Page 93 of Silver Tears

I shake my head at him as he hands me my bra and top and we both dress. “It’s fine. Honestly. I knew we wouldn’t have long.”

He nods his head, watching me as we put our clothes on, and I wish I knew what he was thinking right now. He’s so experienced and I’m new to this. I wonder if it was any good for him or not?

We both sit side by side on the bed as we slip on our shoes and socks, and he takes my hand in his. “Thank you for choosing me to be your first. It means a lot that you trust me enough.”

I nod my head. I do trust him. I never thought I’d hear myself say that about Sebastian Collings, but I do. I trust him implicitly and I wanted it to be him. We head back out into the lounge and Rafe and Archer are gaming. If they knew what we were doing in there, they didn’t let on. When Seb announces we’re leaving, Archer just shouts bye and Rafe waves at us over his shoulder, his eyes not leaving the screen.

* * *

Before I know it, we’re pulling up outside my house. Seb pars up and turns to me. “Will you be okay?”

I nod my head. “I’ll be fine. Just look after Chops for me.”

“Of course,” he says without a hint of hesitation. “You know I’ll protect him no matter what, Mills. Now get some sleep. Archer can pick you up in the morning while I drop Charlie off at Peggy’s.”

“No need. I’ll drive in with Day.” I pause. “Thank you for everything tonight and over the last few days. I really appreciate it. I should go.”

I go to open the car door, but Seb grabs my arm and I pause, looking back over my shoulder at him. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says, leaning over and kissing my cheek. My emotions are all over the place as I enter inside the house and watch him drive away. I just had sex with an Ace, and I have no idea what that means now.

I enter the house and plan on sneaking quietly up the stairs, but Damon shouts me from the kitchen. Checking in the mirror that I don’t like I’ve just been rolling round in bed naked with Seb, I head his way.

“I thought I heard you come in,” Damon says from where he’s standing at the kitchen island making a sandwich. “Want one?”

I shake my head. “I’m good, thanks.”

He gestures to the bar stools for me to sit and I inwardly sigh. So much for sneaking upstairs.

“Everything okay with you?” Damon asks, his brow wrinkled as he watches me. I fidget under his gaze.

“Course, why wouldn’t it be?” I ask, giving him a big smile.

He shrugs his shoulders as he continues to study me. “I don’t know, you just look tired and pale these days. I don’t know why you insist on working two jobs. You know all you have to do is smile at dad and he’ll give you anything you want.”

Damon and Luca have always teased me about being daddy’s girl. They joke that I have always been able to get my way with him.

“I like working. It makes me feel independent. You should try it sometime,” I tease and Damon eyeballs me in response.

“I put plenty of time in working for dad and don’t you know it.” He bites into his sandwich and groans. “This is a five-star sandwich, sis. You sure you don’t want some?”

I shake my head.

“By the way, Ruby’s rang here twice tonight for you. She said you’re not answering her texts.”

I grimace remembering she’d text me and with everything going on I’d forgotten to reply. I’ll text her as soon as I get upstairs and offer a grovelling apology.

“Talking of Ruby, I saw the strangest thing the other day,” Damon says as he picks up the second slice of his mammoth butty. “I saw Ruby with Vee and Rafe; they didn’t see me. I was across the street in the phone shop. I didn’t realise those three were friends.”

Neither did I! Ruby hasn’t said anything to me about seeing any of Seb’s group outside of when she left that party with us that night. My mind flicks back to Seb saying his sister had his eye on her. “What were they doing?” I ask my brother, casually.

He bobs his shoulders. “No idea. They all got out of Rafe’s car and walked down the high street. They all looked comfortable with each other though, and they were laughing and chatting away.”

How odd. Looks like my friend has some explaining to do herself!

“I’m beat,” I announce, stretching and yawning. “As great as it is to sit here and watch you inhale that sandwich, I need my bed.”

Damon grins at me as he chews another mouthful. “You sure everything’s okay? You know you can come to me about anything?”

“I know that. I’m totally fine. Honest,” I tell him, the lie rolling so easily off my tongue. When did I become such a seasoned liar?

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