“I will.”

“I wish you weren’t checking out today,” she says. “I’ve had the best week in this hotel room.” She kisses me again.

“Me, too.” Our lips meet again. We can’t stop kissing whenever we’re together. “What are you doing this weekend?”

“Nothing much. I’m looking for an apartment all day tomorrow. Do you want to come with me?”

“I can’t tomorrow. I’m watching a friend’s daughter play football.”

“Tonight?” she asks.

I inhale, knowing it’s too soon to introduce her to Buddy. “I have a family thing on.”

Her face falls.

“Do you want to come over tomorrow night? I’ll cook,” I offer.

“Really?”

“It’s time to get you back for that coffee.” I poke her in the ribs.

She giggles. “Okay.” She pulls me into a hug, and we stand in each other’s arms for a while. I don’t like that I’m not going to see her tonight.

“Will you miss me tonight?” she asks.

“Nope,” I smirk.

“Good, cause I’m not going to miss you, either. Glad to get rid of you, actually.”

With one last lingering kiss, I make my way to the door. I look back to see April doing a little naked jig.

“Until next time,” I smile.

She blows me an exaggerated kiss. “Until next time.”

April

“So, what are we going to see?” I ask Brandon as we drive.

“I thought we would see that new sci-fi. The one with Matt Damon.”

“Okay.” I glance over at him. “Why couldn’t Lara come?”

“She had something on.”

“I think she’s secretly seeing that guy from block two. She seems to have a lot on lately.”

His eyes flash to mine. “You think?”

“I saw them talking in the gym the other night, and they seemed very familiar.”

He smiles. “Good for her.”

I frown as he turns off the road toward the movies. “Where are we going?”

“I have to pick something up. We have plenty of time.”

“Okay.” I scroll aimlessly through my phone.

“You know I like you, right?” Brandon says.

“Yeah.” I scroll through Instagram. He’s been a bit clingy lately. Wait, what? “What did you mean by that?”

“Just that. You know that I like you.”

I frown over at him. I’ve always had my suspicions that Brandon has had a secret crush on me, but surely not. I’m way too old for him.

I must have misunderstood what he was saying. I wasn’t really listening to the first half of the conversation.

He pulls the car into the driveway of a mansion with beautifully manicured gardens. The building is three stories high.

“Where are we?”

“I just have to pick up the tickets.”

“Oh.”

“Come in.”

I don’t want to be rude. “Okay.” I get out of the car and follow him to the front door. “Wow, this house is amazing,” I say as I look around.

We get to the front steps, and Brandon grabs my hand.

I frown and go to pull my hand from his grip, but he holds me tightly.

“What are you doing?” I ask him.

“I like you, April.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I think it’s time.”

“For what?” I frown. Huh, what the hell is going on here?

“That we make it official.”

“Brandon, what are you talking about? I’m completely lost.”

“I love you.”

My eyes widen. “What?”

He leans in and kisses me, and the front door opens behind us. I jerk back, shocked at what just happened. What the hell is he doing?

My eyes flick to the person who just opened the door.

Sebastian’s eyes hold mine.

My eyes widen, what the actual fuck?

“Dad,” Brandon announces. “This is April, the love of my life.”

8

April

Sebastian stares at me for a moment, and then without a word, he turns and walks inside the house.

My eyes widen, Sebastian is Brandon’s father?

What the actual fuck? He has a kid?

“Brandon!” I splutter as I march in after Sebastian. “We’re just friends.”

“April, you know it’s more than that,” he argues, following us.

Sebastian turns and glares at me with such contempt that I have never seen before.

“I swear to you, Seb, we are just friends.” I shake my head in a panic. “There’s nothing going on.”

Brandon looks between us in confusion. “How can you say that? You stay in my room all the time.”

“On the floor!” I gasp.

Sebastian’s eyes hold mine. His stance is cold and detached.

“I love you, April,” Brandon says.

Jesus Christ. What the hell? He chooses now to do this?

How the fuck is he Sebastian’s son? They couldn’t be more opposite.

“Brandon… enough!” I snap in an outrage, my eyes glued to Sebastian. “We are not a thing. Get it through your head!”

Sebastian’s eyes flicker red. “Do not speak to my fucking son like that.”

“But… he’s got it wrong.”

“I saw it with my own fucking eyes.” Sebastian steps toward me, and I step back, our eyes locked. “You think you can play him… while you’re playing me?” He whispers darkly.

I shake my head. “No, Sebastian. I swear to you, I’m telling the truth.”

Brandon looks between us. “Wait… what? Do you two know each other?”

I stay silent, scared to speak. Sebastian’s chest rises and falls as he struggles for control.

“Do you know my father?” Brandon demands.

Sebastian’s eyes are fixed on mine.

I stay silent.

“Answer him!” Sebastian yells.

My eyes fill with tears, and I nod.

Brandon’s eyes flick between us. “How?”

My heart begins to race. Sebastian’s scaring me. I’ve never seen him like this. He’s mean when he’s angry.