With a loud, carefree laugh, I see myself out. Just as I’m about to shut the door, I wink at her through the crack where our eyes make contact.
“Damn right, you will. No one forgets a Montgomery.”
I shut the door to her tinkling laughter, and I have a smile on my face the entire walk to the front where my ride is waiting.
What a night. Anticipation that we might have more than one night dances through me, and I find myself excited for the first time in a long time to see where this might go.
Last night was a bust, but this morning will definitely be something worth remembering.
15
Perrie
“Perrie, oh Perrie, where is my little Perrie?” a voice sings as a pillow hits the side of my face.
I turn on sore limbs to lie on my back and glare at the assailant. “Blake, how are you so freaking cheery right now?”
“I got laid, multiple times, so I feel like a brand new, refreshed me,” she announces, hands clapping together in happiness.
I shake my head and laugh at her openness. As if on cue, my own body is reminded of its late-night slash early-morning activities. I stretch out my limbs and wiggle my legs, my lady bits screaming in protest at the slight soreness there. I didn’t quite admit this to Sterling last night, but he’s the biggest I’ve ever experienced, and it was mind-blowing.
“Wait a second, you look thoroughly screwed yourself,” she observes, eyes narrowing as she surveys the room. “You totally got it on last night, didn’t you?”
“Well, technically it was this morning,” I admit sheepishly.
She gasps, jumping on the bed beside me. “You little vixen. Is this bed full of sweat and leftover sex?”
I bark out a laugh. “No, but the wall probably is.”
“Nice,” she says, settling into the sheets next to me. “I’m oddly proud of you. So, do tell, who was the lucky man unable to resist the ever-loving and, if I do say so myself, irresistible Perrie?”
I chew on the corner of my bottom lip and crinkle my nose, already knowing the freakout that’ll follow my confession. “Sterling.”
“Sterling?” Her hazel eyes widen in my direction. “The same Sterling you’ve been basically flirting with since the night at the bar? The ex-boyfriend to your childhood best friend? The same one who will freak if she ever finds out about this?”
“Yeah, the very same.” I nod my confirmation.
“How did that even happen?” she asks curiously, but holds up a hand quickly after. “I mean, I know how, but what led to the deed actually being done? Too much built-up attraction?”
“That was probably a little bit of it,” I admit, my mind drifting back to the night. “I also might have sort of thrown myself at him and begged a whole lot.”
“You begged? Oh, this just keeps getting better and better. Do tell me more.”
I pinch her arm and shoot a glare her way, laughing. “Well, if you must know, as cheesy as it is to admit, I felt like a whole other person. I needed it from him, and I was tired of waiting on the chase he apparently wanted. Even during, the things I was saying...Blake, I surprised myself. Thinking about it now, I can feel my body heating from embarrassment. I don’t know where that Perrie came from, but it was fun, and it felt so freaking good.”
“Would you do it again?” she questions, a Cheshire grin in place.
“In a heartbeat,” I answer with zero hesitation.
And it’s true. I would. I’m flushed red thinking about it, but I felt safe and comfortable with him. He made my body scream long after it ended, leaving his mark on me, and I can’t imagine not doing it again. I don’t even feel guilty, not like I thought I would. Does that make me a terrible human? I don’t think so. It’s just further proof that the friendship Rachel and I had all those years ago is nonexistent and dead.
Also, girl code was broken, but at least we didn’t cheat.
“Earth to Perrie.” A hand waves in front of my face.
“Hmm. Sorry. So, tell me about your night? Who’d you sleep with?” I ask, mildly curious.
“Oh, just some random super attractive guy. I think he was a lawyer or something? Who knows. I zoned him out when he got into too much detail about himself, but he was nice and sort of hot and the sex was good, so there’s that.”
“You are amazing, Blake, you know that?” I say with a light laugh. “So, should we start this cleanup thing or what?”
She groans. “I completely forgot about that, but yes, let’s do it. The sooner, the better, because I’m going to need to sit in a sauna and unwind after the Saturday I had.”
My mind drifts to Sterling throughout the rest of the morning, and a smile spreads across my face each time. He’s somehow more than I thought he’d be, and if ever there’s a repeat of last night, well, I’m going to savor it.
My body shivers as his dirty talk replays on a loop inside my head.
Yeah, if it wasn’t clear before, it is now: I’m in trouble.
I’m in the middle of pinning my hair back when my phone rings from the other room. I run and grab it, not bothering to see who it is, which is a rookie mistake I’ll be paying for soon.
“Perrie speaking,” I say quickly, answering the call.
“Perrie, it’s Rachel.” Her cool tone filters through the phone.
I go on high alert, preparing for the worst, the natural state for anything that has to do with her. “Rachel, hey, what’s up?”
“Can’t an old friend call without there being a reason?” she practically purrs.
They can, but that’s never the case with Rachel. With her, there’s always an agenda.
“I’m a little busy, Rachel,” I lie.
“Right, you’ve got a company to run or whatever, but it is Sunday. I hope you know that,” she points out.
“Every day is a work day, Rachel,” I lie again, but I’m growing irritated the longer she’s on the line.
“Anyway,” she dismisses, and I can feel her excitement as she says, “I have some news, and it’s the type that needs to be shared in person, so we need to meet. Tonight, preferably. Right now, actually.”
I sigh, knowing I’ll give in. It’s the curse that comes with us being childhood friends. Even if we aren’t close now, the little girl I used to be will always cling to who she used to be.
“Okay, just send me the details, and I’ll meet you.”
A knock sounds at my door, and I glare in its direction, knowing who it is before she even confirms it.
The line goes dead, and I toss my cell on the counter, walking to let her in. I open the door to a fresh-faced Rachel, who waltzes past me and straight to the couch.
“Well, hello to you too,” I comment as friendly as I can before claiming the loveseat across from her. “So, what’s this news that just couldn’t wait?”
“Should we open some wine first?” she asks casually, and because it isn’t out of character for her, I crack open a bottle and grab two glasses. I hand her one, half-full, and take a sip of my own, returning to my position on the couch.
I patiently look at her, encouraging her to say what she came to. I’m probably being rude, but this is honestly our relationship. We parade and pretend and part ways when it isn’t convenient anymore.
Finally, she speaks, but the words out of her mouth are the last ones I ever expected her to utter.
“I’m pregnant,” she squeals out. And as if that isn’t enough to shock me, she continues with, “And Lawrence and I are absolutely over the moon about it. I mean, it’s been a long time coming, you know? This bundle of joy.”
I muster my best smile and continue to stare at her, blinking slowly, my eyes moving from her stomach to the glass of wine she sets down.
Why would she ask for wine if she knew she wouldn’t be able to drink it? Because she’s all about the dramatics. I should have known.
I take three long gulps of wine and savor the taste, taking my time to prolong the response from me she’s no doubt waiting for. My stom
ach knots and hands tingle around the wine glass I’m clutching onto for dear life.
He was just inside of me last night, owning me and ruining me for anyone else and promising to talk about more, about more than just that one time.
Okay, I need to get out of my own head. It was sex—mind blowing, sexy sex, but sex nonetheless. It’s just so sudden, from last night to her news. I need to blow off some steam. I’m not in love with the guy, please, but I was opening myself up just a little and letting him see more than the fierce Perrie I put on for everyone else.
I swallow back another gulp.
“Isn’t it wonderful, Perrie?” Rachel pushes. “Life is falling into place. Things are happening the way they’re supposed to.”
“It is wonderful,” I force out. “Children are gifts, and I can’t believe you and Sterling are going to have one of your own, together. I really can’t believe it. Truly. It’s almost unbelievable.”
Except that it isn’t unbelievable. They dated on and off for so long that it makes sense, oddly. Maybe the words he spewed were bullshit, maybe his end game was always to hook up with me. I am one of few people who has actually maintained a sort of friendship with Rachel for this long. Rachel, his longtime girlfriend and equal in all the ways it counts: money and status. I am wealthy and known in my own right, but I will never be as high up on that scale as either of them.
Reality sucks.
Yeah, but you needed a check. You were about to offer him another round, another sliver of the true Perrie.
Rachel left a few hours ago, promising to keep me in the loop with all things baby and Sterling. Suffocate me now. I’m probably the closest friend she has, which is saying a lot. It’s a sad thought actually because I wouldn’t classify what we have as a friendship, and she definitely isn’t the closest of mine.
I’m lying on a plush purple rug on my bedroom floor like a lust-strung teenager, replaying every encounter with Sterling I’ve had since his breakup with Rachel. I’ve never gotten any inclination that they’d ever get back together. Unless the baby is the reason, and if it is, great. But we’re in the twenty-first century and without love, no matter the circumstances, well, that relationship is doomed to fail.
I’m being pessimistic, but I’m upset. And rightfully so, right?
Wrong.
We’re developing a friendship, and sure, we hooked up, but that’s all it was. There’s no reason to make it more, even if I did let a small part of myself imagine just a teeny bit more.
Wait. She’s lied about their relationship, maybe she’s bullshitting again. Not that it matters, but I mean, it kind of does.
“This is ridiculous,” I mutter. “Just ask. I’m just going to ask.”
And because I have no shame, I do what I probably shouldn’t and call Sterling.
He answers on the second ring.
“This is Sterling,” he breathes into the line.
“Why do you sound out of breath?” I ask, not sure how else to start.
“I’m a little busy right now,” he states simply. “What can I do for you, Perrie?”
Oh? We’re back to being asshole Sterling? Good to know. It makes this next question a million times easier to get out.
I roll my eyes before huffing out, “Are you and Rachel having a baby? And are you two suddenly back together?”
I want to add something about our night together, but I don’t, there’s no point.
He sighs, and when he speaks next, he sounds irritated. But at what? Who knows. “That didn’t take long to spread.”
“She wasted no time telling me the good news,” I all but snarl.
Find your grip, Perrie.
“You sound upset,” he observes, voice remaining cool.
“No, quite the opposite,” I lie. “I’m ecstatic. It just means I get to find someone else to scratch these itches of mine.”
I cringe at my tone and the words leaving my mouth. I’m better than this, but I’m more unnerved than I’d like to admit, and that’s messing with me. I wasn’t prepared to care this much, but I do. I care a lot, and that’s a big problem, so maybe it’s better that one night is all it was.
Yeah, I’ll stick with that.
“Perrie,” he starts. My name comes off like a warning.
“I’ve gotta go,” I cut off. “I just wanted to confirm the happy news with you. I’ll see you around, Sterling.”
And then I hang up because I’m apparently back to being fifteen and insecure. I need a drink and a distraction, preferably someone who has no ties to Rachel and her family or to Sterling, for that matter.
Sterling didn’t say much, but he didn’t need to. His words wouldn’t have mattered anyway.
I give Blake a call, and she nearly squeals with glee when I ask if she wants to go out because I’m in the mood for more fun.
The night is short because the first guy I meet is the one I take home.
His name is Zane, and he’s a twenty-eight-year-old comic store owner, and he’s the perfect distraction.
And the sex? That’s good too.
“Yeah, so good,” I moan, arching my back as he pumps into me from behind. “So freaking good.”
His hands grip my sides, upping his pace at my words of encouragement.
And if anyone ever asks if I faked it, I’ll lie and deny, deny, deny.
16
Sterling
“We’re expecting.”
“You’re going to be a father.”
The life-changing word bombs Rachel dropped a week ago echo through my mind on repeat, the time between that moment and now a haze of disbelief, outrage, and resignation.
For the past however many hours, I’ve been parked on my couch, staring at my stunning ocean view but not really seeing it. All I have for company are my clamoring thoughts, and all I can see is the memory of the pregnancy test Rachel showed me. I knew that day would be memorable, I just didn’t think it’d be for that reason. I’ve managed to keep myself busy at work since finding out the news, but the weekend has only served to hammer it all home. Reaching an arm out, I pour myself another finger of Macallan and savor the mild burn as it travels smoothly down my throat.
“What’d I get myself into?” I murmur to myself.
Before I can think on it further, a loud banging breaks into the silence and provides a welcome distraction. Looking to the tablet on my coffee table, I see that my unannounced visitor is Coop, so I press the button on the screen to let him in. Within moments, he’s plopping himself on the couch across from me and staring me down.
“Where the hell have you been?” he demands. “I haven’t seen or heard from you since Sunday morning when I checked to make sure you made it home all right. There are some interesting rumors floating around, Sterling.”
I groan. “I’m all too aware of the rumors circulating around. To answer your question, I’ve been burying myself in work and have been hiding out here. I’m hoping I’ll wake up and that the last week will be nothing but a nightmare.”
“Wait,” Coop says, his eyes widening. “The rumors are true?”
“What have you heard?”
“All I’ve heard is the heir to the illustrious Montgomery name is expecting a child with none other than his socialite girlfriend.”
“Fucking rumors.” I down the remaining whiskey in my glass and pour another serving. “Unfortunately, they’re true.” I’m praying I can prove otherwise.
“I’m going to need some of that before I hear this,” he says, gesturing toward the Macallan. I pour him some as well and launch into my story.
Soon, we’re both slightly buzzed and reliving one of the most shocking moments of my life together and all the moments that led up to it.
The house party with Perrie and our morning together.
My weekly breakfast with my family and the unexpected, unwelcome arrival of a beaming Rachel.
The sheer panic when she announced in front of my parents that we were expecting.
The rage I suppressed
until I could get her alone to demand answers.
And, finally, the test with the little plus sign that announced I’m going to be a father.
“No offense, but Rachel is a schemer. I can’t believe she told you by telling you in front of your parents. I feel like she’s cornering you. Are you sure she’s pregnant? She’s had her sights set on you since before you got together.”
“Unfortunately, I’m very sure. I didn’t trust the test she brought with her, and she seemed to anticipate my response. She brought an unopened pregnancy test with her and peed on the damn stick while I watched. Lo and behold, the schemer is actually telling the truth. Shocking, I know. I went with her to her first appointment the other day, and the doctor estimates she’s about seven to eight weeks along.”
“Do you know for certain if it’s yours?” he asks hesitantly.
Scrubbing my hands down my face, I rest my elbows on my knees and let loose a large exhalation of air. “No. Intuition is screaming that it’s not. Unfortunately, all I can take right now is her word that the baby is mine. We had sex, albeit sparsely, but the last time was a couple weeks before we broke up. I always use protection, and she’s on birth control...apparently neither of those are full-proof.”
My brief conversation with my mother flashes before me. When she hugged me to offer comfort, she echoed my deepest thought when she whispered in my ear that I should make sure the child is mine before binding myself to Rachel in any other ways. I plan on doing just that, but I need some time.
I tell Cooper as much, and he whistles as he leans back and stretches his arms out along the back of my couch.
“Damn. I’m sorry, man. I hope you find out the truth. I wouldn’t put it past her to trap you. I have to ask, though, why are you two back together now? Even if it is yours, I thought you were done for good this time, and lots of people have kids without being in a relationship.”
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