Love Next Door (Lakeside #1) by Helena Hunting

“Indefinitely? I don’t know. I’m not sure there are all that many job prospects for me.”

“You’ll find something that works for you. You’re too talented for this one little thing to get in the way indefinitely.”

“Three million little things, you mean?”

“I’m obviously downplaying it because I’m sure you’re already worried enough. But eventually the truth has to come out, right? And anyway, I like you with Dillion. You two work, even if maybe you shouldn’t. I don’t know if that makes sense. I really like her, though. You know, when we were kids, I wanted to be friends with her, but she was a couple years older and never around. Grammy Bee once tried to set up a playdate when I was little, but it didn’t work out all that well.”

“Why’s that?”

“She wanted to catch frogs, and I wanted to play Barbie.”

I laugh. “Sounds like Dillion.”

She leans back in her chair. “I’m glad you have her here. It’s good that you’re not alone.”

“Thanks. And me too. I’m sorry about Troy. I feel bad that this happened because of me.”

“This isn’t on you, Donny. You were the excuse he used to end something that should’ve been done a long time ago.” Teagan sips her drink.

“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”

“I’m okay to talk about it. I probably should have expected it. I mean, his family is so influential in our circles, and with all the stuff going on, there was too much negative attention on him, so he ended things. Of course, he only told me that after I caught him cheating on me.” She wipes away fresh tears.

“That dick. Ah shit, Teag, I’m so sorry. I would kick him in the balls if I could.”

She gives me a small, tremulous smile. “Thanks. But that’s actually not the worst part.”

If she tells me he gave her an STI or, worse, got her pregnant, I’ll kill him. Although she’s been pounding martinis like a frat boy tonight, so I’m going to guess the pregnant part isn’t an issue. “What else happened?”

“He cheated with Portia. And now they’re dating.”

“Portia Loewen? Your best friend?”

She nods, and tears slip out and track down her cheeks. “I actually think it’s been going on for a long while, and this was the excuse he was looking for. I’m just so embarrassed, Van. I should’ve seen it. I should’ve known what was going on and I didn’t, and now I’m the one everyone is whispering about. And all my girlfriends have ditched me and taken Portia’s side. I feel like a joke.”

“You’re not a joke, Teagan, you’re awesome. And Troy doesn’t deserve you. Portia is a bitch, and she was always a crappy friend. You know, if it’s too much to handle, you can come stay with me. I’m planning to convert the garage to a one bedroom.”

She gives me a sad smile. “I appreciate that, but with my job and Dad . . . it’ll be fine. I just need to wait it out. It’ll all blow over. Once your name is cleared, it’ll all go back to normal. Minus Troy. We’ll get through this.”

“We will. I’m here. Whatever you need, Teag.”

It seems like out of all of us, Teagan is the one who has to suffer the most for sins she didn’t commit. I can’t help but wonder if normal is what we should be striving for—that maybe this is the universe’s way of telling us it’s time to make a change.





CHAPTER 21

THE RUSE

Van

I hate that my sister has to go back to the city. I don’t want her to have to face all the crap on her own. With the breakup and her shitty superficial friends, this can’t be easy for her. I wish I could convince her that it’s not her job to make sure Dad is okay. We all lost Mom, and yes, that absence never goes away, but living in the past isn’t really living at all.

The day after Teagan and Bradley go back to Chicago, I get a call from Bernie. Nothing seems to happen quickly around here, but I’d like to get everything in order and in my name, for peace of mind.

“Hey, Bernie, how’s it going? You need me to come in and sign some more documents?”

“Well, I’d like to say yes, but we have a bit of an issue.”

I flip a pen between my fingers to keep my hand busy. “What kind of issue?”

“I’m not sure what to make of it, but it looks like someone is trying to contest the will.”

“Contest the will? Why?” It’s been months since Bee passed. It doesn’t make sense that someone would contest it now.

“Basically, this person is calling into question whether or not Bee was capable of making the decision to make you sole beneficiary of the estate.”

I run my fingers through my hair, gripping the strands at the crown. I don’t understand who would want to take Bee’s cottage. A couple of months ago I would have been able to fight a legal battle over it without an issue, but with only Bee’s random stacks of cash to live on, I’m not in any kind of position to put up a financial fight. The thought of losing all the memories associated with the cottage and Bee is inconceivable. “Do we know who it is?”

“Not yet, but I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough. Is there anyone you can think of who might be unhappy that you’re the sole beneficiary?” he asks.