“Can you say busted?” I murmured.
“Exactly. I sent the pics to Skye, and she’s handling it. I expect a live stream from Keshia T by tomorrow evening.”
I smiled. “This is great, Tristan. Thank you.”
“Hopefully, the paps will leave you alone.”
I stuffed the pics back into the envelope. “Actually, I think they were already losing interest in me. Especially since I’ve been hanging out with Preston. He’s not a celebrity, so I don’t think they care much anymore. This will help, though.”
“Definitely.” He leaned back in his seat. “I also wanted to tell you I’m leaving town.”
“Didn’t you just get back?” Tristan had been missing in action since his birthday. My mother had been beside herself with worry.
He let out a heavy sigh. “I was still in town. One of my friends took those pictures for a small fee.”
“Aside from the fact that we’re supposed to leave for our family trip tomorrow, I really wish you’d consider staying, Tristan. It would definitely help repair some relationships.” Duke hadn’t mentioned the fight since that night, but I knew he was still bothered by it, because he hadn’t even asked about Tristan when he’d called. “I don’t like this distance between us.”
“Not all siblings have good relationships. You know that. Look at Mom and Dad. They intentionally keep their families at arm’s length.”
“Because there’s a lot of bad blood.”
He shrugged. “Same here.”
“For no reason,” I argued. “At some point, a talk needs to take place if there’s going to be healing.”
Tristan stood and walked to the window. Staring out at the street, he said, “Some things will never be the same again.”
His words struck a chord with me, because I felt that way about my relationship with Preston. Somewhere along the line, myfakeboyfriend had turned into myrealman. Or at least the man I wanted to be with night and day.One night,One fuckhad become too many nights and counting. And I didn’t want it to stop.
“I want everything to be different, Dallas,” Tristan continued, oblivious to my inner turmoil. “I enjoyed being around for the summer, playing softball and hanging out with the family. But if not being here makes it easier on everyone, I should just go.”
I walked over to him and rested my head on his shoulder. “Things are not better with you gone. You can’t believe that.”
“You sure about that?” He lifted a questioning brow. “You don’t call me Fun Killer for no reason.”
I shrugged. “Everyone has a nickname.”
“True, D.D.” He wrapped his arm around me. “I love you.”
Tristan wasn’t the type to say those words. I could count on one hand the number of times he’d said it to me. Hearing it today made my heart swell. “Love you too.” I hooked my arm in his. “Please reconsider. Mom and Dad will be devastated if you’re not on that plane tonight.”
He peered up at the ceiling. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Is it Demi?”
He shot me a sidelong glance. “Partly,” he admitted. “I don’t want to cause her any more pain.”
The two of them had skirted around each other for over a decade, and it was high time they aired everything out. “Did you ever stop to think your leaving has caused her pain? You can’t just tell someone how you feel and bust up.”
“You’re right. I should’ve never said anything.”
“That’s not the answer either.”
He narrowed his eyes on me. “Does this mean you’ve told Preston how you really feel about him?”
I blinked. Backing away, I said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Preston and I have an understanding.” And I understood I’d fucked that up royally the moment I’d fucked him again. And again. And again.
“That’s good, sis. But it’s also bullshit. I’ve seen you two together. I’ve seen the way he looks at you and how you look at him. If my instincts are correct, I would say he’s not just your fake boyfriend.”
