Page 143 of Billion Dollar Love: Manlove Edition

“I’m sure you will.” Beth groaned and turned away from the aisle. “Duncan incoming.”

Lovely. Luke wished he could hide. Then again, if he hid, he’d never settle things with Duncan.

“Duncan, are you popping the question?” Beth asked. “I hear he’s seeing Carson.”

Duncan stood over Luke. “I was,” he said to Beth. “But things sort of fizzled.” He elbowed Luke out of the way. “Carson, we should get going.”

“You’re standing on my foot,” Luke said. “Get off.”

Carson held Luke’s hand. “Speaking of standing on people, I’m not wild about guys who can’t tell the truth, and you, Duncan, are that kind of man.”

“What?” Duncan moved over, standing in front of Luke. “Everyone needs to lie to get ahead. It’s nothing big.”

“I don’t,” Luke said.

“No? You fucked half the town,” Duncan said. “I heard it.”

Beth and Chris stared at Luke, who wanted to melt into the bleachers. Luke cringed. He’d let Carson know about his past. Why did everyone else need to know, too?

“Excuse me, but the moment you found out I was coming to town, you went through Luke to get to me. People in this town think you’re suave and polished,” Carson said. “You’re not. Luke’s history is just that, history. You’re a jerk all the time.”

“You’re wrong.” Duncan folded his arms. “Beth, Chris, don’t listen to this. He’s just trash talking because we opted to split amicably.”

Luke damn near choked. Split amicably? “You weren’t together in the first place, and you said you’d take him for all he was worth.” Let Duncan talk his way out of that one.

“Sounds like you started shit you can’t finish,” Chris said. “And to think, we were going to nominate you as the president of the alumni association.”

Luke scooted to the side, putting Duncan between him and Carson. It’d be the only time Duncan came between them now.

“You wanted me for my money, you’re pushy, you lie, and you have everyone snowed. Stop trying to be something you’re not,” Carson snapped. He turned to Beth and Chris. “I’m not president material, but you can’t get better than Luke. He’d represent the alumni well.”

“He would.” Beth grinned. “We’d be honored if you’d consider being the president.”

Luke stared at her. He had to be hearing her wrong. President? “I—yeah.”

“You can’t have him be the president. He sleeps around,” Duncan said. “He’s not trustworthy, and I’ve wanted that job since I came back to this rotten town.”

Carson left his seat and joined Luke on the other side of Duncan. “I’ve seen people like you all my life. You don’t think past right now and hose yourself.”

“I’m sorry,” Beth said. “We can’t have someone who spreads lies and innuendo on the board.”

“Better luck next time.” Chris shrugged.

“You can’t do that,” Duncan snapped. “I’m meant to be the president.”

“You’re meant to leave,” Luke said. “Go before you look even more foolish.”

“I can have any man I want,” Duncan growled. “I won’t make the mistake of lowering myself to your filth again. I can do better than any of you and this town.”

“Good luck,” Luke called as Duncan stormed away. He rubbed his face. “Sorry about that.”

“Why are you apologizing?” Chris asked. “I’d rather know now that he’s not board material, than finding out when he’s got power and is acting like a jackass.”

“Agreed.” Beth hugged Carson, then Luke. “Thank you for the donation, and Luke, we’ll be in touch about the presidency. You’re a custom fit.”

“Thanks.” The tips of Luke’s ears burned. He’d never thought he’d rise to the position of teacher, let alone representing the alumni. He owed the opportunity to Carson.

Chris stood, then gestured to Beth. “Come on. We still have to hit up Baxter Rose for money, too. Have a good evening and stay tuned for our call.”

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