“He’s falling for you. Already. You were a fucking dream in there. I don’t want you to tell him this feels too good to be true or ask for more proof of how good this can be, ’cause he’ll show you. And he won’t stop trying to show you until I stop him.”
“You think you need to protect Vaughn from me and my insecurities?”
“No, I think you’re going through a lot and it’s bringing up a lot of emotions. I’m just telling you where I’m coming from. Josh did you dirty. But Corrine did us dirty too and I know Vaughn blames himself. He’d do anything to make it up to a ghost. How far do you think he’d push himself to make it up to a woman standing right in front of him?”
“Fine. That’s fair. I’m saying I hear you and now I’m going back to bed.”
I don’t give Shaw a chance to stop me again. I find my way through the mostly dark house back to the narrow staircase and spend the rest of the night tossing and turning in my assigned guest room. I know I’m being dramatic, taking my beef with Shaw out on Vaughn by leaving him all alone. It’s better to rip the band-aid off now, though. I’ll be gone in the morning and I won’t be coming back.
* * *
Shaw
“You got everything?” Vaughn asks. We’re standing in the driveway, saying goodbye. After my fucked-up conversation with Brook, I couldn’t focus on work anymore. I couldn’t say I was surprised to find Vaughn alone in bed when I finally came to join them. I’d considered going up to her room to apologize, but I knew I’d pissed her smooth the fuck off. She didn’t want to speak to me and pushing the issue would just make her more upset.
So I gave her space and first thing in the morning, while Vaughn was busy making a ten-course breakfast, Brook arrived in the kitchen, fully dressed, fully packed and ready to get the fuck out of town. She begged off, claiming she wanted to beat traffic and get some rest so she was fresh to handle her week’s caseload, but I knew she just wanted to get the hell away from me.
Vaughn was hurt and confused for about three seconds before he realized the way she wasn’t looking at me. He knew I did something, said something shitty. He knew I’m the reason she wasn’t in bed with us when he woke up. I’ll admit it. I fucked up. Maybe she wasn’t the only one in the business of self sabotage.
Vaughn puts her weekend bag in the back seat while she sets her purse and phone on the center console. I file the adorable image of her short, full body trying to climb into this massive SUV away for another time when my foot isn’t halfway down my throat.
Brook smiles up at him and slips her fingers into his. “ I got everything. Thanks.”
“Are we going to see you again?” I hear the desperation in his voice. He’s kept his word and not blurted out how badly he wants her to stay, but this is Vaughn. He can’t hide the way he feels. It’s not a part of his programming and she had asked for honesty. He can keep things to himself, but Vaughn’s truth is that he’s falling for Brooklyn Lewis. She’s gorgeous, funny, bright, with a body I don’t want to keep my hands off of. It’s hard for both of us to see her walk away. Still, I hang back and keep my mouth shut. I’ve done enough.
“I had an amazing time, but I need to think about it, okay?”
“Okay.”
“I just want to be all good. In every way, you know? Leave as much baggage as I can at the door and I think I still have a few trolleys full.”
“You can still call us. You know that, right?”
“I know.” She stands on her tiptoes. I watch as Vaughn bends over and accepts a soft kiss on the lips. I shouldn’t be jealous, but I am. Last night, she was begging me to kiss her and now I know she’s never going to let me kiss her again.
“I will call you when I get home, okay?” she says, keeping her voice light, doing her level best to look everywhere but at me.
“Okay. Drive safe.”
“I will.” She leans over, fixing me with a deranged smile. “Bye, Shaw! Thanks for having me. This place is great.”Thanks for ruining a perfectly good weekend.
“Of course. You’re welcome anytime.”
Her response is another tight grin before her expression softens and her gaze goes back to Vaughn. “Bye.”
She climbs up into her car and we wait as she slowly backs down the driveway. We both wave as she pulls out on the street and we wait a few breaths before she turns on the road and drives away. I brace myself and wait for Vaughn to cuss me the fuck out, but he doesn’t. He just turns and walks toward the house.
“Hey, wait.”
“For what?” He spins around and I swallow at the blank expression on his face. Vaughn doesn’t do loud and angry. Vaughn ices you out and I’m getting frostbite standing in my own damn driveway.
“I know you’re pissed at me. I know. Let’s just talk about it.”
“Oh, like you talked to Brooklyn last night? What the fuck did you say to her?”
“She wanted me to tell her this was all some fantasy that was too good to be true and I wouldn’t do it. She got mad.”
“Is that all you said?”
