She brings her hands to her hips, changes her stance and cranks her neck from side to side. She’s buying herself some time. Bring it on. I’m ready. “You’re so unwavering,” she huffs.
“Hmph.” I pause to level another hard and icy stare her way. “Our love for you and the intensity of what we shared should have been enough to weather anything, Adele—even if people caught wind of our relationship. It should have been the only gauge you needed—it was for Xander and it was for me.” I shift my eyes, staring out to the river for a beat to somewhat control my internal rage before bringing them back to her. “You’re grasping at straws here. We never flaunted what we had carelessly in public. We kept everything behind closed doors. You wanted it that way and we never fought you on it. So don’t stand here and twist things around and come up with ridiculous scenarios that would never have seen the light of day,” I bark.
“I was confused, I guess.” She sighs. “But I’m not anymore.”
“I find that hard to believe,” I sneer.
“Hear me out, Ethan.” She takes a few steps closer and places her hand against my chest. I brush it off. That doesn’t stop her from pursuing her crusade. “My feelings for you haven’t changed and I know you must still love me.” She must be drunk. When I don’t say anything, she continues, “I was young, inexperienced and scared, hence why I broke things off.”
I’ve heard enough. “Stop it with your bullshit. You’re the same age as us, Adele. As for the part about being lacking in experience…” I scour the deck to make sure no one has ventured close by. “I distinctly remember you sharing how you had a penchant for anal sex. And you were quite explicit on how much you enjoy it. A lot. In fact, you took my cock fully in the first time around. Not even a whimper. You didn’t even need lube. Your pussy juices were enough. I’d never seen that before. You fucking begged for it that way. No other woman I’d been with before you had managed that tour de force and I have yet to meet one who can. They usually can only handle my twelve-inch cock a bit at a time. Not you, Adele. You pushed your ass until we were skin against skin. Keep your sob story for someone who gives a damn. Xander and I helped you add a notch to your belt by double-stuffing you, but don’t play ingénue with me.” My words shock her. “Just come out and say you didn’t love us enough and after dating a few losers, like Melvin, you realized how you blew off a really good thing. You woke up to the stark reality that you might never be loved as much as you were when you were our girlfriend—”
“But I wanted kids,” she retorts, as quick as a whip.
“Is that a new excuse you just came up with?” I ask incredulously.
She shakes her head. “No, I’ve always wanted a family.”
What is wrong with her? “So did I. I still do. I know Xander does as well.” I draw my hand over my face and sigh. “We would have figured it out. That’s the kind of thing we talk through together. Had you said something back then, we would have reassured you that we’re on the same page. We didn’t want to marry you just so you’re close by when we needed to fuck you. We wanted the real deal. You blew it, Adele.”
“Ethan.” She reaches out and trails her fingers along the lapel of my jacket. I take a small step back but my butt hits the railing behind me. “I need you and Xander back in my life.” Suggestion glimmers in her brown eyes. “Please,” she begs, grabbing hold of my arms again. Too little, too late.
“Let go of me. Now,” I growl. The warning is sufficient. She removes her grip. I step to the side before circling her. She flips around. From where I’m standing now, she can no longer corner me. “It’s taken me a long time to come to this conclusion. Eighteen months to be precise.” My nostrils flare out slightly. “If you were able to leave us so easily after everything we shared and how Xander and I poured our hearts out to you, you were never the one for us. Xander let you go within months of you shutting him out. It took me much longer, but eventually I did.”
“You haven’t told me who she is. That American, that is.” All of a sudden, she changes subject.
I scowl, taken aback by her effrontery. “It’s none of your business,” I spit out.
“I spotted her when my boss and I arrived. She was talking to the two guys taking care of registration. She has a very funny accent. Not very pleasant to the ear. In fact, it sounds classless.”
“Don’t you dare,” I warn. “You don’t have a bloody clue what you’re talking about, Adele.”
“I just think Xander can do much better.”
“Shut up,” I spit.
She crosses her arms over her ample chest and frowns. The defensive position is one I’ve seen many time before. “It’s more than a quick fuck?” She narrows her eyes. “Xander can’t possibly be seeing her? He has more taste than that.” I resent the unimpressed tone in her voice just as much as I abhor the expression of disgust painted on her face.
“Back off, Adele.”
But she doesn’t. She comes at me with a vengeance. “Oh, my God. It’s not only Xander. You’re involved with her as well.” She’s piecing together the reality of what I share with my best friend and our little Texan. “Please tell me you’re not sharing her. For the love of God, she can’t be your girlfriend. That’s just not possible.” Adele’s words smack me with the same crushing impact as an atomic bomb would shatter my consciousness. She says “girlfriend” in a halting way, as though the word doesn’t quite fit, but she can’t come up with anything better to describe the woman she saw leaving with Xander. “Or is she just a casual friend—a one-off shag—the two of you are having fun with until you find someone better? Please tell me that’s it.”
“I’m going to make it simple for you—”
“You can’t possibly be in a relationship with that woman,” she shouts at me. “You could have at least replaced me with another Brit and not someone who sounds like she does.” Her hand goes flying in the air, pointing in the direction of the lower levels.
“Sod off, Adele. What’s coming out of your mouth is nauseating. The last time I checked, both my best friend and I were adults. We don’t owe you a bloody explanation. The three of us,” I say, waving my finger between us, “we’re never going to be friends or lovers anymore. You discarded us like used tissue. Remember?” It’s my turn to shout.
“That’s not true, Ethan,” she pleads. “You have to believe me, I still love you and I know what we shared was so intense… you can’t possibly have forgotten. I’m certain you still feel it in your heart. That woman is just a quick fuck. Nothing more. Please say that’s it.”
“That’s where you’re dead wrong. You wanted an introduction?” I snarl. “Allow me to give you one. Her name is Delilah. She is in fact American. She’s from Texas, hence the accent that hurts your ears so much. Here’s where we differ. I love her accent. A lot.” I pause and take a step closer to her. Adele takes one back. Clearly my demeanor threatens her. Good. “Especially when she’s screaming out my name—or Xander’s—at the top of her lungs as we make her lose her mind. That is sweet music to my ear.” Indeed, that’s laced with sarcasm. “She’s a sensual and incredible lover. It’s not only about how well her soft and voluptuous body fits with mine or my best friend’s, it’s also who she is as a person. She’s a fantastic woman. She’s funny, she’s kind, she’s a sweetheart and both Xander and I find her outrageously irresistible.” Yes, I’m laying it on thick. “To make sure there’s no way you can read between the lines, get confused or say that there was a lot going on, let me spell it out for you just so we’re on the same page.” I pause. “Yes, Delilah is our girlfriend.”
“Not for long.” Adele’s grin is evil.
“What are you talking about?”
She lifts the corner of her mouth in such an arrogant way. “Tick-tock,” she singsongs.
I draw my eyebrows together. Now I’m the one who’s completely confused. “What game are you playing?” I demand.
“Her boss told mine she was only here for another few more months, then they’re shipping he
r back to that godforsaken place she comes from. I was standing there so I know this little thing you have with her is very short-lived.” She lifts her chin defiantly. “We can pick up where we left off once she’s no longer in the picture.” The desperation in her proposal is sickening.
“Not a chance.” I shake my head vehemently. “If that were to happen—and nothing has been confirmed yet—there are millions of women out there to choose from. Xander and I would have to be complete idiots to go down that road again with you.”
“But—”
I hold up a hand, silencing her. My jaw tightens. Frustration coils from the pit of my stomach up to my throat. It’s time to put an end to this before I strangle her with my bare hands. “It seems you’re not hearing me. Let me try this approach instead. It’s too bad things didn’t work out between you and Melvin, but Xander and I have moved on.” I pause. “You’re part of our past, Adele—one we have no intention of revisiting.”
Her eyes widen. She opens her mouth a few times to say something, but she doesn’t. I suspect the crushing weight of my words is sinking in. I fold my lips up. It’s not a smile. There’s nothing laughable, comical or remotely amusing about this pathetic situation. It’s more about me finally being able to put this story behind me. I no longer have to wonder. I know what kind of person she truly is. Without exchanging another word, I turn away after a long moment of silence, leaving behind the woman who was never worthy of our love.
* * *
“Fucking idiotic delusional bitch,” I mumble under my breath. I can’t believe she thought that she could just walk back into our lives after a year and a half and claim our hearts again. The same hearts she stomped all over as she was rushing out the door as if our houses were on fire. When Xander hears of this farce, he’s going to chase her down around this boat to give her a piece of his mind. Everything about that talk with Adele makes me indignant.
I shake my head and let out a heavy sigh. Regret and anger swirl at the pit of my stomach. “God, now I have to face Delilah.” Realizing I’m talking to myself again, I shoot a glare around me. Thankfully the upper deck is still fairly deserted. I guess I should be thankful the evening is so well organized that it’s keeping people so entertained on the lower levels, awarding me some privacy to duke it out with Adele. Other than the few smokers here and there, the deck hasn’t been nearly as crowded as I’ve seen it during other events. I can’t even fathom anyone walking in on that conversation.
After escaping from that dreadful encounter and posting myself on the other side of the deck, I pull out my phone and fire off a quick text to Xander. I’m sure he’s counting the minutes until I get back in touch with him. Since things dragged on far longer than I ever expected, I’m also certain he must be very worried by now—so must Delilah.
Well, that was painful.
It doesn’t take long for him to reply.
-----
I’ve been waiting for a while to hear back from you.
-----
I know.
-----
Are you still on the upper deck?
-----
Yes, I am.
-----
I assume you’re not talking to her any longer or else you wouldn’t be texting me?
-----
I couldn’t handle it anymore. I left her standing there.
-----
We’re coming right up.
-----
Wait. Not yet. I need a minute.
-----
I want to know what you talked about.
-----
I’m not surprised. There’s a lot to share. Too much.
-----
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you this, but Adele’s presence has sapped the zest from our girlfriend’s spirits. It breaks my heart to see her like this.
-----
No you don’t. I can just imagine. I need a bit of time to decompress. I’ll text you back or I’ll just come downstairs and find you guys.
-----
Okay.
I tuck away my phone back inside the pocket of my tuxedo jacket and lean against the railing. I pray to God that the sereneness of the night can calm the storm still raging inside me. I breathe in and out. Too many emotions are still racing through my veins. I’m afraid I’m so wired up, I may end up dumping this pent-up rage on the wrong people—the ones I care so deeply about.
Little fingers tap against my back. I flip around, ready to tear Adele apart for not wanting to back off, but it’s not our ex. It’s Delilah. “Love,” I say. Her once sparkling blue eyes are now dark and clouded. I look up at my best friend. “I said I’d be in touch.”
He sticks his hands in his pockets and shrugs. “She didn’t want to wait any longer. Frankly, neither did I,” he announces. “She has a lot of questions.”
“Didn’t you try to explain?” I ask.
Xander nods. “Of course I did. You’re my best friend. I always have your back. She wants to hear it from both of us at the same time.”
I move my attention back to Delilah. I reach out and she comes running to me. I fold my arms around her and kiss the top of her head. “I’m so sorry about that.”
She looks up at me and I catch her worried gaze. “Can we talk?” Her voice comes out muffled because her lips are pressed against my chest.
I want to eradicate the hurt I read in her blue eyes, swiftly and completely. I’m just not sure this is the place for it. “Shouldn’t we wait until we get back to our place?” I heard what Xander said, but the thought of having to go through this again so soon is unsettling.
She takes a small step back and shakes her head. “That’s too long of a wait.” Pain washes over her expression.
I hesitate, running a hand through my hair. After a few short seconds, I cave in. “I can understand,” I sympathize. I look around and when I spot a series of benches lined up in a straight row, I suggest, “Why don’t we sit over there?” I point in front of me. “That way we can monitor who’s walking behind us. If we have this discussion with our backs to the action, there’s no way of knowing who might be within earshot.”
“Okay. I can live with that,” she says in a low voice.
“Xander?”
“Whatever makes her happy.” His reply is swift.
I stare at him, fully aware of the heavy meaning of his words.
CHAPTER 65
Delilah
To say that a million scenarios have played in my mind in the last half hour would be an understatement. Being forced to walk away from Ethan and the stranger who broke our familiar triangle nearly killed me. I may not know who she is, but every single fiber in my body tells me that Ethan and she have a history together. Are we talking about something professional—I doubt it—or is it something that threatens my relationship with my boys? That, I’m not sure of yet.
Ethan pulls me by the hand until we reach the long bench. Xander follows close by. We traverse the deck without saying a word. When we finally sit, I’m sandwiched between the two of them, but contrary to the usual electrifying vibe that runs between us, there’s an uncomfortable tension I’ve never felt before. This was supposed to be a magical night. One I wouldn’t forget in a very long time. Now I find myself having to clarify a muddy situation with my boyfriends. We look out at the horizon—the only thing that’s serene right now. I suspect we’re all gathering our thoughts.
I gnaw nervously on the inside of my cheek. I feel by asking questions, I might be opening a can of worms. The tension permeating the air tells me that I most certainly won’t like what Ethan is about to say. Normally, I’d cut and run from a situation like this one to protect myself. I’d stick my head in the sand like an ostrich, pretending that this stranger’s presence hasn’t stirred all sorts of insecurities in me—many of which I’ve been able to silence because of the massive boost of confidence I get when I’m with them. Here’s the thing, I can’t run away. The old Delilah has never met anyone worth fighting for. She’s never loved a man so darn
much—let alone two. If there’s trouble in paradise, I need to know. If I have to prepare myself for a fight, I need them to give me a heads-up. Am I woman enough to take on this outsider who thinks she can waltz in on a good thing? We’re about to find out.
I turn my body slightly to face the man sitting to my right. “You sent me away, Ethan.”
“I know. It was better that way.”
“It was devastating,” I retort. “I didn’t know what to think.”
“I’m sorry. Didn’t Xander shed some light?” Ethan says, caressing my cheek with the back of his hand.
“No matter how much I tried, she refused,” Xander throws over my shoulder. “That said, I totally understand where she’s coming from.”
My breathing becomes ragged and my confidence wavers as I ready myself to ask the real question that’s eating at me. “Were you involved with her? Is that why she was giving off that possessive vibe?”
Ethan’s gaze softens with concern. He shifts his eyes above my head and I know he’s having one of those silent conversations with his best friend. After a few seconds, Ethan returns his attention to me. “Delilah, are you sure you don’t want to wait until we get back to our place?”
I shake my head. “I’d prefer if we could get it out in the open right now.”
“Love, there’s so much—”
My embarrassment from the earlier scene quickly morphs into frustration. What’s the connection with this woman? And why is he pushing back like this? “You said there should be no secrets between us.” I borrow the words he said to me a few weeks ago. I haven’t got a clue where this comes from. Who is this bossy woman fighting for her relationship with the two men she loves?
Ethan winces. “You really want to hear this?” he asks as if it isn’t already clear.
I stick to my ground. “The two of you keep saying the three of us form one. If this is a storm, we need to face it together.” I hold his gaze, unwilling to look away even as the tears prickle my eyes. He nods. I turn to Xander and he does the same. He reaches out and caresses my back. I just want to jump into his arms, but I can’t. Not until we’ve cleared the air. “Okay, we’re all on the same page?”
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