“What?” I ask, not entering.
“Sit,” he says, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk.
“I’ll stand,” I say, resting my shoulder against his doorframe.
He sighs heavily, showing me his disappointment.
“I saw Austin Lowes today.”
My brows rise at that. “She didn’t mention it.”
He leans back in his chair. “She’s pretty. Very pretty.” I fist my hands, knowing that he looked at her that way. And I hate that he used the same word her mother’s boyfriend told her. “But of course, she is; her mother was too before she became a worthless druggie.” He sighs. “Anyway, Bruce is back in town.” I grunt. “He told me that you two are dating.”
“Something like that,” I say, not wanting him to know that she’s getting to me. He’ll use her against me. That’s what he does.
He smirks. “He also told me that you denied fucking his wife.”
“That’s because I haven’t. You just assumed.”
“Well, he knows someone is.”
“No offense, Liam, but I couldn’t care less what his wife does behind his back. We all know he’s not faithful.”
His nostrils flare at that. “Are you wearing protection with Austin?” he demands.
I refrain from chuckling at that. Now he wants to have the sex talk? Doesn’t he know I’ve been fucking girls since I was fourteen? I have always used protection before, but things are different with Austin. “That’s none of your business.”
He slams his hands down on his desk and stands. “It is when she tricks you into knocking her up like her mother did Bruce. I don’t want another unwanted child running around this house.”
My anger rises at those words, and I push away from the doorframe, straightening my back. “Don’t worry, Father, if I knock her up, I’ll take care of my child. I already take care of yours. What’s one more?”
“Don’t you fucking dare, Cole!” he snaps.
“No, Dad. You fucking don’t,” I shout.
His blue eyes narrow on me before he slowly lowers himself back down into his seat. “Go ahead. Knock her up and see where you’re at in five years. Your swimming career long gone. And a child with a woman who can’t keep her legs closed for other men.”
“You know nothing about her.” She’s all mine.
“I know enough.”
“What Bruce has told you?” I snort. “Like he’s been there for her.” He doesn’t even know what her mother’s boyfriend has done to her. Or he does and doesn’t fucking care.
His eyes meet mine. “I know that you’ve become obsessed with the whore, and that you made a deal with Bruce.” I grind my teeth at him calling her a whore. She doesn’t spread her legs for anyone but me. And it’s gonna stay that way. “And the moment you give her up, he’s gonna nail you to the fucking cross for taking something from him that didn’t belong to you.”
I’m not surprised Bruce told my father that I stole his car. They tell each other everything.
“Why do you care? I’m out of here after graduation no matter where I go.”
His lips thin. He hates that I have my own money and that he can’t control me. “Don’t start acting like a father now, Liam. You never have before.” Then I turn around and walk out of his office.
_________________________________
When I walk into the Lowes house, the lights are off, and the grand foyer is covered in darkness. I know that Bruce and Celeste aren’t here. Whenever he is home, they are either at the country club or out on his yacht. He likes to entertain people in this city, and they love to bow at his feet like he’s a fucking saint.
I walk up the stairs and open the door to her room, but it’s empty, so I continue down the hallway to the media room. Beauty and the Beast plays on the screen, and I walk around to face the couch. My chest tightens at what I see.
Austin lies on her left side with her back to the cushions, her arm hanging off the couch. Lilly is also on her side facing her, cuddled up to her. They’re both passed out.
I go to the stack of blankets over in the corner and grab one, covering them up with it. I sit down, my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands.
She’s in my head.
Fuck, even my cock is always hard for her. She’s everywhere. And consuming me.
You gotta fuck Kaitlin.
I wasn’t lying to Becky earlier today. This is no longer about Kaitlin or Austin. This is about the game. The feud between Kellan and me. I’m not willingly going to walk away from this dare and leave the group. I can’t. I have more dignity than that.
So what are you going to do?
I sigh, not having a fucking clue.
“Cole?”
I look up to see Austin blinking. She slides her arm out from underneath Lilly’s sleeping body and sits up, rubbing her eyes. “What time is it?” she whispers.