Page 71 of Bona Fide

Fucking Christ.

“Do you know how many times she’s tried getting me caught for shit like that—publicly? How many times I would wake up to a fucking freshman in my bed, naked and sucking my cock? That Demi would send fleets of girls my way, who were underage, still sucking from their mom’s tits, to try and get me to fuck them.”

He takes a step away from me.

“I take that back, Brother, I did fuck someone underage. Her name was Amanda—nice fucking girl, fake ID and everything. I screwed her in the backseat of my car at a bar when I was twenty, she was thirteen. Had tits the size of watermelons and makeup painted on her face to make her look older. I took her fucking virginity that night, and when I broke through that barrier—is when it all came crashing in on me. Fun part...was when Demi was outside the backseat window, recording it all.”

I move to the side, my whole body sagging in defeat at the thought that more havoc rained on my siblings from my taking back my mistake. “Come in.”

Lucas hesitates before following my order, cautiously studying my space like I have a firing squad at the ready for him. Closing the door, I lock it and go to my mini bar to pour us a drink.

“Nice digs,” Lucas mutters behind me.

“Thanks. You like whiskey?” I don’t even know.

I sadly know nothing about my brother.

“Yeah.”

Drinks poured, I hand his over and take a hefty swig before saying, “Continue.”

“I honestly don’t even know where to start.” He studies the dark liquid in his glass, swirling it around. He’s either nervous or he doesn’t like talking about it.

Either way, I need to know everything that I’ve obviously been oblivious to.

“Start wherever,” I convey. “And I’ll ask questions if I get lost.” Lucas downs his drink before starting, unzipping his coat to get somewhat comfortable.

“I admitted to shit I never did because it was your life or fucking mine. You were in college, going places. I was the son that Dad never paid much attention to, and I liked that. I never wanted this world, I fucking loathe it. I liked football and baseball and was happy with just that and my friends. You—” A mirthless chuckle escapes his lips. “—you got a fucking hard-on every time someone mentioned the word ‘president’.”

I shrug. “So? Why didn’t you open your mouth and just—”

“Were you listening?” he snaps. “Video. Recording. Me fucking a minor. The push of one button sends it worldwide to every newspaper in the state and beyond. We did have the internet back then like that, Wade, it’s called an email.”

And there’s that Lockwood temper.

Lucas and I might not know each other very well, but it looks like he didn’t lose all of himself over the years.

I shake my head. “I don’t believe you.”

His jaw ticks, like he was expecting me not to. Why should I? I can understand Phoebe and Camila but not Lucas.

Nah, not when him and I told each other everything. Not when we were so close that I knew every stupid thing he did as a kid and how I would always cover for him. When I knew which girl in school gave him a hard-on and which were a bad fuck. That I was aware of all his fears and aspirations. I knew he didn’t like politics. I was also mindful of how he wanted to go to Harvard just to piss Dad off.

So all this talk about Demi and setting him up, I need more than just fear and saving my ass.

“I just want these motherfuckers away from me,” Lucas grounds out. “Think you can manage taking care of that for me?”

“If they’re even there.”

“Motherfuck—you know what dickhead, don’t make me regret saving your whole fucking life because you think you’re better than me.”

“Never said or thought that.”

“Then get a clue. Not only is my life at risk but she’s testing you. She’s warning our family that if you don’t take that bitch to the White House, she’ll destroy us all. I know you don’t personally give a shit, but I’d like to walk around without ‘child rapist’ tied to my fucking name.”

I stare at him because, for once, I don’t have much more to say. My brother used to be the big mouth he is right now. We did what typical brothers who were two years apart did—we fought, watched sports, and smoked.

But that immediately changed when I went to college, I didn’t see him anymore, he stopped taking my calls and then the news of him having sex with underaged girls came out from our father.

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