop was an asshole who didn’t like you hooking up in a car at a local park? You make it seem like you were caught streaking or something cool.”

Lukas shows me a rare middle finger. “I had to beg the officer to not arrest us. Jo was crying in the backseat while I was cuffed in my boxers. It was borderline traumatic, with me shaking because I was afraid I ruined my chance at med school. All for a quickie because we couldn’t wait to get home.”

“Gross. TMI.” I fake gag. “What does the crazy, rule-breaker have to offer me as far as plans go?”

My brother flips through a few pages of the file, scanning the content. “You’re going to eat shit after you hear what I have planned.”

“I’m on a strict diet, but thanks for the offer.”

“Fuck off.” Lukas smiles at me. A genuine wide smile I haven’t seen in some time—at least not directed toward me.

On top of everything I’ve learned over the past few days, I realize two more things. One: I’m a dumbass for ignoring my brother and evading his calls. I didn’t realize how much I miss him and the easygoingness we have with one another. And two: We talked about Jo without my chest stinging. That thought alone has me holding my head higher.

My brother snaps his fingers to get my attention. “First step: hit them when they least expect it.”