Best (Change Series Book 3)

by Melanie Jayne

  “I can’t get out of this dress. Ramsay has some serious knotting skills. I think you really are going to have to cut the lacings.”

  “If I wasn’t so tired, this could be really fun.” He leaned back and rested his head against the cushions, closing his eyes.

  He looked tired. I was facing him, so I leaned my side against the sofa back. Time for honesty. “I ran into Holly in the bathroom, and I got upset.”

  His eyes opened, and he lifted his head. I had his full attention.

  “I told myself not to let her get under my skin.”

  “I’m sorry. I should have asked her to leave the moment I saw her,” Tye told me, his voice quiet.

  I bit down on my lip. I needed to give him a warning. “She hinted that she’s done some digging around in my past, and she’s going to tell you all some huge secret.” I watched the muscles at his jaw pulse, and his eyes flash with anger. “I swear, I’ve told you everything.”

  “Billie, I think she could show me proof that you killed somebody, and it wouldn’t matter.” Tye gently loosened my hold on the skirt of my dress.

  “I’ve told you the truth, but there’s a part of me that she intimidated, and then I felt an anxiety attack start. I didn’t want to go through that there.” I had to swallow back my feelings of embarrassment and guilt, which were always there at the end of an attack.

  He pulled me into his arms. “I don’t know what’s wrong with her.”

  I nodded against his chest. “I hate that I had to leave.”

  “I wish I could have left with you.” He ran his hand up and down my back. “After the clock strikes, I just want the people to go.”

  I snuggled deeper into his body. “It was a good party.”

  “We surpassed our financial goal, so it was a success.”

  “You do good work, Tyler Burke.” I nuzzled the opening of his shirt, placing a kiss on his chest.

  “Come on, let’s get you out of this dress, and then I’m thinking a quick shower. I smell like booze and cigars.” Tye stood and pulled me to my feet.

  “The dogs are done for the night. Jim brought them back from their walk after I got home.” He led me to our bedroom. “I think Forde forced the guys to give them back.”

  “Good, now we can stay in bed until noon.” He let go of my hand and pulled his shirt over his head.

  “Forde said his party won’t start until after two.” I found a pair of scissors in the bathroom.

  “Yeah, but I don’t want to miss any food. Plus, Ryan’s supposed to fly in at noon. I want to watch him open his gifts before everybody gets there.” Tye loved his nephew and had missed him over Christmas, but his mother had thrown a fit so he’d gone back to Texas.

  I handed him the scissors and turned my back to him.

  “God, you looked so beautiful tonight, so sexy. I kept catching the men in the room watching you.”

  I felt the bindings loosen. “They were probably just curious about me—you know, since I’ve caught you.”

  He snaked an arm around me and pulled me back against his body. “Nope, they liked what they saw, my sexy girl.” He kissed my neck. “Now, let’s take that shower, and I’ll see if I can’t make you feel better.” His voice was full of promise.

  I slid the dress from my shoulders and let it fall to the floor. Then I shimmied out of my black silk panties. I couldn’t have worn a bra with the cut of the back so Ramsay’s seamstress had built boning and cups into the dress so my breasts had plenty of support.

  As I made my way to the bathroom, I added a little sway to my step. I still felt a little off, but I was all for Tye trying to make it all better.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Billie

  “January one. New year, new start,” Tony toasted the room with his first beer.

  “Are you going to share your resolutions?” Layla asked from the kitchen where she and Ryan were putting out more food.

  “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours,” Tony teased, and then he drank from his bottle.

  I was curled up in the double-sized settee with a bottle of sparkling water. I felt like I was a slow starter today. When the alarm had sounded at noon, I’d trudged into the bathroom for another shower, and I did the minimal hair and make-up thing. I wore a pair of dark blue leggings, Uggs, and an oversized pink cable knit sweater that was so soft I wished I had a blanket made from the same yarn.

  The other ladies were dressed in what I would call workout chic—cute hoodies and knit pants. The guys were in jeans and sweatshirts, except for Tye, who wore a white T-shirt and a royal blue cashmere sweater that he claimed was twenty years old.

  Ryan had sent numerous texts telling us to hurry, so we got to the Fordes’ as soon as we were ready. I swear he was bigger since I last saw him at Thanksgiving, his shoulders thicker. Layla and I fussed over him, and he enjoyed every moment. He seemed to love our gifts, and he gave us a certificate for a dinner to be cooked by him and created especially for us.

  Zoe picked up her sleeping daughter. “I’m going to put her down in Lucy’s room. I think she’s getting ready for a growth spurt because she’s sleeping a lot.”

  “Does that mean more shopping?” I knew that we’d start out looking for Livy and then end up buying for ourselves.

  “After the haul she took in at Christmas?” she said as she passed me. Then she mouthed, definitely, and winked.

  My phone buzzed, and I saw a text had come in from Ramsay. On my way.

  The last time I’d seen her at the party, she’d been dancing as a part of a huge circle and looked to be having a blast. I’d noticed that she’d spent time talking to Osi, who’d looked dangerous and incredibly sensual in a dark suit and a light gray shirt.

  I wanted to hear her thoughts and impressions, and who she kissed at midnight. I knew she’d done that because my phone hadn’t blown up with complaints.

  “B, you want any food?” Tye called.

  “Coming.” I stood and headed to the dining room table that was covered with food. I had no idea when there had been time to put all of this together.

  A couple of hours passed, and Ramsay and I finally got to talk quietly in the corner of the Man Cave. Forde had two huge TVs with football games playing. I sat at the small bar against the far wall with my friend beside me.

  “So, you feel better today?” Ramsay eyed my casual style.

  “I’m tired, but it was a long night.”

  “It was a great party. I was impressed.”

  “So, does that mean you’ll come again next year?” I pressed. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed her until I’d seen her so often over the last two months.

  “Already making plans, I see.” Her eyes sparkled as she teased.

  “I plan on being around.”

  “Good, I’d hate to see you let all of this go.” She turned serious. “It makes me so happy to see you like this. You have a family here, and a man who loves you.”

  I kept my voice low. “Sometimes, I don’t want to think about how lucky I am. Like if I do, I’ll wake up from this dream.”

  She seemed to be thinking about what I’d confided, or maybe she was considering her response. She spoke softly, “I get that. It was tough moving here and trying to figure everything out. I was worried that you weren’t ready for all of that pressure.” She looked away for a moment, and when she faced me again she looked fierce. “And if that woman who accosted you at the party plans on causing trouble, then I might have to do something about it.” Ramsay didn’t take shit from anyone, so Holly should be worried.

  I didn’t want to think about that today. “I think Holly took advantage of finding me alone. I hope it made her feel better, but I know that Tye and I are solid.” I really believed that.

  “I hope so for your sake.” Her green eyes were full of concern and determination.

  Time to change the subject. “So, you haven’t said anything about what happened at midnight.” I tried to give her my most probing stare. “Time to spill.�
��

  She blushed. I couldn’t believe it. She had a great poker face and was always calm and cool.

  “Ramsay? Were you a bad girl?” I used a sing-song voice.

  She didn’t answer right away. Even better. However, I took pity on my friend, and was going to drop the topic when she started talking.

  “It didn’t mean anything. I mean, the man can definitely kiss...and other things, but …” She shook her head and dropped her chin. Finally, she let out a long sigh. “I’d be a fool to tangle with him.”

  I knew she meant Osi. I was surprised, but at the same time, I wasn’t. They were both strong willed and attractive. He liked to chase things, and Ramsay was somewhat unattainable. However, I didn’t know what to do with this information. He was sitting across the room, watching a game. Or was he? I noticed he was positioned so he could see both the TV and us. Now, it made sense why she was avoiding looking in that direction.

  “Who knows what the new year will bring?” I started, and when I knew she was going to interrupt, I put my hand on hers to quiet her. “I want you to come back to visit. You’re my family too, Ramsay.”

  She turned her hand so that we were linked palm to palm. “That means a lot to me, Billie. Seeing how you’ve handled everything…” She shook her head one time, and I saw that her eyes were shiny with tears. “I kept watching you last night, laughing and dancing with Tye, and it gave me hope. It made me almost wish for something like what you have.”

  This was a huge admission from my stubborn and prideful friend. “Then you can have it, babe.”

  “I don’t know.” She looked lost for a second. “I mean, you know my parents are all about appearances. I grew up with hardly any affection. I’m not sure I even know what a good relationship entails.”

  “And I do?” I whispered harshly then tried to soften my reaction. “With Tye, we talk. I don’t think either of us had a clue how things work. His mom died when he was really little, so he doesn’t remember what life at home was like with two parents, and we both know I have no clue. And yet, we muddle through.” It hurt to think that the way she’d been brought up was holding back my friend. She was usually so fearless.

  She sniffed once, and then rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to be a downer today, but I think you ought to know. Ava’s been calling a lot.”

  I asked cautiously, “What’s a lot?”

  “Four times last week and five times in the last three days. She even called this morning.”

  I could tell that she didn’t want to tell me. “Okay,” I nodded a few times, letting that all sink in. “I’m glad you told me. I’ll tell Tye and Forde.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Our plan was to hire some people in California, and a publicist to help with any fallout, and then approach the production company and Ava in the spring. I didn’t see any reason to move too fast because, I haven’t heard anything more from the production company.” I tapped my fingers on my thigh while I thought. “I’ll tell them tomorrow. We may have to speed up our plans.”

  “What about Mrs. Shields?” Ramsay’s eyes were full of concern.

  “We have to locate her first. The children are living with her parents, but she’s in the wind.” I snickered. “That’s Forde’s term.”

  “You are going to have to gag her or pay her off,” Ramsay declared knowingly.

  I ground my molars together. “We’re going to have to pay them both off...eventually.”

  “I think it’s called a settlement, because pay off sounds dirty.” Ramsay was biting her lip. She’d disliked Ava even before she met her.

  “It is dirty.”

  “Fuck those bitches,” she spat.

  I let it go. I had nothing more to add.

  Zoe walked quickly into the room, “Okay, everybody. Holly just came in with Jenn.” She made a “yikes face,” her eyes huge and frowning.

  I closed my eyes for a moment. “Great,” I said sarcastically.

  Forde got up and rounded the huge sectional. “I’ll take care of it.”

  “Forde.” I hopped down from the bar stool to stop him. He switched direction and came to me. “If she’s going to be cool, then I don’t have a problem with her being here.” I hoped he’d get my drift.

  “You think she’d make more trouble if I told her to leave?” he asked both Ramsay and me.

  “I think she’s looking for an opening, and I say, why not give her one? She claims that she has something to say, so why not today?” I suggested.

  Forde looked at the hallway, and then back at me. “Stay put for a few. Let me see what’s up with her, and then I want to give her a few of my house rules.”

  I nodded. Forde was always the voice of reason, even though he’d intimidate the hell out of me if he ever needed to list his rules.

  “She wouldn’t be stupid enough to try something in Forde’s home, would she?” Ramsay’s eyes followed him.

  “I don’t know her very well, and I have no idea what’s going on with her.” Or Jenn, I wanted to add. I was going to have a talk with my co-worker very soon. I could understand that she had to bring Holly along one time, but today as well? Nope, I didn’t buy it.

  I stayed in the Man Cave, talking to Rick and Tony. Osi hadn’t moved, and I knew Ramsay was very aware of him, although she tried not to sneak looks in his direction. Tye was involved in the game, and apparently it was going well for his team, because he cheered from time to time. About thirty minutes had passed since Holly had arrived. I guessed that Layla and Zoe were keeping her busy.

  A cheer went up from the sectional, and Tye was on his feet. He turned and stretched. “Made some money on that one, babe.”

  “Good, now what’s next?” I had a working knowledge of college football thanks to Tye. At some point every day, we watched sports highlights.

  “There’s about a half hour until the next game,” Osi said as he gathered his empty bottles.

  Tye held out his hand to me. “Let’s go graze.”

  I took his hand and hopped down from the stool. I wasn’t hungry, but I could eat a brownie.

  As we entered, I tossed a general hello in Jenn’s and Holly’s direction and tried to break free of Tye’s hold to head to the table.

  He wasn’t having any of it. He stopped and wrapped his arm around my waist. I sent him a questioning look, but he only smiled reassuringly.

  The room quieted. I noticed that everybody stood in front of us. I shot my man another quizzical look.

  “Just hang on a sec,” he said quietly to me.

  I did as he asked, shooting Ramsay a questioning look, but she only shrugged.

  Tye spoke loud enough so the rest of the room could hear him. “I thought about doing this last night, but I decided I didn’t want an audience of strangers. So, uhm, if you want to start videoing this, I suggest you get your phones out.” Tye glanced around the room, and then his gaze came back to me.

  “I didn’t know what love was. I mean, my dad loved me,” he looked at Jerry, “but I didn’t know what it meant to need a person as much as I need oxygen.”

  “Tye,” I whispered as my heart raced.

  His eyes were locked on mine. “I noticed you from the start. I knew you were special. I told myself you were too good for me.”

  There were some chuckles from the room.

  “It seemed like we always ended up talking. I got to know you, how smart you are, and how caring. I wanted to be around you more and more.”

  I nodded because I felt exactly the same.

  “When you stood in front of all of us and shared what you’d gone through and survived, I wanted to grab you and jump in my car and drive and drive. We’d find someplace to hide away, and I’d make everything all right.” His eyes were shining.

  “That’s been done,” Tony called out as he pulled his wife closer and kissed her cheek.

  “So, I did the next best thing, I moved in. Sure, we did the platonic thing, but Billie, I was falling for you. I was so far gone befo
re I even knew it.”

  “Me, too,” I choked the words out. My cheeks were already wet.

  He smiled. “I’m so glad you said that.” He dug something out of the front pocket of his jeans and dropped to his knee.

  “Baby?” Involuntarily, I took a step back.

  “Better hurry up, she’s getting away,” Rick teased.

  Tye reached out, and I put my hand in his. “I love you, Billie. All of you, the past the present, and whatever the future brings. Will you marry me, be my wife, share every day with me? I swear I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe and make you happy. Please, sweetheart, say yes.”

  I could see his chest rise and fall. The man was scared. I too, was having problems breathing. I felt my chest expand but I wasn’t sure that I was getting any oxygen. I might even be a little light-headed. “Yes,” I said, nodding my head quickly. “Of course.” I couldn’t believe he was worried.

  Before I could blink, Tye pushed up from the floor and pulled me into his arms to kiss me. When he let me come up for air, he whispered, “Thank you.”

  “Put the ring on her finger, boy,” Jerry shouted from across the room.

  Laughter sounded all around us.

  Tye joined in the laughter. “I hope you like it.” He slid a huge, square-cut diamond in a platinum setting onto my left ring finger.

  I looked at it, and then at him, and again at the huge diamond. “It’s…I don’t know what to say.” I was overwhelmed.

  “Say, ‘thank you, Ramsay’, for giving him great advice.” My best friend was suddenly standing beside me.

  “I love it.” I told him through my tears.

  “More than me?” He moved in for another kiss.

  “Hold on just a minute.” Holly’s voice stopped Tye’s lips from connecting with mine.

  I heard Ramsay mutter, “Oh, fuck no.”

  “Holly,” Forde made a move toward her, but she was already closing in.

  “No, Forde, everybody, let her talk.” I yelled a little louder than I had intended. When Forde stopped and turned to look at me, I continued. “She wants the floor, I say let her.”

  Tye pulled me next to him, so that I was tucked under his shoulder. Ramsay was in the “bitch stance” on my other side. I was in a room filled with badass men, but right now, my best friend was the most likely to throw down.