Building Faith (Long Beach Series Book 2)

by Dani Matthews

  “I think we need to think things over before we decide where we're going with this,” Ace says with a hint of finality in his tone.

  “I think that would be best,” I agree.

  “In the meantime, let's keep things as they are. We'll still hang. You down with that?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Faith

  I'm nervous as I get ready Friday night. The entire group is going to a club, and this is the first time Ace and I would be seeing each other since our conversation the other night. I still haven't made up my mind what I want to do, and I wonder if Ace has.

  As I'm slipping into a cobalt blue mini dress, I hear my phone chirp where I'd last tossed it on my bed. I struggle to pull the material down over my ribs and then past my hips. When I'm satisfied all is where it's supposed to be, I grab the phone off the bed. It's a text message from Ace. Are you coming to the club tonight?

  I quickly text back, yes.

  I'm going to keep my distance because of Caleb.

  My heart sinks, and my excitement from earlier deflates. I had been hoping to spend time with him, but considering what's going on between us, I guess I can see how it would make sense not to give Caleb anything to be suspicious about.

  With a soft sigh, I drop down on the bed and text back that I understand. I set the phone aside and gaze down at Daisy, who's been sitting on the floor watching me for the past few minutes. I think she's realizing I'm leaving, and she's probably hoping that she can stare me down with some kitty mojo and make me stay.

  “I don't know, Daisy. Everything made sense up until that incident at Ace's. Now nothing is for sure, and I feel like no matter what I decide, it's going to be the wrong choice,” I tell her. She perks up at her name and takes it as an invitation to hop up on the bed to rub up against my thigh. I reach down and pet her with a smile. “Guys are complicating. I'm glad you're female.”

  * * *

  I'm beyond miserable.

  “Here, you need this more than I do,” Zoey announces as she shoves yet another shot in my hand.

  I've thrown all caution to the wind and allowed myself to consume alcohol tonight. Justin is my past. If I want to drink, I can drink. I throw back the shot and this time manage not to cough.

  Zoey peers at me from where she sits next to me. “We need to get you buzzin'. You're too sober. Why don't we go dance,” she suggests as she tugs on my arm, trying to pull me out of the booth we'd snagged at the club. It's just us right now since Caleb went to get more drinks, and everyone else is dancing. The only reason Zoey's not out there is because of me. The minute I'd said I'd hold the table, she'd sat down next to me. She then cheerfully held down a conversation between me, her, and Caleb for as long as she could.

  I know I should go dance or do something. I've felt Caleb's eyes on me since we'd arrived, and I'm pretty sure he can tell my heart isn't really into being here. Maybe if Ace wasn't dancing with every available female, I'd be having a better time. Just the thought of him has my heart aching.

  I hide my thoughts and smile brightly at Zoey. “I think I need more alcohol before I can get my groove on.”

  Not really, but it's a good excuse for not going out on the dance floor where Ace is at.

  “One more, then you should be good or you're going to wake up with your head in the toilet tomorrow,” Zoey warns before she stands up and saunters away.

  I'm alone now, and I guess I'm in the mood for more torture. My eyes automatically shift to where I'd seen Ace last. Sure enough, he's still dancing with the gorgeous redhead. The way she acts and touches him has me thinking that she knows him intimately. Her touch is familiar with a hint of possessiveness to it. My eyes drift over her enviously. She's stunning with a perfect figure and perfect breasts. She's confident, too.

  Everything I'm not.

  I watch Ace's hand slide over her butt, his lips quirking up in that familiar sexy grin of his. His gaze is completely focused on her while they grind, and I feel tears sting the backs of my eyes. Now I know what I should have done the other night when we'd tried to sort things out. I should have told him then and there that whatever is going on between us is worth fighting for—even if it puts our friendship on the line. I now realize that I can't watch him with other women—not when I've had his hands on my body. I've had a taste of what it could be like, and I can't go back to the way it used to be.

  I draw in a deep breath and look down at the table as I try to pull myself together. If I can't have him the way I want, then I can't watch the other women get what I crave. It'd be torture. Either way I look at it, our friendship is probably over. I have to walk away now if we can't take our relationship to the next level before my heart ends up shredded to itty bitty pieces. And if we do try and it fails, I still lose him.

  “Where's Zoey?”

  I start slightly and glance at Caleb. He's standing beside the table and placing multiple drinks where the others had been sitting. The flashing strobe lights above the dance floor cast flickering shadows across his face. “She went to go get me another drink.”

  Caleb glances at the two empty shot glasses in front of me. He frowns disapprovingly. “I don't think you should have anymore, or you're going to end up with a hangover.”

  “You know, I think I'm going to go home,” I announce as I rise to my feet. I need to end the torture and just go to bed.

  “Wait, you're leaving?” Caleb steps closer to me, putting a hand on my arm. “You okay, Faith?” He asks as his blue eyes search mine with concern.

  I look up at him brightly. “I'm fine. But you know this kind of stuff isn't my thing. I'm just holding you and Zoey back. Plus, I have to work tomorrow.”

  “I'll take you home,” he offers immediately.

  “No, really. I'm fine. I can get a cab.”

  Caleb gives me a firm look. “I'm taking you home.”

  “You're taking her home?” Zoey asks with surprise as she walks up to us after overhearing Caleb's response to my offer of getting a cab. She turns on me, a shot glass in her hand. “You don't want to stay?”

  “I have to work tomorrow, and this scene isn't really my thing.”

  I see she wants to argue, but she nods, giving in. “Okay.” She turns her attention on Caleb. “Take her home, and then come back,” she says before she walks away, downing the shot herself.

  “Let me drive you. I haven't even started drinking yet, so I'm good to go, and it'll save you money.”

  I give in. “Okay.”

  He leads me through the club, and then we exit the building and walk to his car. The alcohol has decided to kick in, and I feel a bit woozy as I buckle up.

  “So, fill me in on what I've missed lately. You always seem to be at the café or else Ace is monopolizing your time. I feel like I haven't seen you much in the past few weeks,” Caleb say as he pulls out of the parking lot and merges with traffic.

  “Actually, I don't see Ace all that much,” I say truthfully. “He's got classes and then his clinical. If I see him during the week, it's only for an hour or two.” I gaze out my window, trying not to brood over the topic of Ace.

  “I haven't seen him much lately, not even on campus. Usually he's lazing around in between classes with the others, but he hasn't been around.”

  I'm not sure what to say, so I don't say anything at all.

  “Talk to Ben lately?”

  “I did a few nights ago,” I reply.

  We talk about Ben the entire drive back, and Caleb walks me up to my apartment. I'm still feeling a bit tipsy, so as soon as we enter my apartment, I kick off my high heels before I fall and break my neck. I can hear Daisy meowing in the bathroom, begging to be let out. “My poor baby,” I mumble as I pad bare foot to the hall.

  “Did you just say 'poor baby’?” Caleb calls after me.

  “Yes, I did!” I toss over my shoulder as I open the bathroom door. Daisy bolts out of the bathroom and runs off, probably fearing I'll change my mind and lock her back up. I
turn around and walk to Caleb, who's now standing in my living room and staring down at Daisy. She'd rushed over to him the second she'd spied someone new.

  “You have a kitten,” he says with amazement before he squats down to pet Daisy.

  I gaze down at them and smile as Daisy rubs herself all over his hands, periodically shoving her nose at him, begging for more attention. “Ace got her for me.”

  Caleb looks skeptical as he looks up at me. “Ace did?”

  “Yeah. He knew I wanted a kitten, so he surprised me with her last weekend.”

  “Pets aren't allowed here.”

  “I know. That was also my first response. He said that if I ever need maintenance work done, I can leave her at his place.”

  Caleb gives me an odd look. “Really? I've always been under the impression that he's not much of a pet kind of guy.”

  “He isn't.”

  He chuckles as he rises to his feet. “I bet he regrets his decision every time he comes over if she's this friendly,” he muses as he gazes down at the kitten, who's rubbing herself along his ankles.

  “I see it on his face every time,” I agree with a giggle.

  Caleb shakes his head and reaches out to ruffle my hair affectionately. “You never giggle, which means you are drunk. Go to bed.”

  “Thanks for bringing me home.”

  “Anytime, Faith,” he says as he reaches out to hug me. I willingly wrap my arms around his waist and savor the hug that I hadn't known I needed until this very moment.

  “I'm so lucky to have you in my life,” I mumble into his shirt.

  His chest rumbles as he chuckles. “I see alcohol makes you sappy,” he teases as he runs a hand through my hair. He adds, “You're like the little sister I never had, so remember that when someday I butt into your personal life out of brotherly protectiveness,” he says lightly.

  I snort into his chest and look up at him with exasperation. “Just what I need. Two protective brothers.”

  He grins down at me. “I think that's exactly what you need,” he says as he gives me loud, resounding kiss on the middle of my forehead. “Go to bed.”

  After I lock the door behind Caleb, I walk back to my bedroom and yawn. Daisy runs into the room and takes a flying leap up onto the bed. When she turns and looks at me questioningly, I smile. “Yes, it's bedtime,” I agree. Daisy will use the little pet bed in the bathroom when she's locked up, but at night, I let her sleep with me on the bed. She's a very good at cuddling. I could definitely use some of that tonight.

  I'm about to leave the bedroom to brush my teeth when my cell phone chirps on the nightstand. I walk over and pick it up. It's Ace. You went home?

  My fingers are moving across the letters of the keypad immediately. Yes.

  Why? Was someone bothering you?

  After a moment's hesitation, I send back, No.

  Why did you leave?

  I should really think over my response first, but I want him to know how much it hurt to see him with those other women tonight. He knows I like him. Why would he do that to me? I didn't want to watch you anymore,” I type and then press 'send'.

  When I don't get a reply back immediately, I sigh. He's probably busy with the redhead. Just when I'm about to set the phone down, it chirps again. Watch me?

  It looks like I have to spell it out for him. Figures. I quickly type, I didn't want to watch you anymore with all those pretty women. I send off the message, fully aware that this kind of conversation is going to bring nothing but trouble. The next time I see Ace, the conversation isn't likely going to be pretty. I think if he liked me as much as I liked him, he wouldn't have been dancing with every woman that approached him tonight. My chest burns with helpless jealousy. I'm starting to wish that the incident in the bathroom had never happened. If only things could go back to normal.

  My phone announces another message, and I scan it. They don't compare to you, Angel. None of them come close to your beauty. Look, can I call you? I'm outside the club.

  Old insecurities rush back, and I don't believe him. I saw the women he usually gravitates towards, and I am the polar opposite. I quickly type, You're lying to me. I saw what you like tonight, and I can't compete with them. Then I add, No, don't call. I'm going to bed. Nite. I press send and turn off the phone.

  What a crappy evening.

  I toss the phone back on the nightstand and make my way to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I'm pretty sure I'm going to regret the text messaging in the morning, but tonight, I felt like I'd needed to let him know where I stand with him. I can't watch him with other women, so it's either me or we go our separate ways. I'm beginning to think separate ways might be best. Do I really want to start something with Ace, and then have to deal with my insecurities every time a beautiful woman tries to approach him?

  I slam the cupboard door shut as I realize no matter what I do, it's going to be difficult. When Ace moves on, I'll still have to witness him with other women. A soft groan of frustration escapes me as I turn on the faucet to brush my teeth. Maybe I'm just being overly emotional since I've got alcohol in my system.

  Once I've finished my nightly routine, I change into a cami and shorts. Daisy's already on the bed lying on her side, her little, orange tail flicking lazily as she watches me. The lamp is the only light on in the apartment, and I climb in bed. I'm just reaching for the lamp to turn it off when I hear someone pound on the apartment door. I start badly, and poor Daisy leaps off the bed and disappears beneath it. I hear another loud knock.

  It has to be Ace.

  Shoot.

  When we'd text messaged back and forth, I hadn't meant for him to show up at my apartment. Or had I? I'm so confused tonight.

  I quickly scramble out of bed and make my way into the living room. I turn on the lamp and walk to the door. I peek out the peephole to verify that it is indeed Ace, and oh boy, he looks pissed. I unlock the door and open it up, peering up at him sheepishly. “Hey.”

  He fixes me with a hard, accusing stare. “You can't send me that shit and then shut off your damn phone.” Daisy darts past me and out into the hall before I can respond. Ace curses and quickly grabs her, then straightens up and brushes past me to enter my apartment. I quickly shut the door so Daisy can't try to make a repeat getaway. When I turn around, I see that he's set Daisy down, and Ace is now staring at me. “You don't see it, do you?” he realizes with evident frustration.

  “See what?” I ask with confusion.

  “You!” he says, waving a hand in my general direction. “You have no clue just how appealing you are. I've had a hard-on for weeks because of you. When I see someone I want, I fuck 'em and move on. I don't walk around with my dick permanently hard. The worst part is you've had no fucking clue. That's how innocent you are. And even that turns me on like you wouldn't believe.”

  I stare at him mutely. I'd had no idea... I'm not sure what to say, and I'm a bit stunned that I have unknowingly turned him on that much.

  Ace saves me from responding. He continues speaking as he shoots me a look. “I meant it when I said they can't compare to you. I could have fucked any of those women tonight, my dick didn't even twitch. Now I'm fucking hard as a rock because here you stand in just a pair of small shorts and a tank, and to me it's like you're wearing the sexiest negligee.” His eyes drop to my breasts. “I see the outline of your nipples, and all I can think about is sucking them until they're bright pink and you're pulling my hair.”

  My lips part, and my eyes drop to his crotch. He's definitely...ah, hard.

  “Damn it, Angel. This attraction is a losing battle.”

  Very reluctantly, I pull my eyes away from the evidence of his arousal and meet his gaze. “I don't want to fight it anymore. I can't watch you with them, Ace. I realized tonight that everything has changed,” I say softly.

  His face twists. “I hurt you tonight, didn't I?” Regret shines in his eyes. “I didn't mean to. They meant nothing. Absolutely nothing. I usually dance with plenty of women when I'm out and abo
ut, though I haven't been to the clubs much since we got closer. But with Caleb there, I was afraid my feelings for you would be obvious if I didn't act like I usually do.”

  My lips flatten momentarily as I gaze at him. “I don't know, Ace. Are we actually going to try something real? If so, I have to warn you, I won't share.”

  Those gray eyes of his burn mine as he says deliberately, “The last time I had sex was the night I met you.”

  I search his gaze for any hint of a lie, but his eyes are honest. “Really?”

  “Babe, look at my dick,” he says, pointing to his crotch. “Does this look like a dick that's been regularly getting some?”

  Amusement lightens the situation, and my lips twitch as I gaze to where he's pointing. “No, it looks like it's in need of some relief,” I murmur daringly. Looks like alcohol not only makes me emotional but bold as well.

  Ace groans and physically backs away towards my door. “Shit. Don't say that to me, not tonight.”

  I take a step towards him with bewilderment. “You're not leaving, are you?”

  He holds up a hand, clearly warning me to stop. I quit walking and stand there. “Hell, yeah, I'm leaving,” he says in a strained voice. “Z said she gave you shots tonight, so alcohol is still in your system. I'd rather cut my arm off than do something you might regret in the morning.”

  The fact that he's trying to be honorable warms my heart. “I won't regret it.” I know I won't. I've been wanting to feel his body against mine since that first night we met.

  He shakes his head. “I'm not taking chances. Not with you. I have a game I have to attend for my training tomorrow night. I'll be back around ten. We can go out, talk somewhere and try to figure this shit out.” His eyes hold mine. “If we're going to attempt this Faith, I want to make sure we are on the same page. You get me?”

  I nod. “Okay.”

  His eyes suddenly narrow. “You cover up your freckles tonight at the club?”

  I'm taken aback by the sudden question. I wanted to look more sophisticated tonight, so I'd covered them with foundation. “Yes.”