“When you left, I was delusional.”
“About?”
“You,” I said honestly. “We’re not on equal footing.”
“You mean financially?”
“Yes.”
“Well, of course we’re not on equal footing financially.”
“How dare—”
“I’m forty-three,” he interrupted. “You’re twenty-seven. I’ve just had more time. This doesn’t have to be a thing.”
“Don’t invalidate my feelings.”
“I’m not. You want the truth? Here it is. You’re damned right we’re not on equal footing.Youhold all the power.”
“Ihold all the power? What the hell do you even mean by that?”
“You’re the one who’s calling the shots here, and you have been from the beginning. I told you I’m in, and I won’t bail on you. Part of not bailing is protecting you and providing for you. We have a baby coming, remember?”
“So, the car and the moving-in-together was what, exactly? You pulling your own weight or whatever?”
“It’s my way of contributing,” he said, pitching his voice low. “I know why you’re really pissed at me, and it has nothing to do with my money or where it comes from.”
“Why, Slash? Why am I really pissed at you?”
“Because you’re falling in love with me.”
“That’s absolutely, unequivocally—”
“True. It’s true. And you’re fucking terrified.”
Words of denial got lodged in my throat. A breathy squeak was all that escaped my lips.
“Brooklyn?”
And in a fit of true hormonal rage, I hung up on the bastard.
Because he was right.
Chapter23
I went outsideto the parking lot to give Duke back his cell phone, which he immediately tucked into his pocket.
“You look like you’re about to blow a gasket.”
“That’s one way of putting it,” I said. “Where’s Jazz?”
“She left. Said she had something to take care of.” He shrugged, looking casual as he leaned against his bike.
“Can I ask you something?” I asked.
“Sure.”
“It’s about the club…”