Page 89 of Beauty & Chaos

Kissing me as if I was the love of his life.

Or might be.

That when he made love to me last night, the moon shining over our bodies, and he slid his hand behind my neck and said,fuck you are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,and my heart stuttered, it was real.

But it wasn’t.

None of it was real.

He’s not real.

His name isn’t Travis. It’s Terrance.

Terrance fucking Taylor.

Liar.

“I didn’t mean to be condescending. I just want the opportunity to explain. Stop looking at me like I’m some psychopath, Brook!”

“Aren’t you?”

“Fuck you.” He spins around, then back. “Fine. I lied. Maybe it was wrong. But give me a few minutes to explain and then decide.”

“I left the damn country with a man who is not who he said he was.” I stomp away.

“Bullshit. I am Travis Warner.”

“Leo Taylor's son.” I cross my arms.

“Not anymore.

“It doesn’t work like that, and itisrelevant to me given I’m doing a story on him. A—in your words—dangerous story. Do you not think I deserved to know?”

“No.”

“Ugh.” I throw my arms up. “Just go. Go back and see your mama.Which is also a lie. Lying about your dead parents. Jesus.”

I stare at the little car on my phone screen, willing it to speed up.

“Brook,” he demands, and I look up because that’s how I react to his dominant voice. “At least do me one favor. Do not reveal who I am.”

Fuck you.

Fuck him and all his lies and money and...ugh. Tears prickle my eyes, and I storm off.

“Follow me, and I’ll call 911!”

“Jesus Christ, Brook. You’re not giving me a chance!” Travis growls.

My brows shoot to my hairline.He did not just say that.

I spin around, now at least twenty feet away, and using my phone, point at him.

“You had more of a chance with me than any man has for a long damn time. What you chose to do with it was up to you. Now live with your consequences.” I yell back, then mutter. “Mother-goddamn-fucker.”

At least he didn’t hurt me. God, I shudder at all the things that could have happened.

But they didn’t.