Money
Dina
I stare at the paper in front of me that shows a five-thousand-dollar cash advance, tons of fast food, gas, and grocery store charges. The shocker comes in the bills that were paid with the card.
Using my company credit card, Brayden paid his phone, electric, and cable bill. Maggie knows to just ask for money, so I know he took the card without her knowledge. I’m such an idiot. I should have taken it seriously when Maggie told me about the credit card missing.
After a quick call to the bank, the card is cancelled. Then I pay off the almost eight thousand dollars worth of charges and order a new card, deciding not to tell Maggie right now. She has enough on her plate. I don’t like having secrets between us, but I can’t add to her pain.
What has Brayden gotten into that he’s spending this much money?
Ryder and I meet for dinner at Rock Bottom.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” he asks as I stare at my plate, not really eating much.
“Bray and Maggie,” I sigh out.
He reaches over the table and gives my hand a squeeze. “They’ll sort their shit.”
I look up and meet his eyes. “A little while back, Maggie was in a panic. She couldn’t find her company credit card. She tore her office apart looking for it. I shrugged it off. I’ve misplaced my card before and it turned up in a different purse or something.”
He nods for me to continue.
“Well, I didn’t cancel the card because I knew Maggie would find it.”
Tension builds in his features.
“I think Brayden took the card. There were all these charges for their phone bill, electric, and cash advances.”
“How much?” he asks gruffly.
“Almost eight total.”
“Eight hundred?”
I shake my head. “Thousand. The cash advance amount was five thousand, and he maxed it out, then paid the bills.”
He listens intently, his face giving away tension, maybe anger, but more of a look I can’t read. However, I can feel the emotions building inside of him.
“I told him I didn’t want you involved in this mess. Are you really not going to say anything?” he asks rather harshly.
Defensively, I answer, “It’s just money, Ryder. I cannot and will not watch my best friend get more upset over this. It can’t be changed. It’s done. Brayden will get his head on straight eventually, or Maggie will move on and be happy.”
Ryder looks across the table at me with a stern expression. “It’s just money, really? What the fuck? How much money do you have exactly, Dina? We aren’t talking hundreds here; this is thousands. You’re way too calm about this.”
This is the question I have always dreaded.
“Does it really matter?” I ask, feeling like the past is coming back.
He nods, yet says nothing.
Well then, time to explain.
I try to work up the words, but then he says, “Dina, I’m in this for the forever kind of thing. Money is a big deal. I don’t need your credit score, but you’re talking about thousands of dollars like it’s nothing. We’re new at this. I don’t want secrets, and I don’t want you struggling to pay bills because my friend and employee fucked you over.”
“The money came from a tragedy. If it can help Brayden or Maggie, so be it.” I can’t stop the tears that begin to fall. “The drunk driver who hit my parents happened to be operating a company vehicle for a well-known bottling company.” The words pour out in a rush. “Without my even asking, they paid out a seven point two-million-dollar settlement. I don’t know if it’s because my dad was part of a motorcycle club and they knew it, or they just wanted things out of court.
“Before that, I sold my dad’s garage to pay for my parents’ funerals. Really, I didn’t need the garage, anyway, since I was going to school in Charlotte.” I pick up my napkin and try to clean up my face. “The Hellions and Maggie’s family offered to help me financially, but my parents had money in the bank and with the sale of the shop, I was more than covered until the settlement came through.”
“Does Maggie know this?”
“She knows I sold the shop and I have money to support our business. It’s a matter of public record, so if she looked it up, then she knows.”
“Have you ever talked to her about this?”
I shake my head. “No, I’ve never talked about money with anyone but my attorney. I used some of the money to pay for both Maggie and me to have a college education with no loans; her parents paid for most of her education, anyway, so I didn’t use much for her half. I also used it to buy my car, Maggie’s car, my house, and the upkeep of my parents’ beach house. I have earned back the capital I originally invested in the event business, and the rest has been invested.”
By the time I am done, I’m sobbing.
He moves over to my side and wraps his arm around me. “I’m sorry. I had no right to ask. I’m an ass who is frustrated with Brayden and took it out on you. I didn’t want any of his mess to touch you and it is.”
I manage a weak smile. “I needed to share this with you. I don’t want a relationship like Brayden and Maggie’s. It’s just hard to talk about. I don’t live extravagantly, and honestly, I don’t even like the money. I would gladly give back every penny to have even just one more car show with my dad.” I sniff, trying to stop my tears. “I donate annually to causes that would mean something to them, but it still brings me no comfort.”
“I didn’t have parents like yours, but my grandmother was my rock.” He holds me close. “Look, I know you love Maggie and want to protect her, but stay away from Brayden.”
I pull away to look at him. “Why? What do you know?”
He reaches over and picks up his water to take a drink. “Have you ever been around an addict?”
I shake my head.
“Then please, until Bray finds his bottom, stay away.”
I can only nod. I don’t know if it’s all the stress from Maggie’s situation or what, but I feel on edge. The walls seem to be slowly closing in around us just when I finally found happiness.
I wish my dad were still alive. He would give me the right advice to know what to do, not only for my best friend, but to help Brayden. My dad would be here with her dad to sort all this out. Plus, I would be able to tell him what is going on without betraying Maggie.
I want so badly to call her parents so they are at least aware of the unknown variables. Maggie could use the support right now. However, it’s not my story to tell, and she’s asked me not to say anything. I have to respect that after all the secrets she carried about the abuse with Michael. I certainly owe her the time and space to share when she’s ready.