Page 41 of All Bets are Off

“Well, I admit that has something to do with it. But I missed you, and you know I love the beach.”

“Anna, you and West are over,” I tell her.

“Have you found out anything about him and Logan? How close are they?”

I hesitate.

“They’re together, aren’t they? I knew it. I’ve known it all along. I didn’t need your confirmation.”

“I thought you said you were positive West isn’t gay.”If she didn’t need my confirmation, why did she try to get me to spy on them?

“I said he was confused, and he is.”

“Anna, you need to get over him. You can start out fresh. There are some great clubs around here. Maybe we can go to one this weekend.” If she’s been stewing over an old relationship this long, she really needs to get out more. Hell,Ineed to get out more. Other than the occasional run on the beach with Seo-jun, I don’t do anything but work and train. That’s what made last night’s beach barbecue so much fun. I shouldn’t have had so much to drink, though. I have a hazy memory of having a conversation with Seo-jun, who isn’t much of a conversationalist, so what would we have been talking about?Fuck,I hope I wasn’t telling him how gorgeous I think he is. Not only because that would be hella embarrassing, but because I’ve never told anyone I’m gay. I know my coworkers wouldn’t care, but I don’t know if I want anyone to know. It’s something about myself I’ve never explored.

“Hm. Maybe. I’ll get back to you, okay? I’ve got to go. I’m at work right now.” Anna disconnects, leaving me staring at the phone.

On impulse, I dial our mother’s number.

“Dex? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I just thought I’d call to say hello. How are you?”

Mom tells me a little about her garden club and various charities, then asks me about the job.

“You’re living in a house with a bunch of other people?” she asks, sounding mortified.

“It’s not bad. It’s a really big house.” Mom would approve—she’s always been attracted by luxurious things.

“I suppose you’ve heard your sister’s moved there,” Mom says lightly.

“I just found out today when she called me. This seems really sudden.”

“She said she wants to be near family and the beach. I’m actually kind of pleased.”

“I think she hasn’t gotten over her ex from a couple of years ago.”

“The older man? Why do you say that?”

I sigh. “Because I’m working with him, and she’s asking all kinds of questions.”

“Well, maybe there’s a chance they can reconnect,” my mother says. I don’t want to tell her West is probably in a relationship with a man because that would bring up a subject I don’t want to have with her, so I remain quiet.

“Help your sister out, Dex. Maybe you can get the two of them back together. Oh, I have another call coming in. This is important, sweetheart. It’s Garfield’s tailor.”

Yeah. My mother married a man named Garfield. He’s got loads of money, though, so there’s that.

When I get off the phone with her, a headache’s building at the base of my skull. I’m prone to them, like my father—the first man my mother married, only to divorce and remarry Anna’s father, then divorce again and marry Garfield Sommerton III. I go to the bathroom for some pain reliever and run into Seo-jun coming out. He looks at me with fathomless eyes, and for a moment I’m lost in them. Until Seo-jun nods at me and continues walking, arm brushing against mine sending a rush of tingles throughout my body.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

West

I’m shocked. It’s only been a few months since I’ve seen Gloria, and she’s changed so much in that short amount of time. She’s wearing a shirt that doesn’t match her slacks and two different shoes. When Logan points out the shoes, she gets angry and snaps at him—something I’ve never known her to do before.

Poor Logan looks like he’s been gut-punched. The pain in his eyes breaks my heart. Added to that, ever since we showed up at the door, Gloria’s been treating Logan like she doesn’t want him to be there while clinging to me like I’m the one she gave birth to.

“Are you doing all right, Gloria?” I ask her.

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