Page 4 of Just Trouble

I wonder then what he has planned.

But Luke is done. He rises to his feet, shaking his head, exuding disappointment. “I’ve got to say, Daph, that I was hoping you’d at least listen, but I guess you know which side your bread is buttered on.”

“What does that mean?” I ask, bristling, even though I know.

“That I knew he owned most of the town. I didn’t think he owned everyone in it. Someone has to think Patrick isn’t all that, and I expected Abbie’s friend to be on my side. You used to be interested in what wasright.” He shrugs and reaches for his helmet, not even seeing how that barb hits home. “But I was wrong. My mistake. Have a great day.” He turns away and I can’t stand it.

“Tell me,” I invite and Luke glances back.

“Why?” His eyes narrow. “Going to bill me for it?”

“Not unless it takes you an hour to explain.”

He hesitates only a moment then returns to his seat. To my surprise, Luke doesn’t launch into an explanation but sits there, tapping his fingertips on one knee. I expected him to have a smooth story prepared, that there would be patter and persuasion, but he seems to be having a hard time choosing where to start. I wait, mustering my own defenses, knowing that if he tries to charm me, my moat will be breached and my drawbridge will fall.

The gates will burn.

If he doesn’t try to charm me, I’ll once again feel like the only female on the planet who doesn’t interest him.

I remind myself that I don’t care, then he looks up suddenly again, and our gazes lock.

Caught.

“Once upon a time,” he begins in his low rough drawl. I’m surprised by his choice of beginning—but not as surprised as what he says next. “I was a dick.”

“You might still be,” I say without thinking about it, then bite my lip.

Luke grins, though, untroubled. “You sound like Abbie, or does she sound like you?”

I shrug. “I suppose you have an example to illustrate your point.”

“Brr, Daph. It’s cold in here.” He pretends to shiver and I just wait until he gives it up with a shrug.

I will not be teased.

“A good example,” Luke acknowledges then, averting his gaze. He looks uncomfortable with the confession he’s started to make, which is interesting. I never thought Luke had regrets. I thought that was his anthem, in fact.Never look back. Never apologize.

Maybe hehaschanged.

“The articles governing Cavendish Enterprises were drawn up when we were in high school,” he says, changing direction so abruptly that I frown.

“I remember. My dad put in a lot of hours on them.”

“And Patrick gathered everyone together, even yours truly, to walk us through the way he’d endowed his three older legitimate sons with all the power for the future. He made sure Abbie understood that she was cut out of the deal because of her gender. There was zero doubt that I was omitted because I’m not a real son.”

“You look real enough to me.”

“‘Born out of wedlock’ was Patrick’s dismissal, as if my existence had nothing to do with him.”

I nod. It doesn’t make sense to me that Patrick has had affairs whenever and wherever he chooses, but he never thinks that any children who result from those relationships are his responsibility. He doesn’t even treat them as his kids. He certainly doesn’t pay support to their mothers. Everything Luke inherited from the wealthy Cavendishes was genetic.

I realize again that he doesn’t sound resentful. “You used to be really angry about that.”

“I did. I hated him. Still do, actually, but the difference is that someone pointed out that I was acting a lot like him.” His brows rise as his gaze swivels to mine. “Ouch.”

I don’t believe it. “You?”

“Me. I was accused of taking what I wanted and not caring how much that cost anyone else.” He grimaces. “It’s not untrue, although if people voluntarily offer something and you take it, I’m not sure how much obligation you have beyond any good time you have together.”

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