Damion“Of course, I am,” he answered. “Haven’t I proven I’m responsible enough?”I nodded. “Yes, you have. I don’t doubt your ability, but I don’t want to keep you from doing whatever else you had planned today.”“I don’t have anything planned, except wasting a few hundred BBs.”I sighed, hating that I was bailing out on Oliver, but figured he wouldn’t even know I was gone with Justin there. Justin had a way of being a very commanding presence, which was strange because he was such an unassuming guy. “Thank you. I really do appreciate it. I’ll buy you ten six-packs.”He laughed. “You could just buy me a case. We don’t want your sourpuss face hanging around anyway. Oliver and I have some shooting business to attend to. I brought those targets I promised.”I smiled, really appreciating how much Justin had changed. “He’s going to be thrilled. He said you had some zombie ones?”Justin grinned. “I do. I asked if he was afraid of zombies. He told me they weren’t real, and he couldn’t be af
AlexI stared at him, trying to see him for the man I now knew him to be. He still looked like the same old Damion, but I knew he wasn’t. Everything I thought I knew about him was a lie. It had been him pretending to be someone else. I felt duped. I hated being duped. The casual shorts and T-shirt that were well worn was all part of his act. He was trying to sell himself as a casual, normal man living the country life.In reality, he was a filthy rich guy playing farmer. I wondered if he secretly looked down at all of us. He was used to his high-rise apartment in the city and having gourmet meals delivered to his door. He was the kind of man who had his dry cleaning taken out for him. He was only playing a part. Nothing about him was real, which made me question everything. All night long, I had replayed almost every moment we spent together.The thing that bothered me the most was that initial first impression I got of him. That had been the real Damion. That was the guy he really wa
Alex“The lying bothers me.”“I didn’t lie.”I rolled my eyes. “You didn’t tell me the whole truth. I guess you didn’t want me to know the real reason you came back because that would interfere with you getting laid. I suppose you think I’ll continue sleeping with you for the next few months until you’ve fulfilled your obligations and can run back to New York.”“That isn’t true. Not in the least. I’m not using you, nor would I ever use you or anyone for that matter. You can say what you want, but dammit, Alex, I’m not like that. Don’t insult me or yourself by trying to cheapen what this is.”I scoffed. “I can’t believe you kept it from me. Honestly, I can’t believe Oliver kept it from me either. Did he think I was a gold digger?”“Absolutely not. No one knew about the money. I didn’t know until the lawyer showed up at my office. He told me about my grandfather’s investments and how they paid off. When he told me it was all mine if I could live on the farm for six months, I didn’t jump
DamionI stared out over the water that looked like glass. Occasionally, there would be a small ripple that would disturb the surface before smoothing out once again. It was representative of my life in many ways. Things had once been calm and serene. They weren’t now. I was hoping they would be again soon, but I wasn’t counting on Alex being part of that calm serenity.“You okay?” Justin asked.I blinked, the world beyond the surface of the water coming into focus. “I’m good,” I answered.The gentle rocking of the small rowboat we were in had lulled me into a meditative state. He had invited me to go fishing with him while Oliver was at school. Initially, I was going to politely decline before I decided hanging out with him was better than sitting around the house and sulking.Unfortunately, it appeared I could sulk no matter where I was at. I was having a hard time focusing on the fishing I was supposed to be doing. I was hung up on Alex. It was becoming a usual state of mind for me
Damion“With that kind of money, I think you can certainly buy love.”“Not real love. I didn’t want some woman faking it.”“Do you think Alex is like that?” he asked, his tone slightly accusing.“Not at all,” I answered. “She’s the real deal. I know she loves Oliver and he loves her.”He was quiet for a few seconds. “Does she know you already have the money?”I shrugged. “I’m not sure. It seemed like she thought I had it or was going to be getting it soon.”“You didn’t tell her you had it before you came back the second time?”I slowly shook my head. “No. It seemed pointless. Alex is stubborn. When she gets something in her head, there’s no dislodging it. I didn’t see any point in arguing. She wasn’t going to believe a word I said. She’s convinced I’ve been lying to her from day one. Anything I said was going to be rejected. I didn’t want to stick around and listen to her insult me or what we had. I didn’t want to get mad and say something I would regret. I left.”“You do that a lot,”
AlexI glanced in the bathroom mirror as I washed my hands and face. I looked like hell. I wasn’t interested in showering. Not yet. I piled my hair on top of my head in a messy bun. Not cute messy but legit messy. I slid my slippered feet along the floor as I made my way to the kitchen. I needed coffee. A lot of coffee. I hadn’t slept much at all. Two nights of no sleep was wreaking havoc on me.There was a knock on my door just as I was starting my coffee. I slowly walked over to see who it was.“I see you,” Sadie called.“You can’t see through wood,” I told her.“Open the door.”“I’m not decent,” I retorted.“No shit. Open it anyway.”I sighed, unlocking the door and pulling it open, expecting the comments about the state of my appearance. “What are you doing here?” I asked.“Wow. This is a bad one. Have you showered this week?” She curled her lip. “I can flip you on your head and mop the floor with all that oil in your hair.”“That’s really not very nice,” I retorted.“You don’t lo
Alex“Sadie, this is real. I’m not kidding. He inherited a fortune. The only reason he is here is to get that fortune.”“Did he say he wanted to leave?”“No, but—”She held up a hand. “Exactly. He came back for you.”I slapped a hand on the table. “This is what I’m trying to explain to you. He didn’t come back for me. He came back for the money.”“Do you honestly think he would jerk his kid back and forth across the country for the money? I don’t know him half as well as you do, but even I know he lives and breathes for that boy. He isn’t going to do anything that would hurt Oliver. He knows Oliver likes it here. Oliver couldn’t stop talking about how much he missed you when they were gone. How much Damion missed you. It’s real, Alex. Very real. Before you push him away, ask yourself if you’re really being rational.”I leaned back in my seat. “You’re being harsh.”“I’m sorry, but I have to be. I can’t let you ruin this. He’s so good for you. You don’t see how different you are with hi
DamionI heard the knock on the door and walked out of my bedroom to answer it. Sadie was standing on the other side, a soft smile on her face.“Hi,” she greeted.“Hi,” I answered, pulling the door open for her. “I was just folding the last bit of laundry.”“You’re folding your own laundry?” she asked.I groaned. “She told you.”“She did. Of course, she did. There’s a reason I offered to babysit Oliver without you asking. You two need to talk and I’m here to make sure that happens.”“I appreciate it. And yes, I do my own laundry. I also clean toilets and sweep the floors. I’m still the same man I’ve always been.”“I believe you. Now you need to convince her of that.”I shook my head. “You make it sound like it’s easy.”“I think I smoothed the way for you, but if you screw it up, that’s on you.”I laughed. “Good to know. Oliver is in his room. I’m going to toss a load in the washer and then I’ll head out.”“Take your time. My schedule is clear. This could take a while. Don’t give up to