Chapter 35
Talon
Ifell asleep sated, sore, and ridiculously happy.
After coming harder than I ever have in my entire life, I enveloped Zeke in my arms and held my entire world as we drifted off to sleep.
In fact, sleep consumed me so quickly that I barely had a chance to process the giant step we’d just taken.
It felt so right, so good, so obviously the next step, that it being my first time with a guy, and my first time doing that, didn’t really register.
My phone buzzes on my nightstand, and I wonder if that’s what woke me in the first place.
Zeke is still sound asleep next to me, looking even younger than usual with his glasses off and his features relaxed.
I reach over, about to silence my phone, when I see the call is from Eloise.
“El, it’s like six in the morning,” I say in greeting, rolling away from Zeke so I don’t wake him.
“Tal, it’s not good.”
“What’s not good?” I ask, slipping from the bed altogether at my sister’s tone of voice.
This feels like fucking déjà vu except it’s Eloise’s voice on the phone instead of Rebecca’s name and a text.
“I don’t know who ran their mouth, but when Zeke finds out, he’s going to be crushed.”
“Finds what out, El? Jesus, I’m still half asleep here! What’s going on?” I’m yelling in a whisper, growing more panicked by the second.
My text alert pings in my ear, and I check the screen.
It’s a link to a news article from a publication that is very popular in our social circle. My entire family subscribes, as do most of our colleagues. The article is titled Billionaire’s New Beau?
I stop breathing as my eyes scan the article.
Does billionaire Christian Devereaux have a new love interest?
It would certainly seem so. After being spotted at his beloved theater last night with a gorgeous, albeit young, man on his arm, questions abound.
The couple was seen sharing a kiss in front of the theater after the production.
Sorry, ladies, it seems New York’s most eligible bachelor and property mogul has chosen a different path.
Sources tell us Christian has been out west securing a new property, and that’s where the two reportedly met.
Not much information could be found about the man on Devereaux’s arm. At least for now, twenty-two-year-old Zeke Hastings remains a mystery.
“WHO THE FUCK DID THIS?” I bellow, certainly waking Zeke up with my outburst.
“I don’t know, Tal, but how are we going to protect Zeke?
Not to be outdone, other sources are catching on, and the articles are getting uglier.
I’ve been telling you for years that you’re this city’s golden boy,” Eloise says.
“People are protective of you, which means they’re going to rake him over the coals. ”
I’m so tired of being woken up like this.
First, the texts about Derek after Zeke and I’s first night together, and now this bullshit.
Every time we take a step forward, the universe is there trying to push us backward.
Instead of taking it as some sign that we’re not supposed to be together, however, I’m choosing to believe it means we’re going to do incredible things together and we’re making some evil cosmic force nervous.
But seriously, can we not have one morning to bask in our happiness?
“Shit, El. They printed his name.”
“And they outed you,” she reminds me.
“I honestly don’t care about that. I outed myself when I kissed him in public, but this is something else entirely.”
Coffee. I need coffee.
Making my way into the kitchen, I see the playbill from last night on the counter.
Last night.
Dahlia.
Eloise starts on the plan of action.
“I’ll call Mom and Dad an—”
“It was Dahlia,” I say, cutting her off.
“Dahlia? Are you sure? How does she even know you’re home?”
“We ran into her last night at the theater. She said she’d heard through the grapevine that I was going to be there.”
“What a bitch. You know I hate her, right?”
“El, I’ll call you back, and thanks for letting me know.”
My hands shake as I go through the motions of starting the coffeemaker, so once I hit the button, I plant them on the counter, trying to collect myself before I make the next call.
But it’s no use.
I’m vibrating with rage as I hit the green button to connect.
It goes to Dahlia’s voicemail.
She’s either asleep or she’s avoiding me because she knows she fucked up.
I call again.
And again.
And again.
Finally, on the fifth try, she answers, her voice thick with sleep.
“Talon?”
“What the fuck is wrong with you, Dahlia? Are you really so jealous, petty, and insecure that you would go to the fucking media with my personal business because your feelings got hurt when I chose someone else over you? Do you have any idea what you’ve done, you heartless bitch?
” There’s a pause on the other end of the line, and my anger only increases.
Realizing I don’t actually want to hear any of her well-rehearsed lies, I add, “You’ll be hearing from my attorney,” and I hang up the phone.
“Talon?” Zeke calls from the hallway. “Are you okay?”
I’m on him as soon as he steps into the kitchen wearing black sweatpants and my Harvard hoodie. It’s the same hoodie he wore home from the hospital and the only one I’ve seen him wear since.
He’s so warm and solid against me, I melt into him easily, even though he’s smaller than me. Smaller, but stronger in so many ways.
“Coffee’s brewing. Should be ready in a few minutes,” I tell him, stalling.
“Why were you yelling?”
“I’m sorry I woke you,” I deflect.
“Talon, what’s going on?” he asks, getting frustrated with my evasion tactics.
“Dahlia loves drama. Thrives on it, actually. Because of that, she has a lot of resources in various media outlets,” I explain.
“Oookaaay,” Zeke says, drawing the word out. His brows are pinched together as he takes a seat on one of the barstools at the counter. “What does that have to do with you?”
“She’s angry with me for choosing you,” I say bluntly. “To get back at me, she’s selling my name to the highest bidder, and she’s putting a target on your back.” I open the article Eloise sent to me and hand him my phone.
“Okay, that’s not so bad,” he says rationally after reading the article.
“Zeke, they printed your name,” I point out, taking my phone back before he can scroll through the comments.
He shrugs. “I’m not embarrassed. And yeah, I’m younger than you, but neither of us can help that.”
He doesn’t get it, but I choose not to bring up the biggest issue here. I don’t want to burden him with the knowledge yet. Not so soon after what we shared last night.
Forcing a smile, I pour him a cup of coffee and slide it across the bar to him.
“Nonetheless, I need to speak with my attorney and my parents. Are you okay just hanging out here this morning?”
“As long as I’m with you, I’m content doing anything,” he replies. “How are you feeling after last night?” he asks before I turn to go.
“Complete,” I tell him honestly.
“Any residual pain?” he asks, more than a little concerned.
“Only the good kind,” I reassure him. “Zeke, you were perfect. I will remember last night for the rest of my life, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it.” I kiss his temple. “Please help yourself to anything in the fridge or pantry, and if nothing looks good, let me know, and we can order in.”
I hate to do it, but I leave him in the kitchen as I make my way to my office, thankful for the space and soundproof walls.
My first call is to my attorney.
“Jackie, it’s Talon,” I say when she answers the phone.
“I know, Talon. I’ve been taking your calls for twelve years,” she says, telling me she’s already annoyed with me for calling so early on a Saturday.
“Look, my ex ran her mouth to the media, and they’ve published Zeke’s name. I need a cease and desist drawn up,” I tell her. Jackie is the head of the legal team tasked with monitoring Derek’s restraining order. She’s well aware of who Zeke is by now.
Jackie sighs on the other end of the line.
“Did they lie?” she asks, and I can picture her pinching the bridge of her nose.
“No, but—”
“Did they print any explicit or private photos?”
“No, but—”
“Did they threaten him in any way?”
“No.”
“Then what exactly are you so pissed off about?” she asks.
“They published his name.”
“I hate to break it to you, Talon, but he’s an adult. His name is fair game.”
A growl tears from my throat. Does no one understand the issue here?
Unfortunately, she’s right, and if I’m going to lose my shit on someone, I definitely don’t want it to be on Jackie.
“Understood. Sorry for waking you.”
I hang up and send a text to my family. I should’ve started with them anyway. They’ll help me through this mess. They always do.
Me
I need to move dinner to lunch. Zeke and I are coming over at noon. Shit’s about to hit the fan.
Looks like I’ll be enlightening everyone about what a big fucking deal this is all at the same time.