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I don't want to break his heart and tell him all my calories for the day have been accounted for. Besides, one extra meal won't kill me. I'll just work myself twice as hard in my exercise routine tomorrow.
"I would love to," I manage. "Can I come by your place in about an hour?"
"Great. Can't wait to see you."
"I can't wait either," I admit, cutting the call and struggling to fight the smile off my face as I race to my closet to find an appropriate outfit.
I hope Kade is there, too.7KadeWork goes as work usually does, and the hours pass slowly. My eyes are getting tired from staring at the computer screen, and my hangover is making my head pound. But finally, it’s time for me to go home, and because I’m feeling extra grateful that Parker doesn’t seem to remember a thing from yesterday’s drunken planning, I decide to grab a few treats at the deli on our street.
I even throw in some gorgonzola cheese, which used to be Parker’s favorite. It may not be the stuff we were used to—and the smell makes my stomach roll over—but I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.
I take the stairs two at a time, and my usual worried smirk is replaced by a smile today. Things are gonna fucking work out. I’ll explain the plan again, he’ll understand, and I’ll have her. I produce my keys out of my pocket and fumble with them, trying to get the door open. Because that’s what this has been about all along. Sweet, innocent…
June.
Standing in front of me, opening the door for me—to my own goddamn apartment. Wearing Parker’s college sweatshirt. I clench the paper bag in my hands, and at that moment, I know I had it all wrong. Parker remembers everything. He acted on it, too, while I was busy at work, earning money for both of us. And she’s here now.
“Hi,” June says softly, her doe eyes big and trusting. "I was hoping you'd join us."
Without saying another word, I walk in like I’m in a trance, and when Parker catches my eye, he winks at me.
He winks at me.
I’m about to strangle him, but in the next second, I’m wrapped in a bear hug by June. “I missed you so much,” she whispers in my ear.
I have to restrain myself, so I don’t respond to her affection, and my hands form fists at my sides. She’s pressed so close to me I can feel her jutting hip bones poking me through her jeans. All I want to do is tear her the fuck off me. Get her the hell away before my body acts of its own accord, and I force her to do something else entirely.
“What is she doing here?” I ask Parker, stepping out of June’s touch and ignoring the hurt coming off her body like a fragrance. "Did you invite her, or is this another one of her stalkery trips?"
“I thought it was about time we buried the hatchet,” Parker says cheerfully and brings a bowl of salad to the kitchen table. I see that it’s already set with two plates and there’s sliced baguette as well as some charcuterie. I wonder who paid for that, I think bitterly. It's probably the money for takeout I keep leaving him... “It’s been too long since we had June over, don’t you think?” Parker teases.
Oh, so she’s June now, when before, he always called her little sis. I hate his guts right now, and I know I’m being unfair, but I want to grab her and carry her into my room to do all the things I’ve dreamed about to her. Forget Parker. She belongs to me.
“Am I allowed to eat here?” I ask viciously instead of responding to my brother’s words, nodding toward the two places he’s set. “Or should I leave?” Somehow, I don’t feel welcome in my own goddamn apartment.
“Yes, please—stay,” June jumps in cheerfully, and I turn around to look at her. She’s acting like she owns the place, and it bothers me because it’s the one thing I paid for myself. I’m the one who pays the rent here, and her dirty money will do her no good, no matter how good those jeans look on her. And I’m trying not to look.
“Are you staying?” I ask her, and she flinches a little.
“Parker invited me for lunch,” she says softly, but then she raises her chin. “I didn’t know we needed your permission.”
Well, that’s fucking new. June is always quiet, obeying everything we say. But now she’s standing up for herself? How goddamn refreshing.
“It’s my place, so you do, yes,” I reply coldly, and her eyes burn with a quiet fire I’ve never seen before. And I’ll be damned if it doesn’t turn me on even more than her usual sweet and submissive personality. Fuck me. I've been with her for a few minutes, and I'm already losing my cool. "So? What do I need to do so you’ll leave? You need a written note or something?”
