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Of course they did. Ace hadn’t lived here long, but even he knew the houses on the golf course were the nicest in town. They were mini-mansions that backed up to a manmade lake.
Other than instructing him to go right, left and faster, Stephanie remained silent. She didn’t offer any reason for her urgent mission to see her ex. At this point he just counted himself lucky that Simone had borrowed the car. If not, he would have most likely looked up to see Stephanie peeling out of the driveway, with no idea where she was going or what was wrong.
Now at least he knew one of those answers.
He’d been worried about her since he left her at her house with her mother and sister last night. He’d wanted to stay, but he couldn’t exactly invite himself to the sleepover. All night, he’d tossed and turned wondering if she was okay. If Simone was okay. After meeting Connie, Stephanie impressed him even more. He wasn’t sure how it was possible for a woman with seemingly zero redeeming qualities, who tried to manipulate and con people at every turn, could’ve possibly produced an angel like Stephanie. It truly boggled his mind.
“There.” Stephanie pointed to a long driveway that led to a gorgeous, sprawling estate. Ace pulled into it and before he’d even come to a complete stop, she was opening her door. He hadn’t even put it in park before she jumped out, moving so fast she looked like a blur.
He hesitated for a moment. She hadn’t told him to stay here, but she hadn’t invited him to go with her either. Maybe she wanted privacy. But then she should’ve told him to stay.
Decision made. He exited the truck and made it up to the door as she was pounding on it loudly. Just as he stepped beside her the door flew open.
Mason stood in front of them, his expression turning from irritation to concern. It was obvious he hadn’t appreciated the pounding but once he saw it was Stephanie his face softened. “What’s wrong?”
“Where should I start?” Her hands flew up and she began using her fingers to list each infraction as she called him out. “First, how about what’s wrong is that you show up in town after years of us not speaking and just expect us to pick up where we left off. Second, what’s wrong is that you show up at my job, at my house, for weeks trying to talk to me. Third, what’s wrong is that you go to visit Scott behind my back and tell him that you and I are back together, that we’re getting married. Fourth, what’s wrong is that you called my mother and told her about my dad. You told her to come here. You brought that horrible, awful person back in my life. Fifth, what’s wrong is that you somehow managed to screw up my payment to Brookside and get it reversed.”
Oh shit. Ace saw that Mason had no clue what Stephanie was talking about. And why would he? Ace was the reason her payment was reversed.
She was on a roll and kept going, “Did you actually think if Scott got kicked out that I would just let my mom take him? That I would relinquish my rights to the will and just sign over my dad’s money?”
Mason lifted his hands. “Steph, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh give me a break! Are you honestly going to stand there and say you didn’t show up after years of us not speaking and expect us to be back together? That you didn’t show up at my job, at my house, trying to—”
“Yes” Mason nodded, looking nervously between Stephanie and Ace. “I did those things. I’ve missed you and when I lost my job and came back here I thought maybe, maybe it was a sign that we were supposed to be together.
“And yes I went to see Scott. I felt bad about the last time I’d seen him, when I you know, took him to that place. I was young and stupid and I thought that I was doing the right thing. That you deserved to have a better life, I just didn’t bother asking you if that’s what you wanted. I went to see him to apologize and he asked me if we were still getting married, if we were back together. I didn’t know what to say because I remembered he doesn’t like to repeat himself, so I said yes. It was wrong to go there without you knowing. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.
“And I did find your mom and tell her about your dad, but only because I was worried about you. Every time I saw you around town you looked like a zombie. You’re the strongest person I know and you looked…defeated. It scared me. I thought that maybe, maybe she might be able to help. That might have been stupid, but I didn’t know who else to reach out to.
“But I don’t know anything about a will or money and I sure as hell don’t know anything about a payment to Brookside.”
Stephanie shook her head. “You’re such a liar. Why can’t you just tell the tru—”
“He is telling the truth,” Ace spoke up.
“What?” Stephanie spun towards him.
“At least about Brookside, he is. He didn’t have anything to do with the payment. That was me.”
“You?” The pain that crossed her face didn’t just break Ace’s heart it put it through the shredder.
“You’re payment was reversed because I paid it. You don’t need to worry about any bills for his care anymore. I took care of it.”
Stephanie stared up at him, not saying anything, her mouth hanging open.
“See, I didn’t do that and I don’t know anything about any will.” Mason defended himself.
She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. When she opened them she faced her ex. “We’re not getting back together. Leave me and my family alone.”
With that she turned and headed back to the truck. Ace didn’t even attempt to open the door for her he just went to his side and got in. In silence he started the truck and backed out of the driveway.
Before they made it out of the upscale neighborhood he couldn’t stand the silence anymore. He tried to explain, “Stephanie, I—”
“Why?” She turned towards him. “Why would you do that without telling me? Without asking me?”
“When I went to see Scott, I was talking to Nora and she was saying how amazing you are. How hard you worked to get your brother in there. How she doesn’t know how you afford it, much less the treatments that aren’t covered by insurance. And I remembered hearing you mumbling in your sleep about making payments and saving money. When you did you tossed and turned.
