Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
It’s a simple question. Where are your parents? It’s a common thing to ask someone. But every time I hear it, I freeze. Because I know what’s coming next. The pity, the awkward silences. I don’t want this man’s pity. I don’t want anything from him.
“Dead,” I say and then I hold my breath.
“How’d they die?”
When I look up, I find August waiting for the answer, but I don’t see any pity. I don’t see everything I’m used to seeing, and I’m struck by a wave of relief. “They were in a car accident. Someone hit them. They both died instantly.”
“What happened to the other driver?”
“The guy ran and was never heard from again.” I shrug like it’s not a big deal. The truth is that I’m constantly studying every stranger I encounter. My first thought… was it you? “Where are your parents?”
“Dead,” August replies, his voice emotionless.
“How’d they die?” I ask. Because, well, he asked me.
“My father killed my mother. I killed my father.”
My eyes widen and I gasp. “August!” I shriek. “I already told you, you cannot tell me those things.”
“Why?” His head tilts to the side. “You gonna go rat me out to the cops?”
“No,” I blurt. “But you don’t know me. You shouldn’t trust me with stuff like that.”
Is this man serious? Does he just spill everything to anyone? If that’s the case, how has he gotten as far as he has in life? Especially in his kind of life.
“I know you enough. And again, you asked. I’m not going to lie to you, Hayley,” he repeats.
“That would be a first,” I huff. All I’ve ever had were boyfriends who lied and cheated. I gave up trying to find anyone decent. Not that August is decent. Far from it. Jade was right. This man is nothing but sin waiting to happen.
“You had guys lie to you? About what?”
“You know, the usual things. You’re the only one… Hayley, no, I’m not seeing her anymore… I spent the weekend at my mama’s house…” I laugh, because I fell for each and every one of these lines.
August’s brows draw down. “Why the fuck would anyone cheat on you? I mean, look at you. You’re a fucking knockout.”
My cheeks heat up at the compliment. “Thanks, but I told you I’m not a good girlfriend.”
“We’ll see.” August stands. “I have to get ready for work. We have dinner tonight,” he says. “Andre will be downstairs to take you anywhere you want to go today.”
“I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Actually, you do. You’re the girlfriend of August Wade, babe. That comes with perks and risks. Risks that I’m not going to take, which means… Andre will be downstairs to take you anywhere you want to go today.”
Ignoring the whole “girlfriend” thing, because I do not want to unpack why that made me feel good, I look around the open living room. “Why haven’t you decorated for Christmas?”
There isn’t a single thing in this apartment that would indicate the holiday is fast-approaching.
“I don’t do Christmas,” August tells me.
“For religious reasons? Or are you just a grinch?” I lift a brow at him.
“Neither. I don’t see the point. What am I going to do? Wrap gifts for myself and put them under a tree?” He looks at me like that would be the stupidest thing to do. Except it’s not. I’ve done it. It still feels good opening things on Christmas morning.
“Okay,” I say, resigned to the fact that my Christmas is well and truly ruined.
August walks out, and I pick up both of our plates.
I don’t know what else to do so I clean the mess he left behind in the kitchen.
Just as I finish putting the last dish away, he appears again.
This time, he’s dressed in a three-piece suit.
And I realize it doesn’t matter if this man is clothed or not. He looks good no matter what.
“I’ll be back to pick you up at seven. Be ready,” he says.
“Where are we going?”
“Obsidian. It’s one of my restaurants. The mayor is hosting a Christmas party. We’re invited,” he explains.
“You’re invited.” I laugh. Never in my life would I be invited to the mayor’s anything. Unless it was to do one of the guests’ hair.
August pulls a black card from his pocket. “Take this. Go shopping. Buy whatever it is you need.”
I look at the card like it’s going to burn me if I touch it.
“Hayley?” August’s voice has my gaze drawing up.
“Again, not a whore. I don’t need your money,” I tell him.
A small smile forms on his lips. I can tell he’s fighting it. “Again, good to know. But if you’re going to decorate this place for Christmas, then you’re going to use my money to do it.”
“You want me to decorate for Christmas? But you just said…”
“I know what I said. I’m not alone this Christmas. You’ll be here, so at the very least, we should have a tree. Don’t you think?”
He says “we” like we are an actual we. Not something I’m going to focus on, because he just gave me free rein to decorate his apartment. There is nothing I love more than Christmas.
“Okay. Is there a limit on this thing?” I swipe up the card and flip it over.
“No,” August says, sounding like I offended him.
“Okay, well, do you have a budget? For decorations?”
“Hayley.”
“Yeah?”
“We don’t work with budgets. Buy whatever you think the place needs.” With that, he leans in, kisses my cheek, and turns away. I’m left staring at his retreating back.
What’s with the we thing? Either this man is completely insane or… Nope, there really is no other option. I’ve shacked up with a madman. Well, not exactly shacked up. I’m not sleeping with him.
I head into the living room and find my phone. It’s sitting on the coffee table, plugged into a charger. Did August do that? I pick it up and see a message from Jade.
Jade:
You still alive? Was he as good as I’m imagining he is?
Me:
Still alive, and you’ll have to settle for your imagination. I’m not fucking the guy.
Jade:
Yet.
Me:
Ever.