Page 27 of The Blackmail of Denise Randall

So, I’ve never had a serious relationship, but I’ve occasionally gone on dates with Wyatt for a while now because he’s safe. Wyatt and I were in the same grade, but we never went to school together because he attended private school. He’s worried that I’ve friend-zoned him, but I keep reassuring him that I’m just not ready for anything serious. Wyatt, who is sweet as can be, told me he can wait until I’m ready. He doesn’t pressure me, and he doesn’t seem to care about my family’s fortune.

I feel my phone vibrate and read that Wyatt just pulled into the driveaway. Rushing over to the mirror, I brush my thick dark hair, but then frown at my tiny frame. I’m skinny, almost too thin. I add a little more powder under my eyes. Those nights of only two hours of sleep are starting to show. Before I can criticize my appearance anymore, the doorbell rings.

I hear Daddy speaking with Wyatt as I walk down the grand staircase. My foot had just touched the final step on the staircase when I hear his voice.

“Mr. Randall. How are you, Sir?”

“Keaton. I’m good. What brings you by?” Then in a joking voice he asks, “I hope it’s not bad news from one of the sites.”

He chuckles. “No, Sir.”

“I’m just teasing. I’ll go find Trent for you. I thought he’d already gone home, but I guess not.”

“Actually, I’m not here to visit Trent.”

“Oh? Not sure Alice and Noah are here.”

I hurry to the door. I step around Daddy to face Wyatt and Keaton. Both are dressed impeccably, but in completely different styles. Wyatt is wearing a nice polo and slacks. He has the pretty boy next door thing going. Keaton’s short hair is messy, and he’s wearing sunglasses, a solid black dress shirt that stretches over his broad chest and worn dark jeans. He looks so formidable. And freakin’ hot.

Wyatt smiles while stepping forward to place a peck on my cheek and to give me an awkward hug. Keaton raises his eyebrows and smirks. Then he has the nerve to step forward, taking my chin between his thumb and finger and places a kiss on my lips. What the—I pull back and stare wide-eyed that he just kissed me in front of my date and Father. While Wyatt has always been polite and conservative around my parents, Keaton just—well, he kissed me on the lips no less. Not to be outdone I see. Wyatt’s mouth drops open. Keaton places a finger under his chin and pushes it up to close his mouth.

“Excuse you,” I sneer.

“What’s going on?” my father demands.

I’m at a loss for words. I have no idea what to tell my date or my father about Keaton being here, especially since he wasn’t supposedto be. At that moment, Trent strolls up the front steps. “Sloan! Hey man, have you heard from that girl yet?”

Keaton grins and the sight is enough to make a nun blush. “Actually, your sis here is helping me out.”

My father, Trent, and Wyatt all frown and turn their eyes on me. I speak through a fake smile and gritted teeth. “I think there’s a little misunderstanding here.”

Wyatt steps in. “We have plans tonight.”

Keaton doesn’t even spare him a glance. With his eyes focused on me, he says, “Plans change. I need your help tonight. C’mon we need to get going.”

It’s almost comical watching Wyatt’s big blue eyes dart back and forth so fast, not sure which one to focus on. “What’s going on?”

I let out a groan of frustration and cross my arms. Trent slaps Keaton on the shoulder. “Is this about earlier today? Dad, your princess here assaulted Keaton.”

My dad still wears a show of concern and unease about this whole situation. I want to tell him his father senses are correct. Keaton grins wider and absentmindedly rubs his right cheek. “She’s got a hell of a right hook for as tiny as she is.”

“I slapped you for being an a-” I cringe and cut my eyes to find Daddy studying me.

Daddy speaks slowly while eyeing Keaton closely. “I know my daughter, and if she slapped someone it was because they deserved it. Now she’s supposed to leave the house with you? Keaton, I like you, Son, but I’m not entirely comfortable with this. I need some honest answers. Wyatt deserves to know why you’re crashing their date.”

Wyatt merely nods in agreement while frowning at all of us. Keaton doesn’t take his eyes off me. He doesn’t even hesitate. “Well, Sir, my intentions are not entirely pure. I might’ve taken things a little too far.” I hold my breath. Is he seriously about to confess? “I might’ve blackmailed her.”

I roll my eyes while Daddy narrows his. “Blackmailed?”

Keaton chuckles and holds his hands up in defense. “Hold on. Let me finish. Blackmailed into helping me with some relationship issues I’m going through.”

“What’s the relationship issue? She doesn’t need to get in the middle of anything.”

“She was flying into the country club parking lot and I instigated an argument, so I could handcuff her to her steering wheel, only to remove them in exchange for a date. As far as the issue—the relationship is nonexistent.” He lets out a short laugh and then his face turns serious when he notices nobody else laughing. “Sorry. Bad joke.” He waves a hand and then clears his throat. “I had a bad breakup. She cheated on me, and I just want Denise to be seen with me tonight. It’s petty, I know, but it’ll help my ego, at least temporarily. Plus, she can give me advice on how to find the right girl.”

Wyatt shoves Keaton’s shoulder to get his attention. “Your girlfriend cheats on you so now you expect Denise to skip out on her date? Why don’t you man up and go talk to your ex and the guy she cheated on you with?”

Keaton narrows his eyes and his voice turns hard. “I plan on it. Are you worried you won’t get another date?”

---