Page 121 of Puck with Karma
I try to think back to my time with Wesley. It feels like it happened ages ago, and I don’t even remember much anymore. It’s as if I blocked everything from my past as soon as my heart fell for Xander.
“Wesley is a great guy,” I try to explain, smiling when Xander rolls his eyes at me. “He really is!” I jokingly smack his arm. “We were pushed together by my parents, who thought we’d be a great match.”
“Very medieval of them,” Xander deadpans.
The smile dies on my lips as I think back at all the ways my parents basically blackmailed me into doing what they thought I should be doing.
“I wanted to be a sports agent for as long as I can remember.”
Xander’s face becomes serious as well, like he can sense that what I am about to tell him is no joking matter.
“Brandon left home when I was really young. He and my parents had this huge fallout. He wanted to play professional hockey, it was his dream…”
I smile as I think back to the times when I attended Brandon’s games when he was in high school.
“My parents loved all the praise Brandon was getting. They were the main attraction in some circles.” The smile does on my face. “But not in certain circles that they aspired to be a part of. Old money doesn’t like anything that involves physical endeavors. And despite my grandfather having made a name for himself back in the day, it still wasn’t enough for what my mother aspired to be.”
“Physical endeavors?” Xander snorts.
“I don’t know what else to call them.” I look away, unable to meet his eyes. “They wanted their children to have respectable jobs, leading billion dollar corporations, marrying well in my case…”
“I really hope the point of you sharing all this is to tell me you were never in love with this Wesley character.”
The tone of his voice is light, and like he wants to cheer me up, but I can also sense a bit of tension. He is worried about what my answer will be.
“We’ve never been in love,” I whisper. “But…”
Xander’s entire body tenses at my hesitation.
“We are very good friends. Me and Wesley. And I promised him that I’d invest into his business.”
Xander watches me for the longest time, the intensity of his gaze feeling like a burn into my skin.
“Is this something I should be worried about?”
I let out a long breath of air. The pressure in my chest is too much. I’m not quite sure why this is getting to me.
“It’s my money,” I snap at him, even though my voice still sounds soft. “I can do whatever I want with it.”
Xander’s chest moves with the burst of laughter he lets out.
“I don’t give a fuck about your money. Give it all away for all I care. I am asking if I need to worry about your relationship with him. Are there feelings involved? At all?”
His questions make me feel incredibly emotional. Not that I want him to go all overbearing jealous boyfriend on me, but I do love that he cares enough about it to worry.
I sit up in bed and turn sideways so I can see him better. With trembling fingers I touch his arm, outlining the muscle definition, before moving up and touching his lips.
“I’ve only ever been in love with one man.” I am proud of how strong my voice sounds when I say the words.
A small smile forms in the corners of Xander’s lips. “Ever?”
“Most definitely ever,” I confirm.
He moves his head until his lips reach my fingers.
“Is it safe to assume you’re still in love with that same man?”
“No doubt.”
