“Why?”
“’Cause I don’t want to,” Duke said, matter-of-factly.
Tristan stepped forward, nearly pushing me into Duke. “Man, why don’t you go back in your room. I need to talk to Demi.”
There was a time when I would’ve relished in being so close to Tristan. Most women would be giddy with excitement to be in the middle of a Tristan and Duke sandwich. But it felt strange to be in this predicament, to be the catalyst of the beef between two brothers. I didn’t want that.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Duke said, his eyes locked on mine. “Never.”
It was a callback to his promise earlier to never hurt me. My heart clenched in my chest, because… If I didn’t know it before, I was pretty sure I was falling in love with Duke. I closed my eyes against the warmth that spread over my body. And when I opened them again, Duke was staring at me, a soft expression in his light eyes. No. He was staringintome. The emotion shining back at me stole my breath. “Duke,” I whispered.
He swept his thumb over my jawline and down the column of my neck. “I meant what I said.”
“I know.” The urge to kiss him, to climb him like a tree and demand he take me back in his room was strong. But I needed to deal with Tristan. “Just a minute.”
Tristan snickered. “You heard her.”
Duke peered at Tristan over my shoulder. “Shut up, nigga. You had years to talk to Demi. And you fucked up every single time.”
“You don’t know anything about it,” Tristan said. “You don’t know anything about me and Demi. You just think you do.”
Maybe it was the way Tristan had just basically intimated that there was something going on between us when we’d never even kissed. Or the sheer audacity he was displaying in this hallway. But Tristan pissed me the fuck off. The only thing that needed to be said today wasmytruth. And since Tristan wanted to play me for the fool, I would say what I needed to say to him in front of Duke.I don’t want him anymore.
“Actually, he does,” I scoffed.
Tristan blinked. “Demi.”
“No.” I placed both of my palms on Tristan’s chest, shoving him. “Stop.” Behind me, Duke brushed his hand over the small of my back, but he didn’t speak. “I’ve had enough.”
“I’m sorry,” Tristan murmured.
“Keep your apology,” I snapped. “You have some nerve, coming up here and inserting yourself like you have a claim to me. Duke is right. You have done nothing but lead me on since the beginning. That’s on me, though, because I let you.”
“I didn’t lead you on,” Tristan argued. “I do care for you.”
“I care about you too,” I admitted. “But I don’t want you.” I shrugged. “The best thing you could’ve ever done for me was not show up in Atlanta—or any of the other times you promised to be there, and you weren’t.” Tristan opened his mouth to speak, but I kept going. “You know whowasthere, though. Duke. He’s never let me down—or let me sit in a damn hotel bar waiting for him.”
Tristan narrowed his eyes on Duke. “That’s what you think.”
A remark like that about Dorian, or any of the other losers I’d dated would’ve given me pause. I wasn’t fazed, though, because I was sure of Duke. He’d never lied to me. Did I think he’d told me everything?No. But he didn’t lie. “I don’t care. The fact is… he shows up. Even on his worst days. Even if he doesn’t feel like it. That’s all I need to know.”
Tristan cocked a brow. “You sure about that?”
“Man, get the hell out of here,” Duke roared. “I don’t know what you think you know about me, but that shit doesn’t matter. If Demi ever wants to know anything, she knows how to ask. I told you before… I’m not hiding. That’syourM.O.”
Raven bounded up the stairs. “Dad!” She paused when she spotted us.
Oh God.I should’ve just gone to my room and not hopped on Duke’s dick again. “Hey, Raven,” I chirped. “How are you?”
Raven frowned as she approached us. “What’s going on?”
Asa chose that moment to open his door. He stepped out of the room eating a bowl of cereal. “Raven, you might want to go on downstairs,” he said, chewing his Froot Loops. “This conversation isn’t for you, niecy.” He burped and patted his chest. “Damn, this shit is good. Mama knows she be making it happen in our snack cabinets.”
Duke barked out a laugh. “You stupid for that, bruh.”
“I’m serious.” Asa hefted a spoonful of cereal to his mouth. “This is quite the show, though. I’m entertained.”
Raven stopped. “Uncle Duke?”
