Reeve (The Phoenix Boys #3)

by Amy Davies

  “Her loss but our gain, baby. We can take care of you and Skeet tonight. You game?” I force my head away from the door to look at the two hot blondes. They will do, I guess. Yes, I know, dickhead that’s me, get used to it.

  “I’m always game, sweetheart. Let me get Skeet and we can get out of here and have a party of our own.” I wink and go inside to get Skeet, where I see Leah standing by the bar talking to a guy that I have seen around campus. Shit. Leah sees me coming and she closes the gap between her and the guy. He is a total ass; a fucking man-whore and yes, it’s the pot calling the kettle black but I have heard that he has habit of knocking around a few girls when he doesn’t get his way. I walk closer and Leah is now smiling at something he has said and my gut knots again; these fucking feelings are going to be the death of me one way or another.

  Chapter 2

  Leah

  Steve is a funny guy; the way he is talking about his professors makes me wish that I had gone to college or university. He is enjoying life and making the most of his young years before he has to settle into a full time job and become an adult. Growing up is shit sometimes, but we have to do it. Steve is a good looking bloke, short blonde hair, with deep blue eyes. He says that he is on the school basketball team so yeah, he freaking towers over me even when I’m sitting on a bar stool. Again, being so short is shit sometimes. He leans forward to whisper in my ear.

  “You want to get out of here?” He adds a soft, slow kiss to my neck just behind my ear. Shit, he smells good. I am about to tell him no when I see Mr.-Messing-With-My-Head making a beeline for us and he doesn’t look happy. Steve pulls back and follows my line of sight and straightens. “Anything I should know?” He nudges his head in Reeve’s direction. I shake my head no but I’m sure my face tells a different story as Steve pulls back just that little bit more.

  “Lipsy, we are leaving, finish the drink. We are taking the party back to our place.” What the actual fuck?

  “I’m fine right here, Reeve. I’m sure Steve can make sure I get back to Lucy’s place later.” I turn to Steve with a bright smile on my face. Given, it’s forced, but it’s there. “Right, Steve?” Praying that he agrees with me but Reeve doesn’t give him the chance to agree, he pulls me off the barstool and towards to back room. Steve just bloody stands there, watching the whole thing, dickhead. Even though I am mad as shit at Reeve, I can still feel the heat coming from the skin to skin contact from his hand wrapped around my arm. My mind goes into overdrive thinking things about Reeve. Why is he acting like an arse? Why should he care if I pull a guy or not?

  I try to pull my arm out of his grasp, but it is no use with the firm grip he has on me. Bastard. I see everyone watching the interaction between us but no-one is helping me, Ryder and Rafe smirking like they are in on a little triplet secret. Well, I want in as well. I want to know why the hell Reeve is blowing hot and cold with me. I get that attraction between us, it has been there since my first night here but I also know that Lucy has warned him away from me, bless her heart. We enter the back room and Reeve slams the door shut behind us and locks it. I turn from him only to see Skeet sitting on the black leather couch.

  “You two took your damn time; I thought I was going to have to play with myself. This whole cat and mouse shit you two have going is getting old, already. Anyone can see there is something between you, so why not make it happen?” He winks at me and I blush, I fucking blush, I never blush. I know there is something there but I am scared to see where it goes; I have heard and even seen Reeve’s reputation first hand and my heart won’t be able to deal with that. I agree that the back and forth is annoying for people to see but hell, it is annoying to be living it.

  Skeet reaches forward and pulls me into his lap and Reeve instantly sits next to us. The heat between the three of us is overwhelming and anyone walking into the room would feel it. I feel Skeet run his hand up my arm and around the back of my neck. He gently pulls me towards his face but stops short of our lips touching.

  “Tell me to stop.” I can feel his warm breath on my lips; I instinctively lick my lips and see Skeet’s eyes follow the movement at the same time I feel more hands gently run up my leg. I turn to see Reeve watching us, his hand the moving further up my thigh. My body tingles as I look back to Skeet, who is now wearing a very seductive smile on his perfect plumps lips. He brings his head forward and his lips meet mine; they are soft and warm and by Christ he tastes good. I can taste the beer on his tongue as it enters my mouth, I moan from the intrusion and I hear a growl coming from next to us. I pull my lips from Skeet’s to see Reeve staring at us, his eyes almost black, and they are filled with lust. Fuck, that makes him look even sexier, knowing that it’s me kissing Skeet that’s put that look there. I can feel my knickers getting even more wet just by that look. Skeet now has his hand sliding up my inner thigh and I tense up but keep my eyes locked on Reeve’s.

  “My turn,” he rasps out as he grabs the back of my neck and slams his mouth to mine. I gasp at the sudden force and he takes full advantage and plows his tongue into my mouth. Holy shit, he tastes better than Skeet and that is saying something. My mind is solely on Reeve and our kiss until I feel fingers sliding over the front on my very wet knickers. I jump from the touch, just as someone knocks on the door. That one knock brings me back to reality; this is so not what I fucking wanted. What the hell is wrong with me?

  I clamber off Skeet’s lap and right my skirt and dart for the door. Another knock comes, causing my heart to jump into my throat. I close my eyes and slow my breathing down and turn to see that Reeve is still sitting on the couch but Skeet is now standing, adjusting his very noticeable bulge in his jeans. I can't read Reeve, he isn't showing any emotions. I take a deep breath and address them both.

  “This can't happen. It too much for me. It’s not who I am, I’m sorry.” I open the door to find a very fake as shit blonde standing there. She looks me up and down and her lips curl up in disgust. She looks over my shoulder at the boys behind me.

  “You finished with the boys? I want my turn.” I turn to Reeve and Skeet and I see Skeet go to say something but Reeve cuts him off.

  “Yeah, doll, we are finished, come on in. Leah close the door behind you will you?” I see Skeet shoot daggers at him as Reeve dismisses me and he just smiles. I shake my head and fight the tears trying to escape.

  “Lucky escape for me. See you around, Skeet.” He nods to me and I close the door behind me. I hear Reeve shout ‘fuck’ behind the door but I keep walking. This just proves that there will never be anything between us; there can't be anything between us. Marc hurt me when he cheated but the hurt quickly went away but what I feel for Reeve already is enough to destroy me if we take it further. What just happened in that back room is for the best. He will never change his ways for me and I wouldn’t expect him to. If he wants to change then he has to do it for him and not for the women in his life.

  Three days later, I hit the mall with all the girls. Lucy is in full baby mode; she is already 31 weeks pregnant and baby Phoenix will be here before we know it. Lucy and Rafe are not letting on with baby sex and baby names which is sweet, they want to surprise everyone. I know that it is driving Maisey and Kenzi crazy and I have to laugh at them when they pick up cute little outfits and Lucy shoots them down.

  “Oh come on dude, you have to tell us, it will be easier this way for everyone. You know you want to, pleeeeeaaaaassssseeeee?” Kenzie whines like a little child and we all laugh at her. She pouts and folds her arms across her chest. I see Letty and Demi make their way towards us, Demi straight to Lucy and kissing her big baby belly.

  “Hello, cousin. I can’t wait to meet you.” We all sigh at the sweetness that this darling little girl brings. “I want to name you Rainbow. Because it starts with an R just like Uncle Rafe and Uncle Reeve and my daddy who is called Ryder, but you already know that because he will be your uncle too. But my Mama and Daddy said no and that that Uncle Rafe and Auntie Lucy has to name you. No fair I say.” She kisses her
belly and turns to me with a big smile on her face.

  “I want a Welsh hug, Miss Leah. I want a cwtch,” she states proudly. I have been teaching Demi some Welsh words and she is loving it. Ryder and Letty think it a good thing that she is learning a second language, even though she won’t use it much over here. I bend down and pick her up in my arms and give her a big cwtch.

  “Bore da, Demi, how are you this morning?” I ask her.

  “Bore da, Miss Leah. I am good, I want a new dolly but Mama said that I have to behave myself first.” She whispers the last part.

  “What in the world did you just say to each other? Bored-a-what?” Maisey asks and I wink at Demi.

  “We said ‘Good morning’ to each other in Welsh. Demi has been learning a few words and sentences from me in Welsh. We have been having fun, haven't we girly?” I ask Demi, who nods with a big toothy grin. I set her down and we make our way over to the baby shop. We all split up and go in different directions, seeking out different baby items. I see a tiny baby outfit and chuckle to myself, remembering when my sister-in-law Jade was pregnant with Peyton, my oldest niece.

  I walk around and look at all these tiny baby clothes and think, will I ever have this? The last three boyfriends have cheated on me, making me think that maybe I am just not enough for the guys I fall for. I know that I come across as a bitch from time to time but that is just my defensive wall going up. I don’t think I can risk getting hurt again. I didn’t care that much for the first two boyfriends that cheated but Marc had wormed his way into my heart a little and it stung more that I would have liked when he cheated. Why can't men just break off a relationship if he isn't happy anymore and then sleep with someone else? I really don't see why or how a human can willingly hurt the one person they claim to love. It makes no sense to me, I would never cheat and I don’t tolerate it either; I didn’t with Marc or the others.

  I see a young couple holding hands while talking to a member of staff about a pram; she looks about ready to pop if you ask me. They look so happy, I can’t stop my nose from stinging, which causes the tears to appear. Bollocks. I turn away and take deep breaths before walking around to find the girls. I see Lucy and Letty looking at cribs and I make my way over.

  “See anything you like?” I ask as I reach them.

  “Nope. God, Rafe is gonna freak if I don’t pick something soon, Baby Phoenix will be here before we know it and he or she won’t have anywhere to sleep. Damn it.” I see the frustration coming off her in waves; she wants everything to be so perfect for when the baby arrives that she over thinks every single detail. I remember Jade being like that.

  “Juicy, the baby won’t care what he sleeps in, that is all on you. Just pick a crib or I will do it for you,” I smirk at her. Letty laughs.

  “She will do it and you know it, Luce,” Letty says, pointing at me.

  “Hell yeah, I will. Girl, you don’t have much time left, just pick one,” I say.

  Kenzi comes bounding over to us like a freaking five year old in a toy shop. She is carrying two baby outfits, one pink and one blue, God she is relentless. She is determined to find out the baby’s sex. I am sticking with a boy but that’s just my opinion on the matter.

  “Just pick one. Rafe won’t know you told us.” She lowers her voice, “Just look at a suit and blink, then only I will know” We all laugh at her attempts. “Damn it, Coop, you don't play fair. I thought you loved me, I am going to be an auntie to that beautiful baby, and I deserve to know if it’s a boy or girl.” Lucy folds her arms and rests them on her baby bump. I can tell that she isn't going to let it slip; her mouth is as tight as Fort Knox with this secret.

  “Nope,” is all she says and walks over to a staff member. Thank the lord that she is finally picking out a crib. She decides on a perfect white crib that has what looks like a tree of life carved into the end panel. It’s simply beautiful and ties in with big family that is the Phoenix family with lots of extras.

  We finally finish the baby shopping and grab some food. Thank God because I am starving and my belly is rumbling, which makes Demi laugh. We settle on a small restaurant that Kenzie loves eating at; she explains that Zach brings her here on date nights. We sit at a window table which has the windows pulled fully open so just a few frames are in place. We get to eat, chat and people watch. We place our orders and the hair stands on the back of my neck; I feel him before I see him. Reeve is here.

  “Well, what do we have here? All my favorite ladies in one place. What have you lovely ladies been up to today?” He asks as he leans in and kisses the top of Lucy and Letty’s head before turning to Demi, who launches herself at him. Everyone laughs but I study my menu and try to force myself to not look at him, but I am a weak when it comes to him and I sneak a glance. He is talking to Demi in his arms and she is telling him about our day. He is wearing faded grey jeans with a black tight as shit t-shirt with black Converse. His aviator glasses hang from his jeans pocket; shit, he looks edible as always. He lifts his head so I turn my eyes back to the menu in my slightly shaking hands. I feel Reeve move around the table and he places his hands on my shoulders. I tense from the contact but he just grips me tighter, massaging my shoulders with his thumbs. The girls are looking at their menus, not taking note of Reeve and me. I feel his warm breath on my neck as he leans down to speak in my ear.

  “Why are you avoiding me, Lipsy? I haven’t seen you in a few days; why?” Is he for fucking real? I stand up, forcing him to take a step back.

  “I need to go to the restroom, I will be right back. Order me the lasagna with a salad please, Luce.” I walk away from the table, taking deep breaths while I make my way up the stairs. I enter the ladies’ bathroom when I feel Reeve behind me. Pushing me into a stall, he locks the door and turns to me. We stare at each other for a few minutes, neither of us saying anything; just the sound of our breathing fills the room. He steps closer, bringing us nearly chest to chest, which doesn’t take much since where we are currently standing.

  “You owe me an answer?” Bugger.

  “Reeve, you know why. The night at Max Point scared me but instead of understanding, you turned into a cold bastard. You made me feel used, Reeve. Do you know how that feels? No, you don’t, because Reeve fucking Phoenix gets whatever the hell he wants, when he wants it. You don’t know the meaning of ‘No’ do you? What it feels like to feel used and thrown aside like you are nothing. I can tell you now Reeve it feels like shit, it makes me feel like I am not worthy of that person every time it happens. So the best thing that you could do is stay away from me, because you, Reeve, have the utmost ability to gut me and leave me the shittiest I will ever feel.” I take a deep breath and look to the floor; I don’t want to see the pity in his eyes. I don’t need it; I have enough in me to last a lifetime.

  “Who hurt you, Lipsy? Before you came here to LA? I will hurt the fucker who has hurt you, babe.”

  “Leave it, Reeve there isn’t anything you can do, so please just let me out so we can go back to avoiding each other; it’s for the best and you know it.” He just stares at me, not moving not saying anything, for how long I don’t know as I am lost in his beautiful green eyes. I reach around him for the lock and push him out of the way so I can leave but he stops me by touching my arm. I look up and I see sadness in his eyes.

  “I’m sorry that you have been made to feel all of that, Leah. But you are right, we should stay away from each other ... for now.” Even though it is what I wanted it still feels like someone had kicked me in the stomach and shit, it hurts. I can’t speak from the hurt that is clogging my throat so I nod and open the door and leave Reeve standing there. I get back to the table and the girls go quiet I’m pretty sure it’s the look on my face that has them not asking questions, which I am thankful for.

  Chapter 3

  Reeve

  I follow Rafe and Ryder out to the stage at Max Point, don’t get me wrong I love performing here but fuck I wish we were somewhere bigger. The girls scream when they see my brothers walk onto t
he stage and I smile to myself God I love this feeling. We weren't supposed to be performing tonight but the band that Max booked phoned to say that there lead singer fell ill with food poisoning so here we are again. I stand at the mic and wink to a very hot blond standing in front of me. Tits galore

  “Evening, all you beautiful people. How you all doing tonight? I’m fucking peachy how about you babe?” I say to the sexy blond in front of me, she smirks at me and I quickly look around for Skeet. I spot him at the bar with the girls and thank fuck I do, I need to try and fuck Lipsy out of my head. It’s obvious that she doesn’t want anything to do with me because she has been hurt before and I know that it’s just a matter of time that I hurt her and my chest aches at just the thought, but I push the feeling down. I don’t see Lipsy at the bar with everyone else I scan the place but don’t see her, perhaps she decided not to come tonight which is a weight of my shoulders.

  Ryder starts a beat with his drums and it pulls me back to the crowd, we are doing a few cover tonight since it’s not a normal gig for us. We start with an amazing classic and a huge favorite of ours Primal Scream’s ‘Rocks’ this band is the shit. Ryder’s beat and Rafe’s bass travels through my body, joining us in the beats. This is what our dad wanted. I interact with the crowd which is mostly women but hey we are Inside Noise and we attract the best fans. We move from song to song and I lose myself in the music and the crowd, so much that I don’t even notice that Lipsy has arrived until I see her dancing with some guy who is to fucking close for my liking. I turn and nod at the brothers indicating I want a break. I need a drink and maybe a very hot blond to help me out.