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“So, this is your job then? I always pictured it more of like a trashy, seedy strip club, but this is actually classy.” I laugh and run my fingers through my sex mussed hair.
“I really like working here, and no, I don’t sleep with my clients. Most of the time I’m wearing a mask, so they don’t even know who I am.”
“I never should have called you a whore. I know I owe you a lifetime of apologies, and I plan to say I’m sorry and show you how sorry I am every day for the rest of our lives. I just wish we could start over. Without my father in my ear telling me how evil the James’ are, and that I need to do whatever I can to keep them far away.”
I roll my eyes and huff, then cross my arms. “I was twelve. I was your best friend. I loved you and Nate, and when you pushed me away that night, it broke me. I lost my dad and I needed you guys. When you returned, I was so happy to see you, and the first words out of your mouth were about me deserving a grave beside my dad. I’m sorry, but that’s not forgivable, at least, not yet.”
He groans and rubs his hand down his face. “The day that we first saw each other again. You were wearing a light blue skirt and a white cropped top. Your hair was curled and you were laughing with your friend, Hana. You took my breath away and I panicked. You looked at me with such joy and started to walk my way. Something my dad has said over and over throughout the years slipped from my lips and I have regretted it every day since.”
I gasp as he moves closer to me and shows me the truth shining in his hazel eyes. “After that day, you hated me, and I found it easier for you to hate me. It kept my father off my back. But I hated hurting you.” He sighs and touches my cheek.
“I’m sorry, Patience.” He leans in for a kiss and I give him a quick one, then pull back.
“I need some time to think about everything, okay? But, thank you for telling me. It explains a lot actually.”
He glances over at the bed where I was just riding his face and smirks. “I can honestly say that tonight was one of the hottest experiences of my life, and my cock has been hard since we got here.” I laugh and give him a quick kiss.
“I’m still not sleeping with you, Cal. At least, not yet.” I toss him a wink and Rooke joins us at the table.
“I need a drink,” I say and Cal nods. I get up from the table and start pouring.
I don’t know what to think about everything he just said, but I do think maybe I am ready to forgive him after all. I mean he is my future husband and I see the way he loves Rooke. I want the same affection. I don’t want hostility anymore.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Iwake up to someone tripping outside my door. “Oh, fuck, that’s going to bruise,” Rooke says and Cal laughs. I climb out of the bed and open the door. Rooke is supporting Cal as he tries to get him to his room.
“Looks like you guys had a great night,” I comment, and Rooke gives me a huge smile.
“The best night. Hey, can you help me get him to his bed? I’ll take it from there.” I nod and step forward, grabbing Cal’s legs. He’s still laughing and mumbling about “handcuffs, and whips, and chains, oh my!”. I raise my brow and Rooke laughs.
“Man, tonight was wild but incredible. You should ask Patience to bring you to her club sometime. Mind blown.” He does the brain explosion hand gesture and I laugh. So he and my rabbit finally had sex. I should be upset or annoyed, but I find that I’m not.
I know what Patience and I have is real, and I’m okay with her loving the others. She has always had a big heart and a bigger appetite. “Good for you, man,” I tell him and he gives me a huge smile. He seems really happy and I’m glad; I know he hasn’t had the best life.
I nod toward Cal, who’s trying to remove his pants, but failing to get them over his shoes. Rooke laughs and rolls his eyes, then drops down to help him. I leave them to do whatever and shut the door behind me as I walk back to my room.
When I look through my window I see that Patience is on her bed with her phone, frowning. She seems sad, so I grab my phone and send her a silly meme. I watch as she laughs and looks at me. We send each other GIFs and memes back-to-back until my eyes start to droop.
Rabbit:We should get some sleep. Classes tomorrow.
I write back that I love her, then flick off my light and go to sleep. I wish she was here with me, but I know that wouldn’t fly.
* * *
I’m finishingup some laps in the pool when Father comes out to talk to me. I ignore him for a minute and keep swimming. When I surface, he looks pissed and is tapping his foot.
“We’re having dinner guests tonight. I expect you to be at the table at seven sharp, and dress to impress. It’s time you did something for this family instead of leaching off my money.” I fight not to roll my eyes and nod. He has been bugging me lately to have dinner with some associate and his daughter.
I’ve put it off as long as I could, it seems. Whatever. I'll just eat, play nice, then go see my girl. She’s been down since Ki just up and left. I still don’t understand why he dropped off the face of the Earth. He loves Patience, and he gave me all that advice for her first date.
If he was planning to leave, why wouldn’t he have just told me? Maybe because he knew that I would take care of her?
“Nate,” he snaps and I nod. “Don’t be late,” he growls then stomps off back inside. I do a few more laps then climb out. I have to shower and finish a paper before class tomorrow. I’m enjoying Stonewall, but I still don’t know what I want to study. Cal chose law, which was smart, but I have always loved English. Writing, to be exact, but I know my father would never allow me to be an author.
I reluctantly leave the pool and enter the house through the kitchen door, seeing that Dana has outdone herself. There are steaks marinating on the counter with a few side dishes. I glance at the clock to check the time. I have an hour to get ready and a good bit of my paper done.
I quickly race upstairs and ignore Cal talking to someone on the phone. I wonder if he has to attend this family dinner too? When I enter my room, I toss my towel on the floor and strip out of my trunks. I’ll pick them up later.
