by B. B. Reid
There was no fucking way those two shared it with each other.
Running upstairs, I quickly showered and dressed before grabbing my keys and phone and rushing out the door. My stomach growled all the way to my destination, not allowing me time to consider the consequences. When I was this hungry, there was only one girl who could sate me.
I flew through the Montgomery’s open gates, and after hopping out of my ride, I rang the doorbell. To my immense surprise and displeasure an annoyed Barbette answered herself. Where the fuck was the help?
I hated whenever Bee caught me off guard because I’d forget that I wasn’t in love with her anymore. Since we couldn’t turn back time, our only option would be to move forward.
Let’s just say it will be a cold day in hell before I give her my heart again.
“What are you doing here?”
Rather than answer, I forced her back as I stepped inside and shut the door behind me. I didn’t bother to speak until I ran my eyes over every inch of her. She looked soft and pliable in the daisy-printed sundress, and even though she was made of thorns, I briefly entertained the idea of ripping off that deceitful dress and having my way with the ice queen.
“Where’s your father?”
“He’s on the patio. What—”
“Show me,” I demanded before she could waste more of my time. As far as I was concerned, all her fucking questions were rhetorical. No one was going to stop me from doing whatever the hell I wanted. She should know firsthand by now. Placing my hand at the small of her back when she crossed her arms, refusing to move, I forced her out to the patio where her parents waited.
Her father shot up from his seat the moment he laid eyes on me while her mother gripped the string of pearls wrapped around her lovely neck. Suddenly, I was very fearful of Barbette turning out like her.
Over my dead body.
“Oh, dear.” Mrs. Montgomery gasped as if she could read my thoughts.
There was no question that I was up to no good. Coming in peace was simply not my style. Pulling out Bee’s chair, I gestured for her to sit, and she sank wide-eyed.
“What the hell is he doing here?” her father raged.
“Elliot,” I greeted as I sat in the chair next to Bee. The food looked delicious, so I immediately helped myself. “I hope you don’t mind,” I said as I poured OJ into the waiting glass set for my cousin, “but I came to deliver a message.”
“Which is?” Montgomery barked.
“I’m afraid my cousin won’t make it.”
“And why should we believe you?”
“The choice is entirely up to you, old man. I figured me telling you would be better than getting stood up.” You should be thanking me, you prick.
“He couldn’t call?” Mrs. Montgomery gently inquired.
“He had his hands full, and now he’s tied up.” I started stuffing my face with the fluffy golden Belgian waffles they had on silver platters.
“Aren’t those the same thing?” Elliot snapped.
I had my mouth full, so I took my time answering as I chewed slowly. “I can’t answer that without feeling sorry for your wife, Mr. Montgomery.”
I heard Bee’s sharp inhale and placed my hand on her bare knee. Instead of feeling comforted, however, she tensed, and suddenly the waffles tasted like ash in my mouth. Losing my appetite, I started to stand and get the fuck out of there when I felt her soft hand quickly grab mine. Slowly, the tension left her body, and I couldn’t help meeting her gaze. She still looked nervous, and after a glance at her father, I understood why. I might have been playing a game, but this was anything but to her.
All I could do was brush my thumb across her skin, letting her know that I understood. After a few seconds, she freed my hand. I threw my elbow over the back of my chair before regarding her parents.
“Do you honestly think I’m going to allow your daughter to marry my cousin?” I blurted.
After their shock cleared, Elliot slammed his fist on the table. I stared back at him, amused by his display. “I want you out of my home. Right now.”
I cleaned my mouth with the cloth napkin as I rose to my feet. “Gladly.” As I looked down at his daughter, my heart leaped when I found her watching me like she didn’t want me to go. “Walk me to the door?”
“She’ll do no such thing!” Elliot roared.
If you asked me, he was being a little dramatic.
Ignoring his tantrum, I pulled back Bee’s chair and took her hand as we headed for the patio doors.
“You know I’m going to be the one dealing with him when you leave,” she snapped.
I gripped her hand a little tighter even as I shrugged. “If he gives you any real trouble, call me. You better fucking believe I’m coming right back.”
“What exactly do you think you can do?” she scoffed. “He’s my father.”
When we reached the door, I turned to her, not surprised to find that her parents had been hot on our heels. They wisely stood back and watched us with their mouths shut. “But I’m the one with all the real power.” Deciding to fuck with her father, I kept my gaze on Elliot as I bent to kiss her forehead. “You’re mine. You’ve always been. You always will be.”
I made sure he’d heard me too.
Barbette inhaled, and I could feel the hope in every breath she took after. “I don’t know if that’s true.”
“Because you’re lying to yourself.”
I didn’t linger after that. I’d already stayed too long. Too much time in her presence and the heart Barbette had crushed a thousand times would begin to wonder.
Not wanting to go home to brood, I found myself at Aunt Evelyn’s rental. The car Unc leased for her was parked outside. He could pretend all he wanted, but he still cared. My aunt was a capable woman, but he still took care of her despite his fury.
I shook my head as I let myself in since the door wasn’t fucking locked and came face-to-face with a man I recognized. I was sure I was staring at a fucking ghost.
The only thing that distinguished this tall, bearded man from his son were his gray eyes instead of Ever’s gold and the gray peppering his dark-brown hair. I even knew a chin dimple was hidden underneath the short hairs covering his lower face.
“How the fuck… what the fuck?”
“You must be Jamie,” Sean greeted.
“And you’re clearly not as dead as everyone thinks you are.”
“Lucky for you,” he retorted dismissively. “You and my sons would be dead, otherwise.”
I frowned, not knowing which of his claims to focus on or address first. “Sons?” I echoed after choosing.
As in more than one?
I couldn’t pretend I didn’t know Ever’s true paternity, but I truly had no idea there was another kid out there with the same deadbeat for a father. Lucky him.
I wondered who the poor bastard could be. There wasn’t much I knew about Sean other than he used to be best friends with my uncle and father. His parents, who, after thirty years of no contact, assumed he was dead, still came to family functions. Six months ago, they’d shared Thanksgiving dinner with us. Bart and Claire Kelly were kind people who didn’t deserve this piece of shit for a son. Three decades and they still mourned him, for fuck’s sake.
Before he could elaborate, Aunt Evelyn drifted into the foyer with a questioning look until she noticed me standing there. Panic replaced her confusion as she quickly closed her robe. Was she fucking kidding?
“Jamie, honey, what are you doing here?”
“What are you doing?”
“I was just—I—”
“You should know,” I said, cutting her off before she could insult my intelligence, “your son is probably on his way over here as we speak.” I made sure to make eye contact with them both when I mentioned Ever. “You need to leave,” I told Sean when he continued to stand there.
His only response was to cross his arms over his chest as he stared me down. “Maybe it’s time he met me.”
“You mean
after you’ve been absent from his life for eighteen fucking years? Sorry, but he’s not interested.”
Okay, I had no right to speak for Ever, but I couldn’t help my need to protect him. Ever was more than just my cousin; he was my best friend, and instinct was screaming at me not to trust his douchebag father. Thirty years ago, Sean Kelly set off a chain of events that led us all here, and now he’s back to stir up more trouble.
He grinned as if I’d just told a joke, but his tone was wistful when he spoke. “Goddamn, boy, you remind me of your father. He was a nosy shit, too.”
I took a step forward, ready to deliver the ass-kicking of the century, and probably get my ass handed to me too, when Aunt Evelyn intervened.
“Okay, Sean. It’s time for you to go.” She pushed him toward the door, and he let her.
“We’ll continue our discussion later,” he warned her when he was over the threshold.
“No the fuck you won’t,” I snarled before slamming the door in his face. Locking it, I rounded on the tiny woman who had caused so much confusion and pain and waited for her to explain.
“It’s not what it looks like.”
“I think it is. Did you sleep with him?”
“That’s none of your business, Jameson!”
She had a fierce look in her eye that warned me not to push. I’d never seen her this angry before. It was too bad I didn’t give a shit.
“You did, didn’t you?” I prodded. “You actually slept with him in the house my uncle, your wedded husband, is paying for.”
“It’s complicated, Jamie.”
“Nothing is ever that complicated.”
Reaching up, I thought she’d slap me, but she cupped my cheek instead. “Then you haven’t yet experienced real life, my darling. I’d pray you never do, but I know it would be in vain.”
My hands shook as my frustration surged to an all-time high. I wanted to reach for the smokes burning a hole in my pocket, but I refrained. “Why did you leave?” I blurted, causing her hand to fall. “Was it really that bad?”
“I can’t discuss that with you, Jamie, but I want you to know that I had the best intentions.”
Suddenly, I recalled Lou’s cynical view that no one truly knows what’s best for you other than yourself. I was starting to agree with her. Look at the havoc we often wreak on one another in the name of love. For some reason, my mind drifted to Bee before I shook my head. I couldn’t think about her right now.
“You nearly destroyed them,” I announced, refusing to beat around the bush. “I don’t know what’s keeping Unc together, but if it weren’t for Four, Ever would still be a shell. He wasn’t the same after you left. He thinks he drove you away.”
I didn’t miss Evelyn’s subtle eye roll at the mention of Four, but her next words kept me from calling her out on it.
“Ever is what’s keeping Thomas together.”
I nodded, accepting her answer. Blood or no blood, Uncle Thomas loved Ever as if he were his own. “Maybe, but he needs his wife.”
Turning her nose up, she headed for the kitchen. “Seems like he’s moved on just fine to me.”
My gaze narrowed on her retreating back. “Is that what this is… you’re jealous?”
She didn’t answer me as she filled a tea kettle with water.
“Aunt Evelyn,” I said with more bass in my tone than proper etiquette allowed.
“Jamie, you already have so much to worry about. This is between Thomas and me.” Meeting my gaze, she forced a smile. “I hear you’re heading to Penn this fall.”
I flinched at the reminder. It was a well-kept secret that I was attending the Ivy League after graduation. With an expulsion on my record, I didn’t even want to know how much my uncle had to donate to make that happen. Even with a prestigious degree in hand, I wasn’t convinced I’d have it easy in corporate America. No matter how savvy my brain or how big the boardroom I commanded, all anyone would ever see was some arrogant punk with too many tattoos under the expensive suit. A part of me had hoped they would get me out of my duty, but the only other eligible heir was my seven-year-old siblings.
Regardless, I was resigned to my fate. It wasn’t like I had any other options. My future had been mapped out long before I could even begin to have dreams, so whenever Thomas deemed me ready, I would take over as head of the family… and overseer of our billion-dollar fortune. It was the real reason I was shipped back to the States, after all, while my mother and siblings stayed behind in Ireland.
The stipulations put in place when NaMara was founded nearly a century ago required a blood heir to assume the helm. Naturally, anyone would assume Ever, as Thomas’s sole heir, would take over the role, but Ever wasn’t a McNamara. He was a Kelly.
And soon, the well-kept secret would unravel.
Ironically, I was envious of him. I didn’t exactly relish the idea of being responsible for an entire clan, most of whom I’d never even met. Every decision I made henceforth would affect entire generations. Acting in my best interest would be a thing of the past.
Minutes later, I was scarfing down the turkey sandwich Aunt Evelyn made when the front door opened, and Ever stormed inside with a duffel and a look to kill.
“Unc kicked you out, huh?”
Evelyn immediately rushed over to her son, but he stepped away when she tried to touch him. The cold look he gave her made me shake my head. It was hard to believe he was the same person who risked his life to bring her home. Now that she’d finally returned, he wanted nothing to do with her.
“Dad said I have to stay here.”
It was the only explanation he gave before charging up the stairs. I didn’t need to ask why he’d been kicked out, but I doubt he’d enlighten his mother.
“A word of advice,” I said as I stood to leave. “Stop pretending as if everything is back to normal. You left them to fend for themselves. Sooner or later, you’re going to have to explain yourself.”
The next morning, I was alone in the kitchen, shoveling eggs down my throat when Four stomped in wearing her school uniform. I tried not to admire how great her legs looked in that skirt. I’d only end up picturing Bee’s much longer ones wrapped around my neck anyway.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Her nostrils flared a little, making it clear she was in a foul mood and looking for a fight.
Deciding not to tease her, I shrugged. “Just impressed you’re still here and not over at Aunt Evelyn’s by now.”
“Why would I be over there?”
I sighed. Why the hell couldn’t I just keep my fucking mouth closed sometimes? I wasn’t in a much better mood than Four, so I wouldn’t be getting any of my usual enjoyment from dropping bombs. Setting down my fork full of eggs, I held her troubled gaze. “Because he’s living there now.” I waited to see how she’d handle the news before I gave her the rest. “Unc kicked him out yesterday.”
I went back to eating, hoping she wouldn’t demand answers that Ever should give himself. Frankly, if it didn’t concern Bee, it didn’t concern me. It seemed selfish to think so, but avenging my broken heart kept my hands full, so… what could I do?
Four didn’t stick around, and I finished my food before heading up to get dressed. Uncle Thomas was expecting me for yet another damn meet and greet at company headquarters. I didn’t understand the demand. It would be years before I took control, but I suppose my uncle was unwilling to leave a single stone unturned.
On my way to the garage an hour later, I typed out a text as I did every morning.
Sleep well?
Pocketing my phone, I didn’t wait for a reply I knew would never come. I was pulling out of the garage minutes later when my cell whistled, indicating I had a text. Slamming on the brakes, I snatched it from my pocket and read the message.
Bee: Like a baby.
Before I could respond, a second text came through, and I felt like a kid in a candy store.
Bee: Disappointed?
Never. You were dreaming of me.
Bee:
Was that a question?
I think the period makes it clear that it wasn’t. Were your panties soaked?
I watched the bubbles move until they stopped. Smirking, I threw my phone in the cup holder, knowing that I’d run her off. I’d just made it through the gates when my phone pinged. Foolishly, I kept going as I glanced at the screen.
Bee: I wasn’t wearing any.
I swerved, nearly taking out the fucking mailbox before I slammed on the brakes and threw the Jeep into park. I stabbed at the screen. Two words were all I could manage.
Show me.
As far as I was concerned, I needed pictures, or it didn’t happen. I ran my hand down my face as I watched those fucking bubbles appear and disappear for two minutes straight.
Bee: You’re too late. I’m already dressed for school.
She was toying with me. I knew this, but I also couldn’t help myself. Before I could rethink it, I was calling her. It rang and rang, and just when voicemail was ready to pick up, I heard her voice, hesitant yet full of humor.
“Jameson.”
“Maybe you didn’t understand me,” I snapped, getting right to it. “Pull down that lacy thong I know you’re wearing and show me.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then I’ll do it myself.” She was quiet for a while, and my eyes narrowed as my thoughts took a turn down a wild road. “But you’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
“Goodbye, Jameson.”
The line beeped, indicating she’d hung up, and I chuckled, knowing that my afternoon was looking up. I walked into the tower, which held NaMara’s headquarters, with an extra pep in my step and whistled as I made my way to the fortieth floor. My uncle kept the entire floor for himself and a few other executives. Christina, his assistant, was already there to greet me, telling me he was expecting me, and I flirted a bit before knocking on my uncle’s office door.
I could hear shuffling on the other side, but it was a few minutes before my uncle’s gruff voice called out. Hesitantly, I entered, and when I saw my uncle’s tense expression, I stopped short. It wasn’t until I noticed the man lounging against the wall behind him that I realized why and wondered what I’d just walked in on.