Despite how different he is from Cade, my father refuses to let Corbin be free, to be the man he wants to be and not the guy in the suit that my father demands him to be.
I’m as trapped as Corbin, though. We’ve both joked about running away some day.
Maybe we will.
“This isn’t a good time.”
“Wait,” Cade demands.
I shake my head and look at the tiled floor. “What?”
“I was serious about trading places. I arranged for you to have drinks with James Alexander. And it’s right now, but he’ll only meet with you.”
“No. What the hell? I’m at dinner right now. And I already told Dad their company is off-limits.”
“We need this deal. It’s not up for discussion,” he bites out.
Need? We’ve never needed anything. My stomach rolls. Is our company in danger? My father doesn’t let me anywhere near the financials. Only Cade has access. I’m a VP, but I feel so in the dark. I’ve always wondered if he’s keeping something from me. Who the hell knows why, but I don’t like it.
“What’s going on?”
“Just come for drinks, and we can talk details later.”
“Sorry, but no.” I hang up before he can rebut.
Cade tends to be broody, bossy, and annoying as hell, especially when it comes to the business. My father made him that way.
Once I’m back at the table, Jessica asks, “You okay?”
Last month, I would’ve put the business first. I would have been a good little soldier and followed his orders, but when your life flashes before your eyes, your perspective changes. “My family is just driving me nuts. Nothing new.”
Luke’s light brows pinch together.
I take a quick drink of my wine to steel my nerves.
“What’s really going on?” he asks as my gaze meets his blue eyes.
“My father’s trying to get me to broker some sort of deal even though I’ve made it clear to him the company isn’t for sale.”
I don’t want to say too much because they know the Alexander family, and if word gets out that a potential hostile takeover is heading their way…but maybe I should warn them? Maybe if the news came from Luke or Jessica, I could avoid my father’s wrath?
“Which company?” Luke asks.
I have to make a decision. Family or friends? Right or wrong? Sometimes it’s not so easy, not so black and white.
“The Alexanders,” I finally say.
Jessica’s gaze sweeps over to mine, her blue eyes sparkling like always. She and her brother both have blond hair, blue eyes, and strong cheekbones to match their tough-as-nails personalities. But they have to be sharp in their business, especially when Luke puts his life on the line to protect other people.
“Who’s trying to take them over? I haven’t heard they were in any trouble.” Jessica clears her throat and glances at her clutch on the table as if she’s ready to reach for her cell and call them up.
I know she had an accidental “drank too much one-night stand” with one of the Alexander sons last year—but she hasn’t told me which one, and there are five of them.
“I don’t think they’re in trouble, but if someone is positioning themselves in hopes of a takeover of some kind, something must be up,” I say. “James Alexander is with my brother right now.”
James is getting older, and I know his sons are slowly taking over, but it worries me that Cade might try to take advantage of an old man. Maybe I should have gone for drinks, if anything, to protect James.
“Which brother?” Luke asks, his eyes darkening like storm clouds. He doesn’t exactly get along with Cade. Two alpha, dominant personalities. When they’re together, the tension always fills the room and it’s like waiting for lightning to strike.
“Cade,” I say.
His chest expands, filling with air.
“We should warn them. I’ll look into things on my end,” Jessica says, and I assume she’ll be putting her cyber genius skills to work. I should be relieved, but I know there’ll be hell to pay when shit hits the fan.
“Thanks.” I stare at my barely eaten food, my stomach a tight ball of nerves.
“So Luke leaves for Nashville tomorrow night. Why don’t we ditch this restaurant and go out dancing?” Jessica suggests.
“We danced last night. Maybe we could just go for a drink?” I’m not much of a dancer, even though it did feel good to let loose a little.
Jessica leans back in her seat and eyes me suspiciously, laying a hand on her heart. “What’s with you and Noah?”
“What do you mean?” I nearly choke on my words, my mouth going slack.
“You guys looked pretty friendly last night, and he did invite you to his birthday party. When I recommended them for remodeling, I didn’t know you’d end up having a thing for him. I mean, I don’t blame you, the guy is ridiculously gorgeous. He’s got the body, the brains, and the heart.”
“I, uh, don’t have a thing for him.” I glare at Jessica. “And you know I could never be with someone like—” I stop myself, but it’s too late. The damage is done. I might as well have said the words.
“Like what?” Luke straightens in his seat, his broad shoulders suddenly arching back in defense mode.
Jessica pushes her long hair to her back and tucks her hands into her lap. I look at her blue eyes instead of focusing on Luke, but I’m not sure which is a safer bet. She looks pissed too.
“Noah’s a good guy,” Jessica says.
“I know he is.” I fidget with my fork, rolling it between my fingers, focusing on the metal instead of the heated stares I can feel burning my flesh. “I would kill to be with someone so amazing.” And that’s the truth. “But you know my father will never let me be with anyone he doesn’t approve of, and remember, my father’s an ass.”
I look up, and this time I don’t see anger in their eyes. Pity, maybe.
“And you’re an adult. You can’t let your parents make decisions about your life anymore,” Jessica says.
She’s right, but following her advice is easier said than done. And I don’t know if I’ll ever have the courage to do it.
“Don’t start now, not with Noah,” Luke says, his voice low, deep, and intense.
“What?” I have no intention of doing anything with Noah, but I can’t help but want more information.
Luke’s shoulders relax a bit as he reaches for his wine glass. “He’s been through a lot. And I don’t want anyone else screwing with his head. He deserves better.”
I lean back in my chair, digesting his words. Noah’s getting a divorce and fighting for his daughter. A lot of men I know would happily give up custody but not Noah.
“He’s a good guy. A better man than I could ever be. Don’t let him be your guinea pig in whatever game you might play to thwart your father’s wishes.” Luke finishes his drink, his eyes on me, then stands and tosses some cash on the table. “I need some air.”
What the hell was that all about? Guinea pig? Really?
I bite my tongue out of respect for Jessica, and I wait for him to be out of sight before I blow out a breath.
“I’m sorry. Luke’s angry about Noah’s ex and what she did to him.”
What did Noah’s ex do? I can’t help but wonder.
“Luke is just looking out for him. Friend to friend. Soldier to soldier.” Jessica clears her throat and presses her hand to her chest. “He’s super protective of his military buddies. They might as well share the same blood.”
“I understand. Besides, Luke has always been a little standoffish with me.” I wet my lips as I try to think of the right words to say. Jessica and I instantly clicked when we first met, but I’ve only spent time with Luke on his visits.
“It’s nothing personal. War can change people.”
Had it changed Noah?
My mind drifts to the record player on his boat. I still can’t believe I went on a boat. But with him at my side, I knew I was safe. And when I played that record, I was n
ineteen again, a freshman in college. I was untouchable during those months. Living how I wanted—being who I wanted.
“Grace?” Jessica waves her hand in front of my face, which makes me blink, then her hand covers mine and my gaze sweeps over it, focusing on her diamond tennis bracelet. “It doesn’t have to be. You can be happy too. Stand up to your father. You may have been born into this life, but that doesn’t mean you have to let it control your future.”
“I don’t know.” I pull my hand free of hers and drop it to my lap.
“You came back from Athens different. And although I’m so sorry about what happened to you there, at least you’re okay. And maybe one good thing has come from it.”
How could anything good come from Athens? I look back up.
“Maybe now you have the strength to be who you really want to be.” She tilts her head and studies me. “You just need to figure out who that person is.”
But I know who that person is. I felt her waking up last night, but I’m pretty sure I have to bury her again.
Jessica scoots away from the table. “We’ll go out another time. Good night.” She squeezes my shoulder and leaves.
The server comes to my side. “Ma’am, would you like anything else to drink?”
“Yeah. I’ll have a vodka and cranberry. Light on the cranberry,” I say as I watch Jessica head toward the exit.
Guinea pig.
I can’t get that out of my head. I would never use Noah to spite my father. Never…
Okay, so I attempted to date some guys in the past to try to get some sort of rise out of my dad—to see he still had a pulse—but they were always assholes.
No one came close to being like Noah.
So real. So honest.
So…out of my reach.
9
Noah
The night is so damn hot, but I can’t resist sitting outside instead of being pressed up against a bunch of people inside the bar.
“Hi.”
I set my can on the table, pressing it between my palms when I glance at the woman standing at my side. She’s pretty. Long, pin-straight blond hair, hunter-green eyes, boobs that spill out of her tank top, and a nice smile. A little too Cindy-like.
“Hi,” I say back.
“Is this seat taken?” she asks while motioning to the bar stool opposite me.
I contemplate her question, deciding whether or not this is a good idea. A woman hitting on a guy instead of the other way around is a nice change, and if I don’t do something about my blue balls soon, they might fall off.
“Sure,” I decide.
She sits down and crosses her legs off to the side, making sure I can see them. “I’m Lisa.”
“Noah.” I nod and take a long swig of my soda.
“Nice night.” She attempts to hold my gaze, but I’m not feeling it, so I glance at my drink.
What the hell is wrong with me?
“You must work out,” she says after an awkward moment.
Jesus. Really? And I thought I was out of practice. “Sure.”
“I’m a yoga instructor, so I can always spot a guy who takes good care of his body.”
Yoga? So, she’s flexible. And I really need to get laid.
But there’s nothing. Not even the slightest twitch of my cock. And it’s not because of Cindy. I don’t seem to have this problem when I’m around Grace.
“What kind of workouts do you do?” she continues as if I seem interested.
I finally look back up at her, not wanting to be an asshole. “A little of everything.”
She wets her lips and threads her fingers through her hair. She’s probably barely twenty-one. And since I’m thirty-two now, I think anyone under twenty-five should be off-limits.
My phone begins to vibrate in my pocket, alerting me to a text.
“So I—”
“Excuse me a sec.” I retrieve my cell, and my mouth opens in surprise. “Uh, I have to go. Sorry.”
I don’t wait for the girl to respond. I hop off my seat and start for the back exit. My boat is only down the street, so I shove my phone into my pocket and sprint toward the docks.
My heart is throbbing, my pulse pricking in my neck when I arrive at my boat.
Cindy stands up on the deck. I step onto the boat, anger lashing inside of me, tiny pops of pain branding my body.
“Why are you here? Unless you’ve changed your mind about custody?” I haven’t gotten any papers about it.
My fingertips bury into my jeans, trying to ease the tension.
Cindy shakes her head and looks at the deck. “No. And please don’t come tomorrow. We won’t be home. We’re leaving in the morning for Denver for a week.”
“What’s in Denver?”
“Will’s father.”
I step closer to her, breathing in the smell of her sharp, bitter perfume. Overwhelming as always. “You can’t just take her across the country without even talking to me about it first.”
“I’m here, aren’t I—telling you?” She fakes a laugh. “But really…does it matter? You were gone almost her entire life. I got used to making decisions without you.”
I can’t find it in me to respond. It’s the same recycled line she’s been spewing since I came to New York.
“Well, we’re going.” She shrugs. “So now you know.”
“I’m not even sure I believe you.” Maybe she’s just trying to keep me away.
She digs into her large Prada bag and grabs her phone. “See.” She shoves it in my face, and there’s an email of her airline itinerary.
“I don’t like this.” But can I stop her? “I want phone calls every day. I want updates.”
“Fuck you,” she says as casually as if she’s asking me to pass her the salt at Thanksgiving dinner. She stows her phone back in her purse. “I used to travel all of the time while you were at sea. Sometimes we didn’t hear from you for weeks. Weeks, Noah!”
“I can’t believe you’re throwing that in my face. I was taking down terrorists. Are you serious right now?” I turn away and shove my hands in my hair, unable to handle her craziness.
“I didn’t come here to do this,” she grumbles.
“Do what? Argue?” I spin back around to face her, my body burning with hate, with anger that’s sort of torn me apart for years, but I’ve kept it buried.
Every time she made me feel guilty for being gone.
Every time she made decisions about our daughter without me.
And when she’d go on long trips to Charlotte to see her mom and not even tell me about them—and was apparently screwing Will.
When she’d buy things we couldn’t possibly afford and get money from her parents.
When she wouldn’t ever dance with me.
When she stopped laughing.
Stopped loving me—our family.
I’ve been angry for a while, but I either didn’t realize it, or I took my stress out on terrorist scumbags to compensate.
“Noah, I want to make sure you won’t do anything stupid and spend all of your money on a lawyer to fight me in court.”
Her words are like a smack in the face, but it also wakes me up. “Oh, I see why you’re here. You’re worried I’m going to delay your wedding by tying you up in court.”
She blinks a few times, but there’s something in her eyes—something that tells me that’s only part of the truth.
“I won’t give up Lily. So, if you haven’t changed your mind then I’ll see you after you get back from Denver.”
“Noah.” She sighs.
Is this conversation really something that warrants a motherfucking sigh? I don’t think so.
“Noah, we were together forever, so there’s still some part of me that loves you—”
“Bullshit,” I can’t help but say. I’ve lost all sense of calm since this woman cut my heart out of my chest nearly a year ago.
“I truly don’t want to see you get hurt by fighting a battle you can’t win.” Her green eyes move over my shoulder
and out to the river.
“You’re a walking contradiction. Please don’t pretend to give a damn about me or our marriage. You fucking stepped all over our wedding vows—so you don’t get to give a shit.” I step back. I need space.
I need an entire ocean of space.
“Move on—don’t make this messy. Start a new life,” she says in a soft voice as if she’s some fragile being, but she’s not. She’s stone cold. Heartless.
She places her hand on my forearm, and my brows snap together as our eyes meet. I don’t move. I don’t fucking flinch. I hold her eyes for a moment, time seems to still, and I finally break contact and place my hands between us.
“Get out of here,” I grit out, my chest aching fiercely as if I’ve been shot, and I’m bleeding out.
“Take this.” Cindy produces a small envelope from that big bag of hers.
“What is it? The petition for custody?” Doesn’t that need to be served by someone else, though?
She shoves it in my hand and turns away, folding her arms. “You’ve been doing your homework?”
“Damn straight I have. And the courts won’t rule in your favor.” I’ve been scouring the Internet, looking into every possibility. I should feel relieved that she doesn’t seem to stand a chance at sole custody, but she’s so damn confident, I can’t help but be worried.
My countdown until D-Day—our divorce…is now on pause. Who the hell knows how long it will take, but Cindy is out of her mind if she thinks I’ll throw in the towel. Doesn’t she even know me at all? Obviously not.
“Just open the envelope before we meet with the lawyers.”
I toss it on the couch as little flashes of light appear before my eyes, my nerves twisting with frustration. I go to the edge of the deck and grip the railing, hanging my head low as Cindy’s words and what she did to our marriage wrap around my neck, suffocating me.
“I understand you’re angry about everything, but in time, you’ll realize this really is for the best.”
My body heats, the vein at the side of my neck pulsing.
“Good night, Noah.”
Someone Like You Page 8
