“This could help us. You have to spend money to make money,” Noah reminded Presley.
Presley threw his hands up in the air and left the kitchen.
Noah and I glanced at each other, a loud fit of laughter leaving both of us.
“You two fight more than Presley and his brother do.” I chuckled. “But…” The laughter died between us. “He is right. Nicky is using you.”
Noah sighed. “I don’t know. Maybe he is but haven’t you ever just wanted to be used before? Nicky travels for a living but whenever he comes home, it’s nice to know that I’m wanted.”
“You could find someone else who wants you too. Someone who wants more out of whatever you’re doing.” I wasn’t overly one to talk. Seeing as I slept with Brady for months and we both used each other. But I was trying to be the devil’s advocate.
“Maybe but no one makes me feel the way Nicky does.” Noah looked at me then. He shifted from foot to foot, a nervous energy suddenly rolling off of him. “He actually asked me to go up and see him. I don’t know if I will, but I like that he asked.”
My eyes widened. “Well, that’s a step in the right direction at least.”
“I thought so too. I was going to tell Presley but he kind of burst my bubble. When I told him that Nicky was coming home, he just went off on a tangent. I really think that Presley needs to get laid.”
“Honestly, Noah, as long as you are happy, that’s all I care about. I just want all of us happy.” I was jealous of Brady’shappiness with Cam. I wanted that for myself. I wanted that for all of us.
Noah clapped my shoulder. “Thank you. So, I guess Brady’s really happy with Cam. Is that weird for you?”
“Not really.” I hadn’t told anyone about my time with Rhett. Even though it was two days ago and it was all I could think about. I had his phone number and he had mine, but I hadn’t heard from him.
I ended up getting a text from Cam asking how the collaboration was going. I told him it was going really well but Rhett and I didn’t actually collaborate at all. Not on work shit anyway.
“I know that look.” Noah poked a finger in my shoulder.
“What look?” I tried playing dumb but my cheeks heated. Knowing he could see the blush, I was sure he already knew that something was up.
“You’re seeing someone, aren’t you?”
“Not really.” Which was the truth.
“Okay, if you’re not seeing anyone, you definitely got laid. I’m guessing it was a couple nights ago. Maybe it was even before that.” He tapped his chin.
“Thinking of any other times that I could have gotten laid?” I laughed, shaking my head. “Why don’t you worry about your love life and I will worry about mine.”
“I don’t have a love life. I have a Nikolai with a grumpy brother who refuses to leave us alone.”
“Yeah, well I don’t have a love life either.” Secretly, I had the father of my best friend who I spent one delicious night with. Thankfully, that did not leave my mouth.
“I do know you’re sleeping with someone or something is going on with you. You don’t have to tell me now but you will. I’m guessing it’s someone you think you shouldn’t be sleeping with. Almost like it’s taboo in a way.”
I stared at him. “How could you know that?”
“I didn’t but you just confirmed it.” He winked.
“Ass.” I shoved him in the shoulder playfully.
A laugh boomed through him.
“Maybe I’ll tell you when I’m ready. Until then…” I kissed Noah’s cheek, wrapping my arm around his shoulders and pulling him tight into my side. “Let’s get through tonight.” I really needed to talk to Brady first, but I wouldn’t do that until I actually talked to Rhett. It was clearly a one-time thing since he basically kicked me out after he used me. And fuck me, did he use me so damn well.
I would say that I was hurt about it. But I actually wasn’t. It was almost taboo in a way and made me feel a little naughty. Maybe we were doing something secretive or that we shouldn’t be doing since no one but us knew what we had done. No one knew that I had bruises on my hips from his fingers and no one knew that he had scratches on his back from my nails.
When Noah and I left the kitchen, the bar was in full swing. While the main item we sold was coffee, after three in the afternoon we sold alcohol and all sorts of coffee made with liquor. Those drinks were fun to make but they were always too strong for me. I would usually get a buzz after trying a couple mouthfuls.
While Noah, Presley, and I helped serve the customers, Brady ended up showing up late. It was normal for him now that he was with Cam.
