Page 132 of Heart Sick Hate

“Not sure how I feel about the two of you being so buddy-buddy all of a sudden.”

I just shrug. As close as I am with Fel and Maren, Lakeyn is the only person who really understands what’s going on right now. Beyond my personal trauma, the Kingsley family has been rocked to the foundation with the loss of Rhett, and the revelation of all his secrets.

Crew, Adam, and their father are still trying to process all the awful things he did. For years they all believed an outside enemy killed their mother, but it was her own eight-year-old son.

Nothing erases that kind of pain, and nothing logical explains it. He was sick, and he did things beyond comprehension.

Lakeyn has been there for me like the sister I never had, and we’ve grown close because of it. She’s been helping Adam through the same things I’m dealing with when it comes to Crew.

Kingsley men aren’t great with their emotions.

And their father isn’t dealing with anything. He holed away after that night and still hasn’t left the house. If it weren’t for Adam still running the family business,I’m pretty sure his entire empire would have started to crumble.

“You should call him.” I wrap my arms up around Crew’s neck. “I know you guys haven’t been close, but there’s no one who understands what he’s going through except for you and Adam.”

“Then let Adam do it.”

“He is.” Lakeyn said he had been there earlier this week. “But he might need both his sons right now, Crew.”

“He’s not innocent.”

“I understand.” I’m still unsure how I feel about him myself given the eight-year arrangement our fathers had regarding mine and Rhett’s relationship. “But I don’t want you living with any more regrets. So just consider it for me, okay?”

Crew tips his head back and lets out a groan. And when he lowers his face back to me, he rests his forehead on mine. “Fine.”

“Thank you.” I kiss his lips. Once. Twice.

“You’re still too sweet for me, you know that?” He kisses me back, this one deeper. His fingers dig into my lower back, and he pulls my body flush with his.

When he breaks it, I can’t help that I’m catching my breath, and my mind is spinning.

“I’m aware.” I brush my nose back and forth, grazing his. “Guess you’re going to have to dirty me up then.”

“Fuck, that’s it.” He releases me and grabs my hand, tugging me to the door.

“Hey,” Maren yells behind us. “Where are you two going?”

“Home.” Crew doesn’t even look back as he pulls me from the shop.

“Sorry.” I wave at her and Fel, but I can’t stop laughing. “We’ll catch up later.”

Right now, I’m going home with my boyfriend. And there’s no place I’d rather be.

Epilogue

Crew

“Where are we going?”Echo’s devious little smile is so gentle and cute. She tries to use it to balance her wicked edge, but I know the real her. She’s secretly hoping I’m taking her somewhere to slam her against a brick wall and fuck her.

Not tonight. As much as she enjoys it when I bend her over where anyone can catch us, we have somewhere to be.

“I need to ask you something.” I tug her hand, pulling her around the corner, surprised she hasn’t figured out where we’re headed.

It’s probably more that she doesn’t expect it.

She pops her gum, looking a little nervous at my answer—quiet as she lets me lead her to the shop—onlypausing once we’re standing directly in front of the blinkingClosedsign for Twisted Roses.

“Work?” She frowns.

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