Lace & More (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Tanya Kelly

  She immediately looked away and chewed on her bottom lip. It was true. Fuck! Reilly’s anger returned with a vengeance. “Here I thought we had a discussion about our relationship. Are you fucking seeing other men?” he practically shouted, as rage coursed through him imagining Lacey with another man.

  “No, of course not.” She turned her eyes toward him. “I’m sorry, she pissed me off and it just came out. She got under my skin.”

  Reilly understood, after all Sophie was a real bitch when she wanted to be. “That was just anger talking?” he asked.

  Lacey looked back down at her hands. “Yes and no. I mean, I shouldn’t have said that to her. But we, um, we do need to talk.”

  Reilly’s heart clenched painfully and like usual, hurt brought anger. “You can at least look at me while you’re dumping me,” he said coldly.

  Lacey looked up and tears blurred her eyes. She said nothing.

  “Why, Lacey? Is this about your mom?”

  “No,” she replied, shaking her head. “What makes you say that?”

  “I could tell how uncomfortable you were last night with your mother around and I remember you telling me about your last boyfriend. Your mother may have flirted a bit but she wasn’t hitting on me or anything. She was actually grilling me.”

  Lacey shook her head and wiped a tear that had escaped. “Good to know,” she replied. “But this has nothing to do with my mother.”

  “Then why?” Reilly hated sounding like he was begging but he hadn’t lied the other night. He was in love with her. And he thought she felt the same.

  Lacey cleared her throat and looked him in the eye. “I was honest with you from the beginning that I didn’t want anything serious. But you pushed it and I tried it your way. But I don’t want a boyfriend. I don’t want to move in with you. This is too serious. I only wanted to have some freaking fun.”

  Her voice had risen with each word and Reilly felt like someone punched him in the gut. He stood up and raked his hands in his hair. Damn her for sticking around long enough until he fell for her. He needed to get out of here before he said something hurtful. Even if she deserved it.

  He grabbed his coat and Lacey stood as well. “Reilly, I’m sorry.”

  He put his hand out to stop her. He didn’t need her fucking pitiful apology. “I have to go. Please, just get the fuck out of my house.”

  He didn’t look back as he strode out the front door and got into his truck. Reilly squealed out of the driveway.

  “Fuck!” he yelled and pounded the steering wheel. He had no destination in mind. He just had to get away from her quickly. He’d be damned if he’d let her see how much her words had stabbed him in the heart.

  * * * *

  Lacey let the tears spill down her face as soon as Reilly stormed out. Once the dam opened, she couldn’t stop. She sank to her knees on the plush carpet and sobbed uncontrollably into her hands. She’d never experienced such pain. Her heart broke and she felt physically sick.

  When there were no tears left and she was a complete mess, Lacey got up and went to the bathroom. Seeing her puffy, red-rimmed eyes filled only produced more tears and sobs. She blew her nose into a Kleenex and tried to calm down. Grabbing a grocery bag from the kitchen, she went to the bedroom where she packed up the few items of clothes she’d kept in a drawer Reilly had given her.

  Lacey picked up the sweatshirt on the dresser he had worn a couple days ago and breathed in his scent. On impulse, she packed it. On autopilot she grabbed her things from the bathroom and turned to stare at the bed where they’d made love many times. More tears slid down her face. She knew she was causing them both a lot of pain but better now than a year or two down the road.

  She turned off the lights and stopped in the kitchen. Lacey took out the notepad and pen beside the stove and poised the pen to write. What should she say? I’m sorry? She let the pen fall from her hands. There was nothing to say. Let him keep his anger as a shield. It would help him. Anger was always better than hurt.

  Lacey locked the door behind her and took her key off the ring. He’d given her a key in case the keypad ever malfunctioned. Her hand shook as she dropped it in the mailbox. She drove around town for a while before going back to Kim’s, making sure all her tears were done. By the time she got back to the condo, all the lights were out and Kim’s car was gone. Thank God. Kim would know something was wrong and Lacey didn’t want to talk to anyone. She went inside and poured herself a glass of wine. She sat alone on the couch staring into the fireplace and damn if the tears didn’t start again.

  * * * *

  “Come on, please,” Kim begged, her hands pressed together and a begging smile on her lips. “Come with me. I don’t want to go by myself.”

  Lacey rolled her eyes. It was Saturday night. A week had passed since she’d broken up with Reilly. One long, miserable week. She’d worked from morning until night every day to keep her mind off him. Still, she kept pathetically checking her cell phone for a text or missed call but there hadn’t been any contact.

  “You won’t talk to me about what happened with you and Reilly, nor will he and all you do is work and sleep.”

  Lacey looked up from her laptop. “What do you mean nor will Reilly?”

  Kim flushed guiltily. “Did I say that?”

  “Yes, you did,” Lace replied sharply. “What do you mean?”

  Kim sat next to her on the couch. “I’m worried about you. You refused to talk to me about it and I can see you’re not getting much sleep. You work from open till close and then either work more or go to bed. You’re not even eating. You look like shit and I bet you’ve lost ten pounds in a week.”

  Only five pounds, thought Lacey distractedly. She had no appetite. “Go on,” she said quietly to Kim.

  “I stopped in the pub one night to see Reilly. But he basically told me to get lost. In a nicer way,” she confessed. “But he does seem bitter and angry. Are you going to tell me what happened between the two of you? I’m worried Lace.”

  Lacey nodded and smiled at her friend. “I will, eventually. I just don’t want to talk yet, okay?” A tear spilled down the side of her cheek and she wiped it away angrily. This is exactly why she didn’t want to talk about it. It was still too fresh, too raw.

  “Okay, I’ll respect that a while longer,” Kim said. “But come out with me tonight. You can’t keep moping in this house.”

  “I’m not in the mood. I’ll be shitty company.”

  “So what? You’re shitty company here anyway.”

  Lacey laughed for the first time in a while at her friend’s honesty.

  “Come on. I met this guy, he’s a hot musician and he’s playing at the Blue Shore tonight and invited me to come watch. But I don’t want to show up alone. How pathetic. Please, just one drink or two? Do it for me and my sex life. You and I don’t coexist as well when we’re both not getting laid.”

  Lacey laughed again and threw up her hands. “Fine, one drink.”

  “Yeah.” Kim clapped excitedly. “Now go get dressed before you change your mind.”

  Lacey reluctantly closed her laptop and stretched. Kim took her hand, dragged her to her room and started going through her closet.

  “Here, wear these.” She threw a pair of black jeans on the bed.

  “Those are too tight,” Lacey protested.

  “I bet not anymore. Try them on.”

  Lacey pulled off her pajama bottoms. She’d been living in them this week from the moment she walked in the door. She put on the jeans and Kim was right, they weren’t as tight. She checked them out in the mirror. They still fit snug but molded her butt perfectly.

  “Nice.” Kim threw a faded white T-shirt her way and a worn denim jacket. Lacey dressed on autopilot. “Now go put on lipstick and leave your hair just the way it is. It always looks sexy when you pile it loosely on your head.”

  Lacey threw her a look that said yeah right but did as she was told. Kim was right. She did look tired. She threw a bit more concealer under her
eyes and added lip gloss. When she came to the front entryway Kim held out a pair of short black heeled booties with funky zippers on them.

  “Remember, one drink,” Lacey grumbled and put the boots on.

  Kim didn’t respond as they got into the car and drove to the bar. Lacey heard the music from outside and winced. Just what she needed for her headache….a loud band. The bar was pretty busy. They made their way into the dark room and once her eyes adjusted, she took in the scene. Kim dragged her to a table not too close to the band but where she could see them perfectly.

  They ordered a couple beers from the waitress and sat back to listen to the music.

  “Isn’t he super hot?” Kim leaned over to ask, her eyes on the lead singer.

  Lacey checked out the singer who had medium-length brown hair, framing a gorgeous face. His barely-there stubble gave him an edgy look as did his faded jeans and ripped T-shirt. His tattooed arms were muscular as he strummed on his guitar and sang. His eyes had found Kim right away. He winked and smiled at her.

  Lacey felt a longing for Reilly watching the sparks fly between Kim and this guy. “He is gorgeous,” she replied to Kim. “And a good singer.” They listened to the sexy lyrics both lost in thought. Lacey took another long swig of her beer. The band played a couple more songs and announced they were going to take a break.

  The singer came right over to the table and Kim stood up. He wrapped Kim in a big hug.

  “Hi, beautiful,” he said. “Glad you could make it.”

  “You guys sound great,” Kim replied. “This is my friend, Lacey.”

  Lacey stood as well and shook his hand.

  “Lace, this is Derek.”

  He was even better looking up close. She glanced at Kim, who was pretty much undressing him with her eyes.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Lacey.” Derek smiled then turned his attention back to Kim. “Can I join you ladies?”

  “Of course.” Kim grinned and they both sat back down. Lacey excused herself to use the bathroom and give them a bit of privacy. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and sighed. Dammit, she missed Reilly. She knew time would eventually lessen the pain but it felt like that day would never come. She dreaded going back to the table. Especially after witnessing the chemistry between Derek and Kim. There was no doubt her and Reilly had chemistry. But that would have faded eventually.

  Lacey touched up her lip gloss and headed back out determined to head home. She’d had her one beer so Kim couldn’t complain. She rounded the corner with her head down and smacked into a large, hard chest. Strong hands grabbed her shoulders to steady her.

  “I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I wasn’t watching…”

  The words died on her lips as she looked up in Reilly’s face.

  Chapter Fourteen

  They stared at one another for a while without saying a word. Lacey drank in the sight of him. Reilly ran a hand through his hair and it spiked up messily. Her gaze went from his intense blue eyes to his full lips and she involuntarily licked hers. God how she’d missed those lips. He looked tired as well. Incredibly sexy still, but tired.

  “What are you doing here?” she finally stammered.

  Reilly’s nostrils flared. “Having a drink and listening to good music. Is that a problem?”

  Oh geez, he was still pretty angry. “Of course not.” Lacey stared at him but his eyes were shuttered, his expression closed off. She attempted to smile but managed a tight grimace. “Well, have a good night.”

  She went around him, conscious of his gaze on her back as she made her way to the table. Lacey was surprised she didn’t fall flat on her face as her head was spinning, lost in a torrid of memories. She was about to scoop up her purse and say good night when Derek returned with three beers.

  He passed one to Kim and the other to Lacey. She sat down and murmured thanks. One more and she’d get going. The waitress suddenly appeared and deposited three shots on their table. Derek thanked her and turned back to them.

  “Would you ladies join me in a toast?”

  Kim nodded and picked up the shot glass. They both looked at Lacey expectantly. “I can’t, sorry. I’m driving.”

  “We’ll grab a cab, Lace. Come on. One shot with us,” Kim urged.

  Lacey was about to decline again when she noticed Reilly returning from the bathroom. He glanced in her direction briefly and turned away, joining a table full of people, one of which was the lovely Sophie. He sat beside her and Lacey watched as Sophie put her hand on his arm and whispered something in his ear. Reilly laughed and turned his back to Lacey.

  She looked away, blinking back the sting of tears and pasted a smile on her face. “What the hell. Why not?” She picked up her shot glass.

  “Cheers,” Derek said. “To making new friends.”

  They raised their glasses and downed the clear liquid in the glass. Lacey coughed, her face flaming. Sambuca! She had a vague recollection of Sambuca shots the night she met Reilly. Her gaze strayed toward him again and found him watching her, his lips pressed tightly together. He did not look happy. She tried to focus on the conversation with Kim and Derek.

  After a few minutes, Derek excused himself to go back on stage. “Isn’t he delicious?” Kim gushed, smiling from ear to ear.

  “Sinfully delicious,” Lacey replied with a laugh.

  “Now, aren’t you glad you came out tonight?” Kim teased.

  “I’m not sure about that.” Lacey took a swig of her beer and fought the urge to glance at Reilly. “Did you notice who else is here?”

  “Who?” Kim asked, looking around.

  “Don’t make it so obvious,” Lacey hissed.

  “Never mind, I see who you mean.” Kim peeked in Reilly’s direction. She turned her gaze back to Lacey. “You okay?”

  “I’m fine.” Lacey took another swig of her beer, finishing the second bottle.

  “I’m dying to know what happened between you two.” She threw her hand in the air and continued before Lacey could reply. “I know, you’ll tell me in good time.”

  Lacey smiled at her friend. “I will.”

  They sat in silence for a few minutes, listening to the band. When the waitress came by, they ordered another round. So much for one drink. She should get home but part of her was reluctant to leave. It was painful being this close to Reilly and not touching him or talking to him. But at the same time, she missed him terribly and getting glimpses of him stopped her from leaving.

  “He keeps staring at you,” Kim said.

  Lacey shrugged like she didn’t care meanwhile her skin prickled as she sensed his eyes on her. She could feel the effects of a couple beers and the shot now as she tapped her foot to the music. She loved to dance and it was hard to stay still when she heard a song she liked.

  There was a small section in front of the band cleared for dancing and when they started their next song, a cover of a popular classic rock song, several people got up to dance.

  “Come on.” Kim stood and grabbed Lacey’s hand, dragging her to the dance floor.

  Lacey laughed self-consciously as she swayed to the music. She glanced briefly at Reilly. He watched her closely. She turned away, once again facing the band and began to move with the music, her hips sashaying with the beat. She lost herself in the song and when it ended, everyone broke out in applause. They returned to their seats laughing and clapping.

  The waitress came over and put two more shots on their table. “We didn’t order these,” Kim said to her.

  “They’re from the guys at the bar,” she replied and pointed to a couple of men at the bar. They smiled and raised their glasses. Kim returned the smile and raised one of the shots in a thank you.

  “Come on, girl, would be rude not to when someone buys you a drink.”

  “Oh geez, last one for me or you’ll be picking me off the floor.” Lacey raised her own glass to the men at the bar and they downed the shot. She saw Reilly’s eyes on her from her peripheral vision and glanced over. He was frowning, his bl
ue eyes narrowed as he watched her.

  Lacey turned away and watched the band. They started up another favorite song. This time, she stood up and grabbed Kim, pulling her on the dance floor. Her feet moved to the beat and she waved her hands in the air. Kim was swaying provocatively to the music, her eyes on Derek. Lacey glanced back at Reilly. He was standing near his friends and had opened his wallet. He fished money out and threw some bills on the table. Sophie said something to him, her scarlet red lips in a pout. Reilly shook his head and then picked up his beer and drained the rest of the bottle.

  He looked back up at Lacey and their eyes met. Even from across the room, she felt his anger. If looks could kill….she’d be in trouble. He turned away and strode out of the bar without glancing back.

  She continued dancing but her enthusiasm had disappeared and sadness filled her. When the song finished, they sat back down.

  “You okay?” Kim asked, concern etched on her face.

  She pasted a smile on. “Of course.”

  Kim glanced over to where Reilly had been sitting. “Is he gone?”

  Lacey nodded her head. She finished her beer and signaled the waitress for another one.

  “I think maybe you should slow down,” Kim said. “We’ve had two shots as well and remember your last hangover.”

  “You wanted me to come out and have fun, didn’t you?” Lacey argued. “I’m having fun.”

  Kim looked at her and then shrugged her shoulders. “If you say so.”

  * * * *

  Lacey woke up the next morning and tried to swallow. Her mouth felt like it was stuffed full of cotton and her head pounded.

  She squinted at the clock next to her and vaguely made out the time. Shit! It was 9:30 a.m. She sat up and groaned, holding her head in her hands. Oh, why did she drink too much last night? Yes, she was seriously depressed and missing Reilly but alcohol never solved any of her problems.