Page 60 of Sweet Little Thing

He was asking for my blunt honesty. I wasn’t sure anyone had ever asked me that. Who would? But it was real, the truth, and that was something I had very little of in my life.

I opened my mouth and readied myself to say what deep down I truly thought. It wasn’t nice—zero sugar coating, just as he’d requested. “Presley is selfish and spoiled. She may have some childhood issues I don’t know about, but that doesn’t excuse her behavior. She had a party because she likes the attention. She isn’t worried about anyone but herself.” My mouth snapped shut, and I had to fight the urge to cover said mouth in horror. Had I ever said something so incredibly blunt?

Stone grinned. “That’s better. I respect honesty. Brutal, harsh, but fucking real. There’s enough bullshit in my life.”

He pushed off the wall and came to stand in front of me. His body towered over mine. I inhaled and realized my mistake because I instantly wanted to do it again. If alluring warmth could be a scent, it would be this- cedar, tobacco, with a light trace of mint.

“Even when you’re honest, it’s not cruel,” his eyes drifted over my face as if he was searching for my flaws. I on the other handfought not to grab his shirt and bring it to my nose.

“I won’t ever get close to you. We will never be friends. Understand?”

His words snapped me out of my momentary obsession with how he smelled. Did he think I wanted him to get close to me? Had I given off that vibe? Other than wanting to smell the man I had never acted as if I liked being around him or wanted to be his friend.

“Not something I expected or wanted,” I replied tightly.

The corner of his lips quirked slightly. “What did I say about honesty?”

I glared up at him. Angry that he would accuse me of lying just because what? He thought all women wanted him? That he was irresistible? Cocky asshole.

“I am being honest. I’m grateful for your help although I didn’t ask for it. Seeing as how I was in love with your best friend and fate ripped that away from us, we have been forced together because you help Jasper. It’s apparently what you do.”

He leaned down, making sure my eyes locked on his. “You weren’t in love. You didn’t even know him,” he informed me before straightening and walking down the hall toward his room. I stood there until his bedroom door closed behind him.

That man thought he knew everything. He had some God complex. He believed he had the answers to it all. Well, his need to be brutally honest wasn’t always acceptable. Especially when he didn’t know what he was talking about. He couldn’t tell others what they did or did not feel.

I spun around, walked into my room, and closed the door behind me with more force than necessary. It seemed that the one person who could get under my skin was Stone. No one else had ignited my temper like he always seemed to, and he did it so easily. With so few words.

And my brutal honesty was that man was forcing me toquestion my feelings. He was right that I hadn’t known Jasper, not like I thought. Jasper hadn’t been exactly what I’d built up in my head. But I had needed the affection and security. I had thought it was love. Who was Stone to tell me it wasn’t.

Dropping down onto the bed, I laid back to stare at the ceiling. Every moment I had with Jasper had felt magical. He’d made me feel wanted and special. As wrong and twisted as it had been for a short moment it had been real. Hadn’t it?

The next morning, I woke up to the sounds of shouting before my alarm went off. I glanced at the clock—it was only five. Sitting up in bed, I listened. The thick walls and doors made it difficult to understand what was being said. A few words were clear, but I wasn’t sure what it was about. Going back to sleep wouldn’t be possible now.

What if it was Jasper? Would he come here this early?

I climbed out of bed and glanced down at my pajamas considering changing into clothes before going to open the door and listen. Deciding that was silly since they were not only modest, but I didn’t plan on seeing anyone. I was just checking to see if it was Jasper.

If he had come back, then I needed to talk to Stone about my finding somewhere else to live. Stone had been helpful, and he shouldn’t have to fight with his best friend over my staying here. Hiding from Jasper forever wasn’t possible but if he didn’t know where I was living, I’d not have him showing up and disturbing my attempt at moving on with my life.

Opening the door, I listened and heard nothing. Frowning I glanced back toward Stone’s bedroom door to see it was open. He was awake. Easing quietly down the hallway hoping this wasn’t a mistake I debated turning and running back to my room to hide from whatever was happening. I didn’t want to faceJasper yet.

“You’ll respect my home, Presley,” Stone’s voice carried through the thick walls. I paused. I’d thought I heard two male voices. I shouldn’t have left my room. If they were fighting again this wasn’t my business.

“Jesus, Stone, relax. You’re always so fucking wound up. She threw you a party. Everyone left late. It’ll get cleaned up,” another male voice replied angrily.

“I don’t recall asking you what the fuck you thought about it,” Stone shouted.

“Stop it! Just stop it! Why can’t you be nice? You’re always so mean!” Presley wailed loudly.

Then there was silence.

“You live here for free. When your bitch of a mother wanted nothing to do with the spoiled brat she’d raised, I took you in. He didn’t. Don’t forget that.”

“That’s an unfair statement. Do you two always fight? I need some fucking caffeine and an aspirin to deal with this,” the other man said.

I started to tiptoe back to my room.

“Unfair? You were married to her mother. Your wife caught you fucking her daughter and kicked Presley out. You weren’t asked to leave, and you didn’t.” Stone’s words had me pausing. What had he just said?

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