by Banks, Maya
Bethany’s cheeks went pink but her eyes glowed with pleasure at Mia’s request. Jace wanted to hug his little sister for making Bethany feel important and included.
“Then I’d love to,” Bethany said quietly.
Mia beamed at her. “And while I’m in command mode, my girls and I are going out this week to Vibe.”
Before she could go any further, Gabe broke into a groan and Jace added his own.
“Shush, you two!” Mia admonished. Then she looked apologetically at Bethany. “As I was saying. My girls and I are going to the club and we’d love for you to come.”
Bethany glanced quickly up at Jace as if seeking his approval and he frowned.
“Of course you can go,” he whispered so the others couldn’t hear. “You don’t need my permission.”
She sent him a look that suggested she was adhering to the rules of their relationship. Something agreed upon by both of them. And he loved her for that, that she was so willing to cede power and control to him. But he wasn’t going to be a bastard about it either. He’d damn near give her the moon if she wanted it.
Besides, he already knew Mia had planned to invite Bethany for a night out with the girls. When he’d explained the situation with Jack and how down and worried Bethany had been the last several days, Mia had seized the opportunity and declared that what Bethany needed was a girls’ night out.
“I’d love to,” Bethany said to Mia.
Mia’s face lit up in delight. “Good! It’s settled then. Night after next, we’ll hit the club. I’ll run by and get you from Jace’s apartment and then we’ll swing by to get the other girls on the way. Gabe’s providing a driver for the evening.”
“Damn right,” Gabe muttered. “Last thing I need is a bunch of drunken girls wobbling all over fucking Manhattan.”
Ash chuckled. “No shit.”
“Our apartment, Mia,” Jace corrected gently. “It’s mine and Bethany’s apartment. Not mine.”
Mia flushed, her eyes growing worried. “Of course! I’m so sorry. I’m so used to calling it your apartment. I’m sorry, Bethany. I wasn’t thinking.”
Bethany looked embarrassed and sent Jace a frown of reprimand that had him grinning. He wasn’t the least bit repentant for reminding the others of Bethany’s place in his life.
“It’s okay, Mia. I knew what you meant,” Bethany said.
“Oh look!” Mia exclaimed. “It’s almost midnight. The countdown is on!”
Their gazes jerked to the television just in time to see the clock wind down to midnight.
“Happy New Year!” Mia cried.
“Happy New Year,” Ash said, raising his glass in toast.
“Happy New Year,” Gabe echoed.
Jace leaned down, touching his lips to Bethany’s. “Happy New Year, baby.”
“You too,” she whispered as she kissed him back.
“Know what I plan to be doing New Year’s Day?” he whispered.
“What?” she whispered back.
“Making love to you. They say whatever you do on New Year’s Day you’ll be doing the entire rest of the year.”
She grinned. “For real?”
“So the saying goes.”
“In that case, I vote we do exactly that,” she said before kissing him again.
“No arguments from me.”
“And they say we’re bad,” Mia grumbled, jerking Jace back before he completely lost himself in Bethany’s kiss and forgot where they were.
He shot his sister a glare. “Oh please. Like anyone is worse than you and Gabe.”
Gabe looked amused but kept his mouth shut.
“Try being me,” Ash muttered. “Jesus, it’s like a couples’ retreat around here.”
“So find you a woman,” Mia said lightly.
Ash rolled his eyes and then drained his wineglass. “No hurry there, sweetheart. Besides, who in their right mind would ever marry into my crazy-ass family?”
Mia gasped. “Did he just insult us?”
Jace smiled, loving her even more in that moment. Ash looked dumbstruck for a moment and then a warm smile lit up his entire face and his eyes gleamed with affection.
Mia had effectively reminded him that they were Ash’s family. Not his father or mother or batshit crazy siblings. Here in this room was Ash’s real family. The ones who supported him unconditionally.
“Never that,” Ash said. “And thanks for the reminder, sweetness.”
Bethany was looking at the others with something akin to wonder. Her smile was achingly filled with longing. For what the others shared. That unbreakable bond. One that extended to her now, even if she hadn’t fully grasped it.
“They’re your family too,” he murmured into her ear.
She turned to him, her eyes bright with happiness for the first time in days. They were clear and not clouded with sadness and worry.
“Yeah,” she breathed. “I guess they are, aren’t they?”
He kissed her lingeringly, hugging her tightly to his chest. “Feels good, doesn’t it?”
“It’s the best,” she said fiercely. “It’s something I never imagined having. I still can’t believe it. I still wake up and have to tell myself this is really happening and not some crazy dream I’ve hatched.”
He smiled gently, his chest aching with the love he felt for her. “Believe it, baby. It’s real and it’s yours.”
chapter thirty-five
“I feel so guilty,” Bethany said.
Mia glanced over from where she sat beside Bethany in the limo, her brow furrowed in question.
Bethany sighed. “I have no idea where Jack is. If he’s dead or alive, hungry or cold. Nothing. And yet I’m going on about my life, going out with girlfriends clubbing. It seems so . . . cold and heartless.”
Mia reached over and squeezed Bethany’s hand. “Oh honey, you’re anything but cold and heartless. Give yourself a break here. Jack is a grown man. He’s made his decisions, whether they’re good or bad, and you have to accept that. You can’t live his life for him. You can’t make him do the right thing. But what you can do is live your life, be happy and make your own choices free of guilt.”
Bethany blinked at the other woman, astonished by how much sense Mia made.
“I’m an idiot.”
Mia laughed. “First you’re cold and heartless and now you’re an idiot?”
Bethany breathed a deep sigh. “You’re right. I know you’re right. Jace has been telling me the same thing, only I haven’t been listening. And then you say it and suddenly it makes so much more sense.”
“That’s because I’m smarter than Jace,” Mia said smugly.
Bethany grinned, feeling lighter than she had in an entire week. “Thank you for inviting me tonight,” she said, reaching over impulsively to hug Mia.
Mia hugged her back fiercely. “Thank you for making my brother happy.”
Bethany drew away, her lips curving ruefully. “I only hope I continue to make him happy. I love him.”
“And he loves you,” Mia said matter-of-factly. “It’s so plain to see. I’ve never seen him so gaga over a woman. I have to tell you, it’s astonishing to witness!”
The car pulled to a stop in front of another apartment complex, where four women stood waiting. Mia jumped out, pulling Bethany with her.
“I’ll make this quick. It’s freezing!” Mia said. “Bethany, I want you to meet my best friends on earth, Caroline, Chessy, Gina and Trish. Guys, this is Jace’s girlfriend, Bethany.”
“Ah damn it, Mia, break my heart, why don’t you,” Chessy said dramatically.
Bethany looked at the pretty woman in confusion.
Mia laughed. “She’s had the hots for Jace forever. It’s slaying her that he’s off the market now.”
&nbs
p; Bethany burst into laughter. “Sorry. Well, not really.”
The others laughed with her.
“I wouldn’t be sorry either,” Trish said. “Jace is one fine specimen of a man. You’re a lucky woman, Bethany.”
“What about Ash?” Gina asked hopefully. “Is he off the market too then?”
Mia’s eyes widened. “Oh shit. No, no! Bethany is only with Jace.”
Bethany’s cheeks warmed as she blushed furiously. Obviously they all knew of Jace and Ash’s propensity for having threesomes. Now they thought she was involved with both of them. There was no way in hell she’d ever admit that she’d had sex with both men.
The other girls’ eyes widened. “Damn,” Caroline breathed. “Jace is going solo now. Wow, Bethany. You must have really rocked his world.”
“Okay, okay, enough of tormenting Bethany with my brother’s sexual exploits,” Mia groaned. “Let’s get in the car and go have fun!”
“I’m down with that,” Chessy said. “Caro, is Brandon working tonight?”
Caroline’s entire face lit up. “Yeah, he said he’d totally take care of us.”
The others snorted as they piled into the limo.
“Caroline’s boyfriend works as a bouncer at Vibe,” Mia explained. “They live together now and he’s hugely protective of her and, well, us when we go out. We don’t have to worry about anyone messing with us. Brandon spread the word with the other guys who work there and we’re totally VIP all the way. Whatever we want, we get, and they all look out for us. Gabe had to discuss it with Brandon and sign off before he’d let us all go back.”
She said the last with a roll of her eyes and the others dissolved into giggles.
“I want one of those insanely overprotective men,” Chessy drawled. “They’re kind of nice to have in a caveman, knuckles-dragging-the-ground sort of way. And they’re the bomb in bed, so Mia and Caroline tell us.”
She reached forward, all but pouncing on Bethany. “And now we have you to regale us with how awesome Jace is in the sack. You don’t know the amount of time we’ve spent fantasizing about that particular unknown.”
“Just please don’t tell us he’s all vanilla and boring,” Gina said with a shudder. “If he’s that, lie to us and let us live in our dream land a little longer.”
Bethany burst into laughter again.
“You guys!” Mia hissed. “Give her a break. You’re going to scare her off before we ever get to the club and if she goes home and tells Jace all this shit, he’ll never let her go out with us again!”
“Throw us a bone at least, girl,” Trish said to Bethany.
Bethany grinned. “He’s not vanilla or boring.”
They all groaned.
“That’s bad. Teasing us with what we’ll never have,” Gina grumbled.
Bethany relaxed, enjoying something she’d never experienced before. Girlfriends. Friendships. It had always been just her and Jack. She’d never gotten close to anyone and now she wanted this. Camaraderie. A night out with the girls. It was fun.
When they pulled to a stop in front of the nightclub, the door opened and a gorgeous, Latino-looking man with a goatee and one earring held out his hand to Caroline to help her. He immediately enfolded her in his muscled arms and laid one on her that had the others sighing and whistling.
“Damn,” Chessy muttered. “I’m one jealous bitch right now.”
“That must be her boyfriend,” Bethany murmured to Mia.
Mia smiled. “Yes, that’s Brandon. He’s head over heels for Caro and she’s the same for him.”
“Ladies,” Brandon said, offering his hand when he’d released Caroline. “Let’s get you inside where it’s warm. You have a table waiting and your own waitress for the night. The boys will be looking out for you and if you have any trouble at all, you see me. I’ll take care of it.”
“Holy crap,” Bethany whispered. “He gives me the shivers!”
“Like you don’t get that at home,” Gina grumbled as she took Brandon’s hand.
They all piled out and Brandon escorted them inside.
Music vibrated the walls and a cascade of neon and flashing lights nearly hurt Bethany’s eyes. It wasn’t her first time inside a club. She’d met up with a lot of men in her days of meaningless sex. For a moment, the memory robbed her of breath as hurt and shame crowded into her chest.
The clubs she’d visited hadn’t been as classy as this one. More like seedy bars and places that women like her went to hook up for the night.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Mia yelled close to her ear.
Bethany smiled. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”
She shook the past from her mind, determined not to let it interfere with tonight’s fun. She was a different person now. She had Jace. Jace, who knew about her past and accepted her anyway. She didn’t have to be that person anymore. She could be who she’d always wanted to be.
When they got to the table, a smiling waitress immediately appeared and Bethany noticed that two bouncers took position near their table. Brandon hadn’t lied when he said they’d be well taken care of.
When the waitress got to Mia and Bethany, Bethany put out her hand to Mia.
“Let’s have a drink. I know you planned to drink water with me but why not have fun?”
Mia’s expression became troubled. “Are you sure? I don’t mind having sparkling water with you.”
“I never had problems with alcohol addiction,” Bethany said gently. “I know Jace worries, but he doesn’t have to. I’m not that person anymore. I’m so glad you invited me here with your girls. Let’s have a good time. You said someone will get us home afterward, right?”
Mia grinned. “Oh absolutely. Look for Gabe to make an appearance in a few hours. The man is still pissed about the one time I went out with the girls and took a cab home alone, drunk off my ass. He’s cool with me drinking. He just makes sure he’s around to get me home afterward.”
“Then let’s do it!” Bethany said.
Mia turned to the waitress. “I want a Cosmo. What do you want, Bethany?”
“Amaretto sour, please.”
A few minutes later, the waitress returned with a tray of drinks and Mia held up her glass in a toast. “Drink up, girls. Tonight we’re going to have fun!”
“And get plastered!” Chessy interjected.
“I’ll drink to that,” Gina said, holding up her glass.
Bethany joined in the fun, holding her glass to clink with the others. They all laughed and chugged down their first drink.
The sweet drink hit Bethany’s tongue and blazed a warm trail into her belly. She put the empty down, surprised when the waitress immediately passed out another round.
Mia laughed. “She always gets our table when we’re here and she knows we always toast and down the first one immediately, so she double orders for us. She knows us now.”
“Works for me,” Bethany said, reaching for the next drink.
“Let’s dance!” Chessy yelled. “The night is young and there are men waiting.”
“You can be my dance partner,” Mia yelled to Bethany over the music. “Well, you, me and Caro will split off. Brandon would have a kitten if she danced with another guy. The others are on their own.”
“Sounds good!” Bethany returned.
They hit the dance floor and Bethany allowed the music to take over. For the space of a few hours, she could forget Jack and her worries. She embraced the newness of having girlfriends and fun and having a wonderful, loving man to go home to at the end of the night.
She, Mia and Caroline danced in a tight circle, laughing and letting loose. They shimmied up close, teasing the crowd as they bumped and grinded, gyrating in time with the frenetic beat of the music.
After dancing four songs, they returned to their tab
le, where new drinks were waiting. Brandon was standing there, amusement twinkling in his dark eyes.
He put his arm around Caroline, pulling her in close to his side. “Babe, I gotta tell you, if you and your girls don’t stop that sexy shit, me and the boys are going to have a hard time pulling the guys off you.”
Caroline laughed and turned her face up for his kiss.
“I have rounds to make. I’ll be back later to check in on you.”
After that, he kissed her and it wasn’t just a simple peck. It was a sexy as sin, tongue-kissing mark of possession. Bethany wasn’t fooled. He’d done it to let anyone watching know that Caroline was his and to keep their hands off. It also helped that the man was built. No one in their right mind would take him on in a bar fight.
Caroline sighed and her eyes were slightly glazed—the alcohol having nothing to do with the slighty drunk look.
“He’s amazing,” she yelled to Mia and Bethany.
“We see that,” Mia teased.
“Drink up!” Caroline said. “Tina is coming back with more. No alcohol goes to waste here!”
Mia and Bethany laughed and quickly downed their drinks.
By the time two hours passed, Bethany was buzzing on alcohol and laughing ridiculously at everything the girls said. They danced more, getting bolder in their shenanigans and occasionally returning to the table to down more drinks.
The third time they went onto the dance floor, Bethany was definitely drunk. Mia wasn’t in any better shape from what Bethany could ascertain and they were giggling madly as they bumped and swayed, getting more provocative in their movements.
“I’m so glad Jace isn’t here to see this,” Bethany hollered over the music. “I think he’d kill me!”
Mia giggled and then her eyes rounded. “Oh shit.”
“What?”
“I was about to say that I was glad Gabe hadn’t made it yet either, but, uhm, he’s here.”
Bethany whirled around and nearly toppled over when the room kept moving after she’d stopped. The heels she’d worn, which at the time seemed a good idea because they were totally sexy with enough lift to make her legs look damn good, suddenly didn’t seem like such a good idea because she damn near tripped and broke her ankle.