Lover's Roulette, (Forever and Always #6)

by Todd, E. L.

  “What can I get you to drink?” he asked.

  “Nope. It’s not going to happen.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Did I miss something…?”

  “You aren’t going to pay for my drink. I can get it, Cortland.”

  He rolled his eyes. “I hate how all three of you are these crazy feminists. Just let us do something for you once in a while. How can we be dreamy if we aren’t allowed to show any chivalry?”

  “Chivalry is good. You three are over the top.”

  “You shouldn’t be complaining. Most guys out there are just assholes. Maybe you should appreciate us more.”

  “I didn’t mean it like that. You’re just a bit strong sometimes.”

  “Well, that’s who I am. I’m not going to change for anyone.”

  “I’m not either.”

  “Then why do you expect me to?”

  He had a point. “Tusche.”

  “Not let me buy you a fucking drink.”

  “We’re going to keep having this same argument forever, aren’t we?”

  He looked at me then glanced at the bartender. “The lady will have a cosmo.”

  “How did you know that’s what I wanted?”

  He shrugged. “I know you. So where’s Sean?”

  I felt my cheeks redden. “Asleep.”

  He laughed. “I bet he is. You didn’t do it on the plane this time.”

  “Oh he wanted to.”

  “So, Sean and Monnique are sleeping and Ryan and Janice are…fucking, I’m sure. It looks like it’s just you and me for a while.”

  “We don’t need them,” I said as I took the drink from the bartender.

  “We haven’t spent much time together.”

  I looked away. “I’m sorry about that.”

  “Don’t apologize. Sean seems to be okay now.”

  “I had to beg him.”

  “I think he’s giving his best effort. He doesn’t look like he wants to kill me every second of the day. How did you convince him?”

  “I begged and gave him some mind-blowing sex.”

  He nodded. “Good tactics.”

  “I told him how important you were to me.”

  “You’re lucky he loves you so much. I’m not sure what I would do if Ryan said he slept with Monnique.”

  “Well, that would just be awkward.”

  “But I don’t think I would have been as livid as Sean was.”

  “He was more upset that I lied to him, even though he was hurt by you fucking me. He thinks you took advantage of me.”

  “Well, I did.”

  “Not really.”

  “This sounds like another argument we’re going to have forever.”

  “Then just agree with me.”

  “You would be a horrible lawyer. Stunts like that wouldn’t hold up in court.”

  “That’s what my tits are for.”

  “To flash the jury?”

  “And the judge.”

  “Classy.”

  “Whatever works.”

  “It probably would. You have nice tits.”

  “Thanks. Sean is a bit obsessed with them.”

  “I don’t blame him. They are definitely something to fantasize about. I like Monnique’s rack, but her ass is another story.”

  “So you aren’t a boob man?”

  “With Monnique I’m an ass man—all the way.”

  “The nickname makes perfect sense.”

  Cortland looked over my shoulder. “Mike’s here.”

  “Where’s everyone else?” he asked as he sat next to me. He looked at the bartender. “Scotch on the rocks.” He turned to me. “Well?”

  “Sean is asleep and so is Monnique.”

  “It’s like seven.”

  I shrugged. “What can I say? I rocked his world.”

  Mike smiled then took a drink. “And the other two?”

  Cortland pulled out his phone. “I called him a few times but he didn’t answer.”

  “So he’s going to fall asleep soon too.” Mike looked up at the television and watched it. There was a college basketball game on.

  “I say we get started without them,” Cortland said as he returned the phone to his pocket.

  “Now we’re talking,” Mike said. “I say we hit the strip club.”

  “And what am I supposed to do?” I asked.

  “Learn a few tips for your wedding night.”

  “I know how to get my husband in the mood without acting like a stripper.”

  “I’m just trying give some friendly advice.”

  “Ryan has a stripper pole in his bedroom,” Cortland said.

  “What?” I asked, shocked.

  Mike nodded. “That guy’s alright!”

  “Apparently, Janice knows how to work it,” Cortland added.

  “That sounds like something Ryan would do,” I said.

  Mike slammed his hand on the table. “Damn, I wish he was single. He seems like a perfect person to pick up chicks with.”

  “You can’t do it by yourself?” I teased.

  “It’s easier to attack the herd with another predator.”

  Cortland took a drink of his beer then wiped the foam from his upper lip. “I want to get one so Monnique can give me a private show.”

  “Sean and I aren’t doing that,” I said.

  “Why?” Mike asked. “I could show you how.”

  “You’re lucky I know you’re joking,” I said.

  “Or am I?” he said as he winked at me.

  “Wanna hit the tables?” Cortland asked.

  “Let’s go,” I said as I downed the rest of my glass.

  Cortland dropped the cash on the table before I could reach for my purse. Instead of arguing with him, I let it go. We walked onto the floor and heard the sound of the slot machines, money falling into the trays, and the sound of people shouting excitedly when they won the hand.

  “I’m heading for the blackjack table,” Mike said as he walked away.

  Cortland sat down at a poker table with two other guys. I stood beside him while he played a few hands. Cortland was pretty good at it. He lost two-hundred bucks but he won three-hundred.

  “When you’re up more than fifty bucks, that’s when you walk away,” Cortland as he walked from the table. When we looked at Mike, he was chatting with some blond at the table. We decided to give him some space.

  “So, how are you feeling about the wedding?” Cortland asked as we sat at the bar in the casino.

  “Good.”

  He chuckled. “Whenever you’re short with me, I know something’s bothering you.”

  “I’m just worried my mom might make an appearance.”

  He didn’t say anything but I knew he was curious.

  “My mom was abusive to Ryan and I after my father died. She’s an alcoholic and a horrible person. She took the money my father saved for our college tuitions and basically cut us off completely. When she was drunk she was abusive, physically and verbally. Ryan protected me as much as he could, taking a lot of hits. He helped me study for the SAT so I could get into a good college and get away from there. That was why he opened his shop so quickly. He had to get out.”

  Cortland didn’t say anything for a long time, just staring at me. I could tell he was uncomfortable. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s okay. We’re fine now.”

  “But I don’t understand why she would come to your wedding if she wasn’t invited.”

  “When Sean won our money back I know my mom wasn’t happy about it. She doesn’t know where I live so coming to the wedding is her best chance to confront me.”

  He nodded. “I understand now.”

  “Yeah.”

  He placed his hand over mine and held it. “It hurts me to know you had such a horrible childhood. You both hide it pretty well, but I can see the pain when you talk about it. Now I know why Ryan had no family when you were gone. He would rather be alone than see your mom.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well
, at least you never have to deal with her shit again. If she came to the wedding, I would do everything I could to make her leave.”

  “I know.”

  His hand still held mine on the table. It was warm and soft, making me forget about the horrible flashbacks that just shot across my mind.

  I wanted to change the subject. “When are you going to ask her to marry you?”

  He shrugged. “I haven’t decided. Her mom’s passing is still painful for her. I think I should wait.”

  “That’s true. It would probably be best.”

  “Yeah.”

  “You have the ring?”

  “No. I’m still looking.”

  “Let me know if you need help. I know Sean had mine customized. You could ask him for advice too.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind since he doesn’t hate me anymore—or hate me as much.”

  “It’ll get better as time goes on. He’ll probably be back to normal after we get married. That way he’ll know I’m not going to take off.”

  “He doesn’t know that already?”

  “He’s still insecure because of all the bad things he’s done to me.”

  He shook his head. “If you haven’t let him yet, I would assume you never would.”

  “I never will but he doesn’t see it that way.”

  “We can be our own worst critic.”

  “I forgave him but he can’t forgive himself.”

  Cortland released my hand and leaned back in his chair. “So, should we call them?”

  “No need.” Sean sat in the chair next to me and grabbed my hand.

  I flinched because I didn’t know he was there. Had he been listening the whole time? “Hey. Did you sleep well?”

  “Until I realized you weren’t there.” He nodded to Cortland. “Where’s yours?”

  “She’s asleep too. I’m too much for her in the sack.”

  I laughed. “I highly doubt that. Not with an ass like that.”

  “Are you checking out my girlfriend’s ass?” Cortland asked.

  “It’s hard not to miss it,” I said.

  “I sneaked a peek too,” Sean said.

  Cortland looked at him but didn’t respond to his comment.

  I immediately recognized Sean’s intent. It was a direct jab at Cortland.

  “She has a nice rack too,” Sean added.

  “Knock it off, Sean,” I said as I grabbed his forearm.

  “What?” he asked. “It’s not like I’ve seen them or anything.” He kept looking at Cortland, daring him to say something. “Or fucked her.”

  Cortland clenched his fists on the table but kept his words from escaping his mouth.

  “Sean, I mean it,” I said.

  “What? I was just giving a compliment. She’s just a friend that I’d like to fuck at her lowest point.”

  I looked at Cortland. “Could you excuse us for a moment?”

  Without a word, he stood up and walked away.

  I turned on Sean. “I’m this close to slapping you across the face.”

  He didn’t meet my look.

  “Sean, look at me.”

  He said nothing.

  “What the hell was that about?”

  “I saw him holding your hand. It just pissed me off.”

  “Seriously? That set you off?”

  “How would you feel if you walked into my office and I was holding hands with Maria, that slut I used to work with?”

  I met his gaze and saw the anger in his eyes.

  “How is that any different? Even if I never slept with her?”

  I knew he had a point. “Sean, it meant nothing. I was telling him about my mom and he was trying to comfort me.”

  His eyes widened. “You were telling him about her? You haven’t even told me.”

  I saw the hurt in his eyes. “I didn’t go into detail. I just said the abridged version so he would understand what was going on.”

  He shook his head. “Am I your best friend? Am I?”

  “Of course.”

  “Or is it him? You can’t have both.”

  “Sean, it’s you. It’s always been you.”

  “I’m making an effort to be friends with Cortland because he means so much to you, but I’m not going to do this if he means more to you than I do. So pick. Him or me?”

  “What kind of question is that?”

  “Who’s your best friend? Who’s the person who gets to hold your hand? The person that gets to marry you?”

  “You. Of course it’s you.”

  “Then I’m tired of sharing you. I trust you so you can be friends with him, but I don’t want you holding his hand or telling him something so personal that you won’t even tell me. That just hurts, Scarlet.”

  “Like I said, I didn’t tell him anything.”

  He looked away but the anger was still in his eyes.

  “But you’re right. I won’t hold his hand or be affectionate at all, other than hugging each other goodbye.”

  “It’s ridiculous that I even have to ask you that. I don’t go around holding hands with my girlfriends, girls that I’ve fucked.”

  “You’re right.”

  “I know I am.”

  “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

  He sighed, running his hands through his hair. “I’m sorry I snapped. I just exploded. I just don’t want you to be physical with him like that. I don’t care if you talk to him, spend time with him, or call him. I just don’t want you touching him.”

  “Done.”

  “Thank you. I’m sorry for yelling.”

  “I’m not the one you should apologize to.”

  He sighed. “I know. It just came out. I didn’t mean to be such an asshole.”

  “Tell him that.”

  “I will.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You still love me?”

  I shrugged. “I guess.”

  He smiled. “Why didn’t you sleep with me?”

  “I wasn’t tired.”

  “I don’t like sleeping without you.”

  “We have our whole lives, dear.”

  “That’s not long enough.”

  I rose from the chair. “I’ll get Cortland. You have some apologizing to do.”

  “Okay,” he said with a sigh.

  I walked across the casino until I saw him standing by a poker table. My first instinct was to grab his arm, but I stopped myself. “Cortland?”

  He looked at me, annoyance in his eyes. “Yeah?”

  “Sean wants to talk to you.”

  “Good for him.”

  “Cortland, he wants to apologize.”

  He looked away and stared at the table.

  “Come with me, please.”

  He sighed then followed me back to the table. He sat across from us and looked in the lobby.

  Sean took a deep breath then leaned forward. “I take back what I said. I was being an asshole and I apologize. I was just angry that you were holding Scarlet’s hand and I wanted to make you feel like shit. I love Monnique and respect her. I don’t look at her in that way. Scarlet is the only woman who has my attention.”

  Cortland drummed his fingers on the table for a long time before he sighed. “Okay.”

  “You accept his apology?” I asked.

  “Yeah, just don’t do it again. You can say whatever you want to me, but don’t ever disrespect my girl like that.”

  “Deal,” Sean said. “I just don’t want you touching Scarlet anymore. You can hug her, but don’t hold her hand or put your arm around her. It makes me uncomfortable.”

  “I won’t. My affection was purely platonic.”

  “It doesn’t matter. It still bothers me.”

  “Okay. I won’t.”

  “Thank you.”

  I looked at both of them. “Are we finally done with this?”

  “I’m willing to be friends if he is,” Sean said.

  “Me too,” Cortland said.

  “Good,” I said. “So let’s move
on—for real.”

  Sean extended his hand and Cortland shook it.

  Sean looked at me. “Would you have really slapped me?”

  “Definitely.”

  He smirked. “Maybe I should keep it up, then.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You’re into some kinky shit.”

  “With you I am.”

  “Should I leave?” Cortland asked with a smile.

  “No,” I said.

  Cortland looked at his phone, checking the time. “This is just ridiculous. I feel like we’re fifty years old.”

  I stood up. “I’ll get her. She probably needs help picking out an outfit.”

  “I can help her with that,” Cortland said.

  I placed my hands on my hips. “Then she would never get dressed.”

  He smiled. “I like it natural.”

  I looked at the two men. “You two play nice while I’m gone.” I gave Sean a stern look.

  “We’ll be fine,” Cortland said with a nod.

  I stared at them for another moment before I walked away. The drama between them was getting old. I was marrying Sean so the entire situation should be resolved. I wasn’t sure why Sean was so upset about it. I understand the hurt he feels, but it doesn’t explain everything. I wanted to ask but I knew I should just let it go. Hopefully that was the last time the drama would flare up.

  4

  Sean

  Cortland avoided my gaze and watched the people in the lobby. The noise from the machines was irritating when I concentrated on the sound. Every time the bar was pulled on the slot machine, it made music that sounded like it belonged in a circus. Waitresses walked by with their drinks on trays and handed it to the people who were gambling, emptying their pockets. I wasn’t much of a gambling man, more of an investor. And if I did hit the casino, I strictly played cards because the game was actually enjoyable. Slot machines were just boring. It didn’t require any intellectual ability. Perhaps that was why stupid people lost their savings so often.

  I looked at Cortland but he still didn’t meet my gaze. “I want to ask you something.”

  He sighed as he turned his gaze on me. “I knew this wasn’t over.”

  “I just want to clear something up.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Do you love her?”