Page 4 of Claimed by my Bestie's Dad

Just as she’s about to leave, she pauses at the door and looks back at me. “You know, if I’d come here willing to flirt with you, maybe even more, I bet you’d have given me whatever I wanted. I bet you paid that escort, huh? But me, someone who actually wants to do something with her life, doesn’t matter.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I keep my expression neutral, refusing to let her see that she’s gotten under my skin. “It seems like you need to rethink some choices you’ve made, but I’m not your therapist, and I don’t want to hear about your issues.”

Madison’s face hardens further, and without another word, she leaves, slamming the door behind her. The sound echoes through the house, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.

I stand there for a moment, letting my guilt seep away as I take another sip of bourbon.

My night has been ruined. And all because of a mix-up that never should have happened. I should have known better, should have been more careful. But what’s done is done.

I’ve dealt with more troublesome situations than this.Madison’s just another bump in the road. I’ll forget about her soon enough. I have more important things to focus on, even though I no longer feel like going out anymore.

As the bourbon warms me from the inside, I start to relax, letting the frustration of the evening melt away.

2

MADISON

I slamthe door to my house behind me. Samson, my sweet pup, jumps and starts barking his high-pitched bark before he realizes it’s me.

I scoop him up and stroke him without thinking about it as his barks turn into eager licks at my face.

My hands are shaking, and a hot flush of anger crawls up my neck. I can’t believe I actually went over there. What the hell was I thinking? I storm through my living room, pacing back and forth as I replay the conversation in my head.

Ethan Taylor is a grade-A jerk. No, scratch that—he’s an arrogant, entitled asshole who thinks his money makes him better than everyone else. I can’t believe I listened to Aurora. I should never have let her convince me that going to him was a good idea. I should have known better.

In fact, she needs to know just how wrong she was. I set Samson on the floor, and he bounds over to a toy and starts growling at it. Then, I grab my phone and call Aurora.

“Hey, girl. What’s up? Have you asked my dad for the money yet?” Aurora answers cheerfully.

“Oh yeah. I took your advice. Youramazingadvice. Your dad is a complete jerk, Aurora. He basically laughed in my face.”

There’s a pause on the other end, and I can almost hear Aurora’s confusion. “Wait, what? What happened? I mean, sometimes he doesn’t just give his money away, but if you explained to him about the surf school and stuff…”

I snort because Aurora acts like her dad and I sat down and had a civil conversation instead of what actually happened, which was that he hit on me…literally. I felt his cock pressing into my ass. As that memory hits me, my pussy tightens. Because I can’t deny there was a small part, no, maybe even a normal-sized part that was flattered by the fact he found me so attractive.

He’s attractive too, in an older way. His short dark hair has just enough gray peppered throughout it to make him seem like he’s lived through a few things. But the stubble on his face still makes him look young.

“Madison?”

My anger crashes back in, and I remember what I was saying to Aurora. “I went over there like you suggested, asked him if he could help me out with a loan, and he acted like I was trying to rob him or something. He got all defensive and rude, and then he just flat-out refused. I didn’t even get the chance to show him the business plan I spent hours on last night.”

I look at the folder where it sits half-open on my couch, feeling the annoying tickle of tears in the back of my throat.

“Madison, I’m so sorry. I really thought he might be willing to help. I didn’t know he’d react like that. If I did, I wouldn’t have suggested it. Honestly.”

I take a deep breath, trying to calm down, but the memory of Ethan’s smug expression is still fresh in mymind. “Well, he did. And now I’m back to square one, trying to figure out if I’m ever going to be able to do this.”

I let out a long breath. I may hate Aurora’s dad, but I don’t think she purposely sent me into the lion’s den. I can’t lose a friendship over this, not when I’ve been friends with Aurora for so long.

“I wish there was something I could do. Maybe if I talked to him?—”

“No, Aurora. Please don’t. I never want to talk about this again. Besides, it’s… It’s not your fault. I just… I shouldn’t have gone over there in the first place.”

What I don’t say is that a part of me—an ashamed, angry part—wonders if things would have gone differently if I had flirted back with him. If I’d played into his little game, let him think I was interested, would he have given me the loan? The thought makes me sick, but I can’t shake it.

Worse, would I have beenwillingto flirt for money? Maybe if it meant my dream of a surf school would come true.

Aurora sighs on the other end of the line. “I hate that he did that to you. If there’s anything I can do?—”

---