That I was in love with Tripp, and that feeling was definitely reciprocated.
More than anything, I was tempted to tell him to find a new purpose because if his demo reel was any indication, acting wasn’t his true calling.
But I kept my mouth shut.
He would figure that out eventually.
Or maybe not.
I didn’t really care.
Easton followed after Josh—likely to ensure he left without incident—and Tripp wasted no time.
Closing the distance between us, he tugged me from my chair and kissed me with an intensity that said it had been years and not hours. He tore himself away, but not before I was breathless and clutching him to stay upright. Or maybe to keep him close. His gaze was searching as he looked down at me. “You did so well, siren. Perfect.”
I leaned into him even as I shook my head. “I barely did anything. You and Easton handled it all. Just like you said you would.”
There was still a chance it would blow up in our faces. That Josh would throw gasoline on those bridges, not caring if Tripp torched them.
But I doubted it.
He was nothing if not self-serving.
Which meant that for the first time since Maddie showed up at my apartment with smoothies and bad news, the ever-lurking dread in the back of my mind disappeared.
“Still, that couldn’t have been easy for you.” Tripp continued to show how well he knew me. “Want to go on a cheese shopping spree then watch a movie?”
I laughed. “Yes, but not for dairy-based emotional support. Just for the love of cheese and the need for a cinematic palate cleanser after watching that mess last night.”
“On it.”
“You really are.” I shoved my face into his chest to hide the tears burning in my eyes. “I love you, Sir.”
“I love you, too. So damn much.” He gripped my arms in the way I liked as he leaned me back. “Let’s get out of here, and I can show you exactly how much.”
“That’ll have to wait,” Easton said as he moved back into the room, his focus on his phone. “Maddie just called. She wants to have Greer over to see the reno.”
His invite sounded nice and all, but the look on his face said there was something else happening.
Maybe Idoneed emotional support cheese…
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
WE’RE GETTING WHIPLASH, TOO, MY DARLING LITTLE GOSSIP WHORES. WILL THEY? WON’T THEY? ARE THEY?DID THEY? IS HE? WILL HE? WHOEVER IS BEHIND THIS PUSH, I LOVE YOU AND I HATE YOU.
TRIPP
Iwatched as Greer rodeaway with Hank to go hang out with Maddie at Easton’s house.
Ortheirhouse since the two lived together.
“Mads already placed a delivery order for cheese and tequila,” Easton said, clapping my shoulder. “She’ll keep her away from her phone. And Hank will be there in case.”
After Greer’s last dive into the comment section, I doubted she would go near it again, but it was better safe than sorry.
Especially since the latest round of bullshit was even bullshittier than the last.
While Easton was getting Josh out of his building, Maddie had called to give him a heads-up that the latest round of shit hadhit the fan online. She’d wanted to come to her friend, but Atlas texted while they were on the phone. Staying in was smarter.
