Page 57 of The Blackmail of Denise Randall

“Sloan? Oh you’ve got to be kidding me. Is this some sick revenge game to you? Put Denise back on the phone.”

“I think she’s done with you.”

“Done with me to be with you? Ha. Is that why I was screwing your girl for the last couple of months? Denise will come back to me.”

That long? Instead of being hurt, I’m more embarrassed that I was stupid enough to believe him when he was saying he was waiting for me. I wrap my arms around my body and hug myself, bowing my head and trying to curl into myself.

“I let you have Charlee. And it’s not really an accomplishment to get her to spread her legs. There’s a difference between these two and you’re an idiot if you can’t tell. Now I’m not going to waste any more time talking to you when I’m half naked next to a stunning brunette in her birthday suit.”

Wyatt’s voice turns angry. “Excuse me? You better be lying to me.”

“Stop embarrassing yourself and leave Denise alone. Like I said, I let you have Charlee. Denise, however, you never even had a chance. Enjoy your day. I know I’m about to.”

Keaton ends the call. He slides closer to me and idly rubs my leg. “Don’t let him ruin your day.”

“My birthday suit?”

“It’s your birthday, right?”

“You’re an idiot. I shouldn’t have answered the phone.”

“I won’t argue that. Why did you?”

I wipe my eyes. “I thought it’d be rude to ignore him if he was only calling to wish me happy birthday.”

Keaton slowly nods and in a very sarcastic tone says, “Yeah, let’s not be rude to the guy that cheated on you.”

My phone dings, indicating a new text message.

Wyatt: Wow. You really had me fooled. But I see who you are. Isabelle was right about you. You’re just a stupid slut. Hope you get what you deserve for spreading your legs for trash like Sloan.

I slam my phone down on the couch and immediately Keaton picks it up. He reads the text with a low, humorless chuckle.

“I don’t know why you’re laughing. He insults you as well.”

“Little people are always trying to knock bigger people down to their level. It’s like a Chihuahua yapping away at a German Shephard.” He crawls over me on the couch, balancing his weight on his arms. “Enough about assholes that ruin birthdays. Let’s celebrate.”

Before I can react, his lips are on mine. My mind goes back to the moment in the truck with Nine. I immediately tense up.

“Whoa. Denise, hey, what’s wrong?”

“You’re moving too fast. You just slammed your lips against mine—and, what do you think —”

“Hey, I’m sorry. Last time I kissed you like that you loved it.” His voice is gentle, and his eyes are sincere.

“That was last year.”

He studies me and then asks, “Did something happen?” His strong arms wrap around me as he gently rocks us back and forth. His gentle hold is a stark contrast to the edge in his voice. “What happened? You’re shaking. Did someone hurt you?”

“The guy from the alley.” I sniffle. “I did know him. Not really well, but he tried to do something. He didn’t—but he would’ve.”

“Tell me everything.”

“I ran into him at the fair and then saw him again somewhere I shouldn’t have been. There were two creepy guys with him, but it turns out they weren’t creeps after all. He was the creep, just in a pretty package.”

“I’m barely holding it together. Tell me what he did.”

“He invited me to sit in his truck, so I wouldn’t be scared of the other guys. I went right to him. I’m so stupid. I judged the other guys by their clothing—”

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