Page 6 of Austin
“They seem to be okay with Whitney’s lifestyle.” Her sister tended bar in Marietta and wasn’t shy about having a good time.
“That’s Marietta, and that’s Whitney.”
Good point. Marietta was a small, warm place compared to the Biggest Little City and Kristen was book smart rather than street smart. “What kind of roadblocks have you run into?”
“That’s not the issue.”
“Yeah. I think it is.” He caught the flash of something that looked a lot like annoyance in her eyes—there then gone—and wondered if it was because he’d dared to question her. “Maybe I’m worried about your wellbeing,” he said softly.
Her lips parted and, heaven help him, he couldn’t help but notice how sexy her mouth was. Soft pouty lips that promised…well…many things. “You’re telling me that you came back to the casino because you were concerned about my wellbeing—not because you wanted to catch me in a lie?”
“The lie was a big part of it.” He let out a soft snort. “I mean, come on, Kristen. That isnota normal thing to do.”
“It is if you’re desperate.” Kristen closed her mouth, hard, giving Austin the impression that the words had slipped out before she could stop them. It was a good bet that was exactly what had happened.
“Do you want help?” The words came out automatically, and even though he cursed himself for saying them, knowing full well she’d throw them back at him, he couldn’t help making the offer.
Kristen dropped her gaze to her lap, her lush mouth tightening as she battled it out in her head. She finally drew in a deep breath, as if steeling herself, then brought her chin up and leveled a long look at him. “The way you can help most is to not cause my family worry. Don’t get revenge on me in this way.”
That pissed him off—especially after he’d offered to help. “This isn’t about revenge, Kristen.”
She didn’t look as if she believed him, but she let it go without an argument. “Then please just let things be.”
“I’m not promising anything one way or the other.” He had a feeling that Whitney would want to know that her sister’s life wasn’t all roses, and this situation was strange enough that he was going to mull it over before making any promises. But the fact that she assumed he’d tell might get her to do the right thing. Soon. “I’ll give you a couple days. That’s all I’ll promise.” He reached for the handle and shoved the door open.
“Austin…”
“A couple of days.” He shut the door, then leaned down to give Kristen one last look through the open window. “Have a good life, Kris. I hope it gets better.”
*
Austin stalked towardthe entrance of the Legacy, moving with an unconscious grace despite being angry and favoring his right leg. And to think he’d once been fodder for her fantasies. Kristen popped a fist onto the steering wheel, then jumped when the horn sounded. Austin looked back, but she refused to make eye contact as she put the car in gear and pulled away from the curb.
Some nights were better than others.
This night was a crapfest.
What the hell was she going to do now?
Tell the family. What else?
Her temples started throbbing as she stopped at a light. Her dad would understand—eventually, although it wouldn’t be pretty in the beginning—because he was also a driven overachiever. But her mom…her mom wasnotgoing to understand. The Alexanders had raised their girls to do the right thing. Kristen had failed them, which made her feel sick inside.
She drove home on autopilot, glad to see that the spot where her roommate’s boyfriend parked was empty…although at least this boyfriend wore clothes. Nothing started the old blood pumping like stepping out of the bedroom in the wee hours and being confronted by a naked guy.
Except for a confrontation with Austin Harding.
That had got her blood pumping, and it was the reason she wouldn’t be sleeping tonight.
Would he tell Whitney?
He might—in a couple of days. She had that. She fully believed he would give her the promised time because, unless he’d changed a lot, that was the kind of guy Austin was. He had a code.
Kristen let herself into the apartment and locked the door before dropping her tote bag on the sofa. The situation would not get better on its own. She had to reconcile her lie. Now. Before it got worse. She’d call home. Confess. As she should have done when she’d first gotten laid off.
Whitney was going to hate her. She’d never kept anything from her twin, except this, and Whitney wasn’t going to be sympathetic to the didn’t-want-to-stress-the-family argument.
Kristen went into the kitchen and poured a glass of water, then went back to the sofa and sat in the semi-darkness. Her feet hurt. Her head hurt. Her life was spiraling out of her control.
