Page 20 of Reputation (Tempt)

He downed the rest of his beer then tossed it in the recycling bin in the garage. Nate drank sometimes, usually in social situations. So for him to come home and open a beer right away was…unusual, to say the least.

Jackson held the car door open for me. I slid into the back seat, and Nate followed. He leaned his head back against the seat cushion and closed his eyes.

“Long day?” I asked, while Jackson pulled out of the garage.

“Yes.” His lips parted on an exhale, and I couldn’t look away. Couldn’t imagine doing anything but kissing them.Him.

I really needed to stop.Thishad to stop. It was distracting and wildly unrealistic.

“Problems at the studio again?” I asked.

He shook his head. “My ex.”

I jerked my head back. “Trinity?” He rarely mentioned her, and Brooklyn never did. “Does it have something to do with Brooklyn’s birthday?”

The family celebration was next weekend, and then we’d have the slumber party with Brooklyn’s friends the weekend after that. I couldn’t believe it was already almost Thanksgiving.

“If only it were that simple,” Nate said, dragging a hand down his face. “She’s threatening to file for increased custody.”

My heart gave a painful lurch. “Can she do that?”

“She can.” He stared out the window. “And she often says she will, but rarely follows through.”

“Why bother, then?”

When he turned to me, his eyes were flat as if he were devoid of emotion. “Because she likes to fuck with me. Because she wants more money. You name it.”

Wow. I didn’t know what to say. I’d never heard Nate speak with so much vehemence. They’d been rumored to have had a nasty custody battle, but that had been…what? Eight years ago?

It was the first time I’d heard him speak badly of Trinity. Though from the sounds of it, he had every right to.

And maybe I was overstepping, but I said, “I don’t think that’s what Brooklyn would want.” Brooklyn never mentioned her mom. Never talked to her on the phone. It was almost as if Trinity didn’t exist.

“Exactly.” He pinched his lips together. “But Trinity doesn’t give a fuck about what anyone else wants. Least of all her daughter.”

My body tensed. The idea that Trinity or anyone would try to use Brooklyn…especially, her mom… It made me so incredibly angry.

“Sorry.” Nate scrubbed a hand over his face and then stared out the window. “I shouldn’t be telling you all this.”

Shouldn’t.The word fell like a hammer, cleaving me apart. Did he not trust me?

And could I really blame him if he didn’t? I knew it wasn’t personal—at least, I hoped it wasn’t. Nate had been burned countless times. By his ex-wife. By former nannies and staff. And I was positive I didn’t know the half of it.

“Nate.” I reached out as if to place my hand over his but then retracted it. “I care about Brooklyn. And if Trinity decides to pursue this, I’d be happy to testify or help in any way I can to make sure she stays with you.”

He turned to me slowly. “You mean that?”

I nodded. “Yes. Of course. Brooklyn adores you. And from what I’ve seen, I don’t think she’d want to live with her mom any more than you want her to.”

“You’re right,” he said. “But unfortunately, the state of California won’t let Brooklyn tell the court what she wants until she’s fourteen. And even if they would, I wouldn’t want to put that kind of pressure on her.”

I could respect that.

“When was the last time Brooklyn spent time with Trinity?”

“Two years ago. And if I have my way, that will be the last.”

“That long ago?” I asked.

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