Page 89 of Save Me
“Of you.” Was Belinda planning on reporting Sloane’s fire anyway? Probably, but I helped solidify that decision for her. I hesitate. “She propositioned me yesterday, and I turned her down, then showed up with you at dinner.”
Her jaw drops. “She hit on you? She’s your boss. That’s harassment. You can go to HR. You can have her fired?—”
“But I won’t. I’ve crossed more than my share of lines, including withher.”
Understanding fills Sloane’s face. “You’ve been with Belinda too.”
“Once,” I admit reluctantly. “Connor was there.”
“Of course he was,” she mutters. “You two are like a pair of dirty socks.”
I chuckle. “I don’t think I’ve ever been called that before.”
“Honestly, is thereanyoneyou haven’t slept with? Any one attractive woman in your life that youhaven’tfucked.” I can see the wheels in Sloane’s brain moving quickly as she asks that question. And then she gasps, and I know where this is going before the words are out.
“Oh my God. There was an article about you guys in Alaska. It actually named you. I can’t believe I didn’t connect the dots until now.”
My irritation flares. “That was a shitty hit piece of fabricated nonsense.” And it caused months of whispers and turmoil in all our lives. Even my mother heard about it and questioned me. That was an awkward conversation.
“So, it’s not true, then? You haven’t fucked Abbi?” Sloane watches me.
The denial is on my tongue. I’ve never admitted it out loud. Only Connor knows—because he was there—and even he doesn’t know about that last time, in Abbi and Henry’s cabin. “Do you really need to hear me say it?” Because I don’t want to lie to her.
She falters, as if taken aback. “So you literally have slept with every woman you’ve ever met. You know what, don’t answer that.” She holds a hand up to stop me. “Idon’t think I want to know.” Sloane wanders over to lean against the chain-link fence.
What’s going on inside that head of hers? Is she deciding if she can get past my track record?
I’ve never regretted a second of my life choices. Until now.
I edge in behind her, caging her in with my arms. We listen to the sprinklers watering the grass for a lengthy moment.
“If it makes you feel better, I only loved two of them,” I admit.
“It doesn’t.” After a beat, she asks, “Who?”
“Tasha and Abbi.”
“Does Henry know?”
“He does.”
“Bet he loves that.”
“He doesnot.” I rest my chin on her head and slip my arms around her, one hand settling low on her flat belly.
The sound of her breath catching cuts into the quiet night, and then her hand presses against mine, holding it there.
“I’m sorry about what Belinda did. I wish I knew how to fix it.” I wish I could fix everything for Sloane.
“You can’t. And my stupid little signs won’t help, but they make me feel better.”
“You want to hop the fence and go fuck on his green?” Because I know that will makemefeel better.
“He probably has cameras.” But humor laces her voice.
“ I know where they all are.” There’s no way I’d let that prick get off watching a video of Sloane and me.
She sinks back into my body. “I wish I had something more than old headlines to throw at him, something to really get under his skin.”
