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Alastor lets out a snort. “Because you chundered in the sand then fell into it.”
Great.There’s an epic moment I really wanted Alastor of all people to witness. But at least that would explain why my throat hurts so much. It’s a little embarrassing, sure, but it’s better than what I’d been thinking earlier—that it was so rough from choking on Alastor’s dick.
“Fuck, I can’t believe I did that.”
“Well, believe it. It was just before you told me all about your tragic and undying love for Trent. I figured it’d be better to stash you here in case you felt like sharing that with the rest of the wedding.”
My blood freezes to ice as his words register in my brain. No way. It can’t be true. I can’t possibly have told this arsehole the secret I’ve been keeping for over twenty years. But then the memory slams into me: Alastor dragging me away from the beach, me with my head in the toilet bemoaning my inability to get over Trent, while Alastor grudgingly passed me wads of toilet paper to clean myself up. Everything after that’s a blur...
“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god,” I groan, burying my head in my hands as I attempt to mentally turn back time. What the hell was I thinking getting so trashed last night? That wasnevergoing to end well. After over twenty years of keeping this secret, I finally slipped up. And in the worst possible way. I have no doubt Alastor is plotting the best opportunity to drop the bomb on Trent and end my life.
“Look, I realise it’s going to be hard for you, but could you maybe just give me some time before you rush off to tell Xavier and Trent about this?” I ask him, hating the pleading note in my voice.
“I’m not going to tell them about this,” he says, looking baffled that I’d think he would. “Why would you think that?”
I throw my arms up. “Um, I don’t know? Maybe because you hate me and would love nothing more than for Trent to cut me out of his life so you don’t have to see me anymore.”
Alastor’s brows creep up at my outburst, and the condescending smirk he’s flashing me makes me want to grab something and throw it at him. “Okay, first of all, hate’s kind of a strong word. You’re a dick, and I never thought you were good enough for Xav—simple as that. And let’s not pretend the feeling isn’t mutual,” he adds with a pointed look.
I sigh. Fair point. Although, to be fair, I actually have a valid reason for not liking this guy. I have no idea what his problem with me is.
“And secondly,” he continues. “If you think for a second Trent would cut you out of his life because of this, you clearly don’t know the guy you’re supposedly in love with all that well. I have no idea why, but for some reason that guy would open his veins and bleed himself dry for you.”
“I know he would,” I say quietly, glancing away. Trent might not beinlove with me, but he does love me. And it’s the kind of unerring love that comes without judgment or expectations. No matter how much I screw up—which is a lot—he’s still got my back. That’s what’s made it so hard to let go of these feelings.
“There’s absolutely nothing to be gained from me telling anyone about this,” Alastor continues. “It’d just cause a whole lot of discomfort for everyone, and it’d make Trent and Xav feel guilty about being happy together which isn’t fair.”
A huge wave of relief swoops through me at the knowledge that my secret is still safe. Or, at least, as safe as it can be in Alastor King’s hands. The fact that he knows makes me feel edgy, and the accusatory glint in his eyes isn’t helping matters.
“I don’twantto feel this way,” I grumble, sending him an annoyed glare.
He nods. “I know. And if it makes you feel any better, I actually think you’re marginally less of a dick today than I did yesterday.”
“Gee, thanks,” I say with an eye roll. “Why’s that?”
He shrugs. “Well, it must have been torture standing up there yesterday, watching the guy you love marry someone else. But you did it anyway ‘cause Trent needed you.”
I give a little shrug and glance away. “He’s my best mate.”
“How come you never tried telling him before?” Alastor asks curiously.
“In case you’ve forgotten, he thought he was straight,” I grate out. “It wasn’t until he hooked up with Xav that he knew he was into guys.”
Alastor nods. “Right. Fuck, that must really suck. Knowing he actually is into guys and if you’d only told him sooner—ompf,”he breaks off with a grunt as the pillow I toss across the bed hits him right in the face. He just smirks at me. “Right. Sore spot. Got it.”
I send him a fierce scowl. “Dick.”
There’s a knock on the hotel room door and Alastor leaps off the bed to answer it, not bothering to put on pants. It’s not until he’s at the door that I realise my eyes have followed his arse as he walked away from the bed.Fucking hell.I tear my gaze away and turn toward the window instead. This room doesn’t have an ocean view like mine; instead it’s a view of the resort’s pool and lounge.
“Mr. Darcy,” Alastor says in a pompous British accent as he drops into an elaborate bow, made even more comical by the fact he’s only wearing boxer-briefs.
“Stop with all the fuckingPride and Prejudicejokes,” Xavier grumbles. “I’m keeping my name.”
Alastor straightens and I can hear the teasing in his voice when he says. “Vanity is a weakness indeed.”
“It’s weird that you know that book so well,” Xavier says wryly. Then he pauses for a moment, his voice lowering to a near whisper, but I manage to catch it anyway. “Uhh...why is Jack in your room? In yourbed,”he adds, as though Alastor didn’t already know where I am.
“We fucked,” Alastor says with a shrug.
