Big Stick

by R. C. Stephens

  “Um, Flynn?” I hear Maddy’s sweet, raspy voice.

  I roll my eyes before turning around and plastering on a fake smile. “Yes?” I ask cheerfully.

  Was screwing Matt not enough for you? You have to rub it in?

  Maddy twirls a piece of her light blond hair between her fingers as she chews her bubble gum aggressively. “Well, uh… I just wanted to make sure that things weren’t going to be awkward now that you, uh…know.” If her tone is anything to go by, she’s serious about her question.

  Ugh?

  I take a cleansing breath before I speak. It’s a standard courtroom tactic when you need to delay for a moment and gather your thoughts or buy time. I want to take this woman by her pretty blond hair and whip her around the office screaming that she’s a homewrecker.

  I take another deep breath and stand up, getting in her face. She cowers, and that stupid smile she has on her face falls. “You have nerve walking over here and asking me that.” I shout whisper. “You had sex with my boyfriend in the copy room.”

  Maddy nods, but she looks too scared to utter a word. “I will act professional in this office because I am a professional,” I splutter as the anger inside me reaches new heights. “But things will definitely be awkward. That is what happens when you’re a man-stealing bitch. And unless you have a call waiting for me, don’t ever speak to me again.”

  I take a sideward glance to see who may have witnessed my little tirade. Another first-year associate, who I’ve only exchanged a few words with, winks at me. Maddy looks flustered. She opens her mouth to speak then snaps it shut.

  I pick up the document I was working on and get back to business. Maddy stalks off. When she’s out of my line of sight, I deflate.

  Deep down, I want Matt to come up to me and apologize. Even if our relationship had been doomed, my ego was still destroyed yesterday. The fact that it happened here at work makes me even more embarrassed, like I wasn’t important enough for Matt to consider my feelings.

  By lunch time I’m drained and tired. Clearly my night of drinking is having lasting effects. I saunter into the employee lounge on my floor in desperate need of caffeine. As I stir the creamer into my coffee, I hear Matt’s voice behind me.

  “Can we talk a minute?” he asks. Is that regret I hear?

  I need a moment to collect myself. I take solace knowing my practiced control allows me to master a perfect poker face as I turn to face him.

  “Okay.” I place the coffee down on the counter because I don’t want him taking in my shaking hands.

  “I’m really sorry. I never wanted you to find out this way,” he begins.

  But I did.

  “I never planned on falling in love so quickly. I don’t know what to say…” He runs a nervous hand through his dark hair. Those weren’t the words I was expecting. I glance around the lounge to see that we are alone, and I’m thankful there are no witnesses for this embarrassing moment. “I wanted to ask you if I could take over the lease on the condo, since I’d like Maddy to move in with me.”

  I huff. “Well, that was fast. But then, I’m guessing yesterday wasn’t a first.”

  He actually looks remorseful.

  Gross!

  He was sleeping with her and me at the same time. I put up with his untidy, disorderly ways for two years, and he’s looking for sympathy? Fuck you, Matt.

  Before I know it, I’ve sucker punched him in the gut, and he’s keeling over. I grew up around two hockey players; somewhere along the way I learned to take out my frustration physically. I’m not usually violent, but in this case, Matt deserved it.

  “What the fuck?” he whines.

  “Asshole,” I mutter then take my coffee. “And yes, you can have the damn condo. I don’t want it.” I turn and leave the lounge.

  The rest of the day flies by in a blur. Somehow that little lounge incident gave me the closure I needed. Now I have to speak to my brother about my living arrangements. Oli would never leave me out on the street, but once I know I have a place to live, I will feel a lot less anxious.

  At the end of the day, I text Oli asking him if we can talk. He replies that he’s home but leaving for the arena soon. Suitcase in hand, I wait for my Uber. As tough as I come across on the outside, inside I’m a ball of mush. I try to relax by reminding myself that Oli is the best brother on earth.

  I just can’t imagine being next-door neighbors with Myles again, though, especially since I can’t stop thinking of him shirtless. Honestly, it’s crazy. I was completely loaded last night, and all I can really remember is his bare chest and his scent. That can’t be good. It means I’m completely screwed and not in the good way—because Myles and I can never be. He burned that bridge a long time ago.

  Chapter Four

  Myles

  Oli and I are on his couch watching plays coach asked us to review for tonight’s game when I look over to him and ask, “What’s going on with Flynn?”

  He pauses and sits up straight, eyeing me cautiously.

  “Oli come on. She’s living in the same city now. We are going to see each other.” My voice trails off. My argument is weak.

  He gives me a sympathetic look.

  “I don’t know man. I didn’t see her before I left for practice this morning. I have a feeling it has to do with her douchewad boyfriend.”

  We both stare at the TV screen. I stayed away from Flynn for seven long years, knowing she was successful and happy. I’d last seen her as a girl. Last night I saw a smart-mouthed, beautiful woman who looked like her world had come crashing down on her. The thought of someone hurting her makes me want to tear shit up. I’ve always been protective of her. Unlike Oli, my intentions were never honorable.

  The lock on the front door turns, and my heart picks up pace. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch her walk through the door and hang her coat in the closet. I want to turn my head and get a clear view, but that isn’t happening with Oli sitting beside me. Fuck! I wipe my clammy hands on my jeans. Over the years I’ve thought about her, what it would be like to see her again, but nothing prepared me for my body’s reaction. I’m like a fucking lovesick teenage boy all over again.

  “Hey, tell us what’s going on.” Oli waves her over, and I swallow hard. Last night she was drunk and all attitude. Now, as she strides over to the couch, she looks professional in a snug suit that clings to her body. Her hair is swept on one side of her shoulder. My mouth waters until I notice her lips turned down. I’m guessing because I’m here.

  “Hey, Tink.” Our eyes meet, and a beat passes. She tenses. My breath hitches. She’s fucking beautiful.

  She glares at me.

  Shit! This is awkward. A part of me wants to get up and take her by the arm and guide us back to my apartment next door so we can hash things out. I don’t know what I would say. Maybe something along the lines of I fucked up on so many levels, but something holds me back, and it’s for the best anyway.

  Oli pats the couch beside him, motioning for her to sit between us. My pulse accelerates, and my blood runs south from having her in such close proximity. I’ve missed her. Regret, sorrow, and self-deprecation make my head spin as she takes the seat.

  “This is great. The Three Musketeers back together and all of us living in Chicago,” Oli says with a wide smile. I know Oli—he senses tension between me and his sister, and he’s trying to make things seem like old times. Nothing will ever be the same. I don’t know when he’s going to accept that.

  Seeing her dressed professionally makes pride burst in me like a warm sunny day at the thought that she made her dreams come true.

  “Oliver, we aren’t ten years old, and we haven’t been the Three Musketeers since we were, like, fifteen and you guys left to play in London,” she chides. Her tone is sharp. She’s never been one to put up with crap from anyone.

  “Come on, Flynny…” Oli leans over and gives her a noogie.

  “I sometimes wonder how you’re a hockey player, seriously.” She rolls her eyes playfully and s
mooths her hair down. She gives me a side glance. I have my hand covering my smile. Oli can be very juvenile when he wants to. Their sibling banter reminds me of a time when our lives were simple and I had a die-hard crush on Flynn. My heart aches when I think of all we lost, and my gut twists knowing she can barely look at me now. The only thing giving me solace is the fact that Oli and Flynn still seem so in sync. Twins. They always fascinated me.

  “Talk to me. What the hell happened last night? I don’t think I’m comfortable with the idea of strange guys having to carry you home.” Oli continues to lay on the parent card real thick.

  “Can we discuss this another time?” she asks quietly, grinding her jaw. Oli is going to have to realize that sometimes things can’t go back to the way they were.

  I stand up from the couch and stretch out my arms. My shirt lifts slightly, revealing my torso, and for the briefest of moments her glance pauses on my exposed skin.

  “No worries. I wanted to have a short nap before the game tonight anyway.” I turn to leave, and Oli glares at his sister.

  “Seriously, you need to get over it already. It’s been a long time, and Myles is family.” He chastises her in front of me. Oli doesn’t know we had feelings for each other that passed the boundaries of friendship.

  “I don’t want to fight with you about Myles.”

  Oli lets out an exasperated breath, but he knows his words are not going to change anything.

  “It was good seeing you again,” I say, looking her right in the eyes. I don’t mean to, but our gazes lock, and it’s as if time has stood still and she’s still my best friend, still the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen. I have to shake my mind from its trance.

  I blink.

  “Take care. Maybe I’ll see you around.” I say the last sentence to be polite before I walk out of the apartment. I hear her mutter under her breath, but I don’t turn around or ask her what she said.

  Whatever I was feeling back there was just my past catching up to me. I need to lock that stuff back down in the same hole where it’s been for the past seven years. Having her here is going to make that goal all the more difficult.

  Chapter Five

  Flynn

  “I broke up with Matt,” I blurt out, surprising myself. My nerves are frayed, between everything that happened with Matt and coming face-to-face with my old best friend. I fall back onto the couch, unable to look at my brother. I’ve never really come to him about boy trouble. Maybe because I never had a situation I couldn’t navigate myself, and Oli is overprotective.

  “Yeah, I figured as much. What did you do to the guy?” my brother immediately asks, sounding resigned. It infuriates me that he expects that I caused the breakup. True that, in the past, it was always me breaking up with a guy and not the other way around. But those relationships never involved cheating. If I were honest with myself, which I hate to be, I would admit that none of those guys ever got me all tingly and excited.

  Tears sting my eyes. I don’t mean for it to happen, but I have no control.

  My brother blows out a breath and says, “Shit, come here, Flynny. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

  I’m not the type to break down this way.

  “I’m not sure what the hell I’m supposed to do.” He continues to rub my back, and it feels nice. He clearly knows exactly what to do, even though he thinks he doesn’t. Having his support has always meant everything to me.

  I work hard to gain some composure, and pull my head back, swiping tears from my eyes. Black mascara stains my fingertips. I cry harder.

  What felt difficult to discuss a moment ago suddenly comes pouring out of me like tap water. “Matt cheated on me with the receptionist at work. I walked in on them.”

  My brother lets out a loud hiss and shoots to his feet. “Mother fucker! I’m going to pound him.” His fists are clenched at his sides. I stand up, but even though I’m five-eight, my brother towers over me at six-two.

  I touch his shoulder. “I already got him. Sucker punched him at work today.” I swipe another tear from my eye then burst out laughing as I remember Matt toppling over and holding his stomach.

  “That’s my girl.” He gives me a hug.

  I pull my head back and shake my head. “It was so not okay, Oli. I’m a grown woman. There should’ve been a better way to communicate my feelings.”

  Oli shrugs. “The guy essentially sucker punched you by cheating on you. You weren’t expecting it. You simply returned the favor.”

  I smile. My brother always makes me feel better. “Thanks. Now that you’ve explained it that way, I feel so much better,” I say sarcastically and laugh. At least I made sure there were no witnesses, especially since I work in a law firm and not on an ice rink.

  I take a seat back on the couch and tuck my feet underneath me. “Sit. I kind of need to ask you something.” I wince a little, knowing he likes his freedom.

  My brother shakes his head back and forth. “You don’t even have to ask. Why do you think this apartment has two extra rooms? You know you always have a place with me.”

  My lower lip trembles. I don’t know what’s wrong with me today. “Thanks, Oli.”

  He runs his fingers nervously through his hair, looking helpless. “Shit, is this something new? I’m not used to the teary version of you.”

  His response causes me to laugh again, and I feel a little crazy for crying and laughing in a span of a minute. “Seriously, you need a girlfriend. You need to learn about emotions,” I snicker.

  “Pfft. I have plenty of time for that. I want to enjoy my life.” He leans forward and gives me a hug. “Make arrangements with a moving company. You don’t need to face that asswad. Stay as long as you need. This is your home, too.”

  I purse my lips, trying to hold back more tears. I don’t want to turn into a bawling mess again and freak Oli out even more. “Thanks.”

  “Don’t thank me. What’s mine is yours. You know that.” He gazes at me with sad eyes. I hate that he feels sorry for me. “I think you should come to the game tonight. It’ll help clear your head,” he suggests.

  “I have a lot of work to do.” I frown. I need some alone time to grasp all the changes in my life. I moved to a new city, got a new job, and had my boyfriend cheat on me all in a span of a couple of months.

  “You’re always working hard. You need to get out and have a little fun. Come to the game. We’ll hit a bar after.” He pauses, and his brows dip together before he points at me. “Not too much drinking for you, though. You can’t handle your alcohol.” I don’t call him on it because I know he feels the need to protect me, and saying he’s acting like my father is too painful.

  I don’t want to disappoint him. “Okay,” I concede with a resigned tone, knowing full well that many people in this city would die to be in my position, receiving rink-side tickets.

  “Good. Tell that friend of yours to come if you want. I’ll let security know you’ll be meeting us by the locker rooms after the game.” He nods and yawns.

  “Thanks, Oli.” I smile at him, and he grins.

  “’Kay.” He claps his hands together. “I need to rest up a little.” He turns to walk out of the room.

  I head to my new room to decompress. After a nice long soak in the large tub, I throw on some lounge pants and a T-shirt and grab something to eat.

  Later, I put a little too much effort into the way I look. It irks me that I’m doing it because I know I will see Myles later. Butterflies swarm my stomach, and they aren’t the good kind. Too much has happened with Myles. If my brother has it in his head that we’re somehow reverting back to the Three Musketeers, he’s dead wrong.

  I’m nervous about dealing with Myles on my own, so I call Sloane.

  She finally picks up after many rings.

  “Sloane, are you okay? I was getting worried when it rang so long.” She’s permanently attached to her phone.

  “Yeah, I was just in the shower. I needed to relax after the interview.”

  “
How did it go?”

  “I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Anyway, what’s up? Did you speak to Oli? Will he let you stay?”

  “I didn’t even need to ask. He’s a good brother.”

  “Freaking amazing brother. I hate being an only child.”

  “He really is. Oli wants me to watch their home game tonight. I haven’t seen him and Myles play together since they were in the hockey league back in Canada.”

  “And since you decided Myles was the love of your life.” Sloane finishes the sentence that in a million years I would never admit to out loud.

  “Not exactly. I had a silly teenage crush. That was it. Then it was over. I’ve told you the story. Don’t make me repeat it.”

  “Why not? It’s so much fun listening to you squirm. I’ve known you a long time, and I’ve never seen a guy cause this type of reaction in you. I’m kind of jealous.”

  “He causes a negative reaction. Nothing to be jealous about. And I had a reason for calling.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Oli told me to invite you to the game tonight. Rink-side tickets.”

  It sounds like her phone falls and hits the ground before I hear a loud cheer in the background. I’m taking it she wants to come. Good. A few seconds later she picks up the phone, panting.

  “So, you’re in?” I ask, even though I don’t need confirmation.

  “Definitely.”

  “We’re going to a club after with the guys, so you may want to dress appropriately. I’m in jeans and a turtleneck sweater because most of my clothes are still at my old apartment.”

  “I feel faint,” she says dramatically. I forget I don’t lead a normal life.

  “Sloane?” I ask because the line has gone quiet.

  “Yes?” her voice is a high-pitched squeal.

  “Make sure I don’t say anything stupid around Myles tonight. He’s my past. Your job is to make sure he stays there.”

  “Sure, babe. Walk in the park,” she answers, and I want to tell her that it will be no easy feat. When we were younger, the electricity between Myles and me was combustible, and something tells me that hasn’t changed.