Page 54 of Secret Billionaire

“Yes darlin, that Bennett. Old money and lots of it.”

He turned away abruptly and tossed the box of pastries in the trash can. Hopping on his bike, his motor roared as he peeled out of the parking lot. His gut knotted and he felt like puking. What the fuck? Could it be true? Griffin…he remembered meeting him at the bar that day and her introducing him as her old friend. He recalled the jolt of jealousy he’d felt rip through him that day. Fuck me. I’ve been duped. Why has she been hiding her identity from him?

He screeched into his driveway and stomped up the stairs into his house. Faye was sitting at his kitchen island when he stormed in. Her eyes lit up… until she saw the dark scowl on his face.

“Who the fuck are you?”

Faye reeled back as if she’d been struck. Putting a hand to her throat her face went deathly pale. “Wait Jesse, I can explain.”

“So, it’s true? You’re Faye Bennett… Jesus.” He raked his hands through his hair. “You must think I’m the biggest schmuck on the planet.”

Her hands were trembling as she reached for his arm, “Please listen to me…”

He jerked away as if he’d been burnt. His voice thick with emotion he said, “You’ve got no right to touch me anymore. Got that?”

Faye bowed her head and started crying. “My God Jesse, please don’t do this. I can explain everything. I’ve tried telling you a thousand times. It took on a life of its own. The deeper we went the harder it was to tell you.”

“Save it. I’ve been the biggest fuckin’ fool.”

“Don’t you remember me saying I had something to talk about and you brushing me off? Don’t you see? I was embarrassed to admit it to you. I wanted you to get to know me, not as a Bennett, but for me. Can you please try to understand? I never intended to hurt you.”

“Well guess what? You did. And you sure as hell didn’t try too hard to fill me in, now did you?” The disgust and anger made him sick to his stomach. The ache he felt in his heart was killing him.

He pointed to the door. “Get out.”

Sobbing, Faye begged, “Please, don’t do this. I’m falling in love with you.”

“Falling in love? Tell me, which Faye is it that’s falling in love? Faye LeBlanc or Faye Bennett? I don’t even know who you are. It’s all been a lie. You actually had the nerve to call me out because I owned a successful construction company? While the whole time you were lying to me about your entire life. The level of hypocrisy that took is beyond my comprehension. I’m only going to say it one more time, get out… now!”

Jesse couldn’t even look at her and he definitely wouldn’t watch her go. He stormed out the door, got on his bike and drove away.

---