Blindsided (Fake Boyfriend #4)(59)

He doesn’t respond immediately, and I guess part of me is hoping he’ll say “Of course, you’re worth it. Duh.” But if he’s thinking about it, then that’s good too, because if he’s not sure, it’s better to know now.

“You wanna go home?” I ask.

“We haven’t been here long. We should go back in there and chill for a bit.”

More disappointment, and as we go back inside, I spend the next few hours trying to gauge what Talon’s thinking. He seems like his usual goofball self, but he avoids eye contact with both me and Maddox.

When we leave and go home a few hours later, things are so strained that we don’t talk the whole way back to Staten Island.

And instead of inviting me back to his place, he pulls up outside my mom’s house. I stare at the house and then at him, awaiting some type of excuse that doesn’t come. But as I go to get out of the car, Talon reaches for my thigh and gives it a squeeze.

I should ask what it means, because now, I’m going to spend the rest of the night wondering if it was supposed to be reassuring, casual, or bracing me for the bad news to come.

“I just need some time …”

I told him to think about it seriously, so I can’t blame him for actually doing it, but damn, if it doesn’t hurt a little.





*



The loud banging on the front door is what rouses me from sleep.

I can’t catch a fucking break. If it’s not the kidlet waking me up, it’s someone at the front door at some ungodly hour of the day.

I throw my pillow over my head and wait for Mom or Vanessa to answer the door. Hell, even Gabby could answer it right now for all I care.

Uncle of the year award right here. “Answer the door to strangers, honey, so Uncle Shane can get some rest.”

Gah, I should get out of bed to make sure she’s not being kidnapped or being asked to convert to Jehovah’s Witness, but I’m broken and can’t move.

After barely sleeping at all last night because of my idiotic decision to tell Talon to step back and have a think if I’m worth fighting for or not, I’m not gonna be able to function today when I can’t get myself to sit up.

“Geez, I give you two beers, and you think you get to sleep in this morning?” Talon’s voice startles me, and that finally gets me moving. I bolt upright.

“I … well … yes?” After last night, I wasn’t sure I’d see him today.

Talon crosses his arms. He’s in his ridiculously cute beanie and sweats, and his cheeks are flushed. “Come on. We’re walking back to the apartment and then training all day.”

“And the hard-ass is back. I thought after last night he might’ve been killed off by the nice Talon.” On the inside, I’m thankful the hard-ass turned up. It means there’s hope.

Something falters in Talon’s smile. “No matter what’s going on between you and me, I’m still here for a reason, and that’s to whip your ass into shape.”

I smirk. “I’m not really into whips. Handcuffs on the other hand …”

Talon’s eyes flare with heat, but he tries to hide it. “Up. Now. Your mom is making us something to eat, so you’ve got five minutes to get up and get dressed or you’re going in your pajamas.”

“You’re assuming I’m wearing pajamas.” Probably shouldn’t poke him, but I want to show him where I’m still at. I don’t want to beg him or tell him he has to choose me, but I want him to know nothing has changed on my end.

Talon looks at the roof, muttering something about God giving him strength to keep his dick in his pants.

I don’t know where we stand, but that’s no different from last night. We’re probably not going to work this out immediately. It’s something we have to figure out for ourselves.

“I don’t see you moving,” Talon says.

“It’s too early,” I complain, trying to get a reaction out of him. It works.

“Don’t make me go over there.”

My mouth drops open to dare him to do it, but I think better of it. That might be pushing him too far this morning.

Talon shifts on his feet. “Say it.”

“Say what?”

“What you were going to say. Taunt me to come over there.” His eyes are soft, just like his voice, and it’s like he’s begging me to give him permission.

“Come here,” I say, my voice gruff.

His steps are tentative, but he does it.

When he reaches the bed, I move swiftly and pull him down on top of me. Our bodies collide, and he laughs, but it’s cut off when my mouth doesn’t know when to let shit go.

“I didn’t think I’d see you today.”

With our hips lined up against each other, chest to chest, we share a single breath. Talon stares down at me with his baby blues. “Like I said, nothing’s gonna stop me from keeping my promise to get you back in shape.”

The words neither of us want to hear go unsaid.

This might be too much.

It might be too hard.

It might not be worth it.

A little voice comes from the doorway. “Whatcha doin?”

Talon rolls off me so fast he almost knees me in the groin. I grunt, and he lands on his ass next to me and smiles innocently at my niece.