Still, I have a lot to look forward to. There are a lot of good things happening, like the job at the news station I started yesterday with a boss who seems like she’ll be a great mentor, and Nana is recovering better than the doctor’s expected. Still, I can’t seem to shake the black cloud following me around.
I grab my purse and keys, and head for the door. I’m meeting Brielle for a celebratory drink tonight. She said she wanted to congratulate me on my new job. If it meant free margaritas, I don’t need a formal invitation. Besides, maybe some alcohol will numb the pain I feel whenever I think about Reece.
When I arrive at the little Mexican restaurant, Brielle is already seated at a high-top table in the bar area, so I make my way over to her. The server approaches just as I do.
“Two peach margaritas, ladies?” he asks.
“It’s like they really get me here.” I smile and nod at him.
Brielle giggles and tells him, “Yes, plus an order of chips and salsa, please.”
He scurries away, and I take my seat across from her. It feels good being here in her presence, and I’m happy that we’re starting to build what I know will be a real friendship.
“How was day two at the new job?” she asks.
“It was great. I think I’m really going to like it there. Good boss. Good assignments so far.”
She frowns. “Then why do you look so defeated?”
“No, we’re not talking about that tonight. We’re going to have fun. We’re going to discuss you and my brother, and wedding plans and babies.”
She smiles at me and pats my hand. “We’re not getting married until next summer. We want it to be a small affair, so we have plenty of time for wedding planning, and babies are still a ways off. Listen, I know something happened between you and Reece, and I’m here if you want to talk.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that. I’m not sure if I’m ready to go there yet. I still have some healing to do.”
The server delivers two margaritas and a basket of chips with salsa, and I waste no time pulling my glass toward me. Swirling my straw in the icy concoction, I can’t stop my thoughts from wandering to Reece—his strong, muscular frame, that sleeve of sexy tattoos, and the pain I saw buried in his gaze whenever he met my eyes.
It’s like he was trying to hold himself back from me, like he purposefully distanced himself from feeling anything for me. Why would he do it? It’s not like he’s in love with me all these years later.
Unless . . . he still feels something for me, just as I do for him.
No. That’s crazy. It’s just wishful thinking on my part, the romantic side to me that wanted to believe the cheating ass Tony was boyfriend material. Just because I want it to be real doesn’t mean it is.
Shaking myself free of my thoughts, I say, “I just don’t understand it. I thought things between us were going to be light, casual, and fun, only that’s not how it turned out at all.”
“I know, sweetie. Reece is a complicated man. He and Hale have been fighting, and I hate it.”
Something about that strikes me as odd. “They shouldn’t still be fighting. I thought Hale would be happy that Reece and I are done. I’m sure Hale will get over it, if he isn’t already.”
She chews on the end of her straw. “I don’t think so. Reece called last night, and he’s coming over to talk to Hale tonight.”
“About what?”
“You.”
This makes no sense. Reece and I are done. “What’s there to talk about?”
She shrugs. “Why don’t you come over and find out?”
“I couldn’t do that. Could I?”
Brielle smiles wryly. “Listen, you know both of these men claim they like submissive women, but I know what they really like is a woman with some spunk. Some fire, some gusto. It makes them feel like a big, bad alpha when they take charge in the bedroom. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t come over tonight and face him. You don’t have to cower away, or fade into the background.”
“I’m going to need a couple more of these then.” I sip my margarita while Brielle gestures for another round to our server.
Chapter Thirteen
Reece
I woke up the last three mornings with my hand under the sheets, stroking my cock while I dreamed of being buried inside Macey. Maybe I just needed to do it—get her alone, and get her out of my system once and for all. That would fix this shit. Then again, maybe I’m just lying to myself.
“Reece?” Oliver pokes his head inside my office, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Yeah?” I glance up from my desk and my neck cracks. I haven’t spoken to him in days, not since that showdown at the engagement party where he called me out.
“There are two new submissives here—smokin’ hot too—who are asking to see Reece Jackson. You want me to call upstairs and have your private room prepared for a ménage scene?”
Normally the idea of two beautiful woman willing to submit to me would make my dick hard, but right now? I might as well be dead for all the interest I have. “No. I’m busy.”
Oliver’s eyes widen. “Too busy for pussy? That’s a first.” He chuckles.
“When I finish up my work here, I’m headed to Hale’s. I need to clear the air between us once and for all. We need to talk this shit out, or do whatever it is guys do when they’ve been fighting.”
“And what about Macey?” Oliver puts on a fake smile and crosses his arms over his chest.
Tired of him harassing me about this, I massage my temples. “What about her?”
“You’re not seriously still going to try and pretend you’re not in love with her, are you?”
That stabbing pain flickers inside my chest. “Get to the goddamn point,” I bark.
“You need to tell Hale how you feel about her.”
“Go take care of our guests, Oliver.” I glance back at my laptop and continue my work, ignoring him until I see him leave from the corner of my eye. Nosy bastard. If only he wasn’t right.
• • •
“Where’s Brielle tonight?” I ask Hale, admiring the view from their new thirtieth-floor condo in the heart of downtown. City lights twinkle below, and the dark waters of Lake Michigan glimmer in the distance. There are touches of both him and her throughout the tastefully decorated space.
“She’s actually out with my sister. Girl time, or something.”
“Hmph.”
“Something on your mind, man?” Hale comes to stand beside me at the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room, and hands me a drink.
I take a large gulp, the liquor burning my throat as I swallow it for courage before meeting his eyes. “I wanted to come here tonight to clear the air between us. I know you didn’t want me messing around with Macey, but I came to you first, if you recall. And that was pretty fucked up not inviting me to your engagement party.”
Hale lets out a heavy sigh. “I know, and I feel like shit about that, actually. Your gift was very generous. Thank you again.”
“This isn’t about the gift. I need to know that we’re good.”
“Come sit down.” Hale heads to the leather sofa, and I sit down in a chair across from him. Once we’re settled, he lets out a long sigh. “Macey’s the only family I have. When my parents died, it changed me, made me grow up in a lot of ways I wasn’t ready for. And even if I wasn’t old enough to become Macey’s legal guardian, in my mind, I was. She was my responsibly. Her education, her well-being, who she hung out with—all of it became my job to know. Back then she actually spent most of her time with either me or you, and I never worried about her. I knew you would look out for her as if she was your own sister.”
I inwardly cringe. I never saw Macey as anything close to a sister. No, my intentions were much more sinful than that. Feeling worse than ever, I focus on Hale’s words once again.