I frown as he turns off the road toward the movies. “Where are we going?”
“I have to pick something up. We have plenty of time.”
“Okay.” I scroll aimlessly through my phone.
“You know I like you, right?” Brandon says.
“Yeah.” I scroll through Instagram. He’s been a bit clingy lately. Wait, what? “What did you mean by that?”
“Just that. You know that I like you.”
I frown over at him. I’ve always had my suspicions that Brandon has had a secret crush on me, but surely not. I’m way too old for him.
I must have misunderstood what he was saying. I wasn’t really listening to the first half of the conversation.
He pulls the car into the driveway of a mansion with beautifully manicured gardens. The building is three stories high.
“Where are we?”
“I just have to pick up the tickets.”
“Oh.”
“Come in.”
I don’t want to be rude. “Okay.” I get out of the car and follow him to the front door. “Wow, this house is amazing,” I say as I look around.
We get to the front steps, and Brandon grabs my hand.
I frown and go to pull my hand from his grip, but he holds me tightly.
“What are you doing?” I ask him.
“I like you, April.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I think it’s time.”
“For what?” I frown. Huh, what the hell is going on here?
“That we make it official.”
“Brandon, what are you talking about? I’m completely lost.”
“I love you.”
My eyes widen. “What?”
He leans in and kisses me, and the front door opens behind us. I jerk back, shocked at what just happened. What the hell is he doing?
My eyes flick to the person who just opened the door.
Sebastian’s eyes hold mine.
My eyes widen, what the actual fuck?
“Dad,” Brandon announces. “This is April, the love of my life.”
8
April
Sebastian stares at me for a moment, and then without a word, he turns and walks inside the house.
My eyes widen, Sebastian is Brandon’s father?
What the actual fuck? He has a kid?
“Brandon!” I splutter as I march in after Sebastian. “We’re just friends.”
“April, you know it’s more than that,” he argues, following us.
Sebastian turns and glares at me with such contempt that I have never seen before.
“I swear to you, Seb, we are just friends.” I shake my head in a panic. “There’s nothing going on.”
Brandon looks between us in confusion. “How can you say that? You stay in my room all the time.”
“On the floor!” I gasp.
Sebastian’s eyes hold mine. His stance is cold and detached.
“I love you, April,” Brandon says.
Jesus Christ. What the hell? He chooses now to do this?
How the fuck is he Sebastian’s son? They couldn’t be more opposite.
“Brandon… enough!” I snap in an outrage, my eyes glued to Sebastian. “We are not a thing. Get it through your head!”
Sebastian’s eyes flicker red. “Do not speak to my fucking son like that.”
“But… he’s got it wrong.”
“I saw it with my own fucking eyes.” Sebastian steps toward me, and I step back, our eyes locked. “You think you can play him… while you’re playing me?” He whispers darkly.
I shake my head. “No, Sebastian. I swear to you, I’m telling the truth.”
Brandon looks between us. “Wait… what? Do you two know each other?”
I stay silent, scared to speak. Sebastian’s chest rises and falls as he struggles for control.
“Do you know my father?” Brandon demands.
Sebastian’s eyes are fixed on mine.
I stay silent.
“Answer him!” Sebastian yells.
My eyes fill with tears, and I nod.
Brandon’s eyes flick between us. “How?”
My heart begins to race. Sebastian’s scaring me. I’ve never seen him like this. He’s mean when he’s angry.
“Seb,” I whisper. “Brandon and I are just friends. I swear to you.”
“You stay in my room. We were just kissing not two minutes ago,” Brandon cuts in. “You know we are more than friends. Everybody knows it.”
Sebastian’s jaw ticks with fury.
“How do you know my father, anyway?” Brandon demands again.
Oh, for the love of God, just shut the fuck up, kid. You’re ruining my life here!
I look between them.
“Answer his question,” Sebastian whispers darkly.
“Sebastian.” I shake my head. “I swear to you…”
“Dad?” Brandon asks. “What’s going on?”
Sebastian’s eyes drift to Brandon. “She’s not the girl for you.”
Brandon frowns.
Yes, tell him I’m your girl.
“Tell him what you do for money, April.”
My face falls.
“Sebastian, stop.” I snap. If he says this out loud, he can’t take it back. We can’t go back. “I mean it. Do not go there.”
Sebastian’s chin tilts up, as if my words only throw fuel to the flame. “Cartier works in a strip club.”
Brandon’s face falls. “Who’s Cartier?”
“That’s the stage name April uses.”
“Stop,” I cry.
We stare at each other as the hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention.
Don’t say it. Please don’t say it.
“April’s a prostitute who charges men to have sex with her.”
Brandon’s face falls. “How do you know that?”
No.
Sebastian’s eyes don’t leave mine. “Because I paid her to have sex with me.”