“So, I was trying to send you some naughty pictures, and … I made a mistake and texted them to someone else.” I rush out the last part. I know I technically didn’t do anything wrong,intentionally, but after getting cheated on by my ex, I can’t fathom keeping secrets like this from my boyfriend. It was an honest mistake, but he deserves to know.
“Oh, damn. Really? To who?” He sounds more curious than anything.
I chew my lip. If Axel were to say anything to Dayton, I have no idea what would happen. There’s already so much drama between me and my stepbrother. I’d rather we bury this little situation and never speak of it again. Nothing wouldeverhappen between me and Dayton. He definitely hates meeven more now.
“A guy who’s a part of the renovation,” I say instead. It’s not a lie. It’s just not the full truth. Guilt gnaws at me.
Axel laughs. “Ha, that’s funny. Hey, babe, I gotta go. We’re ordering. Talk to you later.”
He hangs up the phone. I sit in stunned silence, staring at the wall as my heart thunders inside my chest. I have to go out there and face Dayton at some point, but I have no idea how I’m going to work up the courage to do it. Axel’s apathetic attitude toward the whole situation doesn’t sit right with me.
How could he not care about this?
I stand up and start robotically changing into tan bike shorts and an oversize blueSave the TurtlesT-shirt.
I toss the lingerie on the ground with a shiver. Maybe I should burn it in case it has bad luck. I slide on my Birkenstocks and a pair of Ray-Bans before walking outside. It’s warmer than usual today. My limbs feel like Jell-O as I make my way around the house to the front porch.
My heart drops when I see Dayton on the porch, his phone pressed up against his ear. The sun casts shadows over him through the palm trees. My stomach muscles clench when I notice his corded forearms.
Just try not to look.
The fact that he’s seen me in such a scandalous position has poured a bucket of awkwardness all over us. He doesn’t look at me as I approach.
“Yeah, well, I’m returning the order. I don’t know who authorized it, but any decisions for this renovation are supposed to go through me. I expect a full refund within the week.” He hangs up the call and shoves the phone into his pocket.
“New lattice, huh?” His jaw flexes as he finally shifts his eyes to meet mine.
I slowly ascend the stairs, feeling the weight of his gazeeverywhere I shouldn’t. Thank God he didn’t bring up the unfortunate photo incident.
“It was on sale.”
He scoffs, shaking his head. “What did you do, sweet-talk Javier into letting you order it without consulting me on it first?”
I shrug. Javier is terrified of Dayton, so he doesn’t require much convincing to go around consulting him on things. I just tell him I’ll handle it, and he gladly relents.
“This was barely an increase, especially since I negotiated free shipping.”
He glares at me. “How did you manage that?” He keeps his eyes trained on my face.
“I told them I’d send professional-grade photos of the finished product for them to use on their website.”
Dayton stands up straighter, his full height shrinking me. His pale skin has darkened a few shades since I first saw him at the funeral, probably from spending so many weekends in Florida. I suddenly find myself curious about whether or not he has a girlfriend back in New York. My mom never mentioned it before, but I never wanted to hear about his life either. He could be married for all I know.
Except she didn’t come to the funeral. Oh no. If he tells her what happened, she’s going to hate my guts …
“How does your girlfriend feel about you spending so much time away from home?” I lean up against the old porch railing.
“I don’t have the time or patience for a girlfriend.” He’s typing on his phone.
“Hmm, I see.”
“And I’d never be in a relationship where dirty pictures are the extent of our sex life.”
My cheeks heat.He’s only bringing this up to humiliate me.
“Sex isn’t everything in a relationship. Some people can have a bond that’s more than physical.”
“Is that why he’s never come to see you?” he muses, still typing on his phone.
