Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
He steps closer to me. When he releases my hand, I nearly protest, but then his arm hooks around mine. His warmth seeps into me at his close proximity, dizzying my every thought.
“You were in there with Dempsey for a long time. Everything okay?” I ask roughly. “I’m not jealous.”
He chuckles, no doubt amused by the last part I quickly spit out. “It’s fine. He’s just working through some things like everyone else. More than anything, he needs someone to confide in and get things off his chest.”
I wonder what Dempsey, the Park bad boy and spoiled baby of the family, could ever be troubled over. He and Gemma have it better than anyone. They’re truly the golden children who can do no wrong.
“Is he crying again because Daddy won’t buy him a car?” I say with a sharpness in my tone.
“You’re not the only one with trauma and problems,” Tate responds tightly. “You’re teetering into asshole territory again.”
Guilt swallows me whole and I force out a groan. “Sorry.”
He shrugs it off, but the magical feeling between us has cooled. As it should. The heat between us is unhealthy and clouding my judgment. My duty is to protect this family, not find pleasure in the one person who is doing his damnedest to help them.
As we approach Dad’s house, I feel Tate’s grip around my arm loosen. He releases me to walk ahead. I speed up, chasing after his lingering scent and hoping to get high off his magnetism. Unfortunately, he beats me inside and is quickly swept up into the chaos of a typical Park family dinner.
Seconds later, I spot him taking a seat beside Dempsey at the table. I quickly sidestep Gemma and duck into the chair on his other side before she can take it. She frowns at me in confusion. I ignore her, leaning slightly toward Tate to listen in on his conversation with Dempsey.
They’re not talking about anything of importance. Dempsey’s regaling him with a tale of how he took his mother’s car for a joy ride when he was twelve, wrapping it around a telephone pole up the road, barely escaping with nothing but a broken arm and a few stitches on his eyebrow. And yet he wonders why Dad won’t buy him a car…
Fucking idiot.
Callum sits directly across from me, his grin wolfish and knowing. He lets his gaze teeter back and forth from me to Tate. It’s irritating. How could he possibly know I’m all twisted up over the family therapist?
He can’t know.
Maybe he’s just gloating over the fact Tate’s here mostly because of me. He probably also knows that it’ll only be a matter of time before Tate breaks down all my walls.
Even with my mask, I’m apparently readable.
I fucking hate that.
Discreetly, I flip him the bird. Willa sees the gesture and gapes at me. I simply shrug before turning my attention to Dad and Hugo as they enter the room. Dad wears a pensive expression.
“This is the best I could do on such short notice,” Jamie says, entering the dining room with a large pot of spaghetti. “Hold tight while I grab the rest.”
Dad’s stare follows after her and the smile he reserves just for her is filled with such love my own heart aches with jealousy. Not because I want Jamie. I just secretly crave being able to love someone like Dad loves her—consequences be damned. His love for her nearly irrevocably bombed his family to smithereens and yet he kept on loving her anyway.
Sometimes I wonder if Mom would’ve ever moved on. Had she seen how much Dad loved Jamie, it might’ve been enough for her to stop obsessing over the demise of their marriage. She wasn’t happy with Dad. Neither of them was. Why she took it so personally when she found out about the affair was a mystery to me.
Thoughts of Mom sour my stomach. The thought of eating spaghetti is almost nauseating. I snag up the water glass in front of me, slightly lift my mask, and then chug the entire thing in just a few gulps. I slam my mask down into place, finding Callum watching me with renewed interest.
Fuck off, brother.
A few more hectic moments pass until dinner is served and everyone is chatting easily as they eat. I sit frozen like a statue, not bothering to pick up my fork or touch the food in front of me. Hugo, who’s already wolfed down his meal, clears his throat before rising to his feet. Dad gives him a small nod of encouragement.
“I called you all here today because I have something to say. It’s something that not everyone will understand, but it’s not for you to try to figure out. The important thing is, we’ve figured it out and we’re happy.” He smiles at Aubrey. “I spoke to Dad prior to dinner and he’s agreed that what I’m about to tell you will remain a secret within our family. I’d still like to hear it from you all, though.”