Prologue
One year earlier
Weston
Sometimes I wondered why I let myself get talked into doing stupid things. Then I remembered that it made my senior partners happy.
Take panel discussions—always boring as hell. Five of us sitting under hot lights, droning on about estate planning as it affected marital property in a divorce, meant I was ready to partake in the evening festivities.
The one good thing was the assurance from the coordinator of the event that as a panelist, my bar drinks would be comped, and I sure as hell had taken advantage of that generosity in the form of two straight vodkas. A light tease of perfume invaded my space, and I looked at the beautiful redhead standing by my side.
“Can I get you a drink?”
Deep-set blue eyes swept up and down, and damned if they didn’t dismiss me. “No, thanks.” She hailed the bartender, ordered a Chardonnay, and walked away.
Stung, I held out my glass. “Make it a double.”
“Well, well. Lost your touch? Who would’ve ever thought the great Weston Lively would get snubbed?”
What the—I spun to my left and came face-to-face with the arrogant smirk of Brenner Fleming. Eyes narrowed, I casually sipped my drink before answering.
“Planning to shoot your shot with her? Why don’t you go for it, Fleming? You always did come in second to me, no matter how hard you tried. I’m sure nothing’s changed.”
It had been like that since law school. Fleming and I had been one-two in class rank for all three years. I was the editor-in-chief ofLaw Review, and he’d taken that same position on our school’sFamily Law Review—the first of its kind in the country and pretty damn prestigious as well. Not that I’d ever say that to his face. Our rivalry for best in class was well known and had extended to our fraternity, where each year we’d battled for president, with me winning two of the three years. At graduation I’d given the valedictorian speech, and I’d seen from the podium how he’d seethed. Less than a percentage point had separated us.
But I’d come out on top.
I’d never been that competitive, but something about Brenner got my juices flowing. His unconcealed disdain for me—unwarranted, in my eyes—had always been a catalyst to make sure I never failed. I’d studied hard and partied harder once exams had finished, but Brenner would never join us. He was a lone wolf whose scorn for me showed in his scowl every time we said two words to each other. He thought I was a spoiled, rich brat, and he never failed to sneer at my antics when the weekend rolled around. And I thought he was boring and judgmental as fuck. We didn’t click and made no attempt to hide our mutual dislike, which only grew each year.
His hard jaw working, he finished the rest of his drink and beckoned for another. “Maybe in law school that might’ve been true, but now I always win.”
A familiar face peeked over Fleming’s shoulder. “Don’t tell me you two are still going at it? You’re both rich, successful, and gorgeous. Why are you acting like idiots? Maybe you’re gonna whip ’em out and measure ’em to see who’s got the biggest dick? I mean, I wouldn’t mind…” A grin split the man’s handsome face. “How the hell are you, Weston?”
“Bailey Marks. I’m good. How’s it going?”
He stepped past a scowling Fleming to give me a hug. Always a bundle of fun, openly gay, and never lacking a date, Bailey was in our class and a member of our fraternity. He’d often act as the buffer whenever Fleming and I would get in each other’s faces.
“It’s going well. Being a solo practitioner means I gotta keep my fingers in every piece of the pie.” His eyes twinkled. “Or cake, if you know what I mean.”
“Jesus, Bailey.” Brenner’s brows shot up. “You haven’t changed a bit.”
“Neither have you, Brenner,” I told him. “Still the same tight-ass you were almost fifteen years ago.” The liquor had loosened my tongue, and I wasn’t giving a damn. “You need to get laid.”
His scowl deepened. “That’s always been your answer for everything. Some of us are particular about their bed partners.”
Maybe that was it. Pure and simple jealousy. I’d had no shortage of women, and far as I knew, Brenner rarely dated. We were at opposite ends of the universe except in the classroom, the two of us fierce competitors, though I doubted he was running from the same devil.
“As I recall, you didn’t exactly have them breaking through the doors for your charms. My guess is, that’s probably still the case. What’s the problem? You’re a decent-looking guy.”
A flush rose over his face, and I smirked. No matter how many years had passed, it was still fun to get a rise out of him.Truth was, I was straight, but I was sure the women found Brenner hot as hell. Six foot two, big blue eyes, a full head of thick, wavy dark hair, and a body he obviously took care of. I’d seen plenty of women and quite a few men tonight give him the eye. Not that I’d ever tell him.
Brenner’s stormy eyes dismissed me, disdain oozing from every pore. “The day I explain myself to you is the day I lie down and stop breathing.”
Probably to break the tension, Bailey broke into our face-off. “Well, if either of you wants to take a walk on the wild side, I’m here for it.” Bailey winked and waggled his brows.
Leave it to Bailey to say something outrageous. Laughter burst from my mouth. “What? I’ve never been with a man.”
“First time for everything, and I’m offering to pop your cherry. To teach you. Both of you.” A pink tongue swiped at his full lips. “Back in the day, I used to have dreams of you and Brenner.”
