Page 153 of Knot Their Starlet

Even though these are the words I’ve always wanted to hear, it’ll take a lot more than words to undo the damage in my brain.

But still, it’s a start.

“What my father did,” Everett says, turning his attention back to me. “Was the worst-case scenario. It was also not my responsibility to prevent it. I understood that eventually.” He pauses for a beat, his gaze roaming across my face. “It took a long time.”

“How do you know it wasn’t?”

“Because I was a child,” he says. “And so were you. The weight of another person’s life is not something a child should carry. And even though you may not be a child anymore, you’re still her child. It’s not something you should be carrying now.”

“Why do you keep on saying all the things I want to hear?” I ask, letting out a small huff of laughter.

“I’m just saying the truth. Honesty is the best policy, in my book.”

I play with the end of my braid, glancing up at him.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“I dunno, everything. You’re doing a whole lot.” I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. “I know I shouldn’t take a lot of what my mom says seriously when she’s in moods like that, but—but I’m worried she may have had a point about... About⁠—”

I let out a soft groan, shaking my head when the words won’t come out.

“I don’t want you to put in all this effort to take care of me if it’s just an act to get in my pants. If you’re only in this for that, then I want to know. Then it’ll hurt less if you and the others get bored with me.”

“My empathy for your mother and her situation ends when she puts things like that in your head,” Everett says, his voice barely above a growl. “I can assure you, I’m not doing this to get into your pants.”

“But—but you’re attracted to me, right?”

“You think I’m only attracted to you for your body?” He leans forward, tracing his thumb lightly against my jaw.

“I mean—isn’t that how attraction works?”

“No,” he chuckles. “Should you decide to trust me enough to share that part of yourself with me, it will be an opportunity I will not take lightly. I’m sure this is the same with the rest of the guys.”

“Oh.” The single syllable leaves my lips as a whoosh of air. I let his hazelnut whiskey scent fill my lungs until I feel drunk on the scent of him.

“But,” he says, pulling away. It takes all I have not to follow him. “Now is not the time to discuss such matters. You shouldn’t be thinking about that right now. All you need to worry about is feeling better.”

He stands to his feet, offering my hand one last squeeze before he drops it.

“I will,” I mumble.

“Hmm?”

“I’m going to be thinking about it,” I say, meeting his piercing blue gaze.

“Pleased to hear it.” The smirk he flashes at me sends a shiver down my spine. “The others will want to come in. Do you want me to keep them out for you?”

“No, it’s okay. Send them in, please,” I say, wrapping my arms around myself. “I think I could use some comfort right now.”

“Very well.” He pauses at the door, turning over his shoulder. “You did a good job, Andi. Boundaries are hard to uphold, especially when they’ve been trampled all your life.”

CHAPTER 32

Cameron

“Iknow the stakes here, you don’t need to remind me,” I sigh, waiting to turn into the underground parking garage of the address Beckham’s team sent me.