AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The take-home message was that the family reputation is more important than anything. Basically, they’re happy to have me as long as I behave myself.”
Drew’s brow furrows. “So…breaking off the engagement and announcing I’m moving in with you would be…”
“The end,” I say.
“Did you think she’d feel differently?”
I nod, the nausea I felt during the call returning. I feel so fucking stupid.
“What about your father?” Drew asks, his thumb stroking my cheek, brushing back a wayward curl.
“I haven’t talked to him since the party.”
“So…what’s happening is you’re questioning whether they love you or not.”
I bite my lip and turn my head to face the pillow.
He goes on. “Before this, you knew they’d publicly cut ties with you and stop supporting you, but you accepted that as part of the deal. The dark side of high society or whatever, yeah?”
I nod again.
“But it’s worse than that, huh?”
“Feels like it.”
“It’s all still pretty fresh, baby. They could just be really, really pissed.”
“She was like a different person, though. Cold—like a stranger. Like the person I grew up with was a lie. When I asked her what if I’d OD’d during high school, she said she would have done everything possible to keep it quiet—not send me to rehab. Not get me the best care money could buy—she’d cover it up. Which is exactly what she’s doing now. My whole life’s just been smoke and mirrors.”
“Not your whole life,” Drew whispers.
“Would you still love me if I didn’t live in a penthouse? If I worked at a job and came home smelling like fried chicken every night?”
Drew’s eyes are the definition of “lit up.” “Yes, I think it would be hilarious. I’d love every second of that.”
I give his chest a shove. “I’m serious.”
“I’d even love you if you got paid an absurd amount of money for a book you didn’t have to write.”
“But where would we live?”
“Who cares?” he asks.
“I care,” I say. “I love this place.”
“This place is nice, but you don’t need anything close to all this space. It’s a little ridiculous.”
“So, like I could just move downstairs or something?”
“Sure. Whatever.” Drew chuckles, but for whatever reason that’s the thought that makes the tears come. I swear he kisses my cheeks once for every tear that falls, and it’s a lot.
I love him so much it’s gonna change my entire life.
If I choose him.
“Why does this all have to be on me?” I whimper into the pillow. “Why can’t they just forgive me?”
His mouth lands on mine like he’s heard enough. His kiss is deep and overwhelming. His tongue rolls through my mouth like he wants to erase the words. His body overtakes mine like it’s his to use. And I want it to be. I want someone to want it. That Drew wants it means everything. He hated me so much, and he changed his mind. Or I did. We changed each other, and that’s so fucking beautiful. It’s terrifying, but it’s a miracle, too.
