Page 161 of A Little Crush
“Problem?” he challenges as if I’ve personally offended him. Then again, maybe I have. He clearly takes his job seriously, and I just shit all over it. Not exactly a great way to butter him up in hopes of convincing the guy to give me my money back.
“Not on your end,” I rush out. “You see, it’s…it’s…”
“What’s the name?”
I force myself to look him in the eye again. “Name?”
“Well, since I don’t recognize you, I’m gonna assume we’re not discussing a bet you placed yourself. Name?”
“Virgil,” I choke out. “Virgil Reeves.”
“Reeves?” His brows pinch before recognition slips over his handsome features. “The old guy?”
My head bobs.
“Is he your dad or grandpa?”
“Sperm donor,” I clarify.
Understanding sparks as he reads between the lines of everything I’mnotsaying. “I have one of those.”
Those. As in, an individual genetically connected to you but not personally, and they sure as hell haven’t earned any familial titles such as father or daddy. Not even close.
“Don’t we all,” I grumble.
With a single nod, he squeezes the back of his neck. “Yeah, that’s a bitch.”
“It really is,” I agree.
“Unfortunately, I can’t help you.”
“Why not?” I ask.
“All bets are final.”
“Final?” I squeak. My vision blurs. “But I thought…”
“That because I also have a sperm donor I’d have a soft spot for you?” he finishes for me, not even bothering to hide his lack of empathy. “You’re from The Drift, right?” He doesn’t wait for my reply. “If I had a nickel for every sob story I heard from The Drift, I’d be a billionaire.” He smirks. “Oh, wait. I already am.” Something grabs his attention behind me. “Now, if you’ll excuse me?—”
“You don’t understand,” I rush out, too desperate to let him get away and end the conversation before hearing me out. “He used my money. It was mine?—”
“Like I said, all bets are final.”
“Yeah, but it wasn’t his money?—”
“Not my problem.”
My nostrils flare. “I understand it isn’t your problem, but?—”
“But it wasn’t his money,” he repeats, tossing my own words back at me.
“Exactly.”
He hesitates, giving me another once-over. “Sounds like he’s a bitch.”
A laugh escapes me, and I fight to control the hope swelling inside of me now that he’s finally giving me the time of day. “You have no idea.”
“Yeah, it’s a shame.” He sighs again, though this time it feels less annoyed and more…genuine, almost. “You’ll have to use a bank next time so he can’t access your shit.”
