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I glare at him. “Of course you do. You want to make sure I don’t run the story about Lauren.” I shake my head and roll my eyes.Go figure.“We’ve been neighbors for months, and you’ve never invited me to breakfast. Will you threaten and harass me about her story until the day I die?”
“Technically, you telling me to fuck off daily never gave me the notion you’d enjoy a meal with me, but last night confirmed you don’t hate me as much as you lead on.” He smirks. “And we both know you’re smart enough not to run the story since I made myself clear on the repercussions.”
I narrow my eyes his way. “What makes you so sure I won’t?”
He shrugs and settles back so casually that you’d think we were discussing the weather. “You’re smart. Always have been.”
“Except when I hang out with you.”
“No, that’s smart. Who doesn’t want to hang out with me? You seemed to enjoy it last night. I’m cool as shit.”
“Negative. Men who arecool as shitdon’t do what you did, and they most definitely don’t threaten women not to publish stories in what you so kindly referred to as apitifulnewspaper. So, what gives?”
“I was a fucking kid, Chloe, for the millionth goddamn time. Kids do stupid shit.”
“You’re right. Kids toilet-paper houses or sneak out. They don’t cross lines like you did.”
He pushes his plate forward and stares at me with intent and annoyance. “My onlyulterior motiveis convincing you to get to know me and realize I’m not the villain you paint me out to be. I want us to share some meals andmaybeshare some orgasms. You know, I’ve wanted to finish what we started in high school.”
I pour more sugar into my coffee even though it’s unnecessary. His words piss me off. “Your behavior didn’t show that.”
“True, but I’ll make it up to you. Don’t waste orgasms by giving them to a vibrator.”
I take a drink and cringe at the sweetness. “How do you know I don’t have a boyfriend?”
“I was the one who took you home and tucked you in last night, and you’re having breakfast with me. If you do, he’s another shit boyfriend you should dump.”
“And what?” I raise a brow. “Sleep with you?”
“If it’s what you need, I don’t mind taking on the job.” He holds his hand up but drops it as soon as his phone buzzes with a text. “It’s Gage. He’ll be here in five to pick me up.”
“In the squad car?” I question.
He nods.
“Does he always drive?”
I’ve seen them come and go, and Kyle always seems to be riding passenger. I’m not sure why I’ve paid attention. It could be because Kyle enjoys being in charge, which means, being in the driver’s seat, so it makes me wonder why he doesn’t ever drive.
He nods again.
“Do you feel emasculated?”Ugh, I sound like Kent. Ew.
“For not driving? Fuck no. Gage has gone through some rough shit. If driving helps him, he can have the keys anytime he wants.”
“Things like what?” I’ve heard the rumors but never known what was true and what wasn’t. I considered writing a piece on it but decided against it after no one would say a word to me.
“I would never put my best friend’s business out there. Loyalty is a big deal to me.”
“But you had no problem putting my business out there,” I fire back. “You had no problem with people talking aboutme.”
“You weren’t and aren’t my best friend.” He says it matter-of-factly, no bullshit, like his loyalty only falls on those he deems worthy.
“Glad to know. I’ll be sure to never tell you my personal business.”
He cocks his head to the side and smirks. “Earn my loyalty, and you can.”
I ignore his comment and take another drink of the Candy Land–tasting coffee. Our teenage waitress, who should probably be on her way to high school, hands him the bill without even glancing at me.
