Page 59 of Chasing Sparks

I release a groan, dragging a hand through my hair. Some part of me had hoped I was imagining the severity of my situation.

No such luck.

“That bad?”

Braden holds out the coffee, motioning to the empty seat next to him. “What did you expect? You and I both know that even if nothing happened with Casey, it looks bad, man. Really bad.”

Funny, I never pegged Ori for a gossip, but it doesn’t take much in a town like Sparkwood. Small towns are powder kegs, and a lover’s quarrel is the match to set the whole damn thing alight.

Plus, hell hath no fury, right?

I settle into the chair with a grunt. “That’s the thing, Braden. Ori knows the score with me. I’ve been upfront since the beginning about my stance on dating.”

I can’t be sure if Braden meant for me to see the eye roll or not, but I’m tiring of the nth degree.

That, and the more I think about the situation, the worse I feel … about hurting Ori and possibly losing her in my life.

“You act like I’m the asshole, but I didn’t do anything. Hell, I’ve only slept with Ori since that first night, and that hasn’t happened in forever. Give me some credit.”

“For keeping your dick out of other women and being monogamous?”

“Exactly.”

I’ve been asked. I’ve said no.

In my book, that counts for something.

Apparently, Ori disagrees with my sentiment, considering she’s spouting off to my brother about what a lech I am.

Judging by the flash of exasperation crossing Braden’s face, he agrees with her take. With a snort and a shake of his head,he returns his gaze to his current project, thus ending our conversation.

But I’m nowhere near done.

“What?” I bark. “Just say it.”

Braden sighs and sets down his tablet. “Ash, I’ve seen countless women dog you, but this time, I thought it was different. You two had something together. Fuck, you were content and settled for the first time in years. I figured it was because of her and how you felt about her.”

The truth? I feel so much for Oriana Thorne, but no one, and I mean no one, will hear me admit that fact.

I don’t even like admitting it to myself. The last time I dared to care about someone, I got my heart returned to me on a bloody platter.

Since then, my heart has been safe.

At least until that night, with Ori in the basement.

Now, up is down, wrong is right, and those settled feelings my brother mentioned are all but gone, replaced by a nagging suspicion that I’ve fucked up so badly I can’t repair the damage.

I avert my gaze, focusing on the trees swaying in the wind outside. “I’ll speak to Ori. Hopefully, she’ll understand and stop dragging my name through the mud to anyone who’ll listen.”

Do I deserve said treatment? Probably. Although for business’s sake, I hope she might cease and desist.

Braden’s brow furrows. “Ori hasn’t said a word about you.”

Wait just a damn minute.

I toss up a hand, my gaze snapping over to my brother. “Then who?—”

“Mina would like to see you drawn and quartered. That’s the only reason I know anything about last night.”

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