Kendall
One drink only!
Addison
YES! See you at 7!
I shower, put on a black sweater, a leather skirt, and tights that hide most of my body. Every step makes me aware of how sensitive I still am, how swollen, how I’ve worshipped myself today. Patterson feels like a secret under my skin.
Ten minutes before seven, I meet Addison at the gallery. She loops her arm through mine, and we take our time walking through each room. The display is the usual Chelsea bullshit by the same artists that always get featured.
“One day, I’m going to throw a gala where every artist inside is unknown.”
“You should,” Addison says proudly, looking stunning in green.
“What?” I ask as she studies me.
“You look different,” she says, tilting her head. “Glowy. Relaxed. Are you falling in love again?”
I nearly choke on my champagne. “Is this what I look like when I fall in love?”
“Yes, actually. Wow, I’m so jealous because—” She’s pulled away before she can finish her sentence.
I stare at one of the abstract pieces and hear a deep, familiar voice beside me.
I turn to see Damien Blackwell.
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she? But holds so many secrets,” he says, and I tilt my head at him. “The painting,” he says, lifting his champagne toward it. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
He moves closer—uncomfortably close. “You never called me back.”
I chuckle, ready to elbow him in the stomach. I might have grown up ice-skating, but I also played hockey with the boys. It’s where The Destroyer originated.
“I told you I was busy with my commissions.”
“Not too busy to fuck with Cross.” He tilts his head, studying me. “We had a connection. Kendall, you nearly sucked my dick.”
“We had dinner. Twice.” I take a step back, but he follows. “And then I ended it.”
“You almost let me get you off.”
“But you didn’t because you couldn’t.” I glare at him. “Not something I’d brag about, honestly.” I sip my champagne and suck in a deep breath.
His smile doesn’t waver, but something cold stays behind his eyes. “I saw the photos of you and Patty the day after the ceremony.”
“That was Jameson.”
“Was it?” He takes another step closer, and I feel the warmth of him pressed against me. “Funny thing. That morning, I was having breakfast with Jameson. Now, you tell me how he couldbe in two places at the same time, knowing damn well Patterson and I could never eat at the same table.”
My blood goes cold as he pulls out his phone and shows me the photo they took together. He even shows me the time stamp.
“You’re delusional if you think anyone will believe that. It’s AI.”
“Really? That’s what you’re going with?” His hand comes up to rest on my waist. “What would Daddy say if I told him the truth? How do you think he’d react if he knew his little girl was fucking his star player behind his back? Makes me wonder how long Coach Hart’s golden boy has been balls deep in his precious little daughter.”
My fingers go numb.
“Get your hands off of me.”
