by E. L. Todd
“Exactly,” Troy said.
I cocked an eyebrow because I missed the point everyone else got.
Max invited me over, and I hoped Ophelia would be there. She and I hadn’t spoken much since she told me she and Cameron were back together. It was hard to look at her and not scream.
How did a perfect woman like that not realize how damn perfect she was?
I entered the apartment and embraced Max like I usually did. Touching and handholding was the only affection I would give, and fortunately, that was the only affection Max wanted anyway.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
“Good.” I discreetly scanned the apartment and looked for Ophelia. I didn’t see her but her bedroom door was shut. “You?”
“Good. Nothing new. So, you want to play a game?”
“Sure.” Maybe a game would distract me. I wondered what she was doing behind the door. Taking a nap? I’d love to sleep with her. Or maybe she was getting ready to go out. I didn’t know but my curiosity wouldn’t stop trying to figure it out.
“Cameron is picking her up and they’re going out to dinner.” Max answered the question I never asked. Maybe we were spending too much time together.
“Fuck,” I said under my breath.
“Your life will be much easier if you just accept it.”
“I’ll never accept it.” I played the game but wasn’t really into it.
“Good luck with that.”
Ophelia opened her door then stepped out wearing a purple strapless dress. Her eyes were highlighted with eye shadow and she looked like a wet dream. “Hey, Jett.” She gave me a big and wide smile when she saw me. I’d seen her give countless fakes smiles to spot the real ones. Her eyes glowed like stars. She never had that look on her face when she spoke of Cameron.
“Hey,” I said weakly.
“What do you think?” She twirled in a circle and posed for me. “You’re the fashion genius.”
She looked like a vision. “You look…” There was no word to describe exactly how she looked. Most gorgeous woman in the world would probably be over-the-top no matter how true it was. “Perfect.”
“Great,” she said. “Perfect from a gay guy is saying something.”
I wish I were the man she was getting dressed up for.
“And my opinion is irrelevant?” Max asked.
She waved off his comment. “You would tell me I was beautiful even if I wasn’t because I’m your sister.”
Max laughed. “Whatever you say, sis.”
The knock on the door announced Cameron’s arrival. Ophelia grabbed her clutch and walked to the door.
I quickly turned to Max. “Help me.”
“How the hell am I supposed to do that?”
“Let’s make it a double date,” I said. “Ask her.”
He looked uncomfortable. “Dude, you need—”
“Please.” I wasn’t above begging.
He sighed at the desperate look on my face. “Fine.”
“Thank you. Thank you.”
He stood up and came to Ophelia’s side before she opened the door. “Hey, why don’t we make it a double date?” he asked. “That would be fun, right?” It was obvious he was forcing it and had no real interest in going.
“A double date?” she asked.
“Yeah, we’re both seeing someone at the same time.”
“Uh…” She seemed hesitant at first. “Yeah, sure.”
Phew. I was going to cock-block the shit out of Cameron.
“Cool,” Max said.
Ophelia opened the door to Cameron. “Hey…” There was a slight hesitance to her movements.
“Hey.” He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. In his hands were flowers.
I tried not to roll my eyes. Guys only bought flowers when they did something wrong. And Cameron looked guilty.
“They are beautiful.” She smelled them and placed them in a vase. “Thank you.”
Cameron stepped inside. “You’re welcome.” Then he spotted me on the couch. He glared at me openly.
I glared back.
Ophelia caught the look. “I want my two best men to get along…okay?”
Cameron was silent.
So was I.
“You guys need to shake hands and move on,” she said.
No fucking way.
Cameron looked like he felt the same way.
Max tried to clear the tension. “Well, we should get going. I’m starving.”
“Whoa, wait.” Cameron turned to Ophelia. “What does he mean by that?”
“Actually, we’re going on a double date.” Judging the cringe on her face she knew Cameron wouldn’t be thrilled with the news.
He stepped toward her and lowered his voice. “I was hoping it would just be us…so we can talk about our relationship.”
Think again, jackass.
“Well, I already said yes,” she whispered.
He sighed in irritation but didn’t press his argument. “Okay.”
“Sorry,” she said. “We’ll have time later. Promise.”
Good luck keeping that promise.
“Well, let’s go,” Max said.
I walked to the door and didn’t hide the look of loathing on my face.
Cameron hated me just as much.
This should be a fun night.
We sat at the table and held our menus. I sat directly across from Ophelia, which I was grateful for. I’d rather look at her beautiful face instead of stare at that jackass.
Max sat beside me then rested his hand on my thigh.
I was glad he was taking charge of the affection we were supposed to share because I kept forgetting to. All I cared about was keeping Ophelia away from the pig that didn’t deserve her.
I pulled out my phone and discreetly texted Rhett, who was on duty. I’m at dinner with him now. Break into his apartment and search it.
You want me to break the law?
You got my back or what?
There was a long pause. How am I even supposed to get in there?
Ask Cato for help. He can break into any door.
Fine. Tell me when he’s on his way back.
K.
I put my phone back in my pocket then looked up to see Ophelia watching me with her hypnotic green eyes.
“Everything all right?” she asked.
It was about to be. “Yeah. Some friends wanted to go out tonight but I told them I was busy with my boyfriend.” I gave Max a significant look.
He smiled back but the look didn’t reach his eyes.
Cameron stared at me like I was a bug that just crawled over the table.
I decided to piss him off. “Ophelia, you look beautiful tonight. The dress really brings out your eyes.”
“Oh, thanks.” She blushed slightly.
Cameron narrowed his eyes at me.
“What are you getting?” I asked.
“Crème of asparagus soup and a side salad.”
I was hoping she would order something better, like a steak.
“What about you?” she asked.
“Chicken with greens sounds good,” I said. “So, are we hitting the gym together tomorrow?”
I wanted it to be clear I would be in her life whether Cameron was or not.
“Sure,” she said. “It’s nice to have a workout buddy.”
Cameron just stared at me.
When the waiter came over, he took our orders. Max went first then Cameron. When my turn came, I ordered for both Ophelia and myself.
Judging the scowl on Cameron’s face, he didn’t appreciate what I did.
Well, you should have let her order first, asshole.
Ophelia sensed the tension. “Cameron is a lawyer,” she said. “He’s been practicing law for about two years.”
“Nice,” I said with a faked enthusiasm. “But that make sense. He’s a crook and a liar for a living as well as in his personal life.”
Cameron turned red in the face.
Ophelia looked uncomfor
table.
Max tried not to laugh.
When the wine was brought, I uncorked it then poured Ophelia a glass.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
I poured mine and Max’s, but left Cameron’s untouched.
When he grabbed the bottle, I kicked him hard in the knee under the table and spilled the wine all over himself.
“Fuck,” he said as he tried to move out of the way.
I sat still and looked innocent.
He tried to dab the wine out of his shirt with a cloth napkin but it wasn’t helping. Then he turned on me with angry eyes. “You fucking asshole!” The whole restaurant turned in our direction at the commotion.
“He didn’t do anything,” Ophelia said. “Don’t blame him.”
This was too much fun.
He came around the table like he wanted to have a go.
I stood up and smiled, loving the opportunity. “I’d love to kick your ass, any place and any time.”
He stopped his approach and glared at me in silence. Then he headed to the bathroom to wash up.
Ophelia cleaned up the remaining liquid on the table and dabbed at his seat. I helped her until everything was cleaned and contained. I was pretty sure Max knew what really happened and I was grateful he kept my secret.
“You guys didn’t get any on you, right?” she asked.
“We’re good,” I said.
She returned to her seat and released a sigh. “Wow…this is going terrible.”
“He’s got slippery fingers,” I said. “But he’s stupid for trying to blame it on me.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said. “I thought he would be mature about this.”
I tried not to smile. “It’s quite alright.”
A minute later, Cameron returned to the table. He sat down and his eyes were directed right at me. “You know what I think? I think you’re straight and you’re just pretending to date her brother so you can get to her.”
Okay, he wasn’t as dumb as I thought. “You’re really onto something,” I said sarcastically.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Ophelia snapped. “Stop attacking Jett and let it go.”
“Attacking him?” Cameron asked incredulously. “He was the one who kicked me in the kneecap so I would spill the wine.”
“Yeah…you got me.” I shrugged.
Ophelia rolled her eyes, clearly embarrassed and annoyed.
“This is the guy you really want?” I asked seriously. “Because he’s not very bright, he’s a liar, and he’s a bit dense.”
Cameron gripped the steak knife on the table.
Ophelia caught the movement and gripped him by the forearm. “Knock it off. Now.”
Max just watched us silently, drinking his wine while trying not to laugh.
“Are you into five year old boys?” I asked. “Because that’s what you’re getting.”
He looked like he might seriously stab me in the eye with his knife.
Now Ophelia held up her hand to me. “Knock it off. Both of you. You’re both being childish and immature.”
I zipped up my lips and took a sip of wine.
She turned her gaze on him and waved her finger in his face.
He drank his water since that was all that was left.
The food arrived and that gave us something to do. Cameron was already in the hole and I made their first date a total fiasco. Now Cameron looked like an insensitive jerk and I looked like the poor victim in all of this.
My plan was working too well.
We made small talk and Cameron didn’t participate in the conversation. From what I gleamed from Max, he quit his job at the bank to be a writer, and Ophelia was supporting him so he could make that dream happen. It only made me more obsessed with her. She was selfless and kind. She had a generosity that I didn’t see very often.
When the tab came, I snatched it and slipped my card inside. “Dinner is on me.”
Ophelia gave me a bright smile. “That’s so sweet, Jett. But you don’t have to do that.”
Cameron’s eyes flared in irritation when he saw the affection his girl gave me. “No, I’ll pay for it.” He tossed my card at me then stuck his inside.
“Well, that was rude,” I said. “I was trying to do something nice and you just swoop in and copy me?”
Ophelia gave him a look of disapproval.
Man, this was too easy.
“How about we split it?” he asked, trying to play nice even though it was causing his body to shake.
“I guess.” I handed my card back.
After the bill was settled, we left the restaurant and walked outside.
“Let’s go to my place,” Cameron said immediately.
I couldn’t let that happen, and not just because the guys were snooping around. “We should play Wii sports. That’s so much fun.” I nudged Max in the side.
“Yeah,” he agreed but without much enthusiasm.
“Oh, I love Wii sports,” Ophelia said.
Could she get any better?
“Let’s play,” she said to Cameron.
Cameron looked like he wanted to scream. “Whatever you want.”
Sabotaging their date was a walk through the park.
“Hey, sweetheart. You want to be on my team?” I nudged her in the side as I sat beside her on the couch.
“Okay,” she said. “But I think it’s unfair to the other two.”
“We’ll be just fine,” Max said in mock offense.
We played a few rounds and Ophelia and I won each time.
“You know, I think we’re meant for each other.” I was half joking, half being serious.
She laughed. “Maybe we are.”
I got another glare from Cameron for that one.
When it was past midnight and everyone was tired, I kept making us play. I wanted Ophelia to be so exhausted that she wouldn’t ask Cameron to spend the night. I couldn’t sleep in Max’s room and listen to them go at it. My ears would bleed.
At one in the morning, they finally called it quits. Ophelia could barely keep her eyes open.
I think I’m in the clear.
She finally stood up then adjusted her hair. “Well, tonight was fun.”
Too much fun.
“I’ll walk you out,” she said to Cameron.
Take that, asshole.
A look of disappointment came over his face, and it was wonderful to see.
Together, they walked to the door then shared a few quiet words. Their night ended with a hug, no kiss. And then he left.
I tried not to smile. I took out my phone and sent the text to Rhett. He’s coming back.
Thanks.
I put my phone away.
Ophelia stretched her arms over her head and yawned. “I’m hitting the sack. Good night.”
“Night,” Max said.
“Good night, sweetheart.”
She leaned down and kissed Max on the cheek.
Then she came my way.
Was she going to kiss me? Was I going to feel those full lips on my skin? Would I really have a piece of her, no matter how small it was?
She leaned down then wrapped her arms around my neck.
I was nervous because I knew she was going to kiss me. I was so excited that I turned my head at the wrong time and got her lips on my mouth instead of my cheek. It was an accident but it was a good one.
Her lips touched mine then flinched when she realized where she landed. I moved my lips slowly, telling her it was okay. Then she kissed me back. The embrace lasted for two seconds at the most, but it was the hottest two seconds of my life.
She pulled away and looked at me with embarrassed eyes. She clearly didn’t mean to kiss me on the lips.
“It’s okay,” I whispered. “I would never turn down a kiss from an angel.”
The shame left her face, and a beautiful smile broke out instead.
I loved it when she looked at me like that.
“Good night, Jett.”
My arms were still
around her. “Good night. Now go before I tickle you.”
“You always tickle me.”
Because it’s an excuse to touch you. “My hands have a mind of their own.” And so does my dick.
She rose to her feet then walked into her bedroom.
Once the door was closed, I felt my lips with my fingertips.
I just kissed her. And damn, it was spectacular.
“Did you find anything?” I asked when I walked into Rhett’s apartment. Cato was there and he sat at the kitchen table with lidded eyes like he was exhausted.
Rhett stood with his arms across his chest. “Nothing concrete. We found a few motel receipts, restaurant receipts, and this…” He pulled an orange bra and tossed it at me.
I cringed then dropped it, unsure whom it belonged to. “Where did you find it?”
“On the floor next to his bed,” Rhett explained.
That could lead somewhere. “Is his apartment messy?”
“No, it’s totally clean,” Cato said. “Actually, the place is sterile.”
I sat down and brainstormed. “Then this bra can’t be Ophelia’s.”
“Why do you say that?” Rhett asked as he sat across from me.
“They’ve been broken up for almost a month. If she left it there before…I doubt he would leave it there the whole time, if he’s so anal with having a clean apartment.”
Cato nodded his understanding. “Good catch.”
“It still doesn’t prove anything,” Rhett said.
“I think it does. He has a slut on the side,” I said. “At least we know that.”
“Actually, that’s still an assumption,” Rhett said.
“I know,” I said as I snapped my fingers. “I’ll take it to Ophelia’s and ask Max to act like he found it in the wash. He’ll ask if it’s hers, and if she says no, then we know for certain he had some slut over.”
“But we still can’t prove anything,” Cato said. “You need something better.”
“I know, asshole,” I snapped. “When we know there’s someone else, we’ll keep tailing him until he leads us to her. Then we’ll get him good.”
Rhett nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”
“An excellent plan.”
I got to the gym first like usual then spotted Ophelia walking past the windows in her work clothes with her gym bag over her shoulder. I was sitting on a bench and I immediately took off my shirt. I didn’t normally workout shirtless but I had to catch her eye—and keep it.