Page 199 of Always: A Legacy Novel

Her happiness bled away instantly. “Why not?”

“I have to head out again. I’m going to grab a shower, and then I’m gone. I should be back tonight, though.”

And he was going to turn off his phone, too.

Screw the consequences.

Catherine sighed, and pulled the blanket over her face. “Fine.”

Then, she rolled over, and put her back to him.

Cross tugged at the comforter, saying, “Your dad called me twice this morning. He’s getting pissed that you’re … well, he doesn’t know what you’re doing.”

“Yeah, I’ll call him later,” she replied, muffled.

She wouldn’t.

Cross would end up lying for her.

Again.

Dante would blame him.

This circle was goddamn vicious.

He loved this girl too much to stop.

“Catherine.”

“I’m tired, Cross. Go shower.”

He didn’t need to be putting her in a worse mood than she already was, so he headed for the master bathroom attached to their bedroom. He made quick work of shedding his clothes, and cleaning up under too-hot water that would keep him awake. By the time he got out of the bathroom, Catherine wasn’t in bed anymore.

He strolled into the walk-in closet to grab clothes just as she was coming out of it, fully dressed in skinny jeans, a blouse, and sky-high heels. She’d tossed her hair up into a messy bun that somehow looked perfect, and like it had been done without effort. Her makeup was on, although, not a lot. Her lips painted, and her eyes darkened.

Cross grabbed her arm before she could head out of the closet “You okay?”

Catherine flashed him a smile. “Yeah, sure.”

“Are you heading over to your parents’ place?”

“No, Andino called while you were out. I’m going to meet up with him about some parties happening this weekend.”

“When are you going to stop that?” he asked, holding her gaze so she couldn’t lie. “The dealing, I mean. Are you going to relax after you start your classes next month at Columbia, or what?”

“Maybe,” she said, shrugging. “I don’t know.”

“Catherine, just a couple of weeks ago, someone you sold to tried to fucking ra—”

She jerked out of his hold. “I don’t need a recap, Cross. I know what happened.”

“You know I don’t care what you want to do, right? As long as you’re happy and safe doing it, babe. I’m not sure that you are, though, on either account.”

“I’m fine.”

“Catherine, I’m not trying to be an asshole. I just want to make sure you’re—”

“Fuck, I am fine, Cross. Leave it alone.”