Page 95 of Bought and Broken

Is this why he doesn’t want to go official?

Tate did go from partying and sleeping around to just me. He was at an auction for Christ’s sake, and I expect him to stop all of that just for me?

It’s obvious this was too good to be true, and as well as Tate and I have been getting along, it’s all behind rose-colored glasses. Nothing serious will work with us, and though I’ve tried thinking otherwise, it’s best I let it go. We had our time. We had our fun. Now it’s getting time for me to go, and this needs to be the end of it. It has to be, right? I bought a house. I’m moving.

We’re escorted to our table by a man in a sharp tuxedo. We aren’t too far off from the bar, which is a relief. There are eight people to a table, and we’re the only ones at ours so far. Hopefully we aren’t sitting with a bunch of pretentious asses. There’s plenty of them at events like this.

“I’m going to get a drink,” Tate says.

Dane looks at me, then at Tate who is walking away. “Stay here.”

He hurries after Tate, and I roll my eyes. I’m so tired of this. I feel like a damn dog who’s been trained to stay without a leash. Though I bet if it were socially acceptable, Dane would have one on me.

I’m just about to take my seat when someone calls my name.

“Devon?” I look around and lock eyes with the person who called me.

“Gunner, how are you?” I smile at him and lean in to kiss his cheek as he kisses mine.

“You look fantastic, Devon. It’s been too long.” He flashes me a bright smile. He’s always been a handsome guy. Too pretty for me, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t good looking.

“It has been a while. What have you been up to?” I ask. It’s been years since I last saw him. We ran into each other at a few parties over the years, but that’s it.

“Just enjoying time with my mother. Traveling.”

“That’s exciting. Are you sitting here?” I ask, gesturing to the table.

“Oh, no,” he says with a slight shake of his head. “I’m at the other end of the room, but I saw you walk in and needed to come say hello.”

From behind me, a low voice says, “And now that you have, I suggest you leave before I break each of your fingers.”

“Tate,” I hiss, frowning at him when he steps to my side.

He grits his teeth, his posture stiff. He looks like he’s about to attack. Gunner forces a smile. “It was so nice to see you, Devon. Maybe I can have a dance later?”

“Su—”

“Absolutely not,” Tate spits out.

Gunner sighs, giving another quick smile. “See you around.” He winks before turning on his heel and leaving.

“What is wrong with you, Tate?” I swat him in the chest.

“Are you fucking kidding?” he growls.

“Don’t tell me I can’t talk to him just because his mother cheated on your father.”

Tate makes a choked sound, his mouth flopping open and closed. “That’s what you think the problem is?”

Dane returns with a drink for me, so I don’t bother answering Tate. The last thing Dane needs is to see me and Tate arguing. I take my drink and then my seat. Dane sits to my left and Tate at his. I wish he would have sat on the other side of me so it would be more difficult to see him. He’s right in my peripheral. At least when someone gets seated at the table, I won’t have to worry about talking to my brother or Tate, because there will be someone on my other side to chat with.

The room fills up with people quickly. I sip my drink and watch as newcomers get chaperoned to their tables. Everyone is dressed well, and seemingly happy to be here. We’re soon joined at the table by our father and his date, Margot. I should have known they’d sit us together. Why wouldn’t they?

My father hugs me, giving me a kiss on the head.

“Nice to see you boys,” my father says, patting Dane on the back and then Tate. He and Margot take their seats, with Margot on my side. The next people to sit at the table is a man my father knows, along with his wife.

As the guys talk business, I try making small talk with Margot, but she isn’t interested in talking to the daughter of Brent Kensington. Clearly, she only wants to talk about anything he wants to talk about. I’m so glad my father never remarried after my mother. There are too many people after him for his money and the position he holds. Same as my brother.

---