It’ll either be the best decision we’ve ever made.
Or the stupidest.
And right now? I don’t know if I’m more afraid she’ll take the ring off… or keep iton.
I clockCole on my way to the bar at the country club. He’s tucked into a corner with one of his buddies and one of Jensen’s nephews, and despite the reason we’re all here, he’s smiling. Just a little, but it’s real. A vast improvement from an hour ago.
Warmth spreads through my chest. I’d blame the alcohol, but I’ve only had one glass of wine.
That kid is the coolest. He filled a space in my life I never knew was empty. I never wanted kids. Never even thought I liked them, but Cole, and Jensen’s nieces and nephews, proved me wrong. Turns out, I do.
But I’ve also always appreciated that I could leave. Go home to peace and quiet. Shut the door. Breathe.
Even after a full week in New York with Cole when he’s come to visit me, I’ve found myself relieved when he flies back.
I’ve felt a shift over the past year, though. Helping Jensen get clean. Taking him to rehab. He almost lost Alley to his addiction and had to fight like hell to get her back. Watching them choose each other when it would’ve been easier to walk away. It did something to me. Seeing Alley pregnant. The joy they both have as they prepare to start a family.
Christ. It’s stirred something in me I didn’t even know existed. Some kind of want—no,needfor the same thing. Someone to love. Someone to fight for. Someone to give a fuck about.
Now I’ve got two of the most important people in my life hanging on by a thread. One wrong move, and they’re both gone before I can blink.
I flag the bartender and order two glasses of red wine. One for me. One for Jordan. Then I make my way back to the patio where I left her, surrounded by a small group: Nate’s friends, Jensen and Alley, Megan and Kevin.
So far, we’ve managed to avoid the topic ofthe ring. We’ve stayed busy telling stories about Nate, laughing quietly, remembering old times.
But Megan’s eyes have veered to Jordan’s hand more than once.She can’t help herself. Megan’s nosy and loud. Zero filter. I love her for it, most of the time. Sometimes, though… it’s too much.
Jensen, on the other hand, keeps giving me a look, like he suspects something’s going down. I don’t blame him. Jordan and I have been playing the part a little too well. Holding hands. Leaning close. Whispering. Little touches. My hand settling at the small of her back. Every time my fingertips skim the top of her ass, it reminds me just how dangerous this line is. I’m like a rabbit wandering into a lion’s den.
Yeah.If the rabbit was attracted to lions and horny as fuck.
Jesus. Not the time.
I shake the thought away and step back into the circle beside Jordan, handing her the glass of wine.
She smiles at me. “Thanks, babe.”
I don’t miss the exchanged looks between Megan and Alley. Jensen doesn’t bother hiding it. His eyes are locked on both of us.
I’m tempted to tell him to mind his fucking business. He’s always been like that when it comes to Jordan. Always poking. Always questioning. Maybe because she’s the one subject I’ve never indulged him on.
I’ll give Jensen a play-by-play of a Saturday night hookup. A threesome. A business deal that went sideways. I’ll even embellish my relationship with my father if it keeps him entertained.
But when it comes to Jordan? I keep it vague. I never give in to theWhat happened?orWhere is she?questions.
Possibly because I never really know what the hell happened. Jordan’s a goddamn magician. A pro at making shit disappear. Only it’s always the same damn thing that goes missing.
Her.
I’ve never shared details about our sex life either. Any other woman? I’ll tell Jensen everything. Down to the dirty details of what she did to me and what she tasted like.
Not a fucking chance with Jordan.
I still remember how pissed he was the first time Jordan and I had sex. We were young, and Jensen wanted details. He was curious. Of course he was.
I didn’t tell him a single thing. Not even the color of her bra.
One of Nate’s buddies wraps up a story about the first time he and Nate took Cole camping. He said he saw Nate in a whole different light after that trip, the way he wanted to teach Cole every little thing: how to set up a tent, light a fire, shoot BB guns. He wasNate, the dad.
