Page 85 of Treason's Temptation
“Tired or jealous?”
I narrowed my eyes, refusing to answer because it was a little of both.
“I need a favor?”
“You always need a favor. What now?” I sighed.
“Nothing you haven’t already been doing. Cook dinner. Fallon and her girlfriend are coming over for dinner.”
“Girlfriend? Damn, I guess she really isn’t fuckin you.”
“Nah, you’re more her type than I am.”
“Ew! Don’t say that.”
Treason shrugged, “We like the same shit, but she knows not to touch what’s mine.”
“Damn it,” I snapped, “Now, can you tell me how you knew?”
“Are you cooking or what?”
“Fine, but if either of them start with me, I don’t wanna hear not oneayo, chill.”
He shrugged, playing it cool, but there was warmth in his voice, revealing, “You were in the Madison Gazette. Eighth-grade Black History project.”
Local student brings Dorothy Dandridge back to life in Black History Month Tribute.”
I blinked, the memories flooding back. Black History Month is always my favorite. I wore a red off-the-shoulder dress to match Dorothy’sCarmen Joneslook that year. Sloane even styled my hair in soft, vintage waves to present the monologue and movie poster.
“You had to dig deep for that headline.”
“What’s the caption for those breadcrumbs the internet is waiting on?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see.” A wave of curiosity hit me that I couldn’t hide. “Can I ask you something else?”
“You’re full of questions tonight. You must’ve really missed me,” he teased, learning things that I didn’t have to teach.
“You don’t seem like the forgiving type. How do you sleep so soundly next to me at night? I could try again.”
That’s the part they don’t show you in fairytales. The clause that says it’s too good to be true, because who gets a man like him without consequence?
“Fearing you would mean doubting myself, and I don’t do that. Besides, “I got what I wanted out of the deal. There’s no need for revenge.”
“Let me guess, that’s me?”
“Who else?” he joked, then explained, “I moved you in. Gave you something to do that keeps you safe while covering Rayven’s tuition. I share my Gummy Bears and even let you take over my fuckin’ bathroom becauseyoulike it better. I’m starting to feel underappreciated, around this bitch.”
“That doesn’t make it okay to blackmail and kidnap someone.”
“I never said it was right. I just didn’t give a fuck. I still don’t, but I know that if I want you to stay, I have to make thissafefor you.”
“Stay until the election is over,” I reminded him, forcing his back against the chair as he ran a hand over his head. He’d gotten a haircut for tonight’s festivities because this wasn’t just a date with his fake girlfriend.
“You know why Jordan and Pippen were so good together?” He asked, his thumb grazing the corner of his mouth.
“Why?” I asked, sucked in by the man I wasn’t supposed to be falling for, but goddamn, he made it hard.
“Jordan was already a monster before Pippen. He could score, sell out arenas, and win games. But he didn’t start winning championships until Pippen came along. He did the things that didn’t always make the highlight reels, but they made the team better.”
