Page 73 of That Last Secret
Of course,I got pleasure from it because it washer.
I let my body slide down the wall until I sit, bringing my knees to my chest. I rest my forearms on my knees and throw my head back before I say, “I didn’t sleep well last night.”
“Okay?”
I sigh before admitting why. “It’s Emiline.”
Silas stares down at me, unmoving, like he’s waiting for more.
“Remember how I told you she’s the Ford brothers’ little sister?”
“Oh no.” His eyes widen. “You fucked your best friend’s little sister. Damn.”
I throw my glove at him, and it catches him off guard. “I didn’t fuck her.”
Silas laughs, throwing his arms up in defense. “Okay.”
“I swear, I didn’t. But that day, something happened that made me… look at her differently. Now I look at her like—”
“Like not your best friend’s kid sister anymore,” he finishes for me.
I nod. “I’ve tried so damn hard over the lastyearto stop thinking about her.”
“But you can’t shake it off,” Silas continues.
I shake my head. “This isn’t who I am, and it’s driving me absolutely nuts,” I admit. “And after Thomas’ wedding, things got a little out of hand back at the hotel.”
“Oh, so youdidfuck her?” he asks, shocked.
“Not really.” I shake my head. “God, I knew I shouldn’t have done anything. I already couldn’t stop thinking about her, and now it’s even fucking worse. She’s completely taken over my life. And before you ask, yes, I know I’m being dramatic.”
He holds up his hands. “I wasn’t going to say it.”
I throw my other glove at him. This time, he’s ready for it. “I can’t avoid her. I’ve tried so hard, and it’s damn near impossible.When I’m out with the guys, the first thing I think about is her. I tell myself it’s because she’s related to them, but I don’t even know if that’s the real reason anymore. There’s this part of me that doesn’t want to stay away, but I know I need to keep my distance.”
Silas shrugs. “For what it’s worth, you’re doing the right thing.”
My head tilts to the side. “I am?”
“Yeah.” He nods. “I think if you got involved with Emiline, it could end upverymessy for all parties involved. What if you fall in love with her, but something happens between you two and you end things? Then you can’t hang out with your friends when she’s around because it has the potential to be awkward as hell.”
I scoff. “Good thing I don’t fall in love.”
He lifts a shoulder and averts his gaze. “Everyone falls in love at one point in their life.”
I always had a feeling that Silas has been through some shit himself, but I never asked him about it. I respect our working relationship enough to not pry.
“Not me,” I say back, standing up from my place on the ground. “You know me well enough to know that I’m not that type of guy. My job comes first, and it willalwayscome first.”
He nods in understanding but says nothing back. I can tell by the look on his face that he wants to say more.
“You can say it,” I urge him.
“It’s just…” Silas pauses as if trying to find the right words to say. His eyes meet mine. “This job isn’t everything, Bennett. I know it means a lot to you, and you want to make it to the top and land that chief position. Believe me, I already know it’s yours. But when you’re at the end of your life and everything flashes before you, will you be happy knowing all you had was your job?”
I avert my gaze because he makes a good point.
Nobody knows why I always put my job first. I’ve never really talked about it, and I plan to keep it that way. The only way for him to understand where I’m coming from is to get it off my chest.