“You’re never late, Sterling.”
“I am now.”
Knox set his fork down. “Are we doing this conversation, or are we eating lunch?”
“Which conversation.”
“You know which one.”
Gabriel didn’t answer.
“Are you out, Sterling? Of the Oath? Yes or no.”
“Yes.”
“Since when?”
“Since the wedding.”
“Six weeks ago. And I’m finding out at lunch on a Friday.”
“I should’ve told you sooner.”
“You should’ve told me at the wedding.”
“I know, but I wasn’t certain. Now I am.”
Gabriel set his fork down too. He hadn’t been eating.
“You told my mother.”
“I told your mother you were seeing someone. I didn’t tell her who.”
“You didn’t have to. She’s been calling everyone she knows.”
“You think I’m sabotaging this.”
“Aren’t you?”
“Sterling. You don’t need me to sabotage this. You’re doing that to yourself.”
That landed harder than Gabriel had expected. He didn’t have a response.
Knox waited. When it was clear Gabriel wasn’t going to fight him, he picked up his fork.
“Does she know about the Oath?”
“No.”
“Sterling.”
“I’m telling her after her next event.”
“Why wait?”
“Because she needs to be focused.”
“Stop being a coward. Just rip off the Band-Aid. It’s less painful that way.”
