“Okay, let’s just everyone take a deep breath,” my dad says when suddenly another thought occurs to me.
“Oh,shit.I thought this was Dahlia’s fault. I need to call her and apologizeright now.”
Grabbing Zeke’s hand, I pull him from the room with me, not wanting to leave him in the same room as my brother without me there. Finding an empty guest room, I lock us inside, kiss him hard, and call Dahlia.
She answers on the first ring this time.
“Talon. Have you called to cuss me out again, or did you simply come to the realization that I didn’t do whatever it was you thought I did?” she asks.
I’m honestly stunned that she even answered the phone.
“Dahlia, I am so fucking sorry. I don’t even know where to start,” I tell her, my hand rubbing Zeke’s back the entire time because I can’t bear to have any distance between us right now.
“I’ve seen the articles. Of course, several of my friends are sending them to me with jokes about you leaving me for a guy—bunch of cunts—but I assume you thought I was behind this?”
“Jesus, Dahlia, I’m sorry,” I repeat.
“So, who leaked Loverboy to the media?” she asks.
“Lukas,” I answer, figuring she at least deserves the truth since he’s the reason she was cussed out first thing thismorning.
“He’s always been a bit of an asshole,” she muses, seemingly unbothered.
Normally, I would argue that point, but today, I’m inclined to agree.
Chapter 38
Zeke
It’s been two days since the articles started dropping. A few things have been posted to social media, but we’re hoping it stays within circles Derek would never see.
Talon’s parents have been in communication with us about options, and ultimately, we just have to wait and see if Derek reaches out.
It’s hard to enjoy the city with this drama hanging over our heads, but neither do I want to go back to Montana.
It’s a true holding pattern.
One that makes me wish I could draw Derek out, face this thing head-on, and put it all behind us.
And then it hits me as I’m lying on the couch, reading yet another article about Devereaux Holdings and seeing my name in italics like they’re trying to highlight the fact that I don’t fit in.
My biggest fears are Derek telling the world that I slept with him for rent and him trying to get money out of Talon by telling lies that would be damaging to his company.But what if I tell my story first? What if Talon and I set the record straight?We couldtake the wind right out of Derek’s sails before he even fills them up.
Maybe it’s time I stop being ashamed of my past once and for all.
You can’t fear the skeletons in the closet if the closet is empty.
I jump off the couch in search of Talon so I can get his opinion on this idea. Turning the corner to head for the stairs, I run smack into him.
I bounce off his chest and stumble backwards. It’s like hitting a brick wall.
He catches me with an arm around my waist, and a playful comment is on the tip of my tongue until I see his face.
“What’s wrong?” I ask immediately.
“I heard from Derek.”
“How?” I’m not sure why that’s the first question that pops into my head, but I know he doesn’t have our cell phone numbers.
