Page 34 of So I'll Know
“Just going straight for the personal stuff, huh?”
“You were literally hiding from his partner, Marcus. Like, in the dark. Normal people just ignore phone calls to avoid awkward conversations.”
He’s right, but to be honest, the last thing I want to explain is that I’m being coerced into marrying a woman I haven’t even met yet. And then also explain that I’m actually blackmailing my dad and Ryan so that my siblings and I can get out from under our dad’s thumb.
I sigh. “It’s complicated.”
“You said that before, so I gathered that.”
“He’s . . . not who I thought he was. And now I owe him, and he wants to collect on that debt.”
“Well, that’s shady as fuck. Care to elaborate?”
“Not really.”
“C’mon, big guy. This car trip is going to be really boring if you stick to surface-level small talk.” He gives me a pleading look. “If we aren’t going to talk about your daddy issues, then we should at least talk about last weekend.”
I swallow. “I’m not sure I want to talk about that either.”
“Well, I do. I want to apologize.”
That takes me aback. “For what?”
“For coming on so strong. We really shouldn’t be fooling around, I just . . .”
“You just . . .”
“Sometimes being around you makes me stupid. All reason is just . . . gone.” He brushes a silvery strand behind his ear and stares out the window, but I can still see the redness on the back of his neck at the admission.
“Really?” I’m a little dumbfounded, but also a little flattered.
“Yes, really,” he snaps, and his bratty tone raises my hackles. And turns me the fuck on.
“The sentiment is mutual,” I retort dryly. “When I’m around you, I can’t think straight.”
He glances at me, and his expression changes from annoyed to amused as he chokes on a laugh. “Nothing about our relationship is straight, babe.”
I stiffen, the nickname making my insides feel even more like fucking Jell-O. “I hardly call this,” I gesture between us while I white-knuckle the steering wheel with my other hand, “a relationship.”
He grabs another Twizzler and brings it to his lips. “I have arelationshipwith my cleaning lady.” He sucks on the end of his candy, the look on his face almost sinister. “It’s literally just a word that means having a connection, and last I checked, my mouth definitely had a connection with your dick.”
“For fuck’s sake!” With a growl, I reach over and snatch the Twizzler from his mouth and pop it into my own.
“You took my Twizzler!”
“You were practically deep throating it.”
“Jealous?”
“What? No!” I sputter, my cheeks flushing hot. “Stop distracting me. What we have isn’t a relationship. It’s a mistake!”
When my gaze meets his, he looks hurt, and my anger dampens. “Why? Because I’m a guy, and you’re not attracted to guys?”
“I guess. Among other reasons.”
“What do you mean byI guess? What other reasons?” He almost has a whine to his tone, and I try not to smile.
“You implied it yourself. It’s not professional.”
