Page 87 of A Fool's Game

“Well, that was a family dinner for the history books.”

“It was like reality TV or something,” Gemma huffs.

Taylor turns sharply to me, taking a step forward.

I instinctively step back.

“Boyfriend, huh?”

He’s not upset. If anything, he looks amused.

I knew I’d have to answer for my outburst sooner or later, but I didn’t expect it the second we were alone.

I shrug. “I just…” It's like the liquid courage from the wine evaporates from my veins all at once as I consider what to say.

That I've been feeling it for weeks?

That I've never felt more honest in my life?

That I’m terrified and confused and considering dropping out of college and running to the other side of the globe to hide from it all?

Instead of any of that, I say this. “I was pissed at him. I would have said anything to get under his skin.”

The flicker of shock and confusion flashes through Taylor’s eyes and is gone in a split second, but I saw it.

He takes a step back, and I want to rush forward.

To tell him I didn’t mean it.

But I don’t.

“Yeah,” he says, apparently letting it go. “The guy’s a piece of work. I can see why you’re so gun-shy all the time.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean, he’s got shit all figured out. And he seems pretty accustomed to everyone falling in line.”

I snort. “That about sums it up.”

“It makes the Victoria thing seem even stranger, honestly,” Gem muses from where she leans against the wall on the other side of the elevator.

Taylor nods. “I agree. It opens him up to so much criticism. As much as he can clearly defend himself, he doesn’t seem like a guy who necessarily wants to do that all the time.”

I nod at the observations. They mirror ones I had when I first stumbled upon the two of them together in my dad’s beach house. “Honestly, that’s why I’ve been so chill about the whole thing. I mean, other than the fact that there really wasn’t anything serious between Vicki and me. He was acting so unlike himself, I decided that must be what true love looks like. He was willing to burn his whole life to the ground to be with her. I mean, after all the drama of him finding out she’d been lying the whole time and bailing to go back to New York, planning on never speaking to her again and all.”

They both perk up at that, just as the elevator doors open to reveal our private rooftop patio.

“Now that sounds like a good story.”

It is a good story, but now’s not the time. “Maybe later, okay?”

Taylor slides his key in the door and holds it open as Gem walks into the gloriously chilly living room.He steps into the center of the doorway, however, when I try to pass. “We going to talk about this boyfriend thing instead?”

I give him a half-assed shove, but he holds his ground, glowering at me with amusement and…something else.

The heat that rushes through my body doesn't mix well with the belly full of rich food and wine. I have to get him off my case. “No, asshole, we’re going to talk about how Gemma broke down at dinner and accused my father of aiding in her mother’s death. We’re going to make sure she’s okay.”

He backs down immediately, stepping aside so I can pass. “Of course.”

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