Thin Walls

by Lawson, Cassandra

  Suri studied me before her eyes widened, and she looked between me and Mia. “Oh! I don’t know why I didn’t see this before.”

  Mia didn’t appear to want to ask any more than I did. I decided I could do without hearing Suri’s realization.

  She shared it with us, anyway. “All this time, I thought you wanted Spencer, Mia.” She placed a hand on Mia’s forearm and gave her a knowing smile before turning her attention to me. “And when you looked so flustered when you showed up at Spency’s condo, I thought you were after him.”

  Spency? That nickname made me throw up a little in my mouth.

  “I’m not interested in Spencer that way,” Mia assured her, as she pulled her arm away and shifted her coffee to that hand.

  “I know,” Suri replied with an exaggerated nod. “You both need to understand that I’m not interested in women. I am flattered but, let’s face it, neither of you is all that attractive. Even if I was into women, I’d be way out of your league. The two of you would make a good couple.”

  I blinked twice, not sure how we’d gone down this path in our conversation. I also was a little shocked at being insulted again while she sounded like she was trying to be nice. Maybe she didn’t have it in her to be anything other the mean girl in the group. The crazy mean girl in the group.

  I decided to play along since it would at least get us out of the coffee shop with no further drama from Suri.

  “Okay,” I replied. “We should get back to work.”

  “Yes,” Mia replied. “We’ve got a lot to do.”

  “Tootles!” Suri called out, waving at us with two fingers as we made our way to the door.

  Once we were outside, Mia said, “That was strange.”

  “Yeah,” I agreed. “Suri is something else.”

  “I wish I could say this was the strangest conversation I’ve ever had with her, but it’s not,” Mia admitted. “I still can’t believe that narcissist decided we’re trying to come between her and Spencer because we want her.”

  “It could have gone much worse,” I remarked.

  Mia nodded as we walked back into the office building. “Yes, she could have started trying to rip our hair out in the coffee shop.”

  “Or she could have decided she was interested in one of us, and you or I could have become her latest obsession,” I stated as we stepped into the elevator.

  Mia shuddered. “That would be awful. As much as I want her to leave Spencer alone, I don’t want her showing up at my door.”

  “I feel you one-hundred percent,” I agreed.

  Chapter 20

  Spencer

  My day was so busy that I didn’t have time to dwell on my plans with Mercy. After attending back-to-back meetings and eating my lunch during a conference call, Mia had arrived at my office to tell me about her run-in with Suri.

  By the end of the day, I was ready to drop. It said a lot about my life that at thirty-five, I usually went home on a Friday night. Some weekends, I got together with friends, but more often than not, I just crashed. Two nights out in one week? That was unusual for me. Of course, one had been a work outing, but I’d still had fun hanging out with Mercy. I also couldn’t forget our kiss at the end of the evening. Thoughts of that kiss helped amp up my energy for the evening.

  I slipped into jeans and a t-shirt before packing up my business clothes and heading toward Mercy’s office. I got there just as she stepped out in skinny jeans, black ankle boots with a low heel, and a black corset-style top with red lacing. Her long hair was loose. Between her outfit and the smile she flashed me, I was lost.

  After spending a few days with Mercy, I wanted her even more than when I’d first met her. It went beyond her appearance and her sassy attitude. Mercy’s intelligence and business savvy were huge turn-ons.

  “Are you going to stand there with your mouth open, or are you going to say something?” There was no missing the amusement in her voice.

  “I haven’t decided yet,” I murmured, reminding myself that no matter how much I wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her senseless, I couldn’t do that. Clearing my throat, I gestured to the elevators. “Shall we go?”

  “Yes,” she replied. “I’m starving, so we can stop for pizza before the show. They have a little pizza place attached to the club. Both are cramped, so I apologize in advance.”

  I smiled as I hit the button on the elevator. “Yes, I know. Despite giving the appearance of a man who never goes out because of his porn addiction, I’ve been to the club a time or two.”

  “Then you know it’s a total dive,” she remarked.

  “Yes, but it has a certain charm,” I argued.

  “I’m worried we won’t enjoy the charm as much tonight,” she warned. “Since Deluded Serenity opened for Reckless Release, they’ve become much more popular.”

  “I’ve never heard them play, but I know the name,” he replied.

  “A big Reckless Release fan like yourself missed their San Francisco show?” she asked as we stepped out of the elevator.

  “I was out of town for their last show,” I explained. “I ended up giving away my tickets. Your brother is a member of Deluded Serenity?”

  “Not yet,” she replied as we crossed the street to the parking garage. “They’re in talks. Lex is afraid that if he gets back into the music scene, he’ll lose all the ground he’s made and end up drinking and taking drugs again. He loves playing, but he wouldn’t even pick up a bass guitar until a year after he got out of prison. I think he’s going to join Deluded Serenity. It will be good for him.”

  I smiled as we sat in the car. “You really love your brother.”

  “My whole family is great,” she replied with a bright smile. “They aren’t perfect, but I know they’ll always be there for me.”

  “And now you’re going to be there for Lex,” I remarked. “Why don’t you message him and see if he wants to have pizza with us?”

  “You don’t mind?” she asked.

  “Not at all,” I assured her. “It will give me a chance to talk to him before the show.”

  She nodded. “I’ll text him. I don’t know what time they have sound check, so he may not be able to make it, but I’ll try.”

  Chapter 21

  Mercy

  I was glad Spencer had suggested inviting Lex to join us for dinner. It hadn’t even occurred to me. I usually thought about all the details, but I’d been distracted with thoughts of work, my strange encounter with Suri, and my kiss with Spencer the night before. That kiss alone could have kept me distracted.

  Lex agreed to meet us, so I’d ordered his slice of pizza along with ours. Since they’d just finished sound check, he told me it would be a few minutes before he made it over to meet us.

  “Your brother is older than you, right?” Spencer asked. He’d been doing a great job of keeping up the innocent small talk since we’d left the office.

  “That’s right. He’s older by two years,” I replied. “There he is.” I waved Lex over as he walked in.

  “I can see the family resemblance,” Spencer remarked as he turned to watch Lex make his way toward us.

  Lex had blond hair and pale green eyes like me, but at six feet tall, he had several inches on me. Lex had broad shoulders and a narrow waist from the hours he spent working out. He claimed exercise helped him deal with his demons. When Lex had first gotten out of prison, he’d seemed guarded, and his eyes had darted around looking for threats. His easy gait and smile still made me smile. He’d come so far.

  “You didn’t tell me you were bringing a date,” Lex remarked as he took the seat beside me and eyed Spencer curiously.

  “I’m Spencer. I live close to Mercy,” he explained. “She’s also working with my company for a few weeks.”

  Lex nodded, and I could tell by the twinkle in his eyes that he planned to assume his role of annoying older brother. “Mercy mentioned her contract job. I’ve heard a lot about you, Spencer.”

  “Really?” Spencer asked with a quirked e
yebrow.

  I reached over and pinched my brother’s thigh. “Don’t even think about messing with Spencer or I’ll tell Mom.”

  Lex laughed at my threat. “What makes you think Mom cares if I mess with your neighbor? It’s not like you’re dating.”

  “We are.” My words didn’t sound all that convincing. “Sort of. Right now, we’re working together, so we aren’t dating, but I plan to date Spencer, and Mom will be mad if you scare him off.” My brain finally caught up with my babbling, and I felt my cheeks heat with embarrassment.

  Thankfully, Spencer took pity on me. “I’m determined to date your sister, but there are some complications.”

  Lex grinned and put out a hand. “Sorry for sitting without doing a proper introduction. I’m Lex, and it is a pleasure to meet the man who can get my sister out on a date.”

  Spencer shook Lex’s hand. “We aren’t technically on a date tonight.”

  “She’s here with you,” Lex pointed out.

  Spencer lowered his voice. “I think she just likes driving my car.”

  I closed my eyes and sighed. “It is a beautiful Mercedes, Lex, and Spencer lets me drive it to and from the office.”

  Lex nodded. “Smart move. Mercy loves cars. For a few years, she insisted she was going to be a race car driver.”

  “I still might,” I stated.

  They called out Spencer’s name, and he stood to get the pizza. “You two stay here, and I’ll grab it.”

  Lex nodded, and when Spencer stepped way, he leaned closer. “You said you weren’t dating him when we talked the other night.”

  “Spencer already told you this isn’t a date,” I reminded him. “I really like him.”

  Spencer returned with the pizza, and we made small talk until Lex had to head back to finish getting ready for the show.

  I stood and hugged my brother as he was about to leave. “You’ll be great.”

  He hugged me back. “Ah, Mercy. You and Bennie have always been my biggest fans. What did I do to deserve such amazing sisters?”

  “Don’t get all sappy,” I warned. “Go play your show and have fun. I’ll see you after your set.”

  Chapter 22

  Spencer

  Mercy hadn’t been kidding about the number of people at the club. The crowd was why her sister wasn’t attending the show. The Reckless Release security team felt it was too risky. In the last two years, Reckless Release’s popularity had grown dramatically. Mercy had also confided in me that security was tighter due to a potential threat to Harley. They figured that any threat to one member of the band could carry over to the others.

  Mercy remained pressed against my front the entire show, wiggling and cheering. Several times, I wrapped an arm around her when the crowd jostled her. By the end of Deluded Serenity’s set, I was having a hard time keeping my arousal hidden. Every time she rubbed against me, my dick twitched, making me feel like a teen incapable of controlling my hormones. This went on as three bands performed.

  When Deluded Serenity left the stage, Mercy turned to smile at me. “They’re amazing, aren’t they?”

  “Yes,” I murmured as I fought the urge to reach out and stroke her cheek. “Amazing.”

  Mercy’s eyes widened before her gaze drifted to my mouth. “It’s crowded in here.”

  “Yes,” I agreed as I leaned in closer, telling myself I was only doing it to make sure I’d be heard.

  We stared at each other for several heartbeats before Mercy closed her eyes and stepped back. “Let’s go out back, and I’ll introduce you to the band. Once they come out here, we’ll have a harder time getting near them. I also want to say goodbye to Lex before he leaves.”

  “Isn’t he going to stick around to talk to his fans?” I asked.

  She shook her head and started walking toward the back. “Crowds this size still make him nervous, but he’s getting better.”

  I nodded my understanding. “The crowd is a bit much for me, so I understand.”

  Mercy led me out to the back alley where the band was loading instruments into a van.

  “You guys were fantastic!” she called out.

  The band turned toward her, all smiles. They were young, not one could have been older than their mid-twenties. That is, except for Lex who was thirty-two.

  I noticed even Lex no longer looked stressed out, not that I was surprised after watching him play. Mercy was right to encourage her brother to play. He was truly in his element with the band.

  Lex and the lead singer, Jos, walked over to hug Mercy.

  Jos was about my height with black hair, hazel eyes, and an olive complexion. Irritation hit me when Jos hugged Mercy a little longer than was appropriate, though I knew I was overreacting. He lifted Mercy off the ground and spun her around as she laughed.

  “Praise from the woman who helped us get our big break,” Jos said with a wide grin before setting Mercy on her feet.

  Mercy shook her head. “I had nothing to do with your big break. Piper was the manager at Euphoria, and she’s the one who booked Deluded Serenity to play. She also introduced you to Reckless Release.”

  The drummer, Caeden, stepped forward. He was slightly shorter than me with long brown hair and brown eyes. “But you hired Piper,” he told Mercy.

  “He’s right. If it weren’t for you, we’d still be struggling to get gigs,” Sam, the guitarist, chimed in. He was just over six feet tall with short blond hair and moss green eyes. “Lex says you’ve also been working behind the scenes to get him to join the band.”

  “Not that I needed anyone else pushing me,” Lex added. “You guys are relentless.”

  Mercy grabbed my hand. “Sorry for being rude and leaving you standing there.” I waved off her words, and she continued. “This is my friend, Spencer.”

  “It’s nice to meet you all,” I replied. “That was a great show.”

  “Thanks, man,” Jos replied. “So, are you guys dating?”

  Lex answered for us. “They’re in the negotiation phase.”

  The band laughed at his response before Sam said, “I might find that strange if Lex hadn’t already told us so much about you, Mercy.”

  Mercy released my hand and moved closer to Lex. “What did you tell them?”

  “That you’re a bossy brat,” he teased before shifting his attention to me. “I feel I must warn you about my sister. She likes everything to go her way.”

  “Only because my way is the right way,” Mercy argued.

  “Having worked with her for a few days, it seems she’s probably right a great deal of the time,” I added.

  Lex groaned. “Don’t encourage her.”

  “I gotta say that I agree with Spencer,” Jos added. “Mercy thinks you should join the band, so she sounds like the voice of reason to me.”

  “Me too,” Sam agreed.

  “I’ve got five sisters, so there is no way am I getting involved in this argument,” Caeden said with a shake of his head. “I know what it’s like to be outnumbered at home.”

  Jos’s eyes took on a teasing twinkle. “Dude! Your sisters are smoking hot! Why don’t you ever get them to come to any of our shows?”

  “Yeah, I think I could play better with your sisters in the audience,” Sam chimed in.

  Caeden punched Sam’s arm hard enough to make him flinch.

  “Stay away from my sisters,” Caeden warned. “That’s the other reason I want Lex in the band. I need someone around who’s not perving on my sisters.”

  “They’re all too young,” Lex remarked.

  “Two are older than Caeden,” Jos told him. “You need to meet them. They are hot.”

  “We’re going to head out in a few,” Mercy told them. “Again, it was a great show.”

  “Thanks,” Jos replied. “Hopefully, you can make it to our next one.”

  “I’ll do my best,” Mercy assured them.

  We headed back into the club since it would be easier to get to my car from that direction. Once we were out front, she slipped
her arms around my waist and leaned against my chest. “Thank you for coming with me tonight.”

  My arms slipped around her, and I almost sighed at how good it felt to hold her. “You don’t need to thank me for spending time with you, but I should warn you that if you keep touching me, I may forget we aren’t dating yet and try kissing you.”

  I began to wonder if she’d changed her mind about holding off on dating until after her contract was up. She wanted me, and she was taking a long time to move out of my arms.

  With a sigh, Mercy stepped back, and I let my arms fall to my sides.

  “I suppose we should head home,” she replied, sounding disappointed.

  “We could go somewhere else,” I offered. “We can stop for a drink.”

  She hesitated again, but finally, she shook her head. “I’m exhausted, and I have to be up early tomorrow. I’m helping my mom paint her living room.”

  “All right,” I agreed. While I was disappointed that our evening was coming to an end, I was pleased with how it had gone. It had definitely felt like a date.

  Chapter 23

  Mercy

  Much as I loved driving Spencer’s car, I let him drive us home. I hadn’t been exaggerating my exhaustion. My week had been much more demanding than I’d had in several months. I’d only recently started going out more often, and in one week, I’d spent three days at an office job and two nights at clubs.

  As we walked toward my condo, I shivered slightly in the cold, and Spencer wrapped an arm around my shoulders. I nearly sighed when his heat surrounded me. It was crazy how much my life had changed in one week, and it had all started with a screaming naked woman. How many people could make that claim?

  The warm fuzzies I felt with Spencer at my side quickly faded as I caught sight of my front door from the bottom of the stairs.