Page 128 of Golden Ruin

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Sterling

We agreed to hold off on a much-needed talk until I got home tonight. So, I’m not surprised to find Lexi standing at the counter, sipping from the #1 Dad mug Jax got me last Father’s Day.

Smooth, bronzy legs are all I see underneath the oversized t-shirt she stole from the laundry I left in the dryer. With nothing but the dim light over the stove lighting the kitchen, I can still see her face, still see she’s upset.

“You okay?” She sets the mug down and melts into me when I bring her to my chest.

“Better now.”

I squeeze tighter.

The media was brutal today, launching a smear campaign against us as Pandora added the cherry on top. Pictures of a perfectly innocent moment, villainizing us, turning us finding our way back to each other into a fucking scandal.

“I overheard a group of women gossiping about me today.”

My brow tenses. “Where?”

“At school when I picked up Jax. Some of the moms.”

My jaw ticks as I take a breath.

“Apparently, you’re a cheater, and I’m the scheming side-chick who wrecked your relationship.”

She laughs a little, but it doesn’t mask the hurt. She’s not that kind of woman, so it can’t feel good hearing people thinking these things are true.

I kiss the top of her head, then just hold her. We’ve lived our entire adult lives in the spotlight to a degree because of Pandora. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. Between the fame and Pandora no longer just existing within the bubble of Cypress Point, the public exposure has magnified tenfold.

Not to mention the fire, and Lexi coming to live with me.

Without realizing it, we stepped into the perfect storm.

This is new between us, so I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been worried today. What if she decides this is too much? Decides she’d rather live a quiet life on the peripheral of my world instead of drop-dead in the center of it.

Only, that doesn’t feel like a choice, because she’s already the center of my world.

“I told Matt we needed to talk today,” she says. “He deserved to hear it from me that things between you and I have changed. But I swear to you, Sterling, the second I opened my mouth to say the words, Pandora’s ass pulled the rug out from under me.”

I smile, hearing her pout as we hold each other.

“She’s such a bitch.”

“Such a bitch,” Lex echoes, and my smile grows. But I’m not oblivious to the heart of what she just said.

That she had the talk with Matt, that she’s officially severed that connection. Romantically, at least.

“How’d he take it?” I ask.

She shrugs and snuggles against my shirt. “Said he already knew.”

I take that in, honestly feeling sympathy for the guy. No, I’m not sorry he’s no longer trying to get close to my girl, but I know what it feels like to lose her, and I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. Let alone a good guy who just doesn’t have the best timing or luck.

“I’m sorry things didn’t go the way you hoped they would.”

“It’s fine,” she says. “I’m just glad it’s behind me.”

I run a hand down the curve of her spine, turning us until my back’s against the fridge, leaning while I hold her.