Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 62811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
She met Dash’s gaze and nodded, encouraging him to continue.
“Our father was a cheating asshole, and he definitely didn’t understand me and my music or Xander and…” Dash trailed off. “Well, I guess it was the fact that Xander didn’t want to go to college or business school or work in the family business the way Linc had that pissed Dad off. They were always butting heads and that was their main interaction. Kenneth Kingston wasn’t much of a father.”
Sasha swallowed hard. “I know most of that. But what does it have to do with how Xander walked out on me so easily? Like everything we’d built again meant nothing.” At the thought, the lump in her throat grew larger.
Cassidy, Sasha noted, watched him with soft eyes. Dammit, her friend was falling for the bad-boy rocker.
Dash groaned. “It’s hard to feel like you’re worth big sacrifices when you weren’t supported growing up. And Xander’s not like me. He’s settled. Calm. Stoic. He needs peace. And ultimately, I think he wants the family we never had. I mean the man has a dog he takes everywhere. He already has the house to settle down in.”
Sasha narrowed her gaze. “So do you.”
Dash’s mouth quirked in a slight smile. “With band members who come and go at will and frequent parties. Not the same thing.”
No, it wasn’t, Sasha thought, glancing at Cassidy, who wouldn’t meet her gaze.
“If I had to guess, in Xander’s eyes, he thinks you’re like me.”
Sasha’s own eyes opened wide at that pronouncement. “I’m sorry, what?”
“You travel from country to country or within the States for whichever movie comes next. The paparazzi follow us both with flashing lights and cameras, trying to dig into our personal lives. Not to mention … a stalker.” He gestured to her head. “He knows himself well enough to understand it’s too much for him—for Xander the veteran and the man. And he didn’t want to make you choose between your career and him. So he did it for you.”
“You’re very intuitive,” Sasha murmured.
He shrugged. “I can read my brother pretty well. Better than myself.”
She bit down on her bottom lip, waiting for Dash to continue and to finally make his point. So far she’d gleaned that her life wasn’t what his brother wanted.
“He never gave me the chance to tell him I’m finished with living that way, that I have a plan for my future that includes him. He just blew off what we shared and left.”
Dash looked at her with understanding in his gaze. “Because he’d rather walk away first than have you reject him. Keep in mind, this really is armchair psychology. It’s what I see when I watch Xander and how he acted with you.”
She sighed, the sound deep, from inside her chest. “I understand but I’m furious. I deserve better. He should have manned up and told me how he feels about me. He should have let me tell him what I need.”
“You’re right. And I’m betting he’ll come to that same conclusion pretty soon.”
Or he wouldn’t. Who knew. He’d taken her off guard today, and she wasn’t certain what was going on in that thick-headed brain of his.
A part of her wanted to head to the Hamptons now and give him a piece of her mind, something she should have done at the hospital, but she’d been blindsided and concussed. She’d have to give herself a pass. And right now, she felt like utter crap and needed a nap.
“Thanks, Dash. For everything.” She turned to Cassidy. “Can we talk?” She gestured for them to go out into the hall.
Her friend nodded. “Sure. I’ll walk you to your room.”
Dash flopped down on the bed, bracing his hands behind his head and leaning against the headboard. “I’ll be waiting when you get back.”
Dammit, Sasha thought. She grasped Cassidy’s elbow and walked her to the door, opened it, set the security latch so Cassidy could get back in, and let the door swing almost shut behind them.
“What are you doing?” she asked her friend in a harsh whisper. “That man is going to rip your heart out.”
“Shh!” Cassidy’s eyes opened wide. “And no, he won’t. I’m not invested that way. It’s just fun for now.”
Sasha folded her arms across her chest and narrowed her gaze. “Your brother wouldn’t think so.”
“Axel is not going to find out unless someone tells him. Besides, I’m a grown woman. He can’t dictate who I sleep with.”
Sasha’s mouth parted. “I knew it! You already did it!”
A red flush rose to Cassidy’s cheeks. “Not yet but I intend to.” She nudged Sasha lightly with her shoulder. “Come on. I’m on the rebound and I need this. Besides, when will I get a chance with a man as hot as Dash Kingston ever again?”
“You should look in the mirror, Cass. You’re beautiful. Any guy would be lucky to have you. And I’ve seen how you look at him. You’re smitten already.”