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“I sputtered about the damaged comment, then threw it in his face that he never tried again.”
“What did he say?”
“Nothing,” Elise said. “Or nothing more than what he always did. That he was too old to change his ways and he liked his life the way it was.”
“Did you tell him you liked your life the way it was too?” he asked.
“I did and all he did was shake his head at me.”
“Don’t know what to tell you,” he said, shrugging. If the pressure was off of him he was thrilled. “He hasn’t said anything to me in weeks.”
Which he could appreciate.
Though he was thrilled that he and Chloe had an understanding that there was more going on with them than a booty call, he was still going to honor their original agreement that no one knew.
He wasn’t so sure how long he wanted to go on like that, but at some point, he’d address it. For now, he’d take the little step from two nights ago as a victory in itself.
More so when Chloe was texting him that her bosses weren’t letting up. He didn’t appreciate they didn’t throw his name at her again and then had to tell himself he couldn’t get annoyed over that either. He had her and he had to figure out a way to make sure he kept her.
“Which means he’s almost coming after me now,” Elise complained. “I feel like maybe you betrayed me to save your own skin. What is going on with you and Chloe?”
He filled his cup with coffee and dumped some creamer in it. “I would never betray you and you know it,” he said. “I’m insulted you’d think that.”
“What else am I supposed to think?” Elise whined like she did when they were teens.
“That Dad is getting older and wants us settled down? There isn’t anything new there. He’s made comments like that over the years. I think you’re just more sensitive to them is all.”
“And you’re not because you’ve got someone and no one knows.”
“Quiet,” he said. “Dad can sneak in here and you know it.”
Elise got a cup of coffee and then followed him to his office. Looked like he wasn’t getting a break today.
“You didn’t tell me how things were going with Chloe. Since you didn’t dispute the fact you’ve got someone I’m going to assume things are going well? Whatever they may be?”
“They are fine,” he said.
“Come on, Royce. Give me something.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Because we’ve always talked to each other before. I feel like I’m losing you.”
He thought maybe she was joking but then realized she wasn’t. Shit. Not only couldn’t he manage a relationship with a woman without fucking up, now his sister was needing him and he didn’t even catch on.
He ran his hand through his hair. “You’re not losing me,” he said. “Good lord. I think you’re playing with me.”
Elise shrugged. “Just give me a little.”
He sighed and supposed it wasn’t the end of the world. He was ready to open his mouth when he heard his father’s voice and pointed his finger at his sister. She laughed as if she knew they were almost caught.
“Children,” his father said, coming into the doorway of his office. “What are the two of you talking about this morning?”
“Nothing much,” Elise said. “Just our dismal personal lives. I told him it’s not fair that you are bringing up the fact that I might be damaged and not saying it to him when we are both in the same boat.”
His father looked between the two of them. “It doesn’t seem to matter what I say as nothing changes. But the truth is, I’m not getting any younger and would like to see another generation of Kennedys at some point. Your window is smaller than your brother’s.”
Royce saw Elise almost growl at that statement and he was going to stick up for his sister. “That’s harsh,” he said.
