Page 81 of Living on the Edge

Take care of her.

But to what end?

In some ways, I’m too old, with so much baggage, it doesn’t feel like it would be fair to her to ask her to…what? Be my girlfriend? Get into a relationship? Come on tour with me? None of that would be easy or… Or what? Fair? My life is currently a shit show, and I’ll just drag her down with me, especially if things go south with the band.

I didn’t think this could ever happen, but things are off-kilter and I don’t know how to fix them. My family life is a disaster too, since it doesn’t appear that anyone is speaking to me other than Alden. The fans haven’t been overly concerned about my connection to the Hollingsworth family, but we aren’t that big yet.

If we do hit, that could change.

The warm water sluices over us, and I realize that Ryleigh is nestled against my chest, much like she’d done when we were in bed, and it’s so natural I barely noticed. I’m not sure it’s necessarily a bad thing, that being together is so effortless, but I’m not the kind of guy who does relationships.

Am I?

She’s so young and mostly unburdened by the negative aspects of life in the public eye. She struggles a bit financially, but her life is pretty good otherwise. If she’s with me, that will change. She won’t be able to go anywhere without being recognized as a woman dating the Hollingsworth heir. Changing my name won’t matter in that regard. I’m still August Hollingsworth as far as the public is concerned.

I know she could handle it—the question is whether or not I want to pull her in.

“Why are you so quiet?” she asks, gazing up at me. “You’re not thinking about running again, are you?

I want to laugh and make a joke, but I don’t have it in me. And she deserves better. She deserves honesty—something I didn’t afford my band or my family.

“I feel like we need to talk about…this.”

Because it’s suddenly all I can think about.

Being with her.

Making this official.

Or something.

I don’t quite understand it, but I’m crazy about her.

“This?” She cocks her head.

“We both know what’s happening here has the potential to be more than sex.”

“Okay.” She seems a little surprised but not opposed to the idea. “I thought you don’t do that?”

“I don’t.”

She squints. “I’m not sure where you’re going with this. Do you want to date or not?”

“You know what’s going to happen if we go public as a couple, right?” I ask. “Even if we’re keeping it casual.”

“Women everywhere will be heartbroken that you’re off the market?”

“I’m being serious, Ryleigh.”

“So am I. What’s going to happen if we start dating?”

“No matter what I’ve done to change my identity, or how hard I try to stay away from Holland-Burke Pharmaceuticals, I’m still August Hollingsworth, the third. I’m still the first-born son of August Hollingsworth, Jr. Do you have any idea what it’s going to mean if word gets out that you’re my girlfriend?”

Chapter24

Ryleigh

He wantsme to be his girlfriend?

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