“Every night.”
She smiled. “I think I can get with that.”
“I know it seems fast,” I told her.
“Kinda,” she agreed, entwining her fingers with mine. “But not really.”
“I’ve never been one to avoid the truth of a situation. When I say I care, I do. When I say I want this to work, I mean it.”
“Basically, what I hear you saying is that you want me to check a box.”
I used to make fun of those damn notes people used to pass around in high school when it was time for Homecoming. But since she brought it up, I said, “Hell yeah. Do you want to be my girl? Check yes, maybe, or go to hell muthafucka.”
She burst out in a fit of giggles. “You’re stupid.”
“Is that a yes?”
Demi nodded. “Hell yeah, muthafucka.” She held up her hand and I gave her a high-five and a kiss.
I shoved her back gently and climbed on top of her. “Let’s fuck to that.”
An hour later, Demi was finally ready to leave my room. “I’ll see you later. For real this time.” She opened the door, but my hand around her wrist stopped her from leaving. Sighing, she lifted herself on the tips of her toes and kissed me. Once, twice, and one more time. “Okay, bye.” She stumbled out of the room and froze.
“What is it?” I poked my head out of the door, expecting one of my parents to be standing there. But it wasn’t either of them. Or Asa. It was Tristan.
ChapterFourteen
FREE MIND
Demi
When I walked out of Duke’s bedroom, I had no intention of pretending that what happened didn’t happen. Yet, when faced with Tristan’s glowering stare in the hallway… I wasn’t sure if it was the best time to broadcast the change in my relationship with Duke. The only problem? While I hadn’t seen myself in a mirror, I felt freshly fucked.In a very good way. Meaning… I was pretty sure I looked like I’d been doing more thansleepingin Duke’s bed.
My feet were rooted to the plush carpet, but Duke’s weren’t. He’d emerged from the bedroom, with no shirt, looking hot as fuck. Over the years, I’d seen the two of them engage in physical battles. But I had no desire to relive those times. Especially since they would essentially be fighting over me. In their parents’ house. While I was barely clothed.
Tristan approached Duke, but he didn’t flinch. I didn’t flinch either because I still couldn’t move. The two brothers stood, toe-to-toe, glaring at each other.
“What the hell is going on here?” Tristan growled.
Duke folded his arms over his chest. The same chest I’d been licking mere minutes ago. “Minding our business. What are you doing here?”
Tristan’s gaze flitted between Duke and I, finally landing on me. “I came to see you,” he whispered. “Ma told me you had a rough night.”
My cheeks burned as he looked me up and down. “Oh,” I managed to say.
“She’s fine,” Duke said.
Tristan snickered. “I want her to tell me that.”
“Does it look like she’s having a hard time?” Duke countered. “The only person in this family that has ever treated her like shit is you.”
“Don’t do that,” I told Duke, stepping between them. In the past, I would’ve spoken directly to Tristan. I would’ve pleaded with him to calm down. I would’ve centeredhimin the situation. This time, I turned to face Duke. “Can we please not do this here? Give us a minute.”
Duke’s eyes blazed with anger, but it wasn’t directed at me. His focus was on Tristan. “No,” he said without looking at me.
My shoulders fell. “Please?”
“No,” he repeated, his eyes flashing to mine. “I’m not leaving you out here with him.”
