by E. M. Abel
Sky nodded. “True. And how did she take it?”
“She took it well actually. She said she hoped you could be friends, too.”
Now, it was Sky’s turn to be surprised. “Really? Wow. Maybe she is a keeper.”
“I think so.”
“You do?”
I looked Sky in the eyes. She seemed genuinely shocked by my words.
“Yeah, I do.”
“Holy shit. You have a girlfriend.”
I shook my head. “You’re crazy, Sky.”
“I have, like, the best idea ever in the entire universe!”
Oh, Jesus. I didn’t even want to ask. “What?”
“We should go on a double date!”
SKY
Logan was looking extra sexy tonight in his light-blue button-up shirt and black dress pants that hugged his toned ass perfectly. His shoulders and biceps were so big that they stretched his sleeves. I usually wasn’t attracted to such clean-cut, Abercrombie-model-type guys, but there was something to be said about a man who could effortlessly toss you over his shoulder. Of course, he hadn’t done that to me yet, but I was determined to make it happen at some point.
“Damn, you look good enough to eat,” he whispered in my ear as he wrapped those big arms around me.
I giggled and turned to face him. His green eyes were on mine, and just like before, I was putty in his hands. Lifting up onto my toes, I kissed him, and he kissed me back—harder. His hands gripped my waist, and I let my fingers slide into his styled hair, ignoring the stiffness I usually found appalling. I supposed I was willing to make all kinds of exceptions for Logan.
We’re totally boning tonight.
I felt like a horny teenager whenever I was around Logan. He had been holding out on me, and I’d had enough. I was sure he had some tricks up his sleeve, what with all the orgies and threesomes he’d probably been in. I could see the naughtiness in his eyes. They were full of dirty secrets I wanted to discover.
I sucked his bottom lip into my mouth, and he groaned. I smiled as I felt the bulge in his pants getting harder.
Oh, yeah. I’m gonna tear your shit up.
Logan pulled his head back and smiled brightly down at me.
Shit!
“I said that out loud, didn’t I?”
He nodded, and I put my forehead on his chest, too embarrassed to look him in the eye.
He chuckled, and his hands slowly made their way up my back and neck. Using his thumbs to tilt my chin up, he forced me to meet his gaze. “Never be embarrassed to tell me what you’re thinking, Sky. I think it’s sexy when a woman takes what she wants. Be yourself with me, okay?”
I licked my lips and nodded my head in his hands. His words were heavy, and all I could do was hope they wouldn’t sink in too far.
Leaning forward, he whispered, “We can tear each other up after dinner.”
Then, he kissed me on the neck, and my vagina quivered. Like, legit quivered.
Oh, yes.
“Now, let’s go,” he said, snapping me out of my haze and smacking me on the ass. “A cab is waiting downstairs.”
An hour later, I was on a double date with Logan, Dillon, and Natasha at a nice American bistro that belonged to one of Logan’s friends. I sat across from Dillon at the table and didn’t miss the hard way he kept looking at Logan. Things were definitely feeling awkward, but I was hoping, after a drink or two, everyone would lighten up.
“So, Natasha, I heard you might be modeling for Frederico soon,” I said, trying to relieve some of the tension at the table.
She smiled politely. “Yes, in the next couple of months or so. Dillon tells me that you work for him.”
I nodded. “I do. I handle most of his work here, in his New York office, since he’s always traveling. So, you and I will probably be working together.”
Natasha seemed surprised. Maybe she’d thought I only ran his errands.
“Oh, fantastic,” she said, smiling at me.
Dillon smiled, too, and I couldn’t help noticing the way he watched her. They seemed perfect together, and he was…happy. Glancing down at the napkin in my lap, I adjusted it, wondering why I wasn’t happy for him.
Aren’t I supposed to be?
Logan’s hand reached into my lap and wrapped around mine. I turned my head to look at him, and he winked, reminding me that I wasn’t alone. It was thoughtful and sweet.
Maybe we can be happy, too.
“I never got a chance to tell you, Dillon, but I’m a fan. You’ve got such a great voice, and your songs are really impressive. I actually got a demo from your friend Matteo the other night at The Angry Beaver.”
Dillon lifted his eyebrows, clearly not expecting the compliment from Logan.
Ha! Good luck being an asshole now.
“Thanks,” he muttered before taking a swig from his beer.
I kicked his foot under the table, and he furrowed his eyebrows and glared at me. I widened my eyes before narrowing them at him.
Dillon set his glass down and cleared his throat, trying to think of more to say. “This is a nice place your friend has here,” he said, glancing around the room.
Natasha did the same, but I rolled my eyes at his lame attempt to be nice.
“It is, isn’t it? I went to college with the owner. His food is amazing.” Logan turned toward me when he said, “Just wait until you try it.”
I bit my bottom lip to suppress my reaction to the sexy tone he’d used. “I can’t wait.”
When I glanced back across the table, Dillon was scowling, and I kicked him under the table again. His nostrils flared, and he sucked in a breath as I smiled brightly at him.
“So, how did you two meet?” Natasha gestured between Dillon and me before taking a sip from her wine.
Logan leaned over to rest his arm on the back of my chair, seemingly interested in our response.
“Sky and her mom moved in next door when I was a kid. How old were we?”
“I was seven, and you were nine.”
“Right. Well, they were new to the area, and my mom kind of took them into the fold. She helped Sky’s mom find a job and get settled, and they became best friends, which meant we were around each other all the time.”
“I was surrounded by boys,” I told Natasha. “They were always wrestling and playing basketball while I dressed up my Barbie dolls and took them on dates with Dillon’s G.I. Joes. We didn’t really start to hang out until middle school.”
Logan nodded next to me. “Yeah, I remember that. You two were always together.”
“Well, we lived right beside each other, so…” Dillon said, almost like he was trying to downplay our friendship.
“We’ve been through a lot together,” I said, daring him to disagree.
He met my gaze and nodded. “We have.”
“So, wait, all of you went to school together?” Natasha asked, looking at us.
We nodded.
“Sky and Logan even dated in high school,” Dillon said.
I tried to kick him again, but he’d moved his leg.
Natasha’s eyes widened with curiosity. “Really? Oh, how cool!”
“Not really,” Logan said, chuckling. “I was a total asshole to Sky. Shit, I was a total asshole to everyone back then.” He took my hand and lifted it to kiss my knuckles.
My cheeks flushed.
“But Sky has been nice enough to give me a second chance.”
I couldn’t resist giving Dillon an I-told-you-so smirk. He ignored it.
“We hung out in different circles though,” Logan explained to Natasha, who had inched closer to Dillon’s side.
“Remember that time Sharon kissed you on the basketball court?” I asked Dillon. I laughed. I couldn’t think of a better way to change the subject than to tell one of Dillon’s embarrassing stories.
Dillon shook his head and tried to fight his smile but couldn’t. “That girl had no shame.”
I looked at Natasha and told her, “Sharon AKA Stinky Sharon had
the hugest crush on Dillon. She used to follow him everywhere and passed him notes on the bus all the time. Dillon was too nice to tell her to leave him alone, so he ignored her advances.” I started laughing again, picturing Dillon’s face after she’d kissed him. “Well, one day, all of the neighborhood kids were out on the basketball courts. Dillon and Booze were playing a game of one-on-one when, out of nowhere, Sharon walked right in front of him, grabbed his face, and planted a big, juicy kiss on his lips. I swear, everyone on the court froze and stared. Her lips were covered in this dark purple lipstick, and it got all over him.”
“It was disgusting.” Dillon took a drink from his glass.
“I bet it was scary, too. Stinky Sharon was a strong girl. She beat up my friend once,” Logan said beside me.
I laughed even harder.
Dillon laughed, too, and I could tell he was warming up to Logan—at least, a little.
“So, what about you?” Dillon lifted his chin toward Logan. “What have you been up to since high school?”
“Well, after I graduated, I went to school in California. I couldn’t get far enough away from Maryland. Then, my senior year, my mom found out my father had a second family.”
He paused to take a drink, and we all sat silently, waiting for more. Logan definitely knew how to build anticipation.
“Hold on, what?” I asked, urging him to continue.
He nodded. “Yeah, my dad had another family—a mistress and two kids living in Atlanta. They didn’t know about us, and we didn’t know about them.”
“Holy shit,” I gasped. “That’s awful.”
He shrugged. “So, my mom left him, and I haven’t spoken to him since. I stopped taking his calls and his money. It’s just been my mom and me ever since.”
“Damn,” Dillon muttered as our waitress brought out our food.
“But, anyway, I didn’t mean to dampen the night with my family secrets.” Logan chuckled, and I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring grin. “How about you, Natasha? How did you get into modeling?”
Natasha peered up at Logan as she drizzled some olive oil over her salad. “Me? Oh, I’m afraid my life would seem totally boring compared to all of yours.”
“Are you kidding?” I asked, sprinkling salt on my fries. “You’re a model. You’ve traveled the world and worn some of the most exquisite clothes on the planet. I’m sure you’ve met some amazing people, too.”
“Well, yeah, modeling has been an awesome experience. I plan to go back to school full-time soon though. I hope to be a lawyer, like my father.”
My eyes widened. “Whoa. That’s impressive,” I said, glancing at Dillon, who was focused on his girlfriend.
“Where are you from?” Logan asked.
“Florida. I grew up in Miami but moved here halfway through my sophomore year of college.”
“You look like you grew up in the sun,” Logan commented with a grin.
I wanted to kick him under the table. He wasn’t supposed to be flirting with her.
Damn polyamorists.
“So, what’s this I hear about you being a polyamorist?” Dillon asked, reading my thoughts like a damn psychic.
I glared at him.
“Sky told you, did she?” Logan asked, smirking at me. He didn’t seem the least bit rattled by Dillon’s question.
“Polyamorist? What’s that?” Natasha took a bite from her salad, but her eyes were glued on Logan with interest.
“I suppose you’d call it a lifestyle. I don’t believe in monogamy. I have multiple partners, and all my partners know and consent to having an open relationship with me.”
I could feel Logan peer over at me, but I pretended to be really focused on my burger.
“Oh,” Natasha said, clearly understanding. She was nice enough not to ask any more questions, but I could feel her eyes on me, too.
I took a giant bite of my burger, and with my mouth full, I mumbled, “Ah! Gah, this burger is delicious!”
Dillon shook his head at my obvious avoidance.
After we all finished our dinners, the guys went to play a game of darts while Natasha and I went to the bar for another drink. I was glad Logan and Dillon seemed to be getting along.
“I’m glad we did this,” I said as we waited for the bartender to pour our drinks.
Natasha smiled politely again. “Me, too.”
“Listen, I hope everything is cool with us. I know it can be a little weird for your boyfriend to have a female best friend, but I promise, that’s all we are and all we’ve ever been.”
Natasha held my eyes for a few seconds, studying them, before she replied, “I must admit, I’m a little jealous. You know him better than I do. You two have history. But I trust Dillon. He’s a good man.”
I nodded. “He really is.”
“Can I ask you one thing?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Out of respect for me, I’d appreciate it if you two weren’t alone together in his apartment. It’s nothing personal. It’s just something I don’t think should happen when a man is in a committed relationship with someone else.”
I stood there in shock for a minute as the bartender set our drinks down beside us. This was a first. No woman had ever tried before to set boundaries on my friendship with Dillon. Well, that wasn’t true. They’d tried, but none had been successful. I wanted to tell her to kiss my ass. No one told me when and where I could see my best friend.
But, as I got ready to respond, Dillon walked up behind Natasha and wrapped his arms around her waist. He smiled brightly down at her and kissed her lips.
He’s happy, Sky. Don’t ruin it.
Logan came to stand beside me and put his arm over my shoulders. I looked at Dillon, and when our eyes met, I knew something had changed between us. I was his best friend, but Natasha was his girlfriend, and girlfriend always trumped best friend.
DILLON
Natasha and I had spent every day together for the last two weeks. We mostly stayed at my apartment since I couldn’t leave Kuma alone, but occasionally, I’d ask Sky to check in on her, so I could stay with Natasha. Her apartment was better than mine, and I knew she preferred to stay there.
If I was being honest, I still hadn’t lost my feelings of inadequacy when it came to our financial situations. As a man, I wanted to know I could provide for my woman, but she made a lot more money than I did. I knew in my mind that I shouldn’t be so old-fashioned. Natasha hadn’t mentioned it, so I assumed it didn’t bother her. Music was what I loved, and I knew I couldn’t live without it, but my gigs weren’t paying the bills. I didn’t want to admit it, but I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep chasing this dream. Maybe fame and fortune weren’t in the cards for me.
Matteo and I were putting the finishing touches on the remodel we’d been working on, and our boss, Jeremy, would be coming to inspect our work later that afternoon.
Matteo stopped wiping down the new granite countertop in the kitchen to check his phone. A wide smile lit up his face. “I got you another gig this Saturday.”
“Yeah? Where?”
“You’re gonna want to fucking kiss me when I tell you where,” he said. “I just got the text confirming it.”
I stood from where I’d been cleaning the cabinet doors. “Where?”
“The Phoenix.”
My lips lifted into a smile. I’d been trying to get a gig at The Phoenix for years. It was one of the most popular bars in New York.
“How the hell did you do that?” I asked, trying to play it cool and not let him know that I was freaking the fuck out.
The Phoenix. Holy shit.
“I didn’t even have to do anything! I guess a friend of the owner caught your last show and told him to book you. I must have given him a demo or my card or something because I got a text about it last night, and they confirmed!”
I ran a dirty hand through my hair and took a deep breath, letting it all sink in. I needed to come up with a new set list. I needed to practice. This could be my big bre
ak.
“Holy shit, dude. I can’t believe this.”
Matteo came over and hugged me before shouting at the top of his lungs, “Hell fuckin’ yeah! You’re gonna be famous! I told you!”
I chuckled and shook my head. As always, Matteo was overreacting.
“Let’s not get carried away. I got the gig, but I still need to blow them away and hope someone important sees me.”
“Oh, shut up, and just be fuckin’ happy,” Matteo said, waving his hand at me before he continued wiping down the countertops. He started singing “Starboy” by The Weeknd, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
When we were done with the kitchen, I went out on the front steps of the house to eat the lunch Natasha had packed for me. I put the brown bag on the concrete beside me and pulled out my phone.
Dillon: I got a gig at The Phoenix.
Sky: WHAT? Are you fucking kidding me?!
Dillon: Nope. This Saturday.
A second later, my phone started to ring, and Sky’s crazy face lit up my screen. As soon as I answered, she started screaming.
“Oh my God! I can’t believe it, D! This is so amazing! Are you freaking out?”
“Maybe a little.”
“More than a little, I bet. Have you started thinking about your set? Do you want help? You should definitely sing ‘Forever Forgotten’ and ‘DC.’ Oh! And what about ‘Strings of Guilt’? I love that one! How many covers do you think you’ll do?”
I sat there, smiling, as Sky rattled off names to my songs like they were top hits already. She’d been with me from the very beginning, and it felt good to know she was as excited about this as I was.
“I don’t know yet, but I need to figure it out soon. I have two days to prepare.”
“Well, let me know what you need, and I’m there. I’m so happy for you, Dillon.”
“Thanks. I might be able to get off tomorrow as long as Jeremy doesn’t find any major issues with the house. Do you think you could stop by the apartment to go over some of this with me?”
