“I know that better than anyone.”
We face off again.
His shoulders relax a little. “But you do want more with her?”
“I refuse to dignify that with an answer. The only person who deserves to know is Stevie, and like you said, we’re a million miles away from having that conversation.”
The tension leaves his face as he stretches out his arm. “I’m sorry I had to do this, but it was for Stevie. I meant what I just said. If you two get together in the future, you won’t get any beef from me. No hard feelings?”
I shake his hand, letting the tension lift from my shoulders. I don’t like what he said, but I understand his motivation, and I respect him for it. “No hard feelings. You’re a good friend to look out for her, but you don’t have anything to fear from me.”
“I see that now.” He finishes his beer and slaps me on the shoulder. “I’m going to bounce after I say goodnight to the birthday girl.”
“Have a good one,” I say as I spot Law and Tate approaching.
“What was that about?” Tate asks after Hudson has departed.
Law snorts. “You’d know if you didn’t spend the entire meal trading barbs and fuck-me looks with Sarah across the table.”
I glare at Law. “Spare me the details, please.” I rub my temples before turning my glare on Tate. “You should have told me though I understand and appreciate why you didn’t. Don’t hurt her, or I’ll have to kick your ass.”
“What did I miss?” Law asks, looking confused as he glances between us.
“We fucked the last time Sarah was in New York.”
I thump him in the shoulder, and he’s lucky I don’t punch him in the face. “She’s my sister, asshole!” I hiss. “Don’t talk about her like she’s one of your usual hookups.”
Tate looks instantly chastised. “Sorry, Beck. You’re right. I mean no disrespect. Sarah is an incredible woman, and we had a great night.”
“You’ve got big balls, man.” Law smirks.
“Or a death wish,” I mumble, wishing I hadn’t drunk my scotch so quick.
“But back to you,” Tate says in a blatant redirection. “What was up with you and Hudson? It looked intense.”
“Like I said, if you’d been watching, you wouldn’t need to ask any questions,” Law replies before I have a chance to. “It’s fucking obvious what Hudson wanted to know.”
“Which is?” Tate persists.
“How long Beck has been in love with Stevie and what he intends to do about it.”
ChapterFifty-Nine
Stevie
The next month flies by as I work late nights to get ahead on tasks before our two-week trip to France. I’m continuing with my therapy and enjoying talking to someone completely neutral about the whole situation. Getting stuff out of my head and off my chest is slowly helping.
Garrick is rarely far from my mind. Hugh and Hudson keep me regularly updated, but there is no change.
Helena called me last week to reassure me about Pepper. Apparently, she works crazy hours and barely manages to squeeze a half-hour visit into her day. I felt like throwing my cell at the wall after I hung up. It incenses me she’s allowed to see him and she squanders it. It just proves how flimsy her so-called love is. Work matters more to her than Garrick. Helena said Ivy doesn’t spend much time with him either, citing how difficult it is to see her son in that condition as an excuse.
My blood boils that he’s trapped in that house with those two bitches, but at least Hugh spends hours with him, and Hudson visits him daily. Knowing Helena and the medical team are taking great care of him helps too.
Nana sold all of Beck’s books, and he’s now making weekly deliveries to Ravenna. We usually go there on Sundays and stay for dinner. Esther and Sarah came with us one Sunday, and Mom and Nana adore them. There was even discussion of them celebrating Christmas with us this year.
Finally, the first day of our vacation rolls around, and I’m so excited I could pee. Beck collects me from my place, and we drive to SeaTac together.
“No freaking way!” I exclaim when Beck escorts me onto the private jet carrying us to southern France.
