“Jesus,” I mutter.
“I’ll go,” Maya says, getting up to leave.She slips out of the room, and tension fills the air the moment the door closes.
“What the hell, Dex.What are you playing at?”
He slides into the chair Maya just vacated.“Like I said, couldn’t get hold of you.I was worried.”
I grit my teeth together so hard, my jaw starts to ache with the effort of holding my temper in check.“I was with the Trevayne twins.”
He squints and sits up.“Both of them?”
“Got an image in your head you like?”I tease.
“No, but I know you’re lying.”
“You know, do you?”
“You’re lying, brother.You’ve got eyes for no one but Maya.Any fool can see that you’ve got the hots for that girl.”He glances through the glass to where Maya’s sitting.“Can’t say I blame you.She’s grown into a fine—”
“Shut the hell up.”
“I’m not saying anything disparaging.She’s gorgeous.”
“Don’t.”
“You like her, bro.It’s written on your face.It confirms what we’re all thinking, about why you acquired the majority stake in Stella.”
“I did it to help Stella.I want to turn the company around.If it helps her, so be it.”
He studies me for a moment, like he doesn’t believe me.“Listen.Your birthday’s coming up.Big Three-Oh.It’s a milestone.What do you want to do?”
Not that again.My insides clench with irritation.“I don’t want to do anything.”
“Come on.Just a little party.A few people.”
“I said no.”
He sighs.“It’s a milestone birthday.If mom were here she’d be so excited to celebrate—”
“Don’t.”I struggle to keep my voice down.If mom were here ...who knows how things would be now?“I need you to go,” I snap.“This isn’t about my birthday plans.You came here to snoop around.Who are you reporting back to?Jett?Dad?Rio?”
“You seriously think so little of me?”He looks offended.“I was curious to see her.That’s all.It was pure luck I caught you both together.”
“We weren’ttogether.We were in a meeting.”
“Defensive much?”The corners of his lips curve up into an infuriating grin.“I wanted to know how you were around each other.”
“There’s nothing going on.”
“Does she know how you feel about her?”
“Just leave, Dex.Just go.”
I’m so pissed off, and for once Dex seems to receive the message loud and clear because he does exactly as I ask.
But him leaving doesn’t make me feel any better, or any calmer.It’s bad enough that my mind is filled with memories of the past, but Dex has kicked up some dust.
And he’s not wrong.
