“Well, I think it’s wonderful,” my mom declares, refilling our wine glasses. “A weekend in L.A., and a gallery interested in your work—sounds like things are really looking up for you, sweetie.”
If she only knew what happened the other day in the shed. The thought makes me wince into my lasagna.
“You okay there, sis?” Logan snarks with faux concern. “You look like you swallowed a bug.”
“Just fine,brother,” I glare. “How are you andReyna?”
“Reyna? Who’s Reyna?” my mother trills.
Logan stops chewing and immediately shuts down. “No one,” he grumbles before ducking his head, tucking into his food.
Rowan snickers into his wineglass as my dad clears his throat, fixing him with a serious look. “So this arrangement. What exactly does it entail?”
“Public appearances,” he explains, meeting my dad’s steady gaze head on. “Some social media posts. Making it look like we’re dating so I can clean up my image for a directing gig I’m after.”
“And what happens when it’s over?” he counters.
The question hangs in the air, and I find myself holding my breath as I wait for Rowan to answer.
“Hopefully, I can gain back her trust and we can part as friends.”
thirty-eight
I feellike a total dick lying to someone who’s always been like a father to me. But the only person who knows my true intentions is Logan. I’m going to have to have a talk with him after dinner.
Thankfully, the conversation shifts and we manage to make it through dessert unscathed.
After we finish helping to clear the table, Lizzy makes an excuse about having to use the bathroom and disappears upstairs.
Grabbing a bottle of whiskey and two glasses, I jerk my chin at Logan to follow me outside. The temperature has plummeted, and it makes me shiver.
I motion to the two Adirondack chairs, and we each take a seat. Pouring us each a glass, I take a drink, the warmth of the amber liquid helping to ease the chill.
“You slept with her.”
My throat tightens. “Come again?”
“You heard me.”
My mind pings in a million directions all at once as Logan eyes me over the rim of his glass.
Taking Lizzy’s virginity after graduation. Being balls deep inside her every day for almost two weeks leading up to my infamous departure. What happened in the shed after the paparazzi chased us through the woods.
Maybe I should come clean about everything before he finds out on his own. I have no fucking clue what Lizzy has told him, if anything.
“What has Lizzy told you?”
“Not much. Neither of you will tell me shit.” He shifts in his seat and takes another thoughtful sip of his drink. “I know it’s not any of my business what has or hasn’t happened since you got back, but she’s my sister. If anything, Rowan, I need to know what went down after graduation.”
Fuck. My. Life.
“Fine, but you have to promise not to hit me. My face might be insured, but I can’t go back to work or to L.A. with a bloody lip. You feel me?”
When Logan nods his head once and pops an eyebrow, I know that’s the best confirmation I’m going to get from him.
“Okay. Well, you already know about the kiss at prom.”
“Yup.”
