Page 61 of The Art of Deception

“I believe you,” I tell him as I pick up a strawberry and shove it into my mouth. The hint of sweetness, teamed with the juicy, refreshing tang, brings my tastebuds alive.

He finally smiles. “Eat. Have a snack, then we’ll go pick up Levi from school in the Chevy. What do you say?”

I swallow the delicious fruit as excitement builds inside of me. “He will love that. He’s had some issues at school of late, so you picking him up is exactly what he needs. He’s missed you as well.”

“I’ve missed him, too.”

Suddenly, his phone starts ringing, and he groans as he stares at the screen. “Shit…” He hesitates, glances at me, exhales, then swipes the screen. “Dad, before you start—” He abruptly stops as I hear yelling on the other end of the line, but it’s too muffled for me to make out what his father is actually saying.

Xander rolls his eyes while slumping into the sofa. He’s annoyed at the world right now.

I sit back.What is he being yelled at for?I guess it’s because he’s here with me instead of at work.

He exhales just before the yelling stops. “Are you done?” He shakes his head. “The thing is, Dad… I slog every day for you, tireless hours, working my ass off doing the asshole jobs, and when I want to take some time for me, you blow up in my damn ear.”

The yelling starts again, making me gnaw down on my bottom lip. I slide my hand onto Xander’s thigh to show him I’m hereto support him as his hand moves out, entwining our fingers together.

“Well, that might be true, but, in any case, I’m taking the rest of the day, too. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He ends the call abruptly, and my eyes widen in shock.

I would never have hung up on my father.

His relationship with his parents is so different from mine.

He groans, running his free hand through his hair as he glances at me. “Sorry, you shouldn’t have to hear that.”

The corner of my lips turns up. “Xander, we’re part of each other’s lives now. I’m going to see every bit of your life. Even the crappy business-side with your father. So, don’t hide anything from me, please.”

He exhales. “I wish you didn’t have to meet them…” He exhales heavily, and I can tell he’s struggling. “I guess Mom’s okay, but Dad? Dad’s going to have a damn field day with this.”

Tensing, I guess I hadn’t thought about the fact that I’m going to have to meet his father, the real man who started the chain of events that caused me to lose Hope & Faith Ink. I’m only just dealing with the fact that Xander had a hand in it.How will I go meeting the man who was actually, mostly responsible for it?

Xander leans in pressing his lips to my forehead. “But we can do it at your own pace. I’m not going to make you meet them until you’re ready.” Sighing as he pulls back, I relax a little further, feeling more at ease.

“Thank you. Meeting the parents is such a huge thing, and now we’re going to have to tell them we’re pregnant as well. Yeah, great first impression.Not!”

He chuckles a little. “Well, Mom will be happy about the baby. She’s been at me about a grandchild for years.”

I snort. “Years?”

He nods. “Years. Practically from when I was old enough to date.”

I giggle. “I’m gonna like your mom.”

“I agree. But for now, we got to pick up Levi. He’s the most important one in this. I don’t want to miss him walking out of school.”

My heart fills with joy. I love the fact he’s so eager to see my brother. The connection they share is real. I see that now.

“Okay, let’s go. He’s gonna be so excited.” I pull out my keys. The key chain dangles, and Xander smirks, his hand reaching out to grab the keys from me.

“Nice cheap-ass keyring you got there,” he teases, his smirk infectious as we head for the exit.

I can’t help but smile, watching his face light up with the realization that I kept the cherry blossom keyring he gave me.

How could I not?

It’s Swarovski—with diamonds!

Plus, the sentiment behind it was actually really fucking touching. There is just no way in hell I would have admitted that at the time.

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