by Rhonda James
As if he can read my mind, he tries to placate me. “Doesn’t hurt anymore.” I trace his lips once more before kissing the side of his mouth.
“That pain only lasted a few minutes. It’s this pain that takes the longest to heal.” He taps a finger to his temple. “That shit stays inside you for a long time.”
“Oh, my gosh. Scott, I’m so sorry.” My eyes start to water, and he gives me a sad smile.
“What on earth do you have to be sorry about? You didn’t cause this pain.” He taps his head again. “That’s all on me, Blondie.”
I reach up and cradle his head in my hands, staring straight into his eyes while I make small circles on his temples with my thumbs. “You want to know what would make me happy?”
“What?” His eyes search mine.
“If you would take that pain you’re holding on to and just let go of it. You don’t need to beat yourself up for something that happened when we were kids. I promise you that I’m okay and seeing you, being with you this way… It seems to have made everything better. So, that’s what would make me happy. And if you don’t do this little thing for me, then I’m going to bother you every single day I’m in town. I’ll bother you so much that you’ll grow tired of me and have to give in.” I smile up at him.
He reaches between us and curls a lock of my hair tightly around his finger. “I don’t know, Blondie. I rather like it when you bother me.” He dips his head to give me the slowest, sexiest kiss I’ve ever known. It’s one of those kisses that is sure to leave its mark long after his lips have left mine.
“That’s good, ‘cause I sorta like bothering you, too.”
***
We make it back to Detroit shortly after six, and I have a voicemail confirming the repairs on my apartment have been completed. All I want to do is go inside, soak in the tub, and then crawl into bed. It’s been an emotionally draining weekend. I feel like Scott and I covered a lot of ground, but I’m really confused about what’s happening between us. One minute I think he wants me, and the next it seems as if the only thing he’s interested in is friendship. If that’s all he’s offering, I’ll still take it, because regardless of the terms, I’m still richer for having him in my life.
Despite the conversation we had in bed… Wait. That sounds really weird when I say that in my head, since nothing actually happened other than an amazingly hot kiss and maybe some light touching. But despite that time we shared, we were both fairly quiet during the ride home. Maybe he was analyzing everything that had just happened. I know I sure was.
We get out of the car, and I don’t even wait for him to join me on the walk in. I think right now, I just need some time to myself. “Well, I have a lot of work to do.” I hold up my camera, referring to all the photos I need to sort through and edit. “I guess I’ll see you sometime tomorrow? I was hoping maybe we could sit down with Brantley and go over some of those questions.”
He catches up with me, and since our hands are full, we decide to take the elevator.
“Listen, Sky, about this weekend—”
I hold up my hand to cut him off before he can finish, because my emotions are so fragile right now, I’m afraid a brush-off will send me into a downward spiral of a bucket of ice cream and a crying fit.
“Don’t worry about it. We were both just caught up in the moment, then there was also the tequila factor.” I laugh, hoping he won’t see right through me. “I promise I’ll stay out of your hair tomorrow and do more of that blending I was talking about before.”
He gives me a funny look, but rather than argue or beg me to stay, he simply nods his head and stares straight ahead.
“Right, okay,” he says coolly.
The elevator doors open, and I’m immediately greeted by one of my favorite faces. I can’t believe he came all this way to see me. I drop my bags to the floor and jump into his awaiting arms.
“Ash!” I cup his handsome face in my hands. “What are you doing here? I didn’t think I’d see you until I got back.”
“Are you kidding? I couldn’t go that long without seeing my girl. The apartment seems empty without you.” Ash drops his lips to mine and plants a big one on me right in front of Scott. When we break apart, his dark eyes sparkle with mischief.
Someone behind us makes a sound to clear their throat, and I’m reminded that we’re not alone. I give Ash’s shoulder a tap, and he gets the message and lowers me back down to the floor.
“Skylar?” Scott’s eyes move between Ash and me before landing where Ash’s hand is joined with mine. My fingers wiggle uncomfortably, but his grip tightens and he draws me close against his hard body.
I can feel them silently sizing the other one up. Asher knows all about Scott, at least what I’ve shared with him. There were some things I kept to myself. But Scott is completely in the dark about Asher. Part of me wants to blurt out that we’re just friends, but another part of me wonders, why even bother? It’s not as if we’re looking to jump back into a relationship. Even if we wanted to, it wouldn’t work. We live in two different worlds.
I’m still a little stunned by that kiss, so I end up not saying anything at all, and Asher speaks on my behalf.
“I’m Skylar’s roommate, Asher.” He sticks out a hand for Scott to shake, but instead, he just gawks at it like he’s not really sure what to do with it. “And you are?”
“Scott Rivers. I’m an old friend of Skylar’s. We go way back.” His voice fades away, and he searches my face for an explanation.
“Pleasure to meet you, Scott, but my girl and I have some catching up to do, if you know what I mean.” I look up just in time to see the wink he shoots in Scott’s direction. Scott turns on his heel and walks straight into his apartment without looking back.
CHAPTER 12
SKYLAR
I wait until we’re behind closed doors before I smack him in the cement wall that is his chest.
“What the hell was that? ‘Me and my girl need some time alone, if you know what I mean?’” I use air quotes and then use the same two hands to beat on his chest. “Gah!”
I storm into the kitchen and peruse the sad contents of my fridge. An opened bottle of wine with maybe a thimble full of wine remaining. A bag of high-end coffee I brought with me from Atlanta, because I couldn’t risk my picky palate to Detroit’s unfamiliar beans. The only food in this place is an apple I got while on the flight to Detroit. I pick it up and promptly throw it in the trash.
Asher comes up behind me and rests his chin on top of my head. I sigh and lean into him, my anger already diminishing.
“I’ve got a sip of wine or coffee beans. Sorry I’m not a better hostess.”
“Tell you what, I’m on my way to a photo shoot in London, but I have a couple hours before I need to be back at the airport. Let me take you out to dinner, maybe stop to pick up some groceries on the way back. Sound good?”
“Well, I am a little hungry,” I grumble.
“It’s settled then. Know of any good places to eat around here?”
“Matter of fact, there is this one place I know of. They serve a mean burger, and the bartender is definitely your type.”
“Well, what are you waiting for, woman? Let’s get this show on the road.” He tweaks my nose, and I respond by rolling my eyes. He’s such a goofball, but he’s my goofball. I pity the woman who sets her sights on him. He’s my best friend, and I’m not about to let him settle for just any woman. She’ll need to treat him right. Love him unconditionally. And, more importantly, she’ll need to accept me, because I’m not about to go anywhere.
With his hand on my lower back, he guides me out the door. It isn’t until we’ve placed our order that I finally bring up the kiss.
“So, are you going to explain that kiss?” I pick at the corner of my napkin and roll it into a ball between my fingers.
He leans back, hands behind his head as he makes a nervous popping noise with his mouth. “Look, I’m sorry about that. It was just obvious that this was the guy who hurt you,
and I saw the way you were looking at him when those elevator doors opened.”
I scrunch up my nose. “What are you talking about? How was I looking at him?”
“You know… You were looking at him like you’re still hung up on him. And he… He just had this weird look on his face.”
“Wait. What kind of look was he wearing?” I’m almost afraid to hear his answer.
“I don’t know. Indifference, maybe. I could have read the situation all wrong. It all happened so fast, and I guess I just reacted.” He throws up his hands. “I just wanted the guy to see what he was missing.”
I lower my head and prop my chin on top of my crossed arms. “You came all this way to surprise me and decided to help me snag a man? You really are the best friend a girl could ever ask for.”
“Well, I love you, so of course I’d do all that. I’d do anything you asked of me. Within reason, of course,” he adds before raising the bottle of beer to his lips and looking away. “I never would have stood a chance, would I?”
My stomach drops as his words confirm what I’ve suspected all along. I should be flattered he would even want a chance with me. Most girls would fall all over themselves to have Asher Reeves sitting across the table from them asking questions like this. But I’ve never exactly been one of those girls. I stare across the table waiting for his gaze to return to me. My voice is hoarse when I question him. “Ash? What are you saying?”
“Nothing.” He closes his eyes and blows out a heavy sigh. “I’m an asshole. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.”
“O-kay,” I start slowly. After the weekend I’ve just had, the last thing I’m ready to deal with is for my hot-as-hell best friend to suddenly begin professing his love for me. “So, you’re an asshole, that still doesn’t erase what you just said. Please tell me you’re not trying to say you’re in love with me or something like that,” I add. “I seriously don’t think I can handle that kind of honesty right now. But don’t lie to me, either.”
“Look, if you want honesty, I’ll admit that I like you. Maybe a little more than I should, considering the kind of friendship we have. But it’s not what you’re thinking. Do I love you? Yes. I’d move mountains for you if I could. But I’m also not in love with you. I think maybe I’m in love with the idea of you. Of everything you embody.”
His words sink in and my whole heart smiles, but it doesn’t rival the smile on my face. “Wow. Ash, I don’t know what to say except I’m flattered.” I reach between us and cover his hand with mine. “She’s out there, you know. Somewhere there’s a woman waiting to find a guy like you.”
He harrumphs and leans back against the booth. “He likes you, you know.”
I shake my head and sigh, and about that time our food is delivered. I pop a few fries in my mouth and replay the events of the weekend over in my head.
“He’s sending out mixed signals. One minute he’s all ‘let’s be friends,’ and the next he’s in his underwear sleeping with his arms around me.”
“Whoa.” He lowers his burger to look at me. “So, you’re saying it finally happened? I have to admit, I’m pretty shocked. That’s not your usual MO. That’s more my speed in a relationship.”
“No.” I throw a fry and it lands on his chest, and he picks it up and pops it in his mouth. “We didn’t have sex. I was just really drunk and he stayed with me. It’s no big deal. It was just something he used to do when we were dating. If I had a bad night with my mom, I’d tell him about it and he’d sneak through my window and lie with me.”
Ash is silent, but I can hear the wheels spinning in his head.
“What?” I ask between bites of my burger.
“Skylar, guys don’t go out of their way to do things like that. Not most guys, anyway.”
“What are you talking about? You would do the same for Samantha or me,” I argue.
“Yeah, but that’s different. We’re the Amigos. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for the two of you.” He smiles warmly.
I reach over and cover his hand with mine. “I know, and trust me, it means the world to both of us.”
“All I’m saying is, I get the impression this guy’s still hung up on you. Maybe there’s still something there after all.” He winks and takes an enormous bite of his burger.
I shift my gaze to the row of stools that surround the bar top. My eyes land on a familiar back. What’s not familiar is the woman’s hand that’s currently resting between his muscular shoulder blades. She’s leaning forward, saying something to him, and his head is angled down in order for him to hear her over all the noise. I freeze, burger hanging in mid-air, and wish like hell I’d stayed home and munched on cold coffee beans. Their bitterness wouldn’t leave me feeling nearly as sick as the sight of her hand does.
Asher’s eyes follow mine, but he doesn’t say anything; he just motions for the check and drops forty dollars on the table without even looking at the bill. He guides me out of the bar, strategically positioning himself between Scott and me as we brush past him.
True to his word, we stop by a grocery store and pick up a few essentials. After they’ve all been unpacked and put away in my temporary kitchen, I walk him to the door and fall into his arms as I finally give in and cry. He rubs my back and waits for me to settle down.
“It’s going to be okay, Skylar. Guys in his position are getting hit on all the time. The same thing used to happen to me. It’s usually no big deal. Give it a day or two, and then try talking to him.”
“Am I ever going to get over him?” I mumble into his chest.
“Honestly? I don’t know. Maybe this is one of those cases where you can’t move forward until you’ve settled unfinished business.”
My brow arches in surprise. “Are we talking about S-E-X?” I spell out the word.
“What are we? Ten?” He laughs and tweaks my nose. “Yes, I’m talking about sex. I’m just saying, maybe it’s something to think about. I hate to run, but my ride is probably already waiting outside.” He gives me a kiss, but it’s on the forehead this time. “I love you, Ned.”
My smile broadens because I love that he pulls out my nickname during times like this. “Love you right back, Dusty. Be safe.” I kiss three fingers and hold them in the air. Three fingers to represent the Three Amigos. Ash repeats the gesture before heading for the stairwell. “Text me when you get to London!”
“Of course,” he calls over his shoulder, and then he’s gone.
CHAPTER 13
SCOTT
I’m coming up the stairs when I look up and see Asher heading my way. Once he sees me, his eyes narrow and the look he gives me says he’d like nothing more than to kick my ass. I’d like to see him try.
“Well, well. Look what the cat dragged in. What happened? Your bar whore decide you weren’t worth her time?”
“What the fuck is your problem?” I growl, fists clenched and itching for a fight. We have a stare down, and after a few minutes, I cave. “Where is she? She okay?”
“Sky’s fine,” he replies coolly. “We went out for a meal, bought her some groceries. I’ve taken care of her.”
It irks the shit out of me to hear him calling her Sky. That’s what I call her. And what the hell does he mean by ‘taken care of her?’
Breathe in. Breathe out.
“I would have taken care of her. I used to be really good at it,” I challenge, puffing out my chest for good measure. The fact that his fists are clenched at his sides at the mere mention of Skylar spending time with me doesn’t go unnoticed. I can’t help wondering exactly what’s going on between them. Are they dating? Friends? Fuck buddies?
Get a grip, Rivers. Breathe in. Breathe out.
As if reading my mind, the bastard actually starts laughing at me. “It’s eating you alive, isn’t it? You’re standing there, and the questions are exploding inside that thick head of yours. You’re wondering how many times I’ve kissed her. Wondering how often I’ve touched her. Held her in my arms. Wiped away her tears.” H
e takes a step closer and lowers his voice so only the two of us can hear. “You’re dying to know if I’ve been lucky enough to have her in my bed. Something you never got the chance to do.” He smirks. “Go ahead. Ask me. You know you want to.”
“Fuck you,” I hiss. I swear to God if it didn’t land me in jail, I’d strangle his arrogant ass. “I don’t give a damn about any of that shit. What Skylar does is none of my business. She can sleep with whomever she wants.”
“Yeah? Why don’t you try selling that shit to someone who’ll actually believe it. I ain’t buying it. Not for one second. You care. You care a whole fucking lot.” He jabs a finger in my chest.
“Oh, really?” I give him a jab, only mine is definitely harder than the poke he gave me. “And just how the fuck do you know this? You don’t know jack shit about me.” His words strike a nerve, but I don’t want him to know it. I step around him and lean up against the wall to try and stop my head from spinning.
“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong, my friend. I do know you. You see, she’s told me all about you. About all the time you spent together. The things you told her. About the night you broke her heart.” He steps back and leans against the opposite wall, glaring at me the entire time. When I don’t respond, he keeps right on talking. “She’s my best friend, Scott. We tell each other everything.” He shakes his head on a hollow laugh. “The way I see it, you’re a fucking asshole.”
“Why? Because of stupid decisions I made in high school? Dude, I was eighteen. Fuck, yeah, I was a dumbass. But do you honestly believe I set out to hurt her?” I argue.
“I don’t know. Maybe not in the beginning. Hell, for all I know, maybe you didn’t intend to hurt her the night it all ended, but the way you treated her afterwards spoke a whole lot more about the way you truly felt about her. Actually, I should be thanking you. After all, your shitty behavior was the reason she came running to Atlanta. If it weren’t for you, I never would have met her. So, thank you,” he says smugly.