“Either way, I’m excited to meet someone I might actually see again. Do you know anything about her?”
We settled into an insignificant conversation about Brett’s best friend, and Gray was forgotten. A few hours later, we got to meet Lissa.
The four of us met at a little Greek restaurant downtown, and the moment I laid eyes on her, I knew why Dan had kept her around. Lissa and I were so much alike it was uncanny. Brett and Dan were like twins, and this girl and I could have passed for the same. I assumed when Brett told me where we were going it was to appease my casual style. Turned out, Dan had picked the restaurant, and it suited both me and Lissa. All the way down to her worn black Docs.
Lissa’s kind heart showed through in everything she did, from the way she watched Dan, to her touching his forearm when she recalled a story from one of their dates. But she could go toe to toe with him. When he gave her a ration of crap, she held her own. Her eyes danced in playful jest as they bantered back and forth. I’d never seen Dan with a woman who complemented him as well as Lissa did. The fact she was stunning only further helped her case.
Dan’s features never registered with me. He was my husband’s best friend since birth, and I never saw him as anything more. But tonight, standing at a bar waiting for our drinks, I took in his dark features. His inky hair was in direct contrast to his grassy green eyes. He and Brett had similarly built frames, both tall and thick, athletic and toned. They played basketball together regularly and took pride in their appearance. Lissa stood beside him with his arm draped around the waist of her jeans. They had the same fair complexion, but where I looked plain next to Brett, Lissa had fiery-red hair that gave her an exotic quality on Dan’s arm. I’d never seen hair so perfectly colored, but if it was a dye job, I desperately needed the name of her stylist. Dan could model for GAP, while Lissa was more of a Vans kind of girl—oppositely paired but perfectly matched. Our men were the epitome of fraternity, and Lissa and I were more rocker grunge—but somehow it worked.
“What are you staring at?” Brett whispered in my ear as I watched the couple interact.
Turning to him, I kissed him on the cheek before speaking close enough to him that he’d be able to hear but no one else would. “I was just noticing how beautiful she is. She’s very different from Dan.”
I prayed Dan hung on to her. I would love having another woman around to downplay the testosterone that lingered when Brett and Dan were in the same room. I refused to let myself get too attached on the first meeting, though. Time and time again, I’d met women Dan brought out, adored them, and then never saw them after.
Brett started to respond, and my phone buzzed in my pocket drawing my attention away, causing him to stop speaking. My heart ceased when I saw the familiar name on the screen. The growl that came from beside me scared me more than the name on my phone. I was afraid to open the text to see what it contained.
“What the hell does Gray want?” he barked.
I shook my head slightly and shrugged, hesitating to swipe my thumb across the glass. There was no option, I had to check the message, and Brett would see it at the same time. Unable to avoid the inevitable I bit the bullet.
Gray: It’s a done deal Bird Dog.
“What’s a Bird Dog?” he asked questioning my nickname…not the sentiment of the text.
“My nickname.” I stared at the message answering his question on auto-pilot. Had Brett not told me Gray was getting divorced, this message would have been as foreign as those he’d sent me right after he’d first gotten married again.
“What kind of nickname is Bird Dog?” He sneered, and half laughed at the same time mocking Gray’s term of endearment.
I tried to conceal my irritation with his sarcasm. While I didn’t want to be with Gray, there were still parts of our relationship that held sentimental value. With little good to cling to in the years Gray occupied in my life that was one of the few.
Luckily, before I could answer that question, he asked another. “Are you going to respond?”
“Do you want me to?” I stared up into his eyes seeing the discomfort one random text had caused. Oblivious to the people milling about around us, or the fact that Dan and Lissa were mere feet away, I couldn’t help but acknowledge the pain in his face. “Oh my God. You think because he’s single again you have something to worry about? Don’t you?” My eyes went wide with the realization—stunned.
The emotion cleared and in its place returned the man I loved waking up to. “Nope. There’s no way in hell I’d ever let you go even if I had to chain you up in the basement.”
“We don’t have a basement, Brett.” The laugh escaped without warning.
“My point exactly. Respond to him. I won’t hover.” He kissed my temple and joined his friend, leaving me standing on my own.
Gray was intentionally vague, believing it would draw me to respond. There were days I hated the level of trust Brett put in me. Not because I wasn’t worthy of it but because it would be so much simpler if he just told me not to talk to Gray. But Brett would never impose restrictions on me or the friends I kept. He expected that I’d make good decisions for our marriage. Up to this point, I always had, but the truth was, I hadn’t been in a position to have to.
My heart tugged in opposite directions, and I stood motionless in the spot he’d left me. For my own peace of mind, I needed to ensure Gray was all right, but I needed Brett to be okay with it, too. Glancing at my husband, he winked at me and nodded at my phone. The awkward smile on my lips was the only response I gave.
Me: I’m sorry to hear about your divorce. I hope you’re doing okay.
I silenced the conversation, slipped the phone back in my pocket, and went about enjoying my evening. Before the night ended, I’d felt like Lissa could become a close friend. Dan gave me every indication he believed she was here to stay when he encouraged the two of us to exchange numbers. It washed away all thoughts of Gray’s random text message. By the time we got home, Brett was so over my chattering about my new friend that he finally put something in my mouth to shut me up.
We hadn’t been intimate since the miscarriage—I’d almost forgotten how much I loved the way he touched me. He captivated my entire body and took over my mind. He showed me in every way possible just how much he’d missed me as well.
Brett left early the next morning to meet Dan for a basketball tournament at the YMCA. The league they played in held a tournament at the end of every season, and their team typically made it to the finals. This was the semi-finals, and they’d be gone most of the day.
Leaning off the side of the bed, I dug my phone out of my jeans to send him a text wishing him good luck and to tell him I loved him. I’d forgotten about silencing the conversation with Gray until I saw the red notification that glowed on the message app.
Gray: How’d you know I got divorced?
Gray: Never mind. I’m sure Brett told you.
Gray: I guess you’re busy. I thought Brett was out of town this weekend and had hoped we could talk.
Gray: Guess not.
Gray: It’s been a really hard day. Needed a friend. You’re the only person who understands.
I read his texts over and over, contemplating the best way to handle the situation, whether or not to reply. My text to Brett forgotten, my fingers hovered over the keyboard in response to Gray.
Me: I was out with Brett last night. I’m sorry to hear about your divorce. Are you doing all right?
My phone was unusually heavy in my hand, clutching it, waiting with my breath held for his response. It wasn’t the way I had anticipated his replies in the past—I wasn’t waiting with bated breath—rather, I feared his reply. The longer I waited, the more concerned I became that Gray had been alone last night. I worried about him the way I would Lynn or Scarlett—or Will. When I didn’t hear from him, I almost dialed his number but tossed my phone aside in favor of a shower. I could call Scarlett when I got out, and she could have Topher check on him.
The resp
onse came while I dried off. Wrapping a towel around my body, I sat on the edge of the bed to read his message.
Gray: Yeah, I’m okay.
Me: What happened?
Gray: You want the full story or CliffsNotes?
Me: Well, I guess since it’s text, CliffsNotes.
Gray: She’s a bitch who needs more than one cock at a time.
Me: OMG—she cheated on you?
Gray: Long story but yes. Love that you ignored her being a bitch.
Me: I knew that the day I met her.
Gray: Wish you had told me.
Me: Would it have mattered?
Gray: I guess you’re right.
Me: Gray I’m so sorry. Are you okay, really?
Gray: Yeah. Having a few beers with Topher @ Chiefs. You should have a drink with us.
Me: I don’t drink.
Gray: Is that the only thing stopping you?
Me: Gray…
Gray: Just give me an honest answer.
Me: No. It’s not the only thing stopping me but the excuse I’m going to use.
Gray: So why don’t you join us? They have things other than beer.
Me: Don’t tempt me.
Gray: I know he’s not home, so Brett’s not an excuse either. Just come out with us.
Me: I can’t.
Gray: You can’t have a drink with friends?
Me: I don’t think Brett would see you as just a friend, but I don’t think it’s appropriate.
Gray: Brett doesn’t have to know.
Me: Sorry Gray. I can’t, but I’m really sorry about the divorce. I’m around if you need to talk.
Gray: Just no talking in person?
Me: That’s not fair. What you’re asking isn’t realistic, and you know it puts me in a position that isn’t good for me or my marriage.
Gray: It’s honest.
I didn’t bother responding. I needed to know he was okay, and his being with Topher confirmed he was.
I realized I’d never sent Brett a message, so instead of typing one out, I called Lissa to see if she wanted to go down to the YMCA to watch the tournament. It would shock the crap out of Brett to see me there, and I figured it would make Dan happy to have her there supporting them as well.
To my relief, my new friend had nothing going on and was delighted to receive the invitation. An hour later, I picked her up at her adorable little cottage just outside of town.
“How did you and Brett meet?” she asked as we drove toward the YMCA.
I rolled my eyes, and she laughed. I didn’t want to get into the gory details and quickly tried to skirt that issue. “We ran into each other at Wild Wings after I had done some work at the DC he and Dan work at.”
“Aww, kind of like a second-chance at romance? That’s sweet.”
My face scrunched up when I grumbled. “Not really. I dated another one of the managers there for far longer than I care to admit. So there were some issues to deal with, but he went all out trying to win my heart.” He had. I hadn’t really thought about it in years, but Brett had absolutely wooed me while we were dating.
“Really?”
I glanced at her as I drove down the road to gauge whether she really was interested in hearing about my relationship with Brett or just being polite. She was staring at me with a curious grin on her face.
“Other than the embarrassing night on the dance floor where I was half lit and he was fighting off my ex, he’s been like a dream since the first date. He took me to that French bistro downtown, obviously unaware that Doc Martens were my shoe of choice.” My heart warmed recalling our first dinner together. “He was so engaging. So different from the men I’d dated previously—not that I had a lot to compare it to.”
“He and Dan seem like they’re cut from the same mold—but that mold doesn’t exist anymore.”
“Oh, sweetheart, Dan is good as gold, but you’re a deviation from the norm. But you know it only takes one woman to change a man. Anyway, our dates after weren’t always so formal, thank God, or I would’ve had to replace my entire wardrobe and hired a hairstylist, but they were always filled with intellectually stimulating conversation and mutual respect.” It was hard to carry on a conversation and drive. I wanted to make eye contact but feared taking my attention off the road.
“Books, current events, the opera, theater, foreign films, Brett never ceased to amaze me with his knowledge or love for the arts. I was fascinated by the things he had an interest in—things we shared in common. I was an avid reader, voracious by any account, and he rivaled my knowledge of literature; he’d seen just as many musicals and plays as I had and rattled off a list of his favorite soloists he’d seen at the symphony. He had a vast collection of foreign films and frequently attended the opera in Atlanta—neither of which I knew anything about. Time would slip away from us, and we’d find ourselves closing down restaurants or walking sidewalks long after everyone else had gone home for the evening.”
“Did that change after you guys got married?”
“Some of it I guess just out of necessity, but most of it no. The man I thought was putting on a performance was just showing me who he was. He never tried to impress me or make me believe he was something he wasn’t.”
She closed her eyes and sighed heavily. It was one of those that said, ah, that must be wonderful. And it had been, but poor Brett had gotten the short end of the stick.
“It wasn’t all perfect.”
“Sounds pretty amazing to me, Annie.”
I parked as my name left her mouth. She smiled brightly and opened the door. Once the car was locked behind us, I admitted more than I probably should have to a virtual stranger. “He’s a saint, Lissa.”
She stopped on the sidewalk waiting for me to offer more information.
“I had gotten out of a really bad relationship and before I ran back into Brett, I kind of made a pact with myself that I wouldn’t have sex for the first year of a relationship if I got back into one.”
Her hand landed on my forearm and she tipped her head so her sunglasses fell exposing her eyes. “You didn’t follow through with that, right?”
I snorted I laughed so hard. “Yeah, I did. And I have no clue how I managed to hold on to him during that time other than some serious petting.”
I’m not sure Lissa believed me, but she didn’t ask any more questions. We walked into the YMCA arm in arm like old friends when she finally stopped laughing at me, and we spent the afternoon eating junk food from the concession stand and hooting and hollering at our men like high school Harriets. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had so much fun or acted so immature.
Brett and Dan’s team won another round, meaning they’d play again tomorrow in the finals. Lissa and I made plans to meet for brunch before coming to cheer the boys on, and she left with a sweaty, and an obviously horny, Dan. I laughed watching them together before turning to Brett.
“You played great, babe. And you know how much I love seeing you after a good workout.” I teased his lips with my own, trying to entice him into a little foreplay before we got in our respective cars.
Standing next to my car, Brett tugged me into him abruptly and stuffed his hands into the back pockets of my jeans, just before he kissed me breathless. He broke away when my phone buzzed in my jeans. He gave it to me when he pulled it from my pocket, but not before noticing the name on the screen. Fucking Gray would be the death of me.
“Is this becoming a regular thing?” he asked, but I couldn’t decipher if it was humor or irritation.
There was no way in hell I was lying to Brett or avoiding the truth. I had done nothing wrong, and I wouldn’t let him believe I had. I refused to let Gray take me down in a blaze of glory.
“He sent me several messages last night, but I didn’t get them until this morning. I responded to make sure he was doing all right, but that was it. You’re welcome to read them if you’d like.” I held out the phone, but he shook his head.
“I trust you, sweetheart. I just don�
��t want you getting bogged down in his quagmire of shit. Let’s go home. We can talk more there.”
I nodded my head and said, “I had every intention of telling you I’d spoken with him but didn’t want to ruin the high of your win. I need you to know that.”
He kissed my forehead and then opened my door. “I believe you.”
Chapter Seven
Annie
I’d been on such a high yesterday with Brett’s game and hanging out with Lissa, Lynn’s showing up this morning brought me crashing down. We’d made plans earlier in the week to take the dreaded monthly pregnancy test, but somehow it didn’t feel right without Brett. Or maybe I didn’t want to face the disappointment without him. I never understood how women said they knew until now—now I understood. I knew I wasn’t pregnant and didn’t need to pee on a stick for confirmation.
“You’re really not going to do it?” Lynn asked, miffed.
“What’s the point?” This had become harder each month that ended with the same answer.
“Maybe this is the month? You guys haven’t been trying that long.”
I glared at my friend—time was relative. A year may not seem like much in her world, but it was an eternity in mine. I knew what she meant, but that wasn’t the way my heart wanted to take it. As sweetly as I could muster, I responded, “You’re right. It hasn’t been the years many people try, but I’ve now had two miscarriages, and a doctor telling me it’s unlikely I’ll get pregnant. So why continue torturing myself?”
Lynn shrugged and offered me a weak smile. There wasn’t much to say.
“I’m sorry, Lynn. I—”
“Don’t apologize. It’s not a big deal. I’ll leave the test with you, so it’s here if you change your mind.” She rubbed my forearm to pacify me as she spoke. I’d hurt her feelings, but she wasn’t going to admit it. “Do you want me to hang around?”
“It’s up to you. I’m meeting up with Dan’s new girlfriend in an hour or so for their basketball game. Do you want to go with us?”
Before she could answer the question, my phone vibrated in my pocket. Gray.
“What the hell does he want?” Her tone was indicative of her unhappiness seeing his name on my screen.
Freed (Bound Duet Book 2) Page 11
