Chapter 14
EASTON
Same day
O nce we’re on the garage level, I flick on the lights and move to the safe. I press my thumb against the pad and it unlocks, revealing the glittering keys to the cars. There are almost too many to choose from.
“How about the Charger tonight?” she asks, running her hand across the freshly waxed black paint.
“I’m a mood driver. And that one is …” I pause, knowing what it represents as I glance back at her. “ Fitting .”
I laugh and walk toward her, twirling the key ring around my finger. She holds out her palm.
“That’s a no.”
“You’re smart for saying no. I’d have driven it like I’d stolen it.”
“I know you would’ve,” I tell her, knowing she wouldn’t go easy. It’s not in her nature.
I unlock the car and open the passenger door, and she struts over, sliding against the smooth black leather seat. The hint of citrus on her skin drives me fucking crazy as I shut the door.
When inside, I insert the key into the ignition and turn. The engine growls, and I love the feel of the thick steering wheel under my grip.
I turn to her. “Are you ready?”
Alexis nods and I push in the clutch, revving the engine, warming it up, and slipping it into first gear. It feels like butter.
She laughs. The smile on her face is so damn genuine, and I love to see it. “This is a fuck around and find out kind of car.”
“I only drive it when I’m searching for trouble.”
“Mmm. That explains a lot .” Her brow arches. “I think I chose wisely.”
“Absolutely.”
I scan my card and the garage door opens to the paparazzi standing at the end of the street, snapping photos of us as we leave.
In the rearview, Brody pulls up behind me in his blacked-out Range Rover.
I burn off into the street, peeling out, leaving rubber and smoke behind.
I almost forgot how powerful this car is.
“They’ve been waiting since we arrived on the bike?” Lexi asks, glancing behind us in the side mirror.
“Yes. They never tire. Twenty-four hours a day, they’re ready to follow me wherever I go.”
“Why?” she asks, not understanding.
“The general public has been obsessed with my family since before I existed. We’re considered American royalty.”
“And you hate it,” she says.
She knows I do. It’s clear.
I glance over at her. “You’re now being followed after that show you gave them last night.”
She doesn’t meet my eyes, but I notice the smile playing on her lips. “It was a stage kiss .”
My hand rests on the knob of the shifter as I move into second gear. “Do you slide your tongue into all of your costars’ mouths?”
“A job is a job.”
“When we’re married, that stops immediately,” I say, meaning every word. No way in hell will I allow that with anyone else. Pretend or not.
“If,” she corrects. “ If .”
As we turn onto another street, Lexi rolls down the window, holding her hair in her hand so it doesn’t blow around the car.
“Earlier, Carlee told me you’d break my heart without any fucks given and that I should be prepared.”
“That’s true,” she says, but I see her pulse quicken in her neck.
Is she concerned about what I know?
“I believe her. You’re a goddamn tiger. You look sweet and innocent, but”—I shake my head—“fierce.”
She looks pleased. “Guess you have me figured out.”
“Carlee also mentioned that you’ve been speed-dating people and dumping them after one date. So, I guess I’ve already beaten your record.”
She groans. “I’m seriously having a long conversation with her when I get home. But technically, by my count, this is our first date. Yesterday, I was tricked. Tonight, I chose to be here. I warned you earlier that you’d better make it good. I meant it.”
“I know you did.”
When we’re twenty minutes from the venue, I can tell she wants to say something. “What’s on your mind?”
“Won’t people recognize I don’t know shit about you?”
I shake my head. “No, they’re used to the new flings trying to chase clout.”
“Ahh.” She nods and smiles. “So, they’ll think I’m disposable?”
“Yes. Most of the conversations will be surface level. If you last past the expiration date, they’ll know we’re serious. They all know about my two-week rule. It’s like Fight Club—no one talks about it, but everyone knows.”
She looks horrified. “And how many hearts have you broken?”
“Too many to count. I’m not proud of what I’ve done; I’m just determined to find what I’m searching for. Maybe you’re right though. Maybe love doesn’t exist.”
The car grows silent again.
“I did date someone long-term,” I offer. It’s the reason this began. “She was a princess.”
Her mouth falls open. “ Actual royalty?”
“Yes,” I admit. “Our parents fabricated it, and I didn’t realize it was fake until I caught her with someone else.”
“Is … is that why you thought someone sent me to your room?”
I grip the steering wheel a little tighter. I was hoping she’d forgotten about that.
“Yes. I was the main character of a gigantic publicity stunt when I started dating Adela. Millions of women became interested in my love life overnight, and it hasn’t stopped.
I fell in love with her, and it was used against me.
It’s why I have trust issues and avoid relationships.
I never know if what I have with someone is a setup or if I’m being chased because of what I can give them.
No one wants me, only the things that come from being with me. ”
Lexi keeps her gaze locked in on me and her brows pinch together. “I’m really sorry that happened to you. It’s not fair, and I can’t imagine going through that. I’d have trust issues too.”
“Thank you,” I say. “So, now I’m known as a serial dater. Honestly, removing that title is welcome,” I admit. “But what about you, Little Miss Anti-Love? What happened?”
She glances out the window for a brief moment, almost like she’s replaying the memories. I can tell they’re painful.
“I learned he had another life with another woman in the town over. We had been high school sweethearts. I’d thought I loved him.” I hear the sadness in her voice.
“I’m sorry,” I offer.
“To me, him doing that to me—the woman he was supposed to be madly in love with—was proof that true love didn’t exist. It just didn’t make any sense how I could care so deeply for someone and believe they felt the same while living a lie.
Or maybe I was the one who was lost in the make-believe?
Love might have blinded me, but my eyes are wide open now.
And don’t even get me started on trust issues. ”
This saddens but also angers me. I wonder what she was like before that experience hardened her. Probably happy.
“I look forward to sending him a wedding invitation … if the auditions go well.”
“That would be petty.”
I smirk. “You’re right. But I don’t give a fuck either.”
This makes her smile. “Without that breakup, I wouldn’t be back in New York.”
“Hey, Siri,” I say.
“Yes, sir ?”
Lexi chews on the corner of her lip as I continue, but I see her face soften.
“Please add a reminder to my to-do list. Send Lexi’s ex-boyfriend a thank you and get fucked card in two weeks.” I shoot her a wink.
“You have your Siri call you sir ? That’s very Mr. Grey of you.”
“It’s easier than having her blast my name to whoever is listening. I don’t need my phone name-dropping me—ever.”
We enter the valet area and I turn to her. “Are you ready?”
“As I’ll ever be,” she says.
The car rolls to a stop, and the doors are opened for us. We take one last glance at one another and nod.
It’s showtime.
I walk around the front and meet up with her, wrapping my arm around her waist and resting my hand on her hip. She leans into me, her body melting against mine, and I feel her warmth.
“New York’s most eligible bachelor,” she whispers, and I know she’s done some research. “Let’s show them what you’ve got and get rid of that ridiculous title.”
We move up the steps of the venue’s entrance, and it’s almost like a red-carpet event. Tomorrow, I can only imagine what the headlines will say because I can hear the cameras clicking as we enter like we own the fucking place. Her head is held as high as mine.
She was right. Everyone is watching, and while the attention is focused on us, we’re too focused on one another. When I meet her gaze, it’s like no one else exists. The crowd and wandering eyes fade away, and I relax—something that never happens in public.
We’re led to the outdoor area with Bermuda grass and hanging lights that glow yellow.
It’s easy to imagine we’re somewhere in the countryside as a pianist and string quartet play popular music.
I remove my arm from Lexi, grab her hand, and scan the outdoor area until I find my brother.
He lifts his champagne glass from across the room. He’s impressed; everyone is.
I lean in and whisper close to her ear, “Weston is at our twelve o’clock.
He’s talking to our mutual friends Jaxon and his brother, Anthony.
Their family found success in software— Silicon Valley and all that.
By the firepit are my best friend, Samuel, and his soon-to-be wife, Heather.
At our three, the tall guy chatting with the redhead, wearing a gray suit, that’s Charlie.
His real name is Chance; we call him Charlie to give him shit because it’s his father’s name, who he hates. ”
She nods. “Jaxon. Anthony. Both are in software. And Charlie with his daddy issues. Got it.”
A laugh escapes me, and when I turn my head, I see Weston stalking toward us, wearing a smirk.
“Hello, Lexi,” he says, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles. “Nice to see you again .”
“Tone it down.” I cross my arms over my chest.
“You chose the Charger tonight and arrived late?” Weston shoves his hands in his pockets and glances back at Lexi. “What have you done to my brother? The car though …” He meets my eyes. “Can’t get over that one.”
“I know what it means.” She places her arm around my waist and grins.
“Of course you do.” He chuckles. “What else do you know about my little brother?”
He’s getting under my skin and he knows it.