Stand (Black Addiction Book 3)

by T Gephart

  “Well, of course she doesn’t,” Jules threw back her hand with a complete lack of surprise. “No one really likes bowling, but it’s a great opportunity for her. To show how invested she is in the school community, how dedicated she is to the kids.” She continued to lay it on thick. “Like extra credit. And her work means a lot to her.”

  Well, that part went without saying.

  “So you want me to take your place?” It didn’t make any more sense saying it out loud, the request very much of the WTF variety. And I was still no closer to knowing what the subtext was, because bowling sure as fuck wasn’t it.

  “Yep, exactly. It will be fun.” She paused between each word and nodded her head. “But you can’t tell her.” Her smile evaporating as she got serious. “She’ll just tell you it’s no big deal because she knows you’re busy.” Her hand waved in front of her trying to illustrate her point. “But think of how cool it will be to meet the people we work with?”

  Jules threw out another line and I couldn’t help but take a bite.

  “Something about this feels really shady. Don’t you think blindsiding her is a shitty thing to do?”

  We’d already established I’d do pretty much whatever when it came to Beth. Spending time with her—a given, tell me where and when and it was a done deal. Meeting the people she worked with—sure, see above. I’d have done all of it willingly.

  If she’d asked.

  Which she hadn’t.

  Sooooooooo.

  Let’s go over this one more time shall we?

  “Blindsiding her?” Jules laughed, her happy-happy not convincing me there wasn’t something else going on. “All I’m asking you to do is take my place on the team. That’s all, nothing at all shady.”

  “This has bad idea written all over it, and you know it.” Fuck, everyone knew it. Not to mention that if this blew up in my face, it would be the most epic fall out of all time.

  “Fine, I’ll get the cute single dad. It’s probably for the best anyway, and I know he won’t mention it.”

  And there it was again. Wasn’t getting ignored a second time, and I didn’t give a shit on whether or not she was serious. Even the hypothetical of her pairing up with this dude was giving me a nervous twitch. Which meant that Jules had snagged herself a two-hundred-pound asshole—me. And all that she’d needed was a bigger net. Well done. God, I hope I didn’t end up regretting it.

  “Yeah, that isn’t going to happen. Give me the details.”

  “Thanks, Max. You’re such a big help.” She gave me another pop in the biceps, pleased beyond measure that whatever her objective was, had been met. “Dress nice though, huh. Not Meta Gala nice, a couple of steps down from there.”

  “Yeah, no problem.” Bullshit, something told me it was very much going to be a problem.

  Not that I had time to explore what that might be, Beth coming out of the bathroom not a minute later. The conversation was iced as I took a good look at her, the fitted dark-blue dress she was wearing making my balls ache with need.

  “I’ll be seeing you tonight.” I lifted her chin and kissed her lips, the fact we had an audience not deterring me. “Your place or mine, I’ll let you decide.”

  “Fine.” She smiled, her arms wrapping around my chest as she nuzzled in close. “I’ll call you later.”

  “All I needed to hear.” I gave her another kiss, Jules developing a sudden need to clear her throat as my mouth gave Beth something to remember. The see ya coming sooner than I would have liked.

  It was the first time in a long time I didn’t want to head to the studio, the drive to Angie’s harder than it usually was.

  It was a good distraction though, being with the band an awesome way of filing in time while Beth worked. It beat the hell out of sitting around my apartment like a loser, and with Angie once again in the family way, the hours of productivity were going to be reducing soon. Morning sickness, fatigue, moodiness—it was a roll of the dice on what we were going to get. Which is why we were putting in the hours now.

  The week was pretty intense.

  Holed-up in Angie’s studio while we worked through material. What sounded good, what blew, and getting a solid list together so we could narrow what would eventually make it to our next album.

  It wasn’t all work, Joey and Rusty filling the breaks with comedic relief. Their back and forth probably partly due to fatigue, with each day running into the next. It would have been easy to go crazy, the walls seeming to close in, but at the end of each day came my little slice of awesome, giving me exactly the recharge I needed.

  “Hi,” she mumbled, her voice still thick from sleep as she answered the door. “I was worried you might miss dinner, so I saved you some.” Her eyes slowly blinked struggling to stay open.

  “Thanks, I’ll grab it later. Let’s get you back to bed.”

  It was my usual routine, coming home after a session with my only interests being a shower, food and Beth. Not necessarily in that order. And lucky for me I was able to combine Beth with the other two—showering and eating were better when shared. And sure, sometimes there was actual food involved too.

  Every night she’d opened her door, no questions asked or demands made. Her body slipped effortlessly into my arms. And I couldn’t be happier if I’d tried.

  Work, Beth, Sleep—repeat.

  It was probably the only thing getting me through the days, knowing what my reward would be when I finally saw her. Half the time we didn’t even talk, both of us having better things to do with our mouths. Which was why—probably against my better judgment—my surprise bowling date wasn’t mentioned.

  The day got closer, and I hadn’t so much at hinted that I had a clue. Besides, part of me was curious on what the grand reveal was going to be. We all knew something was coming and it had nothing to do with ten pins and a fucking ball.

  Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait too long. The long days with the band and nights with Beth finally got us to the end of the week.

  Friday was textbook ordinary.

  Rus and Angie were going back and forth over whether a different key would add more value on the current song while Joey was insisting we needed to use the timpani he bought.

  Usually it would have pissed me off, but I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. Especially knowing we got to call time out early because it was Friday and I had a surprise date with my girl; it just made all the craziness worthwhile.

  Sure, tensions were screwed a little tighter than usual. Add into the mix that Angie announced we were going to start recording in two weeks and suddenly it wasn’t playtime anymore.

  “A few more undercover gigs and then we pull the pin.” Rus unplugged his guitar. “And I say we try some of the new stuff on the next one.”

  “Agreed.” Angie nodded, grabbing a couple of bottles of water out of the nearby fridge. “We’ve got twenty songs completed plus the two we’re working on. Playing a couple live will help us narrow them down.”

  To which a bunch of yeahs were tossed around and we said our goodbyes. Wrapping up early had worked in my favor. I was able to get home, shower—by myself this time unfortunately—and change before heading out. Jules had already given me the details of where I had to be along with a thumbs up emoji for keeping my mouth shut. I guess that’s what I got for giving her my phone number, the few messages I’d received were like modern day hieroglyphics.

  I hadn’t seen the inside of a bowling alley in years, the trip through the double glass doors taking me back in time. Just not my lifetime.

  With a distinct 1950’s feel, Pins was too new-penny-shiny to be authentic. My guess was the walls had seen more than just one coat of paint over the years, the checkerboard linoleum floor buffed to mirror-finish perfection. Even the soundtrack was keeping the theme, Buddy Holly singing about “Peggy Sue” as kids and adults were tossing balls down lanes, laughing and talking as they did it.

  “Oh my God.” I heard the gasp from behind, my plan to find Beth quietly probably not g
oing to happen. “You’re Max Reynolds.”

  It always amused me when someone told me who I was. Like the fact was surprising to me as well as them. I wasn’t sure it was something I’d ever get used to, but I made sure I didn’t come across as an asshole when I did the “yeah, I am.”

  “Hi.” I turned around and gave the blonde a smile. “I prefer just Max, the whole name usually means I’m in some kind of trouble.” My eyes did a quick left and right but came up empty. “I’m actually looking for a friend.”

  “Beth invited you?” Her eyes Christmas-lighted as she took a step closer. “I can’t believe you are really here.” Her hand reached out and retracted suddenly like she thought better of whatever it was she’d planned. “Wow, I mean just wow.”

  What made me do the double take wasn’t that she was star struck, but that she’d mentioned the exact person I’d come to see. Coincidence? Not when Jules was involved. Yep, this had her name written all over it.

  “You know Beth?”

  “Well of course, we teach together.” She giggled, the fact they work together hilarious. “Didn’t she mention that when she spoke about me?”

  This time it was my turn to look like a deer in headlights. I had no idea what this girl was talking about, but her eager smile told me I probably should.

  “It’s been a busy week; we haven’t had a lot of time to talk.” Well that was the truth, not a lot of actually talking had gone on and even less of it had been about her teacher buddies. Blondie, was on the list of things that weren’t discussed.

  “Oh, of course. Sorry. I’m Rita.” She shoved out her hand, the adding of her name not helping my lack of clue. “So, are you sticking around or you just stopping by to say hi?” Her fingers wrapped tightly around mine, a little friendlier than I’d expected.

  “I’m sticking around.” I tried to unpeel her hand while still being polite. “I’ll be here for as long as Beth needs me to be.” I’d hoped the mention of her might remind Rita I was here for someone particular. And sadly that wasn’t her.

  “That’s very considerate of you. She’s lucky to have such a good friend.” Her hand cocked on her hip as she pushed out her tits, the friendly smile hinting at something else.

  Was she fucking flirting? I mean, it looked like she was, her pouty-lip-look-at-my-tits combo was a dead giveaway, but if she knew about me and Beth . . . maybe I was wrong.

  “I’d say we’re both lucky.” Not everyone wants to suck your dick, asshole. “Is she around?”

  “Sure, she’s chatting to some of the parents,” She moved a little close, her voice dropping to almost a whisper. “But she won’t mind if we get to know each other a little better first. There’s a little courtyard out back.”

  Correction, this woman most definitely wanted to suck my dick.

  “Not sure that’s such a good idea.” Also, wasn’t going to happen, but I didn’t want to be a total asshole.

  “She knows about my intentions, if that’s what you’re worried about.” The hand that had been doing the should-I-shouldn’t-I reached out and rubbed up and down my arm. “She’s totally okay with it.”

  What the actual fuck? Call me crazy, but I highly doubt Beth would be cool with me sticking my cock in this woman.

  “Well, I should go say hello, let her know I’m here.” And I might not be Einstein but if she wasn’t suggesting we have sex then I’d had no fucking idea. Short of her offering me a hand job, I was doubtful this conversation could get worse, her eyes flicking down to the fly of my jeans not leaving any doubt.

  “Well, if that’s what you want to do.” Her disappointment spelled out by her pouty frown. “But don’t be too long. I really want to get to know you better.”

  I’m fairly confident I knew which part too, and it wasn’t my stellar personality.

  “Okay, talk soon.” I gave her a wave as my feet and I did a bail out. Me and her not happening. Not in this lifetime. I moved through the crowd of people as I looked for Beth.

  One thing Rita had reinforced was I was no longer interested in other women. Sure, I hadn’t so much as looked at another girl since our reconnection but it was more than that. Like I was legit not interested. A girl could strip naked, get on her knees in front of me and my dick would still have a case of the snooze.

  Beth was it for me. I mean really it. And I sure as hell couldn’t replace her. She was a once in a lifetime, and no amount of time or other women would tell me different.

  It was while I was giving thanks to the universe that I finally saw her. In the mix with all the noise and she made time stand still. You just couldn’t help but stare. Dressed casually in jeans and a T-shirt, she was beautiful, and I had to wait a minute just to take it in.

  I loved times like this, watching her when she didn’t know I was looking, just to see her like that in all her pure perfection.

  Someone around her said something that made her laugh, her head tilting back as her face lit up as she giggled. The unrestrained happiness was intoxicating, could make me feel good even on my worst days and that smile of hers—the kind a man would go to war for.

  It was hard not to march my ass right up to where she was and claim her mouth right there. Not because I gave a shit her boss was watching, or there were kids around—I wasn’t altruistic enough to give a fuck. The reason I didn’t was because I knew that once I started I wasn’t going to be able to stop. One kiss with her would never be enough. Not tonight, not ever.

  “Heard you might be short a partner.” I snuck up behind her, my hands finding their home on her hips. “I’m here to lend my services.”

  I didn’t need to say anymore, her body turning between my fingers so she turned to face me, my appearance unexpected if the look on her face was anything to go by.

  “Jules.” She smiled, my girl smart enough to put the pieces of the puzzle together really quickly. “I should have known when she called earlier and said she would probably be late.”

  “Yeah, take it from me. She isn’t coming.” And whether this had been her grand scheme or not, I didn’t give a shit. The reasons for me being there were no longer relevant.

  “So not a surprise.” She grabbed my hand, ignoring the audience who either had no idea of who I was or why I was there. “I can’t say I’m disappointed.”

  Well, at least that made two of us.

  “Come out here for a second.” Her smile wide as she led me to the courtyard. Interesting choice of venue considering it’s what her friend had suggested earlier, but I guess there weren’t a lot of options that didn’t include a crowd. It seemed I was destined to end up there one way or another. Which brought up another interesting point.

  “I have a question for you.” I stopped the minute the air hit our skin. “Your friend Rita, is she interested in everyone’s cock or just mine?”

  “Oh shit, you met Rita?”

  News of Jules and her bogus excuses were sidelined by the latest development. The annoyingly bubbly blonde somehow secured her own meeting without my assistance, like a freaking ninja. Did she repel down the wall the minute he walked in? Although how was irrelevant right now, judging by his reaction she hadn’t been subtle.

  “Yep, we met.” He smirked, the raised eyebrow hinting that there was more. “Although I don’t think it was as memorable as she would have liked. Anything you want to tell me?”

  Ummmmmmmm. Yeah. There was that.

  I’d never expected their paths to cross so mentioning Rita and her quest to dirty up her dating history seemed unnecessary. There was also the fact that I didn’t want to ever see them together, so I swept that under the rug for a cold day in hell. It wasn’t even a possibility as far as I was concerned; no need to even mention it.

  Of course, it wasn’t so hypothetical now.

  Fuuuuuuuuucccck.

  Seriously, the chances were zero. I swear I was going to kill Jules when I saw her next. I didn’t care whether or not it was actually her fault; I was totally laying responsibility at her feet.

&nb
sp; “Rita may have asked me to introduce you to her.” I winced, wondering how much I was going to have to admit.

  “Seemed like there was a little more than that. Keep going.” The smile got wider as he waved his hand urging me to continue.

  “She has a thing for you, wanted you to be her bad boy,” I blurted out, his eyes searing me. “I think she wanted to sleep with you.” Please, God, don’t let him consider it. Not her. I mean, I didn’t want him with anyone, but especially not her.

  “And considering I’m dating you, that makes sense how?” He tilted his head to the side and let his words settle.

  Hold. The. Fucking. Phone.

  What did he say?

  No seriously, what the hell did he just say, because I think the floor wax from the lanes must have wafted up my nose and fried my brain.

  “We’re dating?” I said a little louder than I’d intended, my voice rising a couple of octaves in the confusion. It sounded just as bad coming out of my mouth as it had rattling around in my head, my hope not to sound like a moron well and truly dashed.

  “Are you serious?” Max looked on amused, like it hadn’t occurred to him that we’d been doing anything but, the laugh that followed hopefully meaning he wasn’t pissed. “I assumed you got the vibe when we kept seeing each other. What did you think we were doing?”

  “I don’t know, I guess . . .”

  Nope, no words.

  Deep down I hadn’t wanted to explore the possibilities, because if we weren’t then I was worried I’d be disappointed. If I was honest with myself, really honest with myself—I wanted to be with him. Not just for sex but to actually be with him. And I didn’t want it to stop. Which is what would’ve had to happen if one of us felt more than the other.

  Oh, shit. I still hadn’t said anything. Max looked on with an amused grin while he waited for me to continue the sentence I had no hope of finishing.

  “Well, for future reference, we’re dating.” He moved his hand to my jaw, his eyes meeting mine. “Exclusively. So, no more trying to set me up with your crazy-ass friends. Oh and by the way, even if I wasn’t dating you—and I am—she is so not even my type.”