Page 3 of Selfie

That catches him off guard. His expression softens, that little smile reappearing at the corner of his mouth. “You sure? Because this is a topic you get pretty huffy about.”

My baby sister, Charlie, is only eleven. Singing prodigy or not, I don’t want her swallowed up by the dangers of the music industry. Too many child stars have their lives ruined serving other people’s greedy agendas. I want Charlie to have a childhood.

As if he can read my mind like an open book, Nathan says, “We share the same worries, Spencer. I promise. I would never put her in harm’s way. Do you trust me?”

And I believe him. Truly. “I do.”

His nod is small.

“I mean with everything,” I add. “I want to tell you the truth.”

Nathan lifts his eyebrows, his forehead wrinkling. “What does that mean?”

“There’s something else that happened with Casey but it was hard to talk about.” I take a steadying breath, preparing myself to explain, but something he said a moment ago dawns on me. “Wait, you said you knew the real story.”

“Dawn slipped,” Nathan answers.

“So you know about the real reason I left school?”

He wets his lips with the tip of his tongue but doesn’t say anything. His silence is admission enough.

“And now that it’s all on the table, how do you feel about me?” I brush the stray hairs away from my eyes so nothing is obstructing my view of his handsome face. “Tell me the truth.”

“You first.” Nathan taps his phone, but his stare is locked on me. “Why did you lie?”

The timer for the hot tub jets expired and now there’s nothing but silence between us. For the longest time, we watch each other breathe. No words. Just chests rising and falling,wondering who is going to cave in this epic game of chicken we’ve had going on for months.

Me.I cave. But not because I’m the chicken.

I’m the brave one.

“Because I didn’t want you to see my scars. I wanted you to see the good version of me.”

“Spencer.” He says it like it’s a whole sentence, the look on his face is tormented.

When he doesn’t continue, I force myself to ask, “Why did you leave me on read? That hurt.”

He leans forward, his knee pressing into the side of my thigh. A faint whiff of his sweet, woodsy cologne tickles my nose. I’ve grown to love that smell—subtle, sensual, and leaves me missing it once it’s gone. “Casey was there. I just found out what he did and stormed out of the party when you texted me. I damn near had a heart attack. I couldn’t think straight. I got in the car and started driving. I needed to tell you in person.”

“Tell me what?”

“That I know what this picture means. I know what it must’ve taken for you to send it after everything you’ve been through. I’ll protect it.And you.You’re safe with me.”

After all the broody stares, eyerolls, and grunted one-word answers, I can’t believe this is the same man who caused me so much frustration, in every sense of the word.

“Okay.” It’s the only response I can muster and it comes out small and shaky. I don’t think Nathan notices because suddenly his eyes are tiptoeing down my chest.

“It’s a very nice picture.” His voice is husky and low.

“Are you going to keep it?”

He glances up to grin at me. “It’s already my wallpaper.”

One moment we’re both chuckling, and then his hand is on my shoulder. But that’s not enough. Leaning forward in his chair, he slips his hand underneath the short sleeve of mypajama top and finds my bra strap. “This okay?” he asks as he pulls the thin strap down my shoulder.

I can only nod. It’s too hard to speak with him touching my bare skin.

“Are you ready now?” Abandoning my bra strap, he grabs my hand and pulls my fingertips to his soft, cool lips.

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