Page 124 of Playing With Secrets
I laugh at her mocking me. “Easy does it. I’m already feeling mighty vulnerable. You don’t need to add insult to injury.”
“Sorry. It’s just funny when Melanie says it, so I thought I’d use it on you too.”
“Yeah, about Melanie…”
Dori turns white. “Oh, no. Please don’t tell me you hooked up with her. Oh, Jami. If you did?—”
“No.” I rush to take her hand in mine. “It’s nothing like that. I was about to say that whatever we talk about tonighthas to stay between us. You can’t run off and discuss this with her.”
“But she’s my best friend. How am I supposed to keep this from her?”
My body sags as I sigh. “She has a hard time keeping things to herself. I can’t risk her knowing about this and slipping in front of Hunter.”
“What does Hunter have to do with the mess you’re in?”
“Before I cover that, I need your word.”
She pauses and considers my request. “Is there anyone I can talk to about this?”
“Only me until the app is launched successfully.”
“So all this is about the app?”
“It’s not about the app, but it revolves around it. Once I complete my contract obligations, you can share away.”
“Okay, it’s time you spill it. I’m trying to figure it out and it’s hurting my brain.” She rubs her temples.
“I know it’s time.” I take a long, deep breath. “Please try to keep an open mind as I’m talking.”
“Done, now go.” She motions with her hand to hurry up.
“You have a temper and have been known to fly off the handle without having all the facts. Can you promise to remember that?” My hands sweat.
“Jami, I agree with all your requirements. Now, can we get on with it?”
I brace myself and prepare to tell her everything. I hope I’m making the right decision.
“Let’s start with the easy stuff first.”
“Fine.”
I run my hand down my beard. “I have a call out to Aiden. I’m going to tell him how I feel about you. He won’t like it. No, that’s an understatement. He’s going to hate me after, and you’ll have to deal with the blowback. Tell me now if there’s any doubt you won’t be able to handle it.”
“I’ve been telling you he shouldn’t run your life all along.He’ll get over it.” She glances down like she’s not sure she believes her own words.
“Dori, I promised him I would never do this with you. I swore on my life I wouldn’t do this. This will be a huge betrayal, so please consider it before answering me. I’m still going to tell him I’m in love with you, but I don’t have to say anything else until you’re ready.”
My skin erupts with nerves, and my body is on fire. I’ve never gotten this far and now I can’t turn back. But Dori needs time to consider this. He’s her brother, after all.
He might be the only so-called family I have left, but I can’t keep hiding this from him. He’s going to want to kill me once he hears me out, but I have to hope someday he’ll forgive me.
Not likely, so don’t get your hopes up.
She peeks through her lashes, terror covering her emerald eyes. “Can you tell him about you first? We can see how it goes and take it from there.”
I knew this was going to be too much for her once things got serious. My stomach drops into the abyss and rips my heart out right along with it. I have my answer. I’m in this brutal fight alone.
CHAPTER 30
