Page 5 of Wicked Truths
I hold my hand up, dismissing him. “It’s none of my business.”
“Good. I don’t want you feeling uncomfortable and leaving because I’m here.”
“I’m not. I want to get out of the sun.” I brush past him toward the loungers, trying to find my towel, forcing myself to focus on something else.
“Be careful if you go to the party tomorrow. I won't be around for you to call on,” he says as he glances at the clock on the wall. “Your mother and I are leaving for Xander’s competition tomorrow at two.”
“Oh right.” Xander’s my stepbrother. He races go-karts; and is exceptionally good at it.
I’m more surprised my mother is going.
“And there’s an event after that,” he adds, his tone shifting slightly, as if recalling some unwelcome detail. “We’ll be back Monday.”
“It’ll be nice for you to get away from business,” I say and smile lightly, trying to mask the knot in my stomach that forms as I fish for information again.
“It will.”
“And if it’s just a nice break for the two of you. Who knows? You might fall in love again.”
Dom chuckles darkly, but there’s an edge to it. “There’s no again.”
My heart sinks a little as I watch him step back inside the house, shoulders tense beneath his fitted black shirt.
The idea of having the place to myself sends butterflies racing through me—no arguing parents or constant reminders of what is lurking outside these walls.
“Amara!” My mother’s sharp voice cuts through my thoughts as she steps onto the terrace again, her heels clicking angrily against the marble floor. “Cover yourself up. Caleb is here.”
I take a deep breath and roll my eyes.
She throws me a towel. “And make sure you wear something nice tomorrow at the party. You need to look nice for Mateo. You need to get closer to him.”
“Excuse me?” I wrap the towel around my body and pick up my phone, checking my messages.
“You need a boyfriend, Amara. Anything instead of sulking around here all day!”
She doesn’t have a clue how much I want to get away from here.
My heart constantly pounds against my ribs like a trapped bird seeking escape from this cage we call home.
Anger bubbles up as I shoot her a glare before storming off into the house and toward the staircase.
“Hi Amara,” Caleb says. I stop and turn. He steps closer. The dark frame of his glasses enhance his gray eyes as they stare into mine.
“Hey, Caleb.” I smile back, forcing myself to keep things light and hope that my body or flushed face doesn’t betray me.
I know I should step away. He’s my stepdad's best friend, and my professor at college. Whenever he comes to my home, I focus on keeping my voice casual and not like my heart is skittering against my breastbone. “What brings you here?”
“I’m playing golf with Dom this afternoon.” His hand pushes through his light brown hair as his eyes flicker around him.
“Golf,” I repeat.
“And I came to check on a party that Poppy mentioned. Something about going to the Conti house tomorrowevening.” He pauses, leaning casually against the wall. “I told her she could only go if you’re going.”
“Right.” I sigh. “I’m going.”
His gaze sharpens. “I’ll drive you there and back.”
I feel a flutter in my stomach at the thought of spending time with him, but I squash it down.
