Page 258 of The Bluffing Game

“Then at least you know you tried.” He looks thoughtful for a moment. “You know, she told me that she told Rosie to stop flirting with me.” He shakes his head. “And Rosie listened. Can you believe it?”

“Well, why wouldn’t she listen? It wasn’t like you were giving her anything back. I mean, you’re not interested in her or anything, are you?”

“I don’t know. I’m not made for complications, and Rosie seems like a complication that can disrupt my life.”

“Kind of like how Sage disrupted mine. She really disrupted it. Maybe I’m happy for the disruption. Maybe I’m just happy, knowing I can feel all these different emotions—that I can hurt this badly, that I can want this badly, that I can need this badly. She’s like a breath of fresh air, Brett. Even when I see her, even though she doesn’t talk to me, my world feels lighter. I feel happier.” I take a deep breath.

Never in a million years would I have ever thought I would become this sappy idiot, but here I am.

“I’m sure she doesn’t think you’re an idiot.”

“Yes, she does, and she’d be right. I should have told her, but I didn’t, and I fucked up, and maybe she’ll never forgive me. And that’s okay because at least now I know she’s safe. Parker has been dealt with, and she has her dad. I know Jimmy the Fish will not let anything happen to her, so she doesn’t need my protection.”

“What are you going to do?” he asks me.

“What do you mean?”

“I know the business is struggling. I know your dad’s about to cut you off from the family money now you’ve told him you won’t work with him under any circumstances.”

“I’ll figure something out. I have to. That’s all I have.” I ignore the throbbing in my head. “And you know I haven’t taken anything from him in years. Not since, well, you know.”

“You don’t have to do this alone, Dalton. There are many of us here for you. We can figure this all out. We can figure it all out.”

“No,” I say. “I got this. I’m Dalton Leone. I got this.”

He stares at me like he wants to say something else, and I jump up.

“Anyway, let me go and help Toby before he starts crying again. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay, man.”

I walk to the bathroom in silence. He’s right. I do need help, but I don’t know how to ask for it. I can’t be the weak one. It’s just not in my DNA, and yet I know if I don’t figure this shit out, I could lose everything, and that’s something I can’t even contemplate happening right now. I don’t care if I lose material things. I just can’t lose Sage. After a few moments, I walk back out and sit there so I can think.

“Hey, Dalton.” Brett knocks on the door and opens it. “I need to speak to you. Can you come out?”

“What’s up?” I run my fingers through my hair and grab my phone. “I need to make a call.”

“I have an idea.” He holds his hands up. “Don’t say no before I finish.”

“What do you have to say?”

“Let me lend you a couple of million. It will⁠—”

“No.” I frown and shake my head vehemently. “No way, Brett.”

“I have it to spare.” He steps forward. “I’ll invest in you and in the business. Just until you figure it all out. I want to do this.”

“I appreciate it, but that’s a no,” I say resolutely.

I hold up my phone and offer him a wry smile. “I’m selling the house. I already have a realtor. It’s going on the market in the next couple of weeks. I sign the contract tomorrow.”

“But you love this place.” He sounds annoyed. “Let me help.”

“I appreciate it, man, but I got this. I’m not losing anything important to me. This house can go. I don’t care. The most important thing to me is my family and friends. And I’m not letting money come between us. You’re my friend and my brother. I love you for the offer, but I’m going to say no. This is the best thing for Toby and for me.” I smile as I think of my son. “And at the end of the day, I always have to look out for him first. He is my first priority.”

Chapter 35

SAGE