Page 34 of My Billionaire Casino Boss

Eric scoffs, shaking his head. “This is a disaster, Thomas,” he says, his voice filled with frustration. “You were supposed to be pretending. This was all for show. And now you’ve gone and made it real.”

“I didn’t plan for this to happen,” I snap, my patience wearing thin. “Feelings aren’t something you can control. I never should have slept with her again, okay? I’m sorry.”

“Again,” Eric repeats flatly, and my heart sinks with the realization of what I just admitted. “When was the first time?”

“Man, it’s not important. I—”

“When?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose and mutter, “Right before she left for college.”

“I should have known,” he says coldly. With that, he walks away, leaving me standing alone with my thoughts and the mess I’ve made. I know I should call out to him, apologize and try to fix things with my only real friend in the world, but all I can think about is the look on Lily’s face when I accused her of conspiring against me.

My gaze lands on the spot where Lily had stood just moments ago. The lights are still bright, casting long shadows on the floor. I can almost see her there, her eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling with emotion.

I take a deep breath, trying to push down the guilt that’s threatening to consume me. I need to fix this. I need to make things right with Lily. How can I do that when everything is so messed up?

Eric is right. I’m in love with Lily. And now, because of my stupid mistake, I might have lost her for good.

The thought sends a wave of regret through me. I’ve messed up, but I’m not going to let it end like this. I’m going to fix this, no matter what it takes.

eighteen

Sparks Fly - Lily

Theknockonmydoor is unexpected, a sharp rap that echoes through the quiet. I’m not expecting anyone, and when I pull the door open to find Thomas standing there, my heart sinks. His presence is the last thing I need right now, but the polite part of me can’t just slam the door in his face. I step aside, a silent invitation for him to enter.

“Thomas,” I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. I cross my arms over my chest, a protective barrier as I watch him take a seat on my couch. “You have to remember that this…us…it started as a deception. I don’t owe you anything.”

He looks at me, his eyes hard and unyielding. “I just want you to admit that you have feelings for me, Lily.”

His words make me bristle, a spark of anger igniting within me. “Why should I admit anything when you won’t even say outright how you feel about me?” I snap back. “You’re being irrational and hypocritical.”

“I’m not being hypocritical,” he retorts, his voice rising in volume and intensity. “I think I made myself pretty clear the other night.”

I fling my hands in the air. He sleeps with women all the time. It doesn't mean anything coming from him. “Clear as mud! That was just a bit of nostalgia. It meant nothing.” He winces like I’ve slapped him, and I feel bad for a second—not only because I’ve clearly wounded him but also because it’s a lie—but then his face hardens again and starts hurling accusations. We argue, saying hurtful things and expressing frustrations that have been building since the beginning. The tension between us is palpable, a living thing that seems to fill the room. I refuse to back down, to let him see how much his words hurt me.

Finally, I’ve had enough. “You need to leave, Thomas,” I say, my voice shaking slightly with the force of my emotions. “Just…just go.”

He looks at me for a long moment, his gaze intense and searching. But I give him nothing, my expression as closed off as my heart. Finally, he stands, his movements stiff and awkward. Without another word, he walks out the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts and my hurt feelings.

The silence that follows is deafening in comparison to the heated words that filled the room just moments ago. I’m left standing in the aftermath of our argument, the sting of his words still fresh in my mind. But despite the hurt, I know I made the right choice. I can’t let him in, can’t let him see how much he affects me. Because in the end, our relationship started as a lie, and I can’t let myself forget that.

I need a change of pace, a break from the tension and drama that’s taken over my life lately, so I call Ally and invite her to visit me in Tahoe. She agrees, and I immediately feel lighter. I need my best friend right now, someone who knows me better than anyone else.

When Ally arrives on Saturday, I’m waiting in the waiting area for her with open arms. “Ally!” I cry as she steps out. “I’ve missed you so much.”

She laughs, hugging me back just as tightly. “I’ve missed you too, Lily. Now, let’s have some fun!”

We spend the day shopping, strolling through the quaint boutiques and shops that line the streets of Tahoe. We try on ridiculous outfits, laughing at each other’s outrageous choices. It feels good to laugh, to let go of the stress and tension that’s been building up inside me.

After shopping, we head to the beach at Lake Tahoe. The sun is shining, the water sparkling under its rays. We spread out our towels and dive into the cool water, swimming and splashing each other like we’re kids again. It’s refreshing, a welcome escape from the heat of the day.

“Lily,” Ally says as we lounge on our towels, soaking up the sun. “I’m glad you invited me here. You needed this. We both did.”

I turn to look at her, a smile tugging at my lips. “I really did,” I admit. “I’ve been so caught up in everything that’s been happening…I forgot how important it is to just let loose and have fun.”

Ally nods, her eyes serious. “You can’t forget to take care of yourself, Lily.” She taps my chest, right above my heart. “In there. Okay? I need you to be happy.”

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