Page 33 of Just This Once

“I remember the news saying that the girls ranged in age from nine to eighteen,” Foster uttered in a dazed voice.

Oaklynn’s jaw dropped. “Did you just saynine?”

“Sick prick,” Keene hissed. “I hope the bastard gets gang raped in the prison showers every day of the fucking week.”

Parker shoved his chair back and stood abruptly. “I need another drink,” he growled, turning toward the cabinets.

No one stopped him.

I watched him sympathetically just as my phone rang, breaking into the solemn moment.

When I saw the name Paul on the screen, I fumbled to decline the call.

But the damage had already been done. Glancing up from the counter where he was pouring his bourbon, Parker smirked.

“Paul again?” he asked, lifting his eyebrows in defiance as if to warn me that he’d spill my secrets since I’d spilled his about the restaurant.

I narrowed my eyes just before Alec innocently asked, “Who’s Paul?”

Everything inside me tightened, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. Unwilling to tell him the truth, I fumbled.

“Uh. Just, uh—an ex,” I blurted before I’d fully thought the answer through.

But then Alec straightened in surprise, and I knew that had been thewronglie to give.

“I didn’t know you’d been seeing anyone.”

Panic fluttered, stealing my ability to think up a worthy lie. “Oh—” I stalled, swallowing thickly before waving out a dismissive hand. “It was nothing. Just a couple of dates. I’ll tell you about it later.” After I’d had plenty of time to create a worthwhile story.

“Okay,” my brother answered easily and squeezed my arm in support, making me feel shitty for lying to him.

Exhaling slowly, I looked across the kitchen to find Parker leaning against the cabinets, swirling the amber liquid in his glass as he watched me with a slight scowl. He one hundred percent knew I was lying, but now he was confused about what Paul actually might be to me since it obviously wasn’t an ex.

I smirked and glanced away, satisfied to let him stew over the mystery.

And from there, the dinner progressed. Conversation shifted away from grief center scandals and onto school and classes and campus gossip.

After we ate, Alec dragged me to his room so he could show me all his filming gadgets and even a few short reels he’d edited. He was so excited about it all, and I couldn’t stop watching the glow that spread across his face as he talked.

He’d grown into the best man, I swear. He was so sweet, and kind, and goofy, and handsome. And happy. I was grateful and proud of all the amazing things he’d become.

And I felt extra awful when a yawn slipped out as he was showing me his newest camera. He paused immediately, flushing when he announced, “Shit, I’m boring you.”

“No,” I instantly denied, gripping his forearm. “I’ve just been traveling all day. And I still have to unload my luggage.”

“And I should really let you go,” he added with an understanding nod. “I’ll walk you out now.”

“Actually.” I backed a step away. “Do you mind if I use the bathroom first?”

“Sure. I’ll just meet you in the front room when you’re done.”

“Deal.” I grinned big and slapped a kiss to his cheek before hurrying off.

As soon as I was in the bathroom, however, I closed my eyes wearily and pressed a hand to my side.

Swallowing down some nausea, I fumbled into my purse with shaking hands and unzipped the center pouch where half a dozen bottles were tucked away.

Thank goodness Parker hadn’t spottedthesewhen he’d gone snooping for my phone, or he definitely would’ve told Alec about them.

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