Undone (The Monroe Family Book 6)

by Nicole Dykes

  “Damn. You cool with all of this?” Dylan is a pretty protective older brother, but I don’t think it gets much better than Hunter Thompson as a brother-in-law. The kid is squeaky clean and treats Cass like a goddess.

  “Yeah, I like Hunt. And she’s finishing school there, so I’m good.”

  “Nice.”

  “So anyway, Alex and Brooke are throwing them an engagement party in a couple weeks. Think you can make it?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it.” I’m done missing out on time with this family.

  “Good. I’m sure Alex or Brooke will let you know the details soon. I don’t know any of that shit.”

  I laugh, “Just show up and look pretty, right?”

  “That’s our job as men,” he jokes.

  “Hell yeah.” I say as the chick from earlier falls out of the exit of the club hanging on Phillip. He looks at me, like he’s asking my permission to take her home.

  I can’t help, but feel relieved as I nod him on and he happily walks her toward his car.

  “Alex said you’re racing again,” Dylan’s voice says over the speaker of my phone and I refocus on our conversation.

  “Yup. Should be ready to enter the races in the spring.”

  “Nice man,” he says sounding proud. “I knew nothing could keep your dumb ass down for long.”

  “Fuck, no.”

  “All right, see ya in a couple of weeks then,” he says. I hear Sylvie in the background and smile at her sweet toddler jabbering.

  “See ya then,” I say and hang up before slipping the phone back into my pocket.

  I can handle this. Seeing Alex with Chris will be more painful than the time Macy Daniels kneed me in the balls my freshman year. I have no delusions about that, but I’ll be damned if I’m missing out on any more time with the family.

  Time to face this shit head on.

  Chapter 26

  Alex

  I

  t’s Friday, the day before the big engagement party we’re throwing for Cass and Hunter. Everyone is coming into town tonight for dinner at Brooke and Dylan’s, and I haven’t been able to shake the butterflies that have taken up residence in my stomach at the thought of seeing Shriller again.

  Things with Chris are going well, but I’m still fearful of fucking it all up with him. I’m kicking myself for lying to him about sleeping with Shriller. Technically, I didn’t do anything wrong, but I’m afraid he wouldn't see it that way.

  “So how are things going with Chris?” Brooke asks me as she increases the pace on the treadmill during our usual workout at the gym.

  I’m currently on the cool-down session of my run, putting one foot casually in front of the other, watching my feet as I answer, “Great. Chris is incredible.”

  “Well his ass sure is,” Brooke says with a devilish wag of her eyebrows.

  “Watch it. I will cut a bitch. Even you,” I threaten with no seriousness behind it because Brooke’s heart, body, and soul lives with Dylan Monroe. No question about that.

  She laughs. “So, judging by the other day I would say the sex with Chris isn’t lacking.”

  I turn my machine off and step off the side, dabbing my face with a towel. “No, he definitely knows what he’s doing. And although he’s a tough man, he makes a huge effort to talk about anything and everything with me.”

  She slows down, a happy expression spreading over her face as she says. “I knew you two would be good for each other. I just had this crazy hunch when I met him. Who knows, maybe we will be planning your wedding next.”

  My stomach clenches tight at that thought and not in excitement like it should be. What the hell is wrong with me? I think back to my argument with Shriller and him calling me out for not really wanting commitment. If I can’t make it work with a sexy, confident man like Chris, I might as well throw in the towel on the happily ever after plan because it’s not gonna happen.

  I’m constantly self-sabotaging, and I can’t for the life of me, understand why.

  I try to laugh off my apprehension with Brooke who is studying me intently. “Are you nervous about seeing Shriller tonight?” she asks.

  “No,” I lie quickly hoping to nip it in the bud. “Shriller and I are friends, I’m excited to see him.”

  “You think he will behave around Chris?” Brooke questions as she hops off her treadmill and we make our way to the gym’s juice bar.

  “I don’t see why not. They have a lot in common and got along fine at Christmas.”

  “That’s true. It’s you I had to worry about,” Brooke jabs.

  I didn’t tell her, or anyone about sleeping with Shriller on New Year’s Eve, but I did tell her we talked things out. “We’re good. Don’t worry, there won’t be any drama this weekend.”

  I make this promise to my best friend and I hope I can keep it.

  Chapter 27

  Shriller

  I

  t’s Friday evening, and I smile when I see Luke’s cocky ass walking toward me in the crowded airport. He walks up, and we bump out fists together as I resituate the overnight bag on my shoulder.

  “Shriller the fucking Thriller! You made it!” he exclaims.

  “You know I couldn’t stay away. So, what are you doing here? Draw the short stick?” I ask as we walk outside.

  “Yup. Fuckers.”

  I chuckle at that, “I could have just taken a cab.” But Brooke insisted I let someone pick me up since Gabs talked me into staying at their house this weekend.

  “Eh, fuck that. I don’t mind. Hannah’s helping Brooke and Charlotte cook dinner, so I said I’d do the honors of bringing your ass home.”

  We climb into his car and Luke takes off. I look around at the familiar scenery of the interstate surrounded by full trees and make small talk. “So, Cass is getting married.”

  “Yup.”

  “Still get under your skin that your best friend is fucking your little sister?” I can’t resist screwing with Luke. When he first found out that Hunter and Cassie were dating, he decked Hunter right in that All-American, pretty boy face. Can’t blame him.

  “No, I fucking love it,” he says sarcastically and then shrugs. “If it has to be someone, I’m all right with Hunt,” he says, almost repeating exactly what Dylan said about the situation.

  “So, what about you? Hannah’s graduating in a couple of months, you finally gonna lock her down?”

  He shakes his head, but is grinning as he takes the exit off the crowded interstate. “Not this weekend.”

  “Engagement party sounds like a great time to pop the question.”

  “Nah, Cass will have my balls. This is her weekend and I’m fine with that,” he says matter-of-factly.

  “So, you are gonna ask her then?” This is a bizarre conversation I never would have pictured having when I met the sixteen-year-old Luke. The kid was a player, but his freshman year of college he reconnected with Hannah and has been a goner ever since.

  His answer is unmistakable in the big-ass grin sitting on his face. Yep, we’re going to have two of the Monroe kids married off very soon.

  When we arrive at Brooke and Dylan’s, I look around at all the cars parked along the street. All the usual suspects, except there is a sick motorcycle that has “customized by Tricked” written all over it, and I know it belongs to Chris.

  I take a deep breath and get out of Luke’s car, walking up to the house with him.

  Luke barges through the front door and I follow in behind him. No one is in the living room, but I hear Gabby’s voice as she comes running from the dining room to greet us. “Shriller’s here!”

  Her arms wrap around my waist and I hug her, loving her enthusiasm and so grateful she’s forgiven me. “Hey Gabby!”

  She looks up at me with those bright eyes and sees the bag on my shoulder. “You really are going to stay here?”

  I grin, “Yup. In Luke’s old room, I think.”

  She nods her head and grabs my hand as she pulls me toward the dining room with Luke following cl
ose behind.

  When we reach the living room, I’m greeted by everyone from our little group, as well the newest addition, who currently has his arm draped over Alex’s shoulders. Chris nods his head in a greeting, and I seriously fucking hate how easy going he is. That used to be me, now I’m tightly wound and wanting to rip his arm off.

  Fuck, I need to get it together.

  I take the only empty seat that’s not next to Hannah, that’s obviously Luke’s. My spot is in between Jax and Dylan and directly across from Chris. Fuck my life.

  Since Luke and I were the last ones here, everyone digs in. It doesn’t take long for Chris to say, “So, I heard you spent time with my old man.”

  I look at Alex who looks clueless. I didn’t think I told her that when I called her about getting back on my bike. I give an inquisitive look at Chris. “Yeah. He told you?”

  “Hell no, that would involve forming an actual sentence and not just grunting at me. My sister, Leslie did. Said he seemed to be fond of you.”

  I grin at that and then cringe inwardly at the mention of Leslie. Chris should really fucking hate my guts because not only have I fucked his current girlfriend and his ex-wife, I’ve also been inside of his sister on a couple of occasions. Yeah, I’m guessing I have a serious ass-kicking coming if he ever finds all this out.

  “Your dad is a fucking legend,” I say honestly, still in awe of the man.

  Chris nods his head and I’m thankful he’s busy eating so no part of him is currently touching Alex. “So I’ve been told,” he says nonchalantly and I wonder what the hell that’s about. I’d kill to have a dad like Mitch.

  “Yeah, I’ve been hanging a lot with Levi these past few weeks too.”

  Alex and Chris both noticeably flinch at my mentioning Chris’s brother. Alex quickly asks, “So, you’re still riding then?”

  I raise a questioning eyebrow at her and she gestures for me to move on. I go along with it. “Yep. Training nonstop.”

  She smiles brightly at me. “That’s great, Shriller.”

  Fuck she’s beautiful. Then, I notice Chris's left hand and her right are under the table and feel the stabbing pain of jealousy as I realize they are likely holding hands like lovesick teenagers as we eat.

  “Thanks,” I say lamely as my mind is preoccupied with thoughts of him touching her.

  When we’re all stuffed, we take our dishes into the kitchen and convene in the living room. Alex sits on Chris's lap on an oversized chair and, as everyone else is talking about Hunter’s new contract and the wedding, my eyes are locked on Chris’s hand rubbing Alex’s thigh.

  “Luke, I heard you just did a bike for your big brother,” Chris says and Luke is grinning ear to ear at the recognition.

  “Yep, sure did. It’s out in the garage. Wanna check it out?”

  “Hell yeah,” Chris says, then he kisses Alex’s lips with his and whispers something to her that makes her giggle before he follows every other guy besides myself out to the garage.

  Brooke announces she’s going to put Sylvie to bed, and Alex says she’s going to work on the dishes, excusing herself.

  I sit and wait for all of one minute before hopping up and going after her.

  I’ll take any chance I can get to get Alex all to myself.

  Chapter 28

  Alex

  S

  o far, so good with Shriller. We’ve maintained boundaries, and it has been really good to seemingly go back to normal.

  I start rinsing dishes in the sink. Then I hear faint footsteps and feel someone behind me. I know exactly who it is before he says one word.

  “So, how’s life, Alex?”

  I smile at the familiar voice of Shriller behind me. “Pretty damn good.” I turn around and take him in. He’s wearing a sexy smirk on that handsome face, leaning casually against the counter. No trace of worry anywhere in his features. He sure seems to be back to his old self. “What about you?”

  “Good. Back to racing, which was all I wanted.”

  I nod, still proud of him for getting back out there, but I’m not gonna inflate his ego. Seems like that has grown back to its original size.

  “And Chris? You guys seem to be doing well.”

  If he’s jealous, he’s doing one hell of a job covering up, so I allow myself to show happiness. “We really are. He’s amazing and treats me like a queen.”

  “That’s great, Alex,” he says as his eyes scan my body in a look reminiscent of the times we slept together. I feel a flush wash over me. “You look good.”

  “Thanks. You do too.” I try to keep my tone nonchalant.

  “Any new ink?” he asks, his eyes still roaming over every inch of me.

  “No, but I’ve been talking to Chris about a new one here,” I say, placing my fingers on my right collarbone that’s already exposed by my off the shoulder top.

  He pushes off the counter and takes a step closer to where I’m standing at the sink. His fingers sweep over the exposed skin and my whole body shudders. “Its gonna hurt like a motherfucker on the bone.”

  My mouth is inexplicably dry in that moment with his eyes glued to my collarbone. “I don’t mind a little pain.” My response sounds way dirtier, coming out of my mouth in a ragged breath, than it did in my head.

  I quickly turn around and try to busy myself with the dishes in the sink, praying he will magically decide to let that go and leave.

  No such luck and I shudder again when I feel him standing directly behind me, so close I can feel his breath on my bare neck. “Yeah, I remember.” His smooth voice flows low and deep out of his mouth near my ear.

  Shit. I need to get out of this situation, but it’s like I’m hypnotized. “Shriller,” I try to say his name in a threatening manner, but it comes out in a breathy moan because I can’t fucking think with his body this close to mine.

  I feel his hands move to my hips and I know I should move. I should push him away. But then he asks, “Are things really that great with Chris? Does he turn you on like I can?”

  A ragged breath escapes through my lips and I continue to try to occupy myself with the massive pile of dirty dishes. Although I’m really just letting the water run over them, frozen in my spot. “Don’t.”

  One hand leaves my hip and brushes a loose strand of hair off the side of my neck, tucking it up behind my ear. “No way he can soak your panties by just standing this close to you. Just by his scent. Hearing his voice.” I inhale sharply as his lips graze my ear and he adds, “Admit it, Alex, when you’re with him, you’re thinking about me.”

  I finally regain my wits and fly around to face him. He doesn’t back up an inch, “What the hell has gotten into you? We’re friends damn it! You think Brooke asks me about how wet my panties are?”

  He looks like he’s imagining that and has a smug look on his face when he says, “Thanks for that image. I was already hard as fuck.”

  My eyes subconsciously move downward, and I see he’s not lying. I’m a combination of aroused beyond belief and pissed the hell off at the sight. Then I think about Chris. My boyfriend. And I go with the anger and smack his chest. “Shriller that is not how friends talk to each other.”

  He doesn’t budge and still has me pinned against the counter. “Maybe I don’t want to be just friends. That was your fucking idea.”

  I search his eyes, desperately searching to see if he’s serious. “You agreed to that.”

  “Bullshit. You told me how it was going to be. Like always.”

  His hands once again move to my hips, pulling us even closer together. “We’re great together.”

  I push him backward, giving myself some space to breath. “There's more to life than sex, Shriller. And I’m with Chris. Get that through your head and be my friend!”

  “I am your fucking friend, but you still haven’t told me that I’m wrong about you and him.”

  He irritates the shit out of me. I just want to slap the arrogant look right off his face. Instead, I use my words and glide up to him with
a fake confidence I wish I really felt, my face in his. “You’re wrong. When I’m with him, it’s him and him only that I’m picturing. His hands, his tongue, his cock. And believe me, he knows how to use them all,” I bite out and examine his face. I was finally able to shake him a little, but I need to make sure I piss him off effectively so this doesn’t happen again. I lean into his ear, “And you know what? He used all three right before we came here, and you were nowhere near my thoughts as I screamed out his name in mind-numbing pleasure.”

  That did it. I step back. Shriller looks seconds away from going apeshit and smashing the kitchen, but we both turn at the sound of Chris and Luke laughing as they walk in.

  I spring back quickly, probably looking horribly guilty as Chris takes a spot next to me seemingly unaware, “Damn, Luke does one hell of a job.”

  Luke is basking in the compliment, standing by Shriller’s side. “Aw, you’re making me blush,” he says.

  Chris laughs and gives my lips a quick peck before looking back at the dishes. “Need some help?”

  Shriller’s gaze is intensely on us and I grip Chris's chin and kiss his lips firmly before pulling back enough to look in his sparking eyes, “Sure. The sooner we get these done, the sooner we can get back to my place and do naughty things to each other.”

  Chris’s eyes light up and he saunters over to the sink, “Well fuck, let’s do this.”

  I feel like shit because I know that last sentence wasn’t for Chris’s benefit. It was for Shriller.

  And he knows it too.

  Chapter 29

  Shriller

  I

  watch Chris and Alex, standing hip to hip in front of the kitchen sink, looking like an old married couple. I feel rage like no other creeping up to the surface, begging to be unleashed. I have to get the fuck out of here.

  I don’t say a word, not even to Luke as I slip out of the kitchen miraculously without making a scene.