Page 140 of A Little Broken

Of course, she did.

“How…kind of her,” I mumble, unsure what else I’m supposed to say.

“She loves you,” my dad returns as if I need the reminder. “So, do I at least get to meet him?”

Him. As in Pax. Right.

Forehead wrinkling, I mutter, “I don’t, uh?—”

Another call coming through cuts me off, and I peek at the screen, surprised to find Paxton’s name flashing back at me. “Hey, someone’s calling,” I announce. “I have to go, but I’ll call you later.”

Before I have a chance to end the call, my dad adds, “If you need us to do anything or if you need money or?—”

“Seriously?” I screech. “I’m not dating Pax for his money!”

“We know, baby,” my mom rushes out. “Your dad just meant that if you want to quit your job so you’re not dating your boss anymore, we can help until you find something else.”

I roll my eyes. “That’s very sweet—and not subtle at all, by the way—but I appreciate the offer. I’ll talk to you guys later.”

“Tell Pax we can’t wait to meet him,” my mom adds.

I end the call and answer Paxton’s. “Hello?”

“So, you’re dating me for my money, huh?” Pax’s silky voice greets me.

Rory fans herself, falling back onto my bed, shamelessly swooning over the guy as I take my phone off speaker in hopes of achieving an ounce of privacy now that my conversation with my parents is over.

Bringing the phone to my ear, I say, “I’m sorry, who is this?"

"This is the guy you're boning for his money."

My mouth lifts. "Which one?"

"Very funny, Birthday Girl. Did you see the article?"

"Maybe."

"You pissed?"

I shift on the bed, pressing my back to the headboard as I pull my knees to my chest. "Why would I be pissed? Because I look like a gold digger?"

“Yeah.”

My lips bunch on one side while I ignore Rory’s penetrating gaze. Am I pissed? Not really. But I’m used to dealing with shitty people. Dying your blonde hair black, painting your nails black, and doing your makeup darker than your soul in high school is a pretty solid way to star in the rumor mill. Add in a handful of one-night stands, picking up random jobs while traveling to pay for said travel, and quitting at the drop of a hat because of a flight change or a spur of the moment decision is a great way to get on a few people’s shit lists. But being accused of sleeping with someone for their money? That’s new. I don’t know how I feel about it. “Do you think I’m a gold digger?” I ask.

“I think you could get a lot more from me than my money.”

My heart skips a beat, and I look down at my lap, trying to hide my smile. “Does that scare you? Knowing I hold all the cards?”

“Nah, I didn’t say that. Although…”

A knock hits my door, and Hades lifts his head from Rory’s bed. Unfolding herself from mine, Rory walks toward the door and peeks through the peephole as Hades jumps down, letting out a booming bark that shakes the pictures on the walls.

“Wait, you have a dog?” Paxton asks through my cell.

“It’s Rory’s,” I return as Rory pauses to address the monster in the room.

“Hades, no bark,” she scolds. “Everything’s fine.” Reaching down, she scratches his ear, and the fight seeps from his rigid posture with the simple touch before his furry butt hits the ground at her feet. Satisfied he won’t attack whoever’s on the opposite side, Rory reaches for the door handle, revealing a devilishly attractive Paxton on the opposite side.

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