Page 50 of Golden Ruin

Sterling nods. “I am. This time, at least.”

He smirks, and I wish I’d turned away sooner. Wish I wasn’t having such a hard time not noticing the little things about him today. This time, it was the way he wet his lips after speaking.

A beat of panic pulses through me.

Talk about something.

Anything.

“I’ll, uh… have an Uber come get me and Jax in the morning. You probably shouldn’t skip another workout.”

Sterling sighs and despite myself, I look at him again. “Why the hell are you so stubborn? I already told you, the Range Rover is yours. I’m one guy, and I have three cars, Lexi. Just drive the fucking truck,” he laughs.

I picture it—the rims, the blacked-out windows, the sound system he added.

“It’s too flashy. I–”

“We have money, Lex, and it’s okay to live like it,” he smiles.

My stomach does a somersault, and I can’t seem to stop myself from correcting him. “You… have money. There’s a difference.”

He sits with that for a moment, and I notice how his smile slips a little, giving way to a more serious expression.

“You’re the mother of my son, which means you’re a part of my life for the rest of my life,” he says. “And honestly, the way I see it, you’re probably more entitled to what I have than anyone else. Especially after what you did, saving him.”

He’s quiet after that, and so am I, letting everything he’s just said sink in.

I’m so deep in thought, I hardly noticed we already made it to the doctor’s office. Sterling kills the engine, but neither of us moves, and maybe he’s drowning in the same ocean of complicated emotions that I am.

His hand twitches where his arm rests beside mine, and I’m unnervingly aware of his heat, his presence.

Things were so much easier when he gave me reasons to keep my distance. But the more this new Sterling keeps showing up, making me question everything I taught myself to believe about him over the years, the more terrified I become that… I’ve already let him get too close.

*

@QweenPandora

Well, well… what have we here?

Looks like more than a few of you spotted #MrSilver and #LostAngel knee-deep in domestic bliss. Here we have the former lovers dropping off their lovechild at school, looking very comfortable playing house, might I add.

Not everyone was convinced #TheSubstitute told the full story of what’s been developing at Casa de Golden, but these images are pretty telling if you ask me. So maybe, just maybe, pointing the finger at #LostAngel as the reason their relationship fell apart might not be too far off?

You know I’ll be here, keeping a close eye on the situation as it unfolds.

Later, peeps :)

–P

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Lexi

“You’re healing up nicely.” Dr. Haddon examines my wound as he applies ointment. “You mentioned working at a vet clinic, correct?”

“Yes,” I say with a nod. “Over on the southside.”

“It’s strenuous work, I’m guessing.” He opens a package of gauze. “I won’t object to you going back in about a week, but only if I have your word that you’ll take it easy.”