Page 56 of Never Less

The color drains from his face as he sets his keys on the island. “Lily,” he says slowly, “why are you in one of my dad’s shirts?”

I take a sip of my coffee. After what he’s put me through, he can endure a few seconds of suspense.

“Lily—”

“Doesn’t feel too great, does it?” I ask. “Not only did I go running into the arms of someone else, but I went to your father.”

“Is this some kind of sick joke?” he demands. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“Getting what I deserve.” I set my mug on the counter between us and meet his gaze, keeping my voice steady and calm. “We’re done, Nate. I’m sick of your bullshit.”

“You—what the—Lily, you can’t be serious.”

“Oh, I’m very serious. I never should’ve stuck around for you. You were cheating on me for years, Nate. Years! And then you promised to fix everything, and all you did was get worse. You led me on so you could end things on your own terms. Do you not get it, Nate? How incredibly shitty that is? How incredibly shitty you are?”

“On my own terms? What the fuck are you even talking about?”

“You butt dialed me.” Crossing my arms, I stare him down, satisfaction warming my skin as realization sinks into his features. “I heard what you told Levi and Matthias—about how you were planning on breaking up with me after the trip.”

His eyes widen, but the shock is quickly replaced by anger. “So you slept with my dad. Real mature, Lily.”

“Oh, I didn’t just sleep with Marcus. I’m moving in with him, too. He treats me much better than you ever did.”

“You think what you have with my dad will last?” He scoffs. “An older man dating a younger woman. We’ve all seen it thousands of times before. He’s only with you because you’re young. The second you turn thirty, he’ll dump your sorry ass and find someone to replace you.”

A day ago, his words would’ve stung. Now, they sound almost laughable. It’s like he’s forgotten who his father is.

I roll my eyes. “Seriously, Nathan? That’s the best you’ve got?”

“Oh, I’m just getting started.” He steps forward, and the hatred dripping from his tone is like a slap in the face.

Has he always felt this way?

“He probably won’t even wait until you’re thirty. You’ll most likely bore him to death before then with all your fashion and business talk and the fact that you never do anything fun. You’re always—”

“That’s enough.” Marcus’s voice echoes through the room, deep and firm. He steps into the kitchen, his eyes hard. “Speak to her like that again, and I’ll put you in the hospital, boy.”

“Dad, what the fuck? This can’t be happening. This can’t—”

“Get out, Nathan. Pack your things and go home. And if you touch any of Liliana’s stuff when you get back, you’ll have hell to pay. You understand?”

“Dad! I’d never do something like that. You know I wouldn’t.”

Marcus shakes his head. “I don’t know who you are anymore. Now get the fuck out of my house.”

I stare at Marcus in shock. This part—the part where he kicks his son out of his home—we didn’t discuss. It warms something inside me. I like when his protective side comes out.

“You’re actually choosing her over me?” Nate asks Marcus. “Your own son?”

“I’ll choose her every time. Now get out.”

It finally seems to click with Nate that his father isn’t going to change his mind. With a disbelieving huff, he turns on his heel and marches upstairs, slamming the guest room door. I’m glad I already moved all my stuff into Marcus’s room, because with the mood Nate’s in, I really wouldn’t put it past him to pull some shit.

He’ll have time to cool down on the drive home, though. Between that and Marcus’s threat, he should leave my stuff in our apartment alone.

“You all right?” Marcus asks lowly, hugging me from behind.

“Yeah, I’m good.”

---