“Okay.” Sterling sighs. “Then I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
My fist clenches around my phone as he hangs up.
I know what I should do. Even though it’s the last thing I want. She’ll hate me for it. She’ll probably slap me, lash out at me, hurl abuse at me.
I hope she does. I hope she rips me apart.
Because I deserve it.
29
SINCLAIR
Somethingabout the increased sourness in Denver’s expression as he steps out onto the deck has me faltering.
“Was that my father you were speaking to?”
He nods once, his jaw locked tight, a vein throbbing in his temple.
“Are Halliday and the baby okay?” I ask, my heart racing.
“They’re fine. Everyone back home is fine.”
My shoulders loosen. “Okay, good. Then why do you look so worried?”
“We’re going back to the city tomorrow, Sinclair,” Denver says simply, looking at me from beneath his dark brows like his words carry extra meaning.
“I know.” I smile as I put Monty’s brush down and stand. “I’ve got my show, I can’t wait.”
“Your father is concerned.”
“So he’s concerned,” I reply, studying the deep line between Denver’s eyebrows. “Why are you letting that bother you? You’ve known him for years. You know what he’s like. He might be concerned, but he’ll deal with it, like he always does.”
“He trusts me,” Denver clips.
I wait for him to say more but am met with stony silence and a harshness in his eyes.
“He trusts me,” he repeats, straightening his rigid shoulders as a flash of guilt passes over his face.
And there it is.
I narrow my eyes and study him. His green eyes are dark and impenetrable. Like he’s on a mission and can’t afford to lose sight of his main objective.
“Uh-huh,” I say. “And now you’re worried because you’ve spent the past four days inside his daughter making sure she’s definitely not going back to the city a virgin.”
“Sinclair!” he snaps.
I shrug, hiding the anger that’s flaring inside me. I get it, he thinks he’s betrayed my father’s trust. But what about my trust? I’ve never let anyone get close to me like Denver.
“I mean, I’m clearly not, am I? You’ve had your dick everywhere except in my ass. Was that going to be your next conquest?”
The sharp intake of breath he takes only makes me more determined to piss him off. He’s watching me, nostrils flaring like an angry bull.
He’s expecting me to fight him. Or to cry, maybe. More likely fight. Maybe he’s hoping I’ll slap him. Take out some of my anger on him… make him feel better about the cowardly thing he’s doing.
I won’t give it to him.
“Okay,” I say, keeping my voice light as I walk over to him. “Well, thanks for the dick, I guess. You definitely taught me some things I can use with my new boyfriend when I meet him.” I smile brightly as he glares down his nose at me, his jaw clenching.
