To Be With You, page 5
part #28 of Forever and Ever Series
Fuck, what do I do? “Mike, hold on.”
“You can’t talk me out of this, man.”
I knew I didn’t have any other choice. “I know what happened. Calm down and I’ll tell you.”
He turned back to me, and he seemed even more pissed off. “You knew about this?”
“It’s not what you think.”
He eyed the bat in my hands before he looked at me. “Good thing you have that. But you’re going to need a gun to stop me.”
“Slade was teaching Trinity self-defense. They had a miscommunication and Slade accidentally hit her. He feels terrible. He just came by the shop a few hours ago and told me he felt like shit.”
“It was an accident?” he asked, his anger slightly dimmed.
“Slade would never hurt her on purpose. Everyone knows that. Trinity knows it too.”
“Why was he teaching her self-defense?”
I shrugged and looked away. “Not sure.” Hopefully he would drop the subject.
“What is she afraid of? Did something happen to her?” Mike came closer to me, his shoulders tensing.
“I don’t know.” I rubbed the back of my neck nervously.
Mike knew me long enough to understand when I was lying. “What are you hiding? If you don’t tell me I’m going to drag it out of one of them.”
If I told Mike and asked him to keep it to himself, I would be breaking my promise to Slade. But at least it wouldn’t get back to Trinity. “You have to keep it to yourself. I promised Slade I wouldn’t tell anyone.”
All his anger evaporated and he crossed his arms over his chest. “Why would Trinity not tell me?” Hurt was in his voice.
“She didn’t tell me either,” I said. “She didn’t want anyone to know. Slade came to me because he needed someone to talk to.”
“What happened?”
“When they were on their honeymoon, Slade was in the water when some guy harassed Trinity. Basically…” I tried to use the right words because I was a father too. There were certain things I wouldn’t want to hear. “He tried to…take her. Slade intervened and kept her safe. But Trinity was pretty shaken up about it. She still is. Slade walks her everywhere because she’s too scared to go anywhere by herself. Slade thought if he taught her how to fight she would feel safe.”
Mike’s eyes fell in depression. He looked like he lost the entire world. His massive shoulders fell under his grief, and he didn’t look the same as he used to. He turned away from me, trying to hide his face.
“I’m sorry. But she’s okay and that’s all that matters.”
Mike stared out the window and kept his silence. Then he turned back to me. “Do you know the name of this guy?”
“No. Slade didn’t either. But the fight left him in bad shape. Slade broke his shoulder.”
“But he didn’t kill him?” Rage burned in his eyes.
“No.”
Mike massaged his knuckles as he paced. He was pissed off but he was also hurt. I didn’t blame him. If someone tried to do that to my daughter I wouldn’t be sane either. “Thank you for telling me.”
“Just don’t tell Slade and Trinity I told you. Trinity wanted it to be a secret. And I completely understand why.”
“She could have turned to me. She knows that…”
“She knew it would hurt you,” I said. “Slade’s been really hurt over it.”
“I could make her feel safe.”
“I’m sure Slade already does that.” I approached him then patted his shoulder. “Just remember everyone is okay. Trinity is okay and Slade didn’t touch her—on purpose.”
“Trinity isn’t okay,” he said. “She’s terrified.”
“But it’ll pass.”
He stared off into the distance. “I’m sorry I punched you—twice.”
“It’s okay. Water under the bridge.”
“And I’m sorry I threatened to kill your son.”
I chuckled. “It’s okay. I know you wouldn’t really do it.”
He stepped away. “That’s what you think.”
Chapter Eight
Lexie
“When are you coming over?” Conrad’s deep voice came over the phone.
“I literally just walked into my apartment.” I had a few bags of groceries and I was trying to juggle them as I walked inside. They weren’t heavy, but holding the phone to my ear while I tried to manage the weight was difficult. I felt like a circus freak.
“Why did you go to your apartment at all?” he said with a growl. “Just come over here.”
“I needed groceries.”
“I would have gone with you.” Conrad was far clingier than he’d ever been before. Now he wore his heart on his sleeve and blurted out exactly what he was thinking no matter how controlling it sounded.
“Well, I stopped by after work.”
“Can you hurry up and come over?”
“I—”
“Forget it,” he barked. “I’m coming over there.” He hung up.
I sighed then tried to put my phone back in my purse so I lost my hold on the bags and they tipped over. Oranges and apples rolled out, as a gallon of milk plopped on the ground. Thankfully it didn’t break.
***
Conrad tried the door but it was locked. “Baby, open up.”
“Can you hold on a damn second?” How did he get here so fast? I just got off the phone with him two minutes ago.
“No,” he said like a smartass.
I stopped what I was doing and opened the front door. “Did you fly here?”
He took me in, and his eyes softened at the sight of me. The usual look of love and adoration overcame his face, and he stared at me like he hadn’t seen me in years. He slowly stepped closer to me, his eyes honing in on my lips. Then he quickly shoved his hands into my hair and kissed me hard on the mouth. His tongue immediately danced with mine and he lit me on fire.
I could get used to this.
Conrad slowly pulled away, the greed still in his eyes. “I want a key.”
“Since when did you start demanding stuff?”
“Since I told you I’m madly in love with you.” He didn’t blink when he spoke.
“Well, I guess I don’t have much of a choice then.”
“No. You don’t.”
I pulled away from him and headed into the kitchen. “I’m still putting the groceries away.”
“My key?”
“Could you hold on a second?” I pulled everything out of the bags and started to place them in the refrigerator and the cabinets. “I need to make a copy of it.”
“I can do that for you.” He snatched my keys off the counter.
“Why are you being so pushy today?”
He shoved them deep into his pockets. “I feel like it.”
I finished unloading the groceries before I turned to him. “Well, I need to shower and then I have an errand to run.”
“What errand?”
“None of your business.” I walked away and headed down the hall.
“I think it is my business.” He came behind me then wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to his chest. “Because you’re mine and I don’t share you with anyone—not even the grocery store.”
I tried to keep up my feisty attitude but it was hard when he made me melt into a puddle on the floor. “I need to stop by and see Jared.”
“Why?”
“I never thanked him for what he did.”
“Oh.” He loosened his hold. “I guess we can do that.”
“We? I think it’s better if I talk to him alone.”
He growled into my ear. “But that cuts into the time I get to spend with you.”
“It’ll only take thirty minutes at the most.”
“That’s still precious time.”
“You’ll live, Con.” I moved out of his embrace and headed to the bathroom.
“It’s babe. Remember?”
I turned around and smiled. “I forgot.”
“Don’t forget again.” He pulled his jacket off then undid the buttons of his shirt.
“What are you doing?”
“You said you’re taking a shower. Which means I’m taking a shower too.”
***
Conrad and I headed to Jared’s place, our hands together.
“Want to get dinner afterwards?” Conrad asked.
“Sure. Where are you taking me?”
“Wherever you want.”
“Wherever?” I asked. “Even Paris?”
He smirked. “If that’s where you really want to go, I’ll take you.”
“You’d take me to Paris?” I asked incredulously.
“I’d take you anywhere. You shouldn’t be surprised.” His thumb caressed my knuckles as we walked.
“Hmm…how can I milk this?”
He chuckled. “You can milk me all you want. I like being milked.” He turned to me and wiggled his eyebrows.
“That sounds gross…like you’re a woman breastfeeding or something.”
He laughed. “It does, huh? Then I take it back.”
“Please do.”
We entered Jared’s apartment building, and I turned to Conrad. “Do you mind waiting here?”
“No. But hurry.” He smacked my ass playfully.
“I will.” I kissed his cheek before I turned away.
He grabbed my elbow then yanked me to his chest, giving me a hard kiss on the lips. “Now that’s how you kiss your man.” He released me and allowed me walk away.
“When did you turn into an alpha?”
“An alpha?” He cocked an eyebrow. “What does that even mean?”
“You know, territorial, possessive, aggressive…”
He shrugged. “I didn’t notice anything was different.”
“Well, I have.” I headed to the stairs and walked until I reached Jared’s floor. Then I found his apartment and knocked.
It took a minute for him to answer. “Well, what a pleasant surprise.” He gave me a smile but it didn’t reach his eyes. “What can I do for you?”
“Conrad told me what you did.” I cut right to the chase.
“Yeah?” He crossed his arms over his chest.
“And it was really sweet.”
He shrugged.
“Thank you. It’s because of you we’re together.”
“You deserve to be happy, Lexie.” He looked me in the eye as he spoke. “I want you to be happy.”
I knew this was hard for him even if he didn’t admit it. “You really are a good guy, Jared.”
His eyes lightened slightly. “You finally believe me?”
“I do. And if Conrad and I don’t work out…I’ll give you another chance.”
He shook his head slightly. “You will work out. I can tell he’s never going to let you go now that he has you.”
Judging his earlier behavior, probably not. “Well…thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Now go be with him.” He started to shut the door.
I came inside before the door could close and I gave him a hard hug. I gripped his waist and rested my head on his chest.
He flinched slightly then returned the embrace.
“I love you.”
He took a deep breath while he held me. “I love you too—always will.”
I pulled him away and gave him a sad smile. “Goodbye, Jared.”
“Goodbye, Lexie.” He stared at me for a long moment like he was memorizing my face. Then he shut the door.
With a heavy heart, I headed downstairs and returned to Conrad.
He checked his watch. “That was quick.”
“Didn’t have much to say.” I tried to hide my sadness but I was failing.
“What’s wrong?”
“I just…I really do think he’s a good guy.”
“I think he is too—despite what he did to you.”
“I guess I feel bad for him.” I never thought that was possible.
“I never believed people could change until I saw it myself. Beatrice changed, even though it was too late for us. My brother-in-law changed, and that was the biggest transition I’ve ever seen. People have the potential. I see that now.”
“Me too.”
He put his arm around my waist. “You okay?”
“Yeah…”
“If it makes you feel better I felt the same way toward Beatrice. It was hard to leave her door knowing I was happy and she wasn’t.”
“At least you understand me.” I rested my head against his chest.
His chin moved to my head. He held me for a long time, his hand moving up and down my back in comfort. Then he suddenly stopped. “I have an idea…”
“We aren’t having sex in the lobby.”
“No.” He pulled away and looked down into my face. “Invite Jared to dinner.”
“Uh…that’s a sweet gesture but I don’t think he wants to see us together.”
“Just invite him,” he said. “You’ll see why.”
“Why don’t you just tell me?”
“Just go up there and invite him.” He smacked my ass as he stepped away and pulled his phone out of his pocket.
“But—”
“Shut that pretty mouth and go.”
***
Jared shifted his weight nervously. “Lexie, Conrad is a good guy and all but…I don’t really want to have dinner with the two of you.”
“Conrad insisted.”
Jared still didn’t seem intrigued.
“He has some sort of trick up his sleeve. He really wants you to come.”
He just stared at me.
“Come on. It’ll be fun.”
He sighed. “I’m not trying to sound like a dick but no kissing and stuff.”
“Done.”
He grabbed his jacket and stepped out. “Where are we going?”
“I don’t know. What do you want?”
“I’ll eat anything. You know me.” He put his hands in his pockets as he walked beside me. Together, we headed to the lobby. Just when we approached, Conrad hung up.
“Glad you decided to join us.” Conrad shook his hand.
“Yeah…thanks for the invite.” Jared returned the gesture.
“Let’s head to that pizza place on third,” Conrad said.
“Um, aren’t you going to ask what we want?” I asked.
“No.” Conrad opened the door for me.
He was acting weirder and weirder. “Why don’t you just tell me what’s up?”
“Because.” He grabbed my hand and walked beside me.
Jared stood on the other side of me, making an effort to avoid spotting our affection. We made small talk about TV and sports. Jared participated in the conversation but he wasn’t enthused about it.
When we arrived at the pizza parlor, Conrad looked around then immediately headed for a booth. But the table wasn’t empty. Someone was sitting there.
“Beatrice?” I whispered to myself.
Conrad approached her then embraced her. “Glad you could come.”
“Yeah.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I just hope this is okay…”
“It is.” Conrad grabbed Jared’s arm and pulled him closer to Beatrice. “Beatrice, this is my friend Jared. Jared, this is Beatrice.”
They stared at each other for a long moment, taking one another in. Jared searched her face, his eyes taking in her bright green ones. It was difficult to tell what he was thinking, but he seemed intrigued by her. Beatrice held his look but her face remained stoic. It was impossible to figure her out.
Beatrice spoke first. “It’s nice to meet you.” She didn’t reach to shake his hand.
Jared didn’t extend the gesture either. “The pleasure is entirely mine.”
They continued to stare at each other.
Conrad broke the tension. “Baby, what are you going to order?” He slid into the booth and pulled me with him.
“Um, probably a combination like usual.”
Jared allowed Beatrice to sit down first before he slid in beside her. He kept several inches between them, and his leg practically hung outside the booth. He purposely didn’t look at her.
Conrad grabbed the menu and examined it. “What do you guys want? We can get an extra large and split it four ways. Well, we might have to get an extra, extra large for my lady over here…”
I hit him playfully in the arm. “Don’t be a jerk.”
“You know I’m teasing you, baby.” He turned back to them. “How about it?”
“I like combination,” Beatrice said.
“Me too,” Jared answered.
“Well, that’s settled.” Conrad set the menus down.
When the waiter came over, we ordered our beers and pizza. Then we were left with nothing but each other’s company.
Jared rested his hands on the table and scanned the restaurant, acting indifferent to us as well as Beatrice.
Conrad didn’t touch me like he normally would. I suspected it was out of respect for Beatrice. I didn’t touch him either so I wouldn’t make Jared uncomfortable.
I broke the awkwardness. “Jared owns a bar. He’s been running it for years. It’s been doing really well.”
Jared didn’t react in any way.
“Oh…” Beatrice nodded slowly. “That’s nice.”
“Beatrice is in law school,” Conrad said.
“I was,” Beatrice said. “I dropped out.”
“My bad,” Conrad said. “She’s going to ruin her family’s wine company instead. Equally impressive.”
Getting them to interact was practically impossible. They were both so stiff.
“Beatrice loves Thai food,” Conrad blurted. “It’s her favorite.”
“Oh.” Jared didn’t know what else to say. “I like it too. But then again, I pretty much eat anything.”
“Me too,” Beatrice blurted.
They finally exchanged a look.
Jared quickly turned away after their eyes met.
Conrad whispered in my ear. “This is going to be a little harder than I thought…”
“You never have good ideas.”
“Sex in the shower was pretty nice.”
I pretended I didn’t hear those final words.
“Beatrice went to Harvard,” Conrad blurted. “She’s super smart.”
“He exaggerates,” Beatrice said.
