Page 44

“I’m…confused,” he says slowly. “Last I heard, you were gay. Unless that’s changed?”

Snorting, I shake my head. “Of course not. I still like dick. And only dick.”

“Then what the hell do you mean you have to get a girlfriend?”

I bite the inside of my cheek, mulling over how much to say. Darius owns part of CalTek stock, and as an investor, there’s only so much I can divulge without venturing into insider trading territory. Legally, Dad could sue me if I say too much, and the bastard has no qualms about dragging his own son to court.

“There’s a business merger we’re working on with a security company,” I finally say, keeping my tone measured. “My father wants to use me to ensure its success. He’s also retiring next year, and he won’t leave the company to me unless this deal goes through.”

A few moments of silence stretch between us before Darius lets out a low whistle. His narrowed gaze pins me in place. “And this girlfriend thing ties into all that… how?”

“The woman in question happens to be the owner, and she currently has the rights to software that I… need.”

“Ah.” He leans back, studying me. “So, essentially, your dad wants you to lie? Sweet talk her until she agrees to his terms?”

Bingo.

I nod, gritting my teeth as I drain the rest of my drink and motion the waitress for another.

“Why does it have to be you? Isn’t your brother straight?”

Sighing, I scrub a hand down my face. “All valid questions. But this isn’t the first time he’s pulled something like this. Declan’s not the one taking over next year, and besides, Ronin’s never approved of my sexuality. This is just another way for him to control me.”

Darius drops his gaze, shifting uncomfortably as his shoulders tense. “That’s heavy, man.”

“I know. I’m supposed to have already taken this woman out on a date, but I’ve been dragging my feet for obvious reasons.”

“Right, right.” He rolls his lips thoughtfully. “But this relationship doesn’t have to involve anything sexual, does it?”

My brows jump at that. “Definitely not.”

“Then what’s the issue?”

“The issue—“ I cut myself off, inhaling sharply as another whiskey slides in front of me. I wait until the waitress steps out of earshot before continuing. “The issue is that I’m… seeing someone. And it’s a delicate situation.”

Understatement. Everything with Shilo is more than delicate—it’s damn near fragile. And I’m not sure if I’ve completely shattered it already after what happened on Friday. The thought alone makes the liquor in my stomach turn sour.

Darius chokes on his tequila, staring at me like I’ve grown a second head. “Seeing someone. Like, dating? A relationship? You?”

“Not a relationship,” I snap, my lip curling in irritation. “But we are… exclusive.”

Jesus Christ.

He bursts into laughter, clutching his abdomen and slapping his knee like it’s the funniest thing he’s ever heard. I shoot him a withering glare.

“So, there’s this river in Egypt,” he begins, and I nearly slap a hand over his mouth.

“I’m not in denial, Darius. It’s not a relationship. We have a mutually beneficial understanding.”

His eyes sparkle with humor. “Ah, a situationship, then. Got it. And this exclusive guy of yours isn’t happy about sharing you with a fake girlfriend, I take it?”

“That’s the thing. He doesn’t know. No one knows it’ll be fake.”

And there it is. The kicker. After being out and proud since junior high, I now have to convince everyone—including my twin brother—that I’m suddenly into women. It’s all so fucked.

Darius’s grin slowly fades, his expression softening into something almost sympathetic. “But you just told me?”

I sigh heavily, turning to watch a couple stroll along the beach with their dog, feeling heartsick. “I had to get it off my chest. Besides Declan… you’re the closest person I have. And you don’t work for me, so there’s that.”