Page 32 of Bought and Broken

Well, if I thought I was getting reassurance from Dane, I was wrong. I should have known he would argue with me about this. Tell me what I’m doing is wrong.

But maybe—no. It doesn’t matter what he thinks. This has to happen. I know Devon well enough to know she won’t tell Dane shit about this. She’ll suffer in silence, the same way I did. Dane never has to know about any of this.

Fuck having a conscience. Devon is making me soft. Less than a day and her niceness is rubbing off on me. Fuck all of this bullshit.

“Just thought it would be fun is all. Something to pass the time.”

“So how are you going to get back at her?”

“No entirely sure yet.”

“Well, whatever you do, make sure it’s worth it and you don’t make things worse.”

Devon deserves all this pain. She deserves so much more than what she did to me. This isn’t going to make things worse, it’s going to make things better. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity to come for five years.

After I end the call, I head back outside. Devon hasn’t moved. I take my seat, grateful my dick is behaving, and pour us each a glass of merlot.

“How is it you remember all my favorites?” She takes the glass of wine I offer her as I glance at the bottle, not having realized this was her favorite. I just grabbed one.

But when opportunity strikes, you don’t let it get away from you.

I shrug. “Must be a subconscious thing.”

“Meaning?” she pushes, bringing the glass to her lips.

I take a sip, holding her gaze.

“Meaning… I still remember everything about you.”

“Why is that, Tatum?” she asks, curiosity in her voice. There is no accusation. Nothing that makes it seem like she’s on to me.

I smile at her, noting how easy it is to do. I take a moment to look at her. It’s been so long since I’ve just… admired her.

People say her and Dane look nothing alike, but it’s not true. I see the similarities between them, not only in the way they look, but the way they act.

“Tatum?”

“Hm?” I say, blinking a few times and taking a mouthful of wine. Her glass is nearly empty.

“Why do you remember everything about me?”

Because I fell in love with you the very first day I met you.

I force a smile, a pit forming in my chest. “How could I not? I spend more time with you and Dane than my own family.”

Her smile is sad, and she nods once, finishing her glass. She brings her attention to the skyline and silence falls over us for a short time.

“Have you ever watched the sunrise from up here?” Devon asks with a soft smile.

“No,” I answer, filling both our glasses.

“If I lived here, I’d be out here every morning to watch it.”

“You hate waking up early.”

“When there’s nothing to do, there’s no point in getting up, but I’d get up for the right thing.”

“And watching the sunrise is the right thing?” I question, raising my brow as I cap the wine.

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