Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“I guess he is,” I say, hoping it ends there. If I wasn’t preoccupied with pulling out into traffic, which is much heavier than I expected, I’d be quicker in coming up with something to change the subject.
“And he must really think highly of you to lend you a car.”
I find an opening and finally manage to pull out. “You know we’ve always been good friends.”
“What does Thorn think of Gage giving you this car?”
I give her a quick glance, frowning. “Gage didn’t give me the car, Mom. I’m borrowing it.”
“You know what I mean. If you and Thorn are dating, I think he might have an issue with another man, even a mutual friend, loaning you a luxury sports car. It’s been nearly a month, hasn’t it?”
I have had this car much longer than I intended. I tried to give it back, but Gage insisted I keep it, even though I strongly suspect he bought himself a new vehicle after he loaned me this one. He doesn’t seem the type to have a garage full of extravagant vehicles, even if he can afford it.
Gage is generous to a fault, and clever about it, too. We’ve gone shopping together a few times, and I’ve found myself eyeing some little item at a store; once it was a bangle for my wrist, another time a small ceramic cat. I’m never aware of Gage being nearby at these moments, but somehow, a few days later, the items in question have mysteriously appeared in my room, sitting on the table by the door.
It’s obvious that he’s responsible for the gifts, but he’s given himself deniability. If I pressed the issue, I could make him stop, but I think that would hurt him, and I’m not willing to do that.
“Things with Thorn are very casual,” I finally reply as I signal a left turn.
“Lexy, you know I don’t normally pry, and I’ve been trying not to, but your breakup with Scott and your impulsive decision to stay out here have me concerned.”
Looking at the situation from her point of view, I guess that makes sense. I’ve always been someone who has their life planned out in as much detail as possible. No one would ever describe me as spontaneous, yet my decision to stay here was definitely that. It makes sense that the person who knows me best would be worried.
I’ve never had much reason to keep parts of my life secret from her, and it doesn’t feel great doing so.
“Things with Thorn are casual … and things with Gage are casual, too.” It feels good to admit this to her, even if it’s not the complete picture, though it immediately occurs to me that my timing could have been better, being that we’re headed over to sit around a table with Gage, Thorn, and the entire Sanchez family.
“Thorn’s parents don’t know we’re dating,” I quickly add. “Could you … not mention it today?”
There’s silence from her side of the car until I look over to find her looking at me, her face lined with concern.
“Is there a reason you’re keeping it a secret?”
I try not to think too hard about my answer, because I don’t like keeping secrets from the Sanchezes, either. I’ve been joining the family dinners there every week since I came back to Vegas, and I love the warm togetherness they provide, but it’s been tricky.
I hate not being completely honest with them, but I just don’t think they’ll understand about me dating all three men. I try to put my mind firmly in a just-really-good-friends mindset every time I go over there.
“They’ve always treated me like a daughter,” I say slowly. “I’m not sure how they’d feel about me dating their son, and I don’t want to complicate things.”
She’s quiet for another long moment. “What does Kai think? I assume he knows.”
I immediately envision myself unhooking my seatbelt, opening the door, and hurling myself out into oncoming traffic to avoid answering this question, but it turns out I don’t have to, because my mom reads me way too well.
“Lexy? Are you seeing Kai, too?” Her voice rises, full of disbelief.
My silence answers her question, and I let it hang there, only giving her a quick look before I return my focus to the road.
“I see,” she says finally. “Of course, there’s nothing wrong with dating multiple men. That’s what dating is for, but dating two brothers and their best friend definitely makes things complicated.”
When I still don’t respond, she asks, “Do they all know you’re dating the others?”
“Yes! Yes, of course they do. I may be opting not to tell Kai and Thorn’s parents, but I wouldn’t deceive any of the men.”
“It’s still hard for me to think of them as men,” she says after a pause. “I was so surprised when I saw Thorn at the restaurant. So different from the young boy he was when we moved away.”