At First Hate by K.A. Linde

Savannah

Present

Sailing couldn’t happen right away. Something had come up with Derek’s cousins in Charleston, and he’d driven up there to help Daron, Marina, and Tye out. I didn’t ask specifics, but it hadn’t sounded good. Something about someone trying to purchase their company. His cousins owned Hartage Boating, and it was their entire life. Anything that threatened the company would be cause for great emotional turmoil.

He’d gotten back in last night and already messaged me to see if I was free this weekend. Enough time had passed that I was definitely second-guessing whether or not I should go out with him. What good would come out of this?

I needed a professional opinion before I decided.

“You’re doing what with Derek?” Josie gasped.

I laughed as I walked through Forsyth Park. It was empty for the middle of the day on a weekday.

“He asked me to go sailing with him.”

“And you said?”

“Well, I said yes, but we had to push it back, and now, I’m not sure.”

Josie’s huff was evident. “You girls and these Holy Cross boys.”

“It’s been a long time since he was a Holy Cross boy, Josie.”

“Yeah, yeah. I just love you and don’t want to see you get hurt again.”

“Me neither.” I kicked a small rock off into the grass.

“But do you like him?”

“Of course I like him.”

“He hurt you.”

I headed off down a path that led back to Gran’s house. I’d never get used to calling it mine. “I remember.”

“So, do you want to go through that again?”

“No. I don’t want to be stupid about this, but I’ve dated around. It’s not like I’ve been alone. I just haven’t found the right guy.”

“And that makes Derek the right guy?”

“Probably not,” I said with a laugh. “What do you think?”

Josie sighed dramatically. “Go sailing.”

“Really?” I gasped. “I for sure thought you would tell me to skip it.”

“I’m not saying you should marry the guy. But some good sex might help.”

I cackled, drawing attention from a passing jogger. I waved apologetically. “We did always have good sex.”

“Be careful with your heart. Second chances aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be.”

Didn’t I know it?

“Love you, Josie. When are you coming into town?”

“Hopefully for your birthday! Pencil me in for around Halloween.”

“Sounds good. And, Josie? Thanks.”

“Always here for you, Mars.”

We said our good-byes by the time I made it back to the house. I had my phone out, preparing a text to Derek when I froze in place. The front door was wide open. I’d closed it. And locked it. I knew that I had.

Fear gripped me. What the hell did I do? Did I call the police to report a break-in? Go inside?

I stopped at the front of the property and shot off texts to both Maddox and Derek, letting them know what was going on. Derek responded instantly.

Don’t go inside. Wait for me. I’m on my way.

My heart fluttered at the response. I was scared of what I might find inside, but it made me feel better that he’d drop anything to take care of me. As he always had before.

I hovered over the phone number for the police. I didn’t know if it was an emergency. I didn’t want to call them here for no reason.

I was about to make the call anyway when I heard voices from inside. Not in anger or yelling or anything out of the ordinary. Just calm voices. And worse, I recognized one.

My blood froze over as I stomped across the yard and up the steps. “Mom?” I shouted.

She appeared then out of Gran’s kitchen, holding up an old teapot. I recognized it as an heirloom that had been passed down for generations. One that I loved very dearly.

“Oh, Marley, I didn’t know you’d be in today,” she said as if it were completely normal for her to be in the house. She’d even dressed herself up. She wore a knee-length black skirt and shiny pink shirt. She looked half-presentable, if I didn’t know she was completely rotten on the inside.

“What are you doing here?” I snarled.

“What do you mean?”

“This isn’t your property. I don’t even know how you have a key. You shouldn’t be here.”

A second woman stepped out of the kitchen. She was also dressed sharply in a black suit with a blue blouse. She smiled sweetly at me. “You must be the daughter.”

“Who are you?”

She stepped forward and offered her hand. “I’m Regina McGregor. Your mom has hired me to help appraise the house and the belongings within. Let me tell you that I am so sad for your grandmother’s passing, but don’t worry. You’re in safe hands.”

I saw red. My eyes snapped to my mom. “You did what?”

“Don’t overreact, Marley Sue,” she said, saccharine sweet.

“Get the fuck out of my house.”

Regina startled. “But we’ve only just begun.”

“What lie did she spin for you? This isn’t her house. It doesn’t belong to her. Gran left it for me and my brother. She didn’t get a dime. Not a single cent from the woman she never treated like a mother. So, no, you can’t be in here, appraising my belongings.”

Regina gaped. “I… I wasn’t aware. Hannah said that she had been given the property and there was some legal dispute.”

My mother’s face soured at my outburst. “Marley, you are going to have to come to terms with reality.”

“Reality? You’re the one suing me, your own daughter. You’re not going to get the house or anything in it. Not a single thing as far as I’m concerned.”

Regina held her hands up, clearly floundering between the two of us. “I’ll just wait outside. We can start things again at a later date, Hannah. There’s plenty of time.”

Then, she crossed Gran’s house and went to step outside, but in her way was all six foot five of Derek Ballentine.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, low and venomous. His eyes found mine in the room, unhurt and in one piece. He released a breath. Then, he saw my mother standing a foot behind me. “Ms. Christianson?”

“Derek,” she said coolly. “What are you doing here?”

Her eyes snapped between us, as if trying to decipher something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. I minutely shook my head once. He shouldn’t give my mother the ammunition she needed.

“I was in the area. I saw the door open as I drove by.”

“I see,” she said. “We were having the property appraised.”

I stiffened all over at those words, and he must have sensed it because his voice hardened when he replied, “As your attorney, I would encourage you to step away from the matter. We can speak about evidence for the trial, but you shouldn’t be… entering a property that doesn’t currently belong to you.”

“Fine.” My mom huffed and dropped the teapot into my hand. It bobbled as I grabbed for it, nearly losing the priceless thing. I clutched it to my chest as she passed by without a word.

Derek waited for my mom and Regina to vacate the premises before turning back to me. He was still formal, considering they were so close. “We’ll close this behind us. Sorry for all of this, Miss Nelson.”

“Thank you,” I breathed. My eyes were wide to show how much I appreciated it.

He nodded his head. “Just glad that I… happened to be in the area.” He winked at me.

I held back my snicker. “Saturday?”

A smile broke through his polished veneer. “You’ve got it.”

Then, he pulled the door closed behind him and was gone. I crumpled onto the floor, holding Gran’s teapot close to my chest. A sob escaped my lips, and tears fell all over again. I hated my mother so much. So, so much. What a horrid woman. I needed to get the locks changed, but I didn’t even know if I could do that while we waited for all of this to be fixed. I’d have to call my attorney and ask.

A few minutes later, Maddox burst into the house. “Marley?” I was still on the floor. He skidded forward, dropping to the floor next to me. “What happened?”

“Our mother happened,” I growled.

I divulged all that she had done in a long-winded panic.

His own fury clouded his vision, and he said the only thing that needed to be said, “We’re going to fucking win.”