Page 114 of Playing A Risk
I pause, considering his feelings, then shrug because he’d want to know. “Like how many guys she’s hooked up with. She’s not known for her saintly behavior.”
Jonah stares at me. “I didn’t know she sleeps around.”
“That’s not something people go around talking about. Besides, I can’t be sure. It’s just that the times I’ve beenaround her, she’s talked about the different guys she’s hung out with.” I step up to the line and start our game.
Jonah takes his turn after I pull my darts from the board. “Back to you. What are you going to do now?”
“Take the night and get fucking wasted with my brother.” I lift the bottle of alcohol and ignore the pangs of impending doom. “We should be celebrating the launch’s success, so that’s what we’re going to do.”
“Fine by me. The bright side of your issue with Dori is Jamison will be out of the picture soon. That makes way for you to win her back.”
A bolt of anxiety hits my heart. “You say it like I’ve already lost her.”
Jonah takes his aim and tosses his dart. “Hunter, if Isabella is pregnant with your kid, you don’t stand a chance with Dori. I’m sorry, but you’ve got to face it. No woman should be expected to take that on.”
My neck and shoulders grow tense. “Don’t you think I would’ve remembered having sex? I mean, a brief glimpse or a flash of me having an orgasm. How could I not remember something like that?”
“I don’t know, Hunter. I would think you would’ve remembered some of it, but what the fuck do I know?”
I sip on my drink as I try to bring forward any recollection of that night. Nothing surfaces.
“Hunter, don’t kill me for saying this, but let’s pretend it happened like Isabella claims. If there is a baby and it’s yours, Dori has every reason to leave and go back to Jamison.”
Jonah shoots me a grimace. “He’s made it clear he still loves her. I’m sure he’d be happy to pick up the pieces of her broken heart.”
“Okay, I’ll play along. Say there’s a baby. But what if Dorothy sees I’m not interested in Isabella? I’m not planning on playing house with her or anything like that.” My stomach churns with bile.
“Maybe not with Isabella, but you would have a kid in the picture. Do you expect Dori to turn a blind eye to that fact?” Jonah knocks back his drink and goes to the counter to get more.
I take a minute to think about how she was when she learned about Jack. Since he’s happy and with a great family, he wasn’t that big of an issue for Dorothy, but this is different. Isabella is out for blood. I run my hand over my stiff neck.
I walk over to Jonah with my dread growing by the second. “How am I going to tell Dorothy about this?”
“I don’t know, but I’d do it before Isabella does.”
“Isabella has no clue Dorothy and I are together. There’s no reason for that to come out.”
“Really? Don’t be stupid about this, Hunter. Isabella and Dori are going to discuss the app’s success and how it affects Sacks Commodities’ sponsorship. They’re going to be in contact, so Dori will notice Isabella’s growing belly. Sorry, brother, but you’re not seeing this clearly.”
I pull out a barstool and bury my head in my hands. Not only is Jonah right, but Jamison still loves Dorothy. They shared a kiss only hours ago.
Jonah pats my back just as my phone pings me with an alert I’ve received a message. I rise and dig into my pants pocket, retrieving my phone.
Beauty: I understand you’re upset and have every right to be, but sending someone to follow me again without my permission is unacceptable. Call off your goons now or we’ll have bigger problems than Jamison kissing me. I’m nowhere near him. But I don’t have to tell you that, now do I?
What is she talking about?
Me: I don’t have anyone following you. Why would you think I do?
Beauty: Right. I see we’re back to you hiding shit from me again. Well, it was good while it lasted.
“What that fuck does that mean?” My head explodes as I try to piece her words together. “Does this make any sense to you, Jonah?”
I hand him my phone and he reads the message. His face pales as his eyes meet mine.
“Fuck, Hunter. This can only mean one thing.”
“What?” Right as I ask, the answer smacks me in the face. My heart rate spikes. “You think this is our mother’s doing?”
