Page 68 of Between Love and Loathing

That night, I worked out in the fitness center across the house harder than I should have. Punch after punch. Weight after weight. I worked away the stress, the frustration at how I’d handled Clara that day, and the text messages I knew were weighing down my phone.

Natya pursued what she wanted viciously—a lot like me. We’d been a phenomenal team before we were a catastrophic disaster.

Unknown Number: Is she a fling to fuck around with, or do I really have competition?

Unknown Number: You can’t avoid me forever. We have to visit Susie soon.

Those were the only texts I received, and I hadn’t responded. Natya didn’t understand that I didn’t have to be in love with someone else in order to not love her. There was no competition with my heart where she was concerned. Too much pain lived there now that she’d inflicted.

I knew she was right though. I wouldn’t miss my visit with Susie ever, even if it meant Natya would come too.

The text messages hadn’t stopped coming in though. My brothers and sisters weren’t going to let up until I responded. I swiped my phone off the floor and went to shower before making my way to my study where I could answer them.

Dex: So I guess the news is out.

Me: You talked to Clara about the damn casino deal? What did you say?

Dex: That’s what we’re discussing? Who cares? I just told her she’s great. Natya never helped solidify deals the way she will.

Me: Why the fuck are you comparing her to Natya?

Dex: Damn. Calm down. It’s not like the whole nation isn’t doing the same thing.

Izzy: Don’t compare women. It’s rude. We’re not objects.

Dex: It wasn’t like that. Jesus.

Me: I don’t care how it was. We’re not doing it as a family to my girlfriend.

Dimitri: So it’s real?

Lilah: I think it’s real only because Dom never dates anyone but Natya.

Declan: It better be real. Don’t fuck with Clara. You know Evie loves that girl.

Me: Why wouldn’t it be real?

I winced. We normally didn’t lie to each other. But I wasn’t exactly lying. Clara wasn’t only doing it for publicity. We were doing it for the resort, for her bakery. Not for her getting a date with Valentino. Because that shit wasn’t happening now. I was making sure of it.

Izzy: Seems mighty coincidental.

Me: Worry about something else. We’re grown-ass adults.

Declan: How about you worry about not pounding people’s faces in so we don’t have to deal with a PR shitstorm next time.

Izzy: Dex and I handled it mostly. A few people lost some pictures and videos. Big deal. Tell us more about you loving Clara. That’s what I want to know about.

Lilah: Should we talk to Evie about this?

Declan: Fuck no. She’s nursing. She doesn’t need the stress.

Izzy: Seriously? Her breastmilk isn’t going to be affected by stress, you idiot.

Me: Would you all just calm down? I like Clara’s company, she likes mine. Don’t meddle when everything is working out with flying fucking colors.

Dex: Yeah. The casino deal is looking solid.

Me: Exactly. I’ve got shit to do. Bother someone else.