Double Betrayal (Surviving Book 3)

by Frost, Ada

  “Jo, buddy, you’re seriously worrying me here. Has something happened with you and Louise?”

  He turned his head toward me slowly; his eyes were filled with pain. I sucked in a breath and edged my ass to the edge of the sofa, ready to catch him if he needed me to. I was always there for him. We may not be blood related, but he was my kin, my brother, and I would catch his fall.

  “What if I love her too much? What if she wakes up one morning and decides –”

  “Never going to happen, Jo.”

  “How can you be so sure? Marissa was your soulmate. You were with her forever. How –”

  “Marissa wasn’t my soulmate.” I let out a hurt, frustrated breath at those words. “I loved her. I did believe we would be together for life. Did we have what you and Lou have? No, not even close.” I ran my fingers through my hair, standing and walking over to the window. “Jo, Lou accepts everything about you. She loves you exactly as you are, no changes necessary. She looks at you like you hung the fucking moon. And Alfie…” I shook my head. “Bro, you have it all. Marissa didn't particularly like me, the real me, I mean. She wanted me to change, become a man I wasn’t a hundred percent comfortable with. But I did it for her. Do you know I attended law school for her. I wasn’t interested in joining Dad’s firm. I think that’s why he made me start at entry-level. He knew my heart wasn’t there.”

  “But you’re a damn good lawyer.”

  “Because I have to be, but had I chosen myself, I probably would have started my own business. I don’t even know what.” I laughed, shaking my head. “Over the past year, I’ve realised I haven’t been myself for years. I’ve conformed, behaved, and when I think about it, been pretty fucking miserable. I proposed to her four times, do you know that? I should have clued in on what an idiot I was being.”

  “Marissa always seemed to be totally wrapped up in you. She loves you, Will; I'm certain of it.”

  “She loves the idea of me. Not the man I really am. Emily looks at me like I’m some kind of gift. I’ve never felt so… I don’t know, wanted.”

  “Is that why you’re interested in her?” I didn't mistake the hint of anger in his voice.

  “No, I'm interested because I can’t get her out of my mind, Jo. Everything is slowly becoming about her.” I turned and walked back over to sit on the couch. Johan’s eyes followed me. I glanced up at his face. A slow smile spread across his mouth. I shook my head and rolled my eyes at him.

  “You’re in love with her.”

  I scoffed and shook my head. “No,” I said adamantly. “Not really.” I glanced across at him. His eyebrow was cocked in smug challenge. “Fuck off!” I laughed.

  We sat quietly for a moment. I stared out the window at the moon. Shadows danced across the sky as wind blew clouds away.

  “How can you be so sure it’s right, though? I mean, I came here angry and feeling pretty fucking low –”

  “Really? I hadn’t noticed,” Jo clipped with a big grin. I gave him the finger, making him laugh.

  “She makes me forget everything, makes what happened seem inconsequential. I can’t… when I hold her, Jo, nothing in the world exists anymore. No pain, no impending divorce, no betrayal—none of it matters.”

  “I’d say you’re pretty fucked, Will.” He smiled. Warmth spread through my chest, acceptance settling deep. Emily ‘pixie-girl’ Richards was magical; she was perfect and she was mine.

  “So what’s got your panties all in a twist? You and Lou having –”

  “I want to ask her to marry me,” he said in a nervous rush. “Tomorrow; that’s why I’ve arranged it. But I think I’ve fucked up. What if she doesn’t want that? What if –”

  “Jo.” I stood and went into the kitchen to grab us two beers. I sat beside him, handing him a bottle and clinking mine against his. “Why have you fucked up? Start there first.”

  “She thinks I’m being distant. She thinks because she’s pregnant I don’t –”

  “Whoa, wait a fucking second. She’s pregnant? Jo, you’re going to be a dad?”

  He let out a shuddering breath and nodded.

  “Congratulations, man, that’s awesome – wait. It is good news, right? You’re not –”

  “Obviously, it’s good news. I can’t even describe how good it feels to know a part of me is growing inside her. But, what if she wakes up one morning and realises she made a mistake? I mean, I'm still that freak.”

  “You have too many female friends, is what I reckon; you’re turning into one. And never, and I mean never, say the f-word. You are not that.” I nudged him and laughed. His silence and lack of response sobered me immediately.

  “Jo, she loves you. Her life is with you, Alfie, and the baby. She isn’t going to suddenly wake up and decide she doesn’t love you.” I paused, thinking of her words to me. “She has seen the worst of you; she has seen you. She loves you, you idiot. And you love her. So propose, already.”

  “Be ready with a bottle of Jack if she says no.”

  “I’ll be ready with a bottle of Jack for when she says yes.”

  “One more thing?”

  “Jesus Christ, Jo, can we stop with the frilly shit? I can feel ovaries growing.”

  He laughed loudly and punched me on the arm.

  “Mom, Dad, and Ryan are arriving tomorrow. Mom knows I want to propose and I want them there.”

  “Okay, wow; I didn't realise the big guy was home.”

  “Yeah, he’s going to be staying here for a few weeks.”

  Involuntarily, my lips curved into a huge smile. Ryan was home, and for the first time in so long, we would all be together. I patted Jo on the shoulder and took a hearty swig from my beer, a smile plastered on my face.

  “Something is wrong,” Lou said quietly at my side. She looked tired and ready to burst into tears.

  “With the baby?” I slid one hand onto her shoulder and the other protectively over her tiny little bump. Okay, so there wasn’t really anything there, but I couldn't help myself.

  “No.” Her voice quivered and she shook her head. Tears pooled in her eyes. I pulled her over to the sofa, taking both her hands in mine.

  “I think… I think Johan is… I don’t know,” she said quietly, as if scared to say the words aloud. I’d agreed to come over and help her get the food ready for that night. When I’d arrived, Lou was bustling around the kitchen, fretting about not having enough to eat. It was unusual for her to be so stressed, especially seeing as all she had to do was re-heat the food.

  “Lou, take a deep breath and tell me what’s going on.”

  “I think Johan is getting ready to leave. I think…”She sucked in a breath. “He’s been taking phone calls late at night, like early hours late. He said it’s his mom, and I have no reason not to believe that. She always phoned him in the middle of the night, but then when Alfie came along, she called earlier in the day so she could speak to both of us. She always wanted to talk to Alfie first, always.” Lou’s voice shattered and she swiped at her face.

  “Lou –”

  “He’s distancing himself from me; I can feel it. I can feel it, Em. Oh, God!” She put her fist to her chest and bent forward as if in agony.

  “You don’t know that. Maybe he’s homesick. Maybe he’s scared about impending fatherhood. Maybe –”

  “He doesn’t love me anymore.”

  “Not fucking likely, you silly cow.” I smiled, squeezing her hands. Her lips curled up gently.

  “I can be a single mum, Em; that doesn’t scare me. But I can’t be without him. He’s my other half. I love him so much sometimes it hurts.”

  “He loves you!”

  “What if –”

  “Lou, we’re back,” Johan shouted from the front door. Lou quickly wiped her face and squeezed my hands. She plastered a fake smile on her lips and stood up. Alfie toddled into the room with a bright smile on his face.

  “Mummy.”

  Lou picked up her little boy and buried her face in his neck. She pulled back and sn
iffed him. She turned to Johan with a frown on her face.

  “Where have you been?”

  “Oh, you know, just out.” Johan looked down at his feet, scraping his heel against the carpet.

  “He smells of perfume.”

  I swallowed at what Lou was implying. Johan never looked up, he simply shrugged. “Don’t know how.”

  “Jo –”

  “I have to get changed; everyone will be here soon. Want me to take him?”

  Lou shook her head slowly and stared at Johan. I could see the grief in her face, and I wanted to punch the idiot in the mouth. What the hell was wrong with him? I refused to believe he would cheat. I absolutely refused.

  “Mam-mar,” Alfie started chanting. “Lady mam-mar.”

  “What?”

  “I took him to your mom’s for a little bit,” Johan said quickly, stepping forward. He pulled Alfie out of her arms and started to head for the stairs.

  “Why? You…where did you go?”

  “I had…stuff to take care of.” Johan jogged up the stairs with his little buddy.

  Lou’s lip trembled, but she stiffened her shoulders and blinked rapidly. My heart ached at the pain in her eyes. Her smile hid nothing, and fear seeped into me because if those two, who clearly belonged together, couldn't make it, how the hell were the rest of us ever supposed to survive?

  ***

  An hour later and a serious case of get me out of here, the food was set. Lou and Alfie were changed and Johan was pacing in the lounge like a caged animal. He kept going to the window and looking outside, as if he was expecting someone to suddenly burst in through the front door.

  “Lou, your parents are here,” he shouted. Lou’s slow footsteps padded against the wood flooring in the hallway. I sat in the lounge, watching Johan, feeling more and more anxious about his mood. I heard Lou and her family in the hallway. As her parents and Eve walked into the lounge, Johan quickly turned and headed for the door.

  “Excuse me.” He said. I frowned as he practically shoved Lou’s dad out of the way.

  Alan and Marie, Lou’s mum and dad, glanced at me with bemused expressions. I shrugged, praying I could go home soon. I heard loud voices and Lou’s cheery laugh. There were Johan and three other male voices. I knew instantly Will was among them. My skin prickled and a giddy gallop started in my chest. I sat a little straighter and brushed my hands down my knees in anticipation of him stepping into the room. I couldn't fight the smile playing on my lips. The more I fought it, the giddier my insides became. I tapped my fingers against my knee as voices laughed in the hallway.

  I looked up when Johan walked into the room, a happy grin on his face. He blew out a shuddering breath and fisted his hand in his pocket, before pulling the same hand out and patting at it. He glanced at Eve and nodded. She gave him a secret, encouraging smile.

  Lou walked in next, followed by a huge hulk of a man who filled out the doorway. He glanced around the room, as if he was taking an inventory of people within. His black t-shirt stretched snugly across his chest as if at any moment the poor cotton would rip to pieces. He folded his arms over his chest, and I swear I heard the fabric moaning. I glanced down his muscled torso to the snug denim hugging his thighs, and back up to his face. He had the same eyes as Johan. He may have been a mountain of a man, but those gentle eyes told me exactly who he was: Ryan, Johan’s big brother. I sat up straighter when Will entered the room. Butterflies took flight in my stomach and I had to place my hand to steady them before I jumped up and wrapped my arms and legs around him. He scanned the small room, smiling softly at everyone until his gorgeous greens orbs landed on me. A perfect line of white teeth appeared as a beautifully handsome grin transformed his face. I smiled back, forgetting anyone else was in the room.

  I lifted my hand in a girlish, pathetic wave, and mouthed ‘Hi’. He mimicked me, seemingly as lost in me as I was in him. The man who I had assumed was Ryan glanced at me before turning his attention to Will and grinning at him. Will scowled and looked away.

  “Emily, this is Ryan, Johan’s handsome brother. He’s home on leave; he’s in the army –”

  “Marines,” interrupted a deep, gravelly voice. I smiled, because once upon a time, he would have been someone I would have salivated over; sexy as hell body, killer smile, and come to bed eyes. But my eyes only had one goal – Will. I ached to touch him. I stood, coming to stand in front of Ryan.

  “Ryan, this is Em; she’s my best buddy.” Lou winked at him, then turned to me. “I told you he was your type.” She nodded in my direction while looking at Ryan. “She likes tall men.”

  Will straightened his shoulders and scowled at Lou. Johan snickered.

  “Did he just–” Ryan asked Johan, pointing at Will.

  “I think he did.”

  “What are you two idiots talking about?” Will snapped, his ears turning pink.

  “So, darling, you like big men?” Ryan asked me, a mischievous grin brightening his face. I opened my mouth to speak but Will growled and stepped around his brother.

  “Stop being an ass, Ry.”

  “I’m not. Lou said –”

  “Lou is lying.”

  “No, she really isn’t. I do like –” I closed my mouth when Will snapped his head around and glared at me. I bit my lip and tried so hard to suppress the smile playing at my lips.

  Ryan turned to Johan. “You were right, little buddy.”

  “Right about what?” Will snapped. His ears were ready to burst; they were so red.

  A genuinely warm smile transformed Ryan’s face. “You have it bad, Will.” He patted him on his shoulder. “Look after him. little pixie.” He winked at me, making my cheeks heat. Will glanced at me, Ryan, and Johan before the air seemed to seep out of him. His body relaxed and he turned to face me.

  “My brothers are idiots; please ignore them.” He lifted his hand and pushed a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “Hey.”

  “Hey,” I all but whispered. Will turned at the sound of voices coming into the room; a lady holding Alfie and a tall man who I could immediately see was Will’s dad. They had the same build and hair colour, although the man had slivers of white running through his blond locks. He had on tan trousers and a cream striped shirt. The lady, who I assumed was Will’s mum, tickled Alfie and rambled in baby-talk. She glanced up and Lou started making introductions. When it was my turn, she glanced at Will. She must have noticed how close he was standing.

  “Mom, Dad, this is Emily, Lou’s friend. Emily this is Will and Ane, my parents. ” I smiled, even though my heart had just plummeted into my stomach. It was a silly thing, really; we technically weren’t anything official, so why I expected him to declare it in front of his mum, I had no idea. I mean what was he supposed to say, ‘Hey, Mum, this is my fuck toy?’

  He cleared his throat and wrapped his arm around me, startling me. “She’s also my…girlfriend.”

  I glanced up at him in shock. His cheeks were ruddy and absolutely gorgeous. My lips spread across my face in a triumphant smirk.

  “Well–” his mother started, but Johan started singing in a freakish childlike voice.

  “Will has a girlfriend; Will has a girlfriend.”

  “Will and Emily sitting in a tree –” Ryan joined in before Will slapped him on the chest.

  “I swear, Em, insanity does not run in the family,” Will said jovially. I looked up into his eyes and swallowed at the pure pride staring back at me.

  “Good to know.”

  “So, my grumpy walrus, you see, I haven’t been cheating on you. I’ve had covert operations in trying to get these crazy people here.”

  “How did you –”She glanced at the floor before turning into his arms and hugging him. She mumbled what I assumed was an apology. Johan glanced at his brothers over her shoulder and they both nodded to him.

  “I love you more than any words will ever say.” He pulled her away from his body and cupped her cheek. “So I think it’s time you made an honest man of me and married me.”


  “What?”

  “That’s his proposal?” Ryan frowned, looking over at Will and me.

  “Son, I think we need to work on your charm,” Will’s dad said.

  Johan dropped down on one knee and produced a red velvet box. “I’m not good with words; I mess up more than I make sense, so I can’t promise an eloquent proposal. But I love you. My life began when you walked into it. I can’t promise to be perfect. I can’t promise to never mess up, but I can promise to love you eternally. I can’t imagine not having you by my side. You’re everything to me, Lou. Will you marry me?”

  I wiped my tears, watching as Lou stared open-mouthed at Johan. The room was silent as we all waited for Lou’s answer.

  “You’re making me nervous, Lou.” Johan stood and stepped in close to Lou. She shook her head and covered her face with her hands.

  “I can’t –” she sobbed. Johan’s shoulders deflated and he staggered back a step. A collective gasp sounded around the room and I grabbed tightly onto Will’s hand. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his chest.

  “I can’t believe you did this. I can’t believe I doubted you,” she cried and stepped forward to wrap her arms around him. She buried her face in his chest, mumbling words none of us could hear, but the huge smile that spread across Johan’s face kind of said so much more.

  Suddenly, she stepped back and slapped his chest. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.” I laughed, and I felt Will’s chest moving with his laughter.

  “Is that a yes?” Johan asked.

  “Yes, I’ll marry you. I may as well, no one else will.” She chuckled. Johan placed the ring on her finger and kissed her soundly. I looked up at my giant and grinned at him. My heart was full of happiness for my friend. Will leaned down and kissed me softly. I closed my eyes and hummed serenely.

  “One more thing,” Johan declared, holding Lou at his side. “We’re having a baby. I’m going to be a dad,” he glanced at Alfie in his mum’s arms and added, “again.” He pointed to her stomach, “my kids in there.” Tears prickled my eyes at the pure joy on his face. His parents’ faces lit up, right before his mum burst into tears and grabbed onto him, pulling Johan into a hug with her and Alfie. Lou was engulfed in a hug from her mum as her dad stood by, watching with fatherly pride.