Page 58 of My Favorite Sin

“Yes. I won’t shower tonight either.”

I grin, having no objection, and brush my lips along her naked shoulder. “So, what promise are you holding me to?”

When she doesn’t reply, I meet her gaze. She bites her bottom lip and a flash of nerves enters her eyes. “We’re spending your birthday together,everyyear from now on.”

My jaw hangs open and I groan, instantly on the defense. “Ally… fuck. That’s too much.”

“You promised.”

“Yeah, because I thought I was promising something of a sexual nature, given the circumstances the promise was made under.”

“Your birthday is important, Dan.Youare important. We won’t do anything over the top, but I want to be with you.”

“Fine.” I scratch my jaw, irritated with her. Yet I have no one to blame but myself. “You win, Ally.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

ALLY

My five-day weekend arrives and I’m catching an early lift with Josh Thursday morning as he drives to Manhattan for work. We were busy talking about plans for Daxton and Jordan’s wedding until I received a text from Dan, linking an audition application for Juilliard.

I sigh with mixed feelings. Dan believes in me and knows me too well to trust when I say I’m content with teaching. I love that about him. But there’s also disappointment and fear inside me over Juilliard, knowing I’m not good enough based off my time at the Paris Conservatoire. Even if I were good enough, I can’t audition without breaking out in a panic. I want nothing more than to fill out the application form, but I can’t bring myself to do it.

“So, you’re attending the bridesmaid fittings with Jordan this weekend.” Josh’s voice draws me back to our conversation. “What else is on the agenda while staying in the city?”

I put my phone away. “I’m attending the ballet with Violet tonight.”

“And the boyfriend? Are you spending time with Liam?”

My shoulders clench. “Liam isn’t my boyfriend. We’ve just been on a few dates.”

I’ve wanted to officially end things with Liam since our date last weekend but he’s out of town with his band. I don’t know much about dating, but what I do know is that I like and respect Liam and he deserves an in-person explanation.

Josh glances at me for a second, smiles, then focuses back on the road. “Your mother and I like Liam a lot.”

Yeah, I can tell. They ask me about him every other day. “I’m also spending Dan’s birthday with him.”

Josh’s eyebrows knit. “How did you talk him into that?”

A flush of heat hits me between my thighs at the memory of me grinding on Dan’s leg with his cock in my hand. “Um… I won a poker game against him and this was the prize.”

Worst lie ever. I’ve never won a game against Dan in my life.

Josh’s brow remains furrowed as he drives in silence. I don’t know how to read his expression. Frustration or disappointment. A rumor surfaced in the media on Tuesday about Dan winning a million dollars in a poker game. It’s brought negative press to Forever Families and has been a stressful week for Mom and Josh. I’m tempted to ask Josh what he’s thinking, but Dan is a sensitive topic for him that I’m not game to broach.

After minutes of driving in silence, Josh speaks quietly. “Out of all my sons, Dan is the one I’ve struggled with the most. He rebels the most. He frustrates me. I can’t get through to him. I don’t know how to talk to him anymore. But none of that stops me from loving him. I’m glad Dan has someone like you in his life and that he won’t be alone on his birthday. Thank you, Ally.”

“I… um…” I don’t know how to respond. While I’ve always seen Josh’s affectionate, fatherly side, I’ve never witnessed him be so vulnerable in front of me. “You don’t need to thank me. We’re family and I care a lot about Dan.” Wow, this is weird. “I’ve never liked him being alone on his birthday.”

“I do need to thank you, Ally. You don’t know it, but you and your mother are the glue to this family. My boys see you as a sister and Amabella as a mother. After their mother passed away, I struggled to be the father my sons deserved. I made mistakes I wish I could take back. But I love them all very much. I love you and Amabella for bringing them back to me, even if my relationship with them is tarnished. I think the reason I cling to you and your mother so tight is because I messed up with my sons and I don’t want to repeat the same mistakes with you two.”

“Have you told them this?”

He shakes his head. “I don’t know how to when Dan barely speaks to me. The other three aren’t much better.”

“Maybe you could write them a letter, or I could say something to them on your behalf.”

“No, Ally, I appreciate the offer, but I don’t want you in the middle of this. My boys are something I have to figure out on my own.”

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