CHAPTER ONE
Gavin
The morning L.A. sun shone through the gaps in the blinds as I opened my heavy lids. I had way too much to drink last night. I could already feel the ache behind my eyes; they cracked open just enough to see into the room. I gave myself a few minutes to come around to the land of the living, then dragged myself up from my pit, turned to sit on the side of the bed and rubbed my hands over my face. I had to make a move, it was going to be a busy day, and I needed to be on top form.
It was the day of Roman and Paisley’s wedding. My best bud.
“Ugh.” I cradled my head in my hands, it felt as if someone was playing the bongo drums in there. “Man, I need coffee.” I closed my eyes for a beat to soothe the ache. Slowly moving my hands to the mattress, I pushed myself onto my feet, ambled across the room and grabbed my jeans from the floor. I managed to get my feet inside, but as I dragged them up my legs, I fell to the side, and the wall broke my fall. My legs were still shaky as I stood to go and empty my bladder. I quickly flushed the toiletand fastened the buttons on my Levi’s, leaving the top one open because I just couldn’t be arsed to get my sausage fingers around the poxy buttons anymore. Moving to the sink, I turned on the cold tap, letting the water through until it was icy, cupped it in my hands then splashed it on my face. The relief was instant as it hit my skin. It was so cold it took my breath away.
After that little wake-up call, I managed to get myself down the stairs safely and headed straight for the kitchen, but I came to an abrupt halt at the edge of the doorway. There were people everywhere. Orders were being shouted. Catering staff ran around like headless chickens…if I heard one pan clang, I heard a fucking thousand. It was like a bad fucking symphony in my head. It did nothing for my hangover. All I wanted was coffee. My hand moved to my head, hoping to muffle the noise, but it did nothing.
“Are you blocking the doorway for a reason?” The snarky voice from behind me asked as I felt her palms press against the middle of my back. I knew it was Nikki, Roman’s PA. The bane of my existence. I met Nikki when she came to work for Roman. Right away, she started giving me shit like we’d known each other all our lives.
“If you ask me nicely, I might just move.” I reached across the gap, my arm tensed as I settled my hand on the opposite side.
“I haven’t got time for your shit. Move.” I smiled as my fingers tightened on the doorframe. She wouldn’t move me; she was only about five feet tall; it wasn’t like she had a lot of brute strength behind her. Nikki’s frustration with me was clear as she pushed harder. “You’re such a dick. Fuck you.” I chuckled as she quickly ducked under my arm, and I followed her into the room, heading straight for the coffee machine but frowning when the caterers got in my path. How hard is it to get coffee these days?
I grabbed a cup as I reached the machine, placed it under the spout then found the button for black coffee. As it filled, mygaze roamed until it fell on Nikki again, and although my focus was still a little blurry, I could see well enough to notice what she was wearing. I swear she wore those outfits to torment me. She had on the shortest pair of denim shorts she could probably find and one of those string bikini tops. I might have had a banging headache, but I appreciated her sexy little body.
My arms rested on the counter as I leaned down; turning my head in Nikki’s direction, I watched as she prepared all the wedding favours onto trays for the tables outside. So much shit for one measly fucking day.
Her head turned my way, she must have felt my eyes on her; her forehead furrowed as her brows pinched. “Want a photo instead, it’d last longer?”
Her brow lifted as I smirked. I threw her a wink and stirred a spoonful of sugar into my drink. I didn’t usually have sugar, but today I needed it. “You could be the star of all my dreams.”
“Fuck off.” she replied as irritation laced her tone, “Shouldn't you be with Roman, you know keeping him calm or some shit?” She closed the small gap between us, her hip cocked against the counter as she folded her arms across her chest.
“I just came to get coffee,” my fingers threaded through the handle as I lifted it between us, “see.” I smirked. I always had a comeback for her. She was too easy to wind up.
Her gaze travelled up my body. I didn't miss how it hovered over my chest and eventually found my face. Her frown deepened as her gaze reached my eyes. “You look like death.”
“That’s what this is for.” I wrapped my lips over the rim of the mug, took a sip of the hot liquid and savoured the taste as I swallowed. “I could do with some painkillers.”
Her eyes rolled as her head shook in disgust. “I have no sympathy.” she sang as she closed the gap between us and lightly tapped my cheek, “I can’t believe you even got pissed. You were there to look after Roman.”
“It was his last night of freedom. I was celebrating with my best mate.”
She turned away and moved around the kitchen, opening cupboard doors and closing them again. When she finally found what she was after, she slammed the door shut.
“Fuck’s sake, Nik.” I cursed as my hand moved to hold my head, but Nikki just laughed it off. Menace.
“Hey, dickface?” I looked up as something glided through the air and aimed straight for me. My reactions were still pretty quick as I caught the little white bottle before it hit me in the face. I looked at it and saw the word ‘Paracetamol’ on the label.
“Oh, you little gem. I could kiss you!”
“I don’t know where your lips have been.” Nikki fired back. I chuckled, quickly popping the lid and shaking two white tablets out into my palm, threw them to the back of my tongue and washed them down with coffee. My eyes closed, and I sighed with relief. Now for them to kick in. Nikki had already left the room when I opened my eyes again, so I went in search of Roman.
His house in Hollywood Hills wasn’t quite classed as a mansion, but with five bedrooms, each with an ensuite, a private bathroom and a guest bathroom on the ground floor, a games room and a private pool, pool bar and gardens, I guess it didn’t matter what you called it. The place is spectacular.
As I climbed the stairs, I stopped to look out the window. About twenty chairs were set out under a large white pergola, and flowers were being placed all around as I watched; it made it look like a tropical escape. This was definitely Paisley's touch.
Not only did I go to school with Roman, but Paisley was also in our year, only we weren't exactly what you’d call friends or even acquaintances. I made her life a living hell, I was lucky enough to get a second chance. But that’s Paisley.
Carrying on down the hallway, I stopped at the last door and tried the handle, when it turned, I opened it. Roman was pacing the floor like a caged animal, a deep-set frown etched into his forehead.His head lifted at the open door, and very briefly, he stopped pacing when he saw me. “Where the fuck have you been?” He didn’t wait for an answer before he started pacing again.
“Nursing a hangover.” I lifted my coffee up to show him my first priority because, without that shit, I wasn’t functioning. He came over and took it from me, lifted it to his lips and took a swig.
“Ugh. That’s fucking cold.” He cringed and pushed it back in my direction. I shook my head, took it from him, and drained the rest.
