Between Now and Heartbreak - Dylan Allen Page 0,17

there’s suspended in midair in the place where she’d been standing. I turn to see her big lugging idiot of a fiancé step through the door. He’s dressed in a suit that looks out of place in this small county clerk’s office. But next to Beth, who’s dressed in black skirt and pink silk blouse, he looks…right.

His expression morphs from an annoyed scowl to what he must think is a charming smile when he sees me.

I’ll never forget how he looked at me that afternoon at her house. And when his smile falters and recognition darkens his eyes, I can see that he hasn’t forgotten either.

I don’t know what I expected to feel when I came face to face with him again. I thought now that I knew he was my brother, maybe I’d feel a connection, or a spark of recognition.

All I see the asshole that bullied and then managed to seduce my girl--

I put a brake on those thoughts. She’s not, and never has been that. No matter how badly I want her to be.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’m Duke Tremaine.” He sticks his stupid fucking hand out for me to shake.

I don’t trust myself to not crush the hand that I know gets to touch her.

I sneeze into my cupped palms and then hold them up apologetically. “Sorry, don’t want to give you this cold.” I shove my hands in my pockets.

“That’s considerate of you.” he says in his good old boy mannerly way, but his eyes narrow and his smile is gone.

Good.

“Clover, we’re waiting. If you could finish up your chat and join us.” He says to Beth, but stands there waiting instead of going back into the room.

I can’t look at her.

“I’m just leaving. We’re done. She’s all yours,” I say with all the detachment I don’t feel.

My stomach churns and bile rises in my throat as I walk away. It takes all my self-control not to look back at them.

“I was about to leave. What took you so long?” Etta as I climb into the car.

The sharp bite of anger in her voice yanks me out of my dark thoughts.

“I’m sorry I made you wait. You could have gone ahead.” I grumble and buckle my seatbelt.

“So, what’s up with you Princess Elisabeth?”

I frown. I don’t like her questioning me. And I don’t like the contempt in her voice when she says Beth’s name. But, I realize that this might be my chance to get the scoop on her engagement to Duke.

So, I swallow my annoyance and shrug. “My dad knows hers. Just saying hi. You guys have a history, huh?”

She scoffs, it’s a hard, bitter sound. “Oh yeah, I know her, alright. There’s nothing but trouble in that direction. Her father is a wolf in a savior’s clothing, and she’s his biggest fan and a total fake.”

Why do you say that?” I ask her when she doesn’t elaborate on her declaration.

She laughs as if I’m an idiot for even asking.

“When her parents got divorced, she stayed with her father. Even though they got divorced because he was having an affair. She’s one of those women who will put up with, or do anything for money.”

“Maybe she just loves her dad,” I say, surprised by her answer.

“That would be even worse. That man is proof that beautiful shells can mask the ugliest hearts. He’s a monster.” Her voice is almost reverent in its loathing and her shudder is dramatic, but real.

“That’s harsh,” I say it with an air of disbelief in the hopes that she’ll elaborate in an effort to convince me.

She proves true to type.

“It’s not harsh enough. You don’t know that man. And she’s just like him. They call her Clover, you know? Like she was precious.”

I almost tell her that it’s because of her birthmarks, the one on her arm and the one on her face – the ones that I thought were good luck. But I catch myself and just nod instead.

“Turns out Clover is a regular old slut like the rest of us. And when her Daddy found out, he took it out on people who couldn’t fight back.”

“What?” I ask. The girl I met said she’d never been kissed before. This reeks of bitterness.

“She got fucking someone. But she wouldn’t give up his name. Drew Wolfe went on a mission to find the, how’d he put it…” she rolls her eyes skyward and her sneer deepens. “The little prick that thought his dick was good enough