He tried to laugh, but it came out as a broken sound instead, as though he was still fighting for breath. “Damn, girl. You nearly did me in.”
When he would have climbed off of me, I did something I never thought I would—closed my arms around his neck and held him tight. I whispered in his ear, “Thank you.”
“For what?” he asked, his lips against my ear.
“For getting me. For making me feel safe. I needed that.” More than I’d realized.
“Making you feel safe is my job now,” he said, smiling to soften the words. “And I take my work very seriously.”
I didn’t want him to feel responsible for me, but I loved that he cared. “I’m not your problem,” I said, feeling the need to regain some of the ground I’d lost when I surrendered to my feelings for him. “And I can take care of myself.”
He rolled onto his side, propping his head in his hand as he looked down at me. “I’ve never consider you a problem, Lace. Being with you is a privilege. And I feel honored that you trusted me enough to let me in last night.”
“And again today?” I joked, trying to add a little humor to a conversation that suddenly felt too real.
“Seriously,” he said, flattening his palm against my stomach. “I know that couldn’t have been easy for you, and I just want you to know that it means a lot to me.”
I bit my lip, wondering how to respond. I was used to deflecting when a guy talked about his feelings, but I didn’t want to do that with York, so I was left confused and uncertain.
“I’ll be right back,” he whispered before heading to the bathroom, presumably to deal with the condom.
When he returned, he studied me, looking concerned before he laid down beside me. “Tell me what you’re thinking.” He ran a fingertip over the crease between my eyebrows. “You look so serious, as though you have the weight of the world on your shoulders.”
“I kind of do,” I admitted. “Not only is my ex out of prison, but you’re in my life now, and I’m just trying to process it all.”
“I get that.” He leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to my lips. “But you don’t have to figure us out. We’ll work out the kinks over time, I’m sure.”
He made it sound so easy, but in my experience, relationships were anything but easy. They were messy and complicated and often scary.
“Do you want to tell me about him?” When I looked away, York said, “You don’t have to, but—”
“I met him in high school,” I said, fixating on the wall-to-wall windows facing the south side of his expansive property. “He seemed like a good guy at first. A little misguided, maybe. But he had a tough upbringing, just like I did.”
“So you could relate?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
I smiled when he threaded his hand through mine, and I knew that was his way of lending his support as I talked about another trying time in my life. I felt as though that was all I did with him—whine about my past. That was so unlike me, since I rarely complained about anything. I’d learned a long time ago that life didn’t owe me a damn thing I didn’t have the guts to earn.
“He was my first real boyfriend. I’d slept with guys before, but he was the first person to really care about me.” I remembered how attentive Jordan had been at the start of relationship, when he was still filled with hope about the kind of future we could have. “He was a musician, in a garage band all through high school. They were convinced they were going to make it big.”
“Sounds like every kid who can play a guitar. They’re all gonna be superstars, right?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“When did you two get married?”
“Right out of high school.” I sighed. “Coop was living on his own by then, already working as a cop, and Ash got a football scholarship out of state.”
“So it was just you and your mom at home?”
“And whatever man she’d shacked up with.” Admitting how promiscuous my mother had been was embarrassing, but I didn’t want to hide anything from him. Either he was going to accept me, warts and all, or he wouldn’t. Either way, I had to know for sure.
“I bet you couldn’t wait to get out of there, huh?”
“That’s why I married him, I guess.” I wasn’t proud to admit I’d been looking for an out and Jordan provided it. I wanted York to see me as a strong and independent woman who could stand on her own two feet, which I was now. But I hadn’t been then. I’d just been a scared kid who wanted someone to be there for me.
“That’s understandable,” he said. “Sounds like he was a little lost too. You helped each other.”
“Yeah, but things went downhill when the band broke up and he realized making it in the music business wasn’t going to be as easy as he thought. Before long, I was out busting my ass, trying to keep a roof over our heads and food in the fridge, while he laid around all day feeling sorry for himself.”
“How long did that go on?”
“Too long.” I was ashamed to admit I'd stayed with him longer than I should have. Long after I’d stopped loving him and knew the marriage was over. But I had been scared. Scared to leave him. Scared to be on my own. Scared of what he might do when I told him it was over.
York pulled me into his arms, tucking my head under his chin as he stroked my hair. “But you got out, babe. That’s all that matters. He’s out of your life, and he can’t hurt you anymore.”
He wasn’t asking any more questions about what had happened during the final days of our marriage or whether my husband had been abusive, and I was grateful. I wasn’t ready to talk about that. In the past twelve hours, I’d already told him more about that period of my life than I’d told a therapist during our first several sessions.
After kissing my forehead, he said, “Why don’t you grab a shower while I make us some breakfast? Do you have to work today?”
“Not until this afternoon,” I said, glancing at the clock behind him. It read 8:12, which meant I could hang out a little longer, unless he had somewhere else to be. “Do you have to train this morning?”
“That can wait ‘til this afternoon. Our trainer takes weekends off, so it’ll just be me and Ace anyhow. And since he’s probably still with Rachel—”
“Oh my God!” I said, sitting up as I flattened my hand against his chest, pinning him to the mattress. “Did you text him to make sure he was staying with her at our apartment?”
“Yes, he did,” York said, smiling as he drew me in for a kiss. “I love how much you care about other people.”
“I’d never forgive myself if something happened to Rachel because of me.” I didn’t have many close friends since I tended to keep people at arm’s length, but my roommate had broken down most of my walls, working her way into my heart without even trying.
“Nothing’s going to happen to her or you,” he said fiercely. “I can promise you that.”
I tapped his chest as I slid to the edge of the bed. “You sound like you do on those TV interviews when you talk about crushing your opponent. I always thought you were sexy when you made threats like that.”
He gripped my waist before I could get out of bed. “That’s just my work. Sure, I take it seriously and I want to win. But this is my life, and there’s a hell of a lot more at stake here than money and accolades.”
“I know. Thanks for saying that.” I touched his cheek, appreciating that he cared enough to let me know that what was happening between us mattered to him. Maybe even more than what happened in that cage.
I felt his eyes on me as I walked away, so I looked over my shoulder and winked at him. “Feel free to join me in the shower.”
***
York
Wes called my name after slamming the front door. A reminder that I needed to get my key back from him.
I scrambled to find my pants so I could meet him in the kitchen instead of inviting him into my bedroom. I didn’t think Lacy would want him to know we’d slept together, and guarding her privacy was more important tha
n answering to my little brother.
“Gimme a minute!” I yelled, swearing when I realized I’d have to cross the room to grab a pair of sweats from the drawer.
Wes rounded the corner at the same time Lacy opened the bathroom door. Stark naked and dripping wet. Shit.
“Whoa—” Wes said, pretending to cover his eyes, but not before he took a good long look at Lacy.
She squealed, slamming the door.
“Son of a bitch,” I said, glaring at him. “Who do you think you are, letting yourself into my house like you own the goddamn place?” Holding out my hand, I said, “Give me my key back. Now!”
He grinned as he tossed the key at me. “That is one seriously sweet piece of ass, brother-man. Nicely done.”
“Shut the fuck up.”
“What’s the problem?” Wes asked, leaning against the doorframe. “Not as good as you thought she would be?”
I gritted my teeth, reminding myself he was family, so I couldn’t beat him senseless. “She’s perfect. And mortified, thanks to you. Would you get the hell out of here so I can put some pants on?”
“Sure, I’ll start breakfast.”
“No one asked you to stay for breakfast,” I called after him.
I was sure that was exactly what Lacy would want, to sit across the breakfast table from the stranger who’d just seen her naked. Fuck my life.
Chapter Ten
Lacy
After the initial shock and embarrassment of being caught in my birthday suit by York’s brother wore off, I quickly warmed up to Wes. He was hilarious, making sport of ribbing his brother, which I thought was cute. My brothers had a similar relationship. I felt at home with them, as though I was part of their inner circle.
“Wait ‘til the old man meets her,” Wes said, sliding a stack of buttered toast in my direction. “He’ll be all over you about settling down.”
I smiled at York’s reaction. It was the first time I’d ever seen him blush. “Your dad wants you to get married?” I asked, gripping his thigh under the table.
“He wants more grandchildren,” York said, rolling his eyes. “A grandson, specifically. One he can take to ball games. Now that he’s retired, he has way too much time on his hands.”
“You said your sister has a daughter, right?” I asked, looking from Wes to York.
“Yeah, but the guy she was engaged to left her just after Hayley was born,” Wes said, sounding bitter as he snapped a piece of crispy bacon in half. “She should have known better than to have a kid with him, if you ask me. He’s always been a loser.”
York shrugged. “It wasn’t our call, man. You know that. Brit makes her own decisions.”
Alternating between bites of toast and forkfuls of scrambled eggs, Wes asked, “Your brothers ever try to prevent you from getting mixed up with some asshole, Lacy?”
I glanced at York, who was frowning at his brother, before he said, “Mind your own goddamn business.”
“Hey,” Wes said, raising his fork as his gaze traveled between us. “What the hell did I say?”
“Nothing,” I said, offering him a reassuring smile. “Um, yeah, my brothers have always been pretty protective of me.” More so now.
“So are they giving you a hard time about this guy?” he asked, nodding toward York. “’Cause I wouldn’t blame them if they were. Trust me, I’ve known him all my life. Nothing but trouble.”
I laughed when York scowled at Wes and said, “Why don’t you go eat breakfast at the diner and leave us the hell alone?”
“You’re supposed to go with me to see Dad today, remember?” Wes asked. “We’re gonna take him out for lunch.”
“Shit, I forgot about that,” York said, checking his watch. “And I’ve got to train with Ace this afternoon.”
“It’s okay,” I said, touching his arm. “Go grab a shower while I clean up here. If you could just drop me at home before you go and see your dad, that would be great.”
“Why don’t you bring her along?” Wes suggested. “You know Dad would love to meet her. After that last gold digger you hooked up with, he’s started questioning your judgment.”
I was sure York could read the panic on my face when I said, “Um, I don’t think we’re there yet, Wes. Meeting each other’s parents is a pretty big deal, and your brother and I haven’t known each other all that long.”
“Oh yeah, sure,” Wes said, shooting a look at York. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to overstep.”
“What else is new?” York asked as he stood, tossing his napkin on the table. “I’ll be back in a bit, Lace. If this guy gives you a hard time, feel free to throw him out. It won’t hurt my feelings in the least.”
But I was worried I had hurt York’s feelings by refusing to meet his father. I knew that family was important to him and his dad had clearly been a better parent than my mom had ever been, but I wasn’t ready to take on the role of his girlfriend just yet.
When we heard York close the door to his bedroom, Wes leaned back in his chair, studying me. “I know this is none of my business, but are you really into him, or are you just having fun?”
I didn’t think having fun would be possible in my current state of mind, but being with York did make me forget about my troubles for a while. “Things are complicated, Wes.” I understood his concern for his brother, especially after York’s last relationship, but I wasn’t going to bare my soul to a stranger. “Just know that I like your brother a lot.”
“Way to evade the question.” He crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes. “You’re beautiful, smart, tough, and from what I can tell, cynical. You’ve been burned before?”
I didn’t want to talk about Jordan, but I wasn’t willing to shut Wes down either. If I was going to continue seeing York, I wanted to be on friendly terms with his brother. “My last boyfriend cheated on me, so I know what York is going through. It isn’t easy to put yourself out there again after you’ve been hurt.”
“No, it isn’t.” He sighed, shaking his head. “He’s a really good guy, Lacy. He’d give the shirt off his back to a friend in need, and I know he may come across as this badass who doesn’t give a shit about anything or anyone, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
“I can see that he’s a good guy,” I said, thinking about how good he’d been to me in the short time we’d known each other. “And you don’t have to worry, I have no intention of hurting him.” If I can help it.
“Did he tell you about what happened to our mom?”
I nodded, offering him a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been for you, growing up without her.”
“The old man really stepped up,” Wes said, rubbing his jaw. “I don’t know what the hell we would have done without him.” He smiled. “York always promised Dad that if he ever made it big, he’d take care of him. And he made good on that promise. Before I started making real money, York started cashing in on his fights. He trained like a beast, and the whole time, he had his eye on the prize.”
“The championship,” I said, imagining how hard it must have been for him to achieve that goal.
“No, that was never his goal.” Wes chuckled. “You’d think so, but it wasn’t. The only thing that mattered to him was being able to do right by Dad. He was finally able to buy him a house and a car, which allowed Dad to retire. I’ve never seen my brother happier than when he handed Dad those keys.”
Damn, if I hadn’t already been falling for him, that story would have convinced me. “That’s so nice.”
“He’d never tell you that himself. He doesn’t like to take credit for any of his good deeds. I just thought you should know the kind of man you’ve got a chance with.”
“I’m not going to take him for granted or use him, if that’s what you’re worried about.” I felt Wes’s love and concern, but I wasn’t offended by his subtle warning. I would have felt the same way if I saw one of my brothers falling hard for a woman and I couldn’t figure out her intentions.
&nb
sp; “I’m just not sure that I’ve seen him as hung up on a woman as he is on you.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “That means you could be the best or worst thing that ever happened to him, depending on how this plays out.”
“And that scares you?”
“Hell, yeah. I don’t want to see him get hurt. After what went down with Michelle, he swore off women for a while.”
I wondered about the woman he’d been with the night he drunk dialed me. “Except for hook-ups?”
“Well, yeah,” Wes said, smirking. “He is a guy.”
I nodded, understanding perfectly. I’d grown up with two guys just like York, who’d had no problem separating love and sex.
“What kind of bullshit has he been feeding you?” York asked, curling his arms around me from behind.
I jumped, laughing self-consciously when I realized he’d probably overheard part of our conversation. “Hey, I didn’t hear you come in.”
When he kissed my neck, I closed my eyes, inhaling the spicy scent of the same body wash I’d lathered myself with in the shower.
“Sorry,” I said, standing. “I promised to clean up, but Wes and I got to talking.”
“No problem,” York said, stacking the plates. “I can take care of that.”
In spite of his protests, Wes and I both helped with the clean-up, and we were all out the door twenty minutes later. On the short drive to my apartment, we talked about music, alternating between different radio stations until we all found songs we liked. We were laughing as we pulled into my parking lot, but my amusement died when I spotted a black car with tinted windows parked at the curb in front of my building.
Obviously York noticed it too because he jumped out of the truck, telling his brother he was going to walk me upstairs.
“You think it’s him?” York asked, leaning in close to me as he gripped my hand while we both tried to get a look at the person or people in the running car.
“I don’t know,” I said, my heart hammering. I knew so little about Jordan’s life now. I didn’t know if he had friends on the outside or whether he’d kept in touch with any of the people we used to know when we were a couple. I practically sprinted to the door. “I just want to get upstairs and make sure Rachel’s okay. I didn’t see Ace’s truck in the parking lot. Did you?”
Drunk Dial (Hard Core #1) (Hard Core Series) Page 10
