Page 27 of Imperfections Forbidden

“I believe him.If I didn’t, I wouldn’t.”

“Shannon is full of shit.She caught Logan kissing some girl at a party and she freaked out.”

“In front of people?”

“Yeah, he had to drag her drunk ass out of there.She attacked the girl he was with; he didn’t want her to go to jail, so he took her home.”

“He should have let her drunk ass go to jail, then he wouldn’t be in there.”

“That’s true.”

“I hope you’re staying out of trouble.”

“You know me.”

“I do.That’s why I’m asking.”

“Put your eyebrows down, man.I’ve been scaling back a little, less partying, more studying.”

I sit back and study him for a minute.“Really?”

“I know I was partying hard last year.That’s what you do when you’re a freshman, live it up, drink, party.Hook up and wake up and do it again.”

“With all the partying, hooking up, and underage drinking, there should be some studying in between.”I’m the last person who should give him a lecture on what he’s doing.When I was his age I did some wild shit—more than underage drinking and partying, but I didn’t get caught.And I kept my GPA up so my father wasn’t on my ass all the time.

“I know my GPA took a big hit.”

“Dropping from a 3.5 to 2.3 is more than a big hit.”

“I see you’ve been talking to Dad.”

“He said to give him a call.”

“When you talk to him, he’ll be glad to know I’ve decided to stop wasting his money.”

That is exactly what my dad would say.“I see you’ve talked to him.”

“Two months ago.Let’s move on to a lighter, happier topic.I hear Ava’s here—how long is she staying?”

“Indefinitely, she’s going bicoastal.Opening another store here.”

“Right on, I love partying with A.”

I look toward the bedroom.I hear noise, Cat must be awake.She hasn’t seen Gage in years, but she’s not going to be happy when she finds out he was here when we were having sex.Knowing Gage, he’s going to go out of his way to tease her and piss me off.

“Seriously, who’s in there?”

“None of your business.It’s time for you to go.”

“What, is it top secret information, is she famous?”

“Nick?”she calls.

Gage leans forward in his chair, his hand on the table.“No need to tell me, I’m about to find out who the sexy vixen is that’s got you wrapped up tight.”

I get up and lean over the table, giving him a warning.“Take it easy and watch your mouth.”I turn around and walk to her before she comes all the way out.She’s in the white robe, hair disheveled, looking thoroughly fucked and adorably sexy.I put my hands on her small waist and block her view so she doesn’t see Gage yet.“Hey, baby, you’re up.”I kiss her cheek.

“You’re always leaving me alone in your bed.”