Page 31 of Bought and Broken

“I’m so mad I missed it.”

“It’s your own fault,” I say, leaning against the counter.

“Yeah, I know, I know. Would’ve been fun being balls deep in a pussy this weekend.”

Fun? Yeah, it would have been. I’d say this weekend is turning out to be more stressful than anything. Digging myself deeper into lies. Forcing myself to like someone I hate. Doing all kinds of shit I can’t stand doing.

“So, who are these chicks? Anyone I know?” he asks.

“No one you know,” I say.

“You should send me some pics.”

“I don’t know…”

“Oh, come on, Tate. Like they’d care. They were up for auction. You think they’re going to care about a few photos for your friend?”

The more I talk to him, the more I feel bad about lying to him and hurting his sister, which then makes me wonder if I should even be doing this. I’m pissed at Devon for what she did to me, but that has nothing to do with Dane. This could hurt him too—if he finds out.

I’d already decided it was worth it, but now that I’m talking to him, I’m not so sure.

Fuck having a conscience.

“Hey, so what would you say if I told you that I knew one of these girls from before?”

I have no idea why those words fall out of my mouth. Maybe I’m looking for reassurance that what I’m doing isn’t as bad as my head is telling me it is. Maybe if I give a vague idea of what I’m doing, he’ll laugh about it with me and then I won’t feel bad.

“What? How?”

“One of the girls is someone I know from years ago. She fucked me over, so I bought her to piss her off.”

Dane laughs. “You would do that. Expensive?”

“Three and a half mil,” I say, crossing my arm over my chest and tucking my hand under my other arm.

He whistles. “Damn, Tatum. That’s a serious grudge. What did she do? I don’t know her?”

“It was when I was out of town with my father, signing the papers for the company. She forgot to tell me she had a boyfriend.”

More lies.

Just keep telling more lies, Tatum.

Dig yourself deeper.

“Since when do you care about that?” he asks.

I run a hand through my hair, catching my reflection in the microwave door. I’m such a piece of shit.

“Since I caught feelings for her.”

“You never told me you had feelings for anyone. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Because she’s your sister and I knew you’d freak out.

“Wasn’t important, and I got over it.”

“Doesn’t sound like you’re over it if you’re still mad. You sure this is a good idea?”

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