Page 30 of My Favorite Secret
Ignoring the two of us, Harper heads inside the house.Since walking in on my party, she refuses to be anywhere near me. She isn’t dining with the family at mealtimes because I’m at the table. She’s barely saying a word to her parents. Her relationship with Tyler has completely broken down.
I don’t know what happened between Harper and my brother, other than I must have stirred up some shit for them by mentioning he enjoys my parties. The last I heard from Tyler was a phone call Saturday night while he drove back to the city, shouting at me for outing his summer fun to Harper. I have my work cut out for me to get back into my brother’s good graces, that’s for sure.
Speaking of the devil. An incoming call from Tyler lights up my phone.
I dry my hands on a nearby towel and place the phone to my ear. “Bro. Glad to hear from you. I’ll say it again, I fucked up. I’m sorry.”
“I’m still pissed off at you. But you also did me a massive favor. Harper is infuriating. I’m through with her.”
I’m no idiot. My brother may be angry with Harper but he’s not through with her. He’s just as addicted to Harper as I am. Except he’s got it worse than me because he’s also in love with the girl.
I don’t do love.
Love is a weakness.
All I want is to fuck Harper, own her body in every way, then move on to the next best thing when I’m bored.
“Game of poker when I get back to the city to make everything right between us?” I ask.
“Sure. Poker sounds good. Call me when you’re back in Manhattan. It’s not like I’m trying to stay in Harper’s good books anymore.”
He’ll cool off with time and be back by her side. I don’tspeak the thought out loud, because truth be told, I want him on my side, not Harper’s. I want our speakeasy to become a solidified plan for the future. With Harper controlling him, that can’t happen.
As soon as I end the call, the back door opens and Clara marches across the pool area to where me and Theo are relaxing.
“This is the mom?” Theo smirks. I nod in response. From the slant in his lips, I know he’s thinking what everyone does—that she’d look good naked.
Clara is dressed in a white business suit and her heels click along the tiled ground. She places a handbag and car keys on the same table Theo has his feet on. “Put your feet on the ground now, young man.”
He sends her a charming smile. “As you wish, madam.”
She scowls at him, then turns to me. “Felix, I never said you could invite a friend over.”
I lean back in the spa, spreading my arms along the ledge, and smile at her too. “Didn’t realize I needed to ask your permission. But don’t worry. Theo is a business associate. Not a friend.”
Clara looks him over, unimpressed, probably assuming I’m referring to the “ecstasy” I was supposed to be expelled for. “Whoever you are, you need to leave right now. You’re not welcome on this property.”
I nod for Theo to take the easy route and leave. He already achieved what he came here to do—drop off the eclipse. “We’ll catch up in the city, man.”
“Be good, Blackwood.” He winks at me, mocking the new family lifestyle I’ve been forced into, then walks off.
Clara clicks her fingers, commanding my attention back to her. “I don’t want drug dealers anywhere near this family. Have you completed your schoolwork?”
I smile at her, fanning my arms through the water. “Sure.”
She sighs, not believing the lie. “Felix, you shouldn’t be relaxing in the spa unless all of your work is done for the day.”
I don’t do schoolwork, but I’m not wasting my time telling Clara that, and instead climb out of the water, wrap a towel around myself, and head for the house.
“Don’t walk away from me. I’m not done speaking.”
“Okay, Mom, let’s hear it.”
She watches me for a long moment, apparently choosing her battles, and decides to let this one drop. “I have a favor to ask of you. I’m about to take Harper to the ballet studio for the afternoon. I need to drive to the city to deal with an issue about my upcoming exhibition. It will be a stretch for me to drive back in time to pick up Harper. Thomas is busy with video conference calls all afternoon for work. Can you please collect Harper from the studio at five?”
“You must be desperate if you’re asking for my help. Harper won’t be pleased to see me.” I continue toward the house, calling over my shoulder, “I have plans.”
“Which include?”
