It Had to Be Fate (An It Had to Be Novel Book 3) Read Online Free

choices here. Jail or rehab. And you’ve got thirty seconds to decide which you want me to tell my lawyers to plead. Clock’s ticking.”
    “I swear I’ll destroy you and your precious reputation if you do this to me, Zane.”
    “You’ve already damaged my reputation as much as I’m going to let you. I’m done with this, Nick. It’d be easier on me if you went to jail, but I’m going to send you to rehab instead and hope you get your damn head on straight.”
    “So you’re willing to risk me telling the world how Dad really died? I don’t know how many CDs you’d sell once people knew you killed your own father. I lied for you once. Now it’s your turn.”
    The line went dead.
    He’d lived with that guilt daily since it happened. It had been an accident, but Nick never believed that.
    And Nick had been the only other witness.
    Zane had to hope it was the dregs of the booze-filled night talking, or his worst nightmare might be made public. If Nick changed his story of that day . . . Zane couldn’t even think about it. The records were sealed because it had happened when they were juveniles. But there was no statute of limitations for murder. And it would be Zane’s word against his brother’s.
    He slowly dialed his lawyer’s number. After Jack answered, Zane said, “Send him to rehab. And ignore anything he threatens. It’s what he does.”
    “Will do. But Zane, we’re deceiving the court with our part in this, by letting the police think it’s you they have. You and Nick need to stay tucked away or we all could face serious consequences. You could go to jail for contempt. Are you sure we want to risk that?”
    “Yes. Now go convince Nick of how dire the consequences are so he’ll get his butt into rehab. Thanks. Goodbye.”
    Zane hung up and tossed his phone on the table beside him. Maybe he could’ve lied and told the police they had mixed up their IDs, but if they looked carefully, surely they’d figure out Nick had a fake.
    If not, then Nick would’ve gone right back to his destructive ways, getting into bar fights and driving drunk. Possibly hurting someone other than himself in the process. As much as Zane hated the prospect of the most horrific thing to ever happen in his life becoming public fodder, he was tired of the constant blackmail by his brother. Rehab was the best thing for Nick, long term. It was what their mom would’ve wanted.
    He rolled his shoulders and grabbed his cell. Maybe he’d take a walk or borrow one of the bikes he’d seen down by the lake and shake off his mood. It’d give him a chance to cool down, and to explore his new temporary home.
    Could he really stay hidden for two months?

    Casey slid Zane’s preference sheet onto the granite countertop in the kitchen, then scooped up her niece, Haley, from a barstool. “There’s my favorite princess. What are you stuffing your chubby little cheeks with now?” She kissed Haley’s forehead and then set her down. Casey loved her boys more than anything in the world but had always secretly wished for a little girl too.
    Blond, sweet, two-and-three-quarters-year-old Haley grinned and held up a chocolate chip cookie. “Yum!”
    Casey’s grandmother, tall, feisty, and sharped tongued, sat on the other side of Haley. She said, “Double yum!”
    Haley’s mom, her sister, Meg, just lifted her chin in greeting because her mouth was full.
    Casey said, “I’m surprised you dared show your face in here, Megan. You still owe me three wedding decisions.” Casey stole the cookie from Meg’s hand. “No more cookies for you until you decide on flowers, music, and cake flavors.” Casey bit into the treat and moaned. “Man, this is good.”
    Meg rolled her eyes and grabbed another cookie from the jar. “Having a bad day, Bossy Pants?”
    “Your wedding is in a few weeks! That’s not being bossy, that’s desperation you hear. How do you expect me to pull all of this together if you won’t make up your mind?” It had