The Man I Thought I Loved (Two-Faced Book 2)

by E. L. Todd

  I felt terrible lying, but I had to lie so she wouldn’t be crushed. “I just feel torn because Charlie is my best friend and Denise is my sister. It feels like a disservice to them both to just look the other way.”

  “But there are rules for this, you know? Don’t date your friend’s ex. Don’t date the ex your friend is still in love with. Don’t date your best friend’s sister, who’s a friend of your ex. I mean, this is just so obvious.”

  “I know, but you’ve been broken up for almost a year.”

  She sighed again. “If I were over him, I guess that would be a valid argument, but I’m not.”

  “Yeah…”

  She straightened and grabbed the muffin again and started to pick at it. The conversation seemed to be over, based on the way she kept her gaze averted as she ate.

  “We were going to out on Friday. You want to come?”

  “Everyone?”

  I nodded.

  “Yeah…that’s fine. You guys mean a lot to me, and I don’t want to lose you because of this.”

  “You could never lose us, Kat.” Unless she was the one to walk away.

  “Alright, so tell me what’s going on with Dax.”

  “Just fuck him already.” Matt walked beside me as we headed to the gym to play our weekly sport. “Do you have any idea how hot he is? How do you restrain yourself when he smiles like that?”

  “Trust me, I know. I’ve already fucked him.”

  “Then it’s even more shocking that you’re holding back.”

  “It’ll happen when it’s meant to happen.”

  “How long has it been?”

  “Couple weeks.”

  He shook his head. “The guy is a saint. So, what’s going on with Kat?”

  I shook my head. “Haven’t gotten anywhere with her, but she’s coming out with us on Friday night.”

  “They’ve been broken up a long time. She should be over it.”

  “Don’t be a dick, Matt.”

  “What?” he asked incredulously.

  “You don’t know what it’s like to be in love and then get dumped.”

  “True. But how are you going to change her mind?”

  I started to wonder if the only option was to tell her the truth…that Charlie ended their relationship because Denise was the one he really wanted. It would explain why she needed to let this happen, but it would also kill her. “Not sure.”

  We entered the gym and saw Charlie there—with Denise.

  They sat together on the bench, talking while the guys warmed up on the court. He was shirtless and drinking from his water bottle. She was in skintight black jeans with brown booties and a sweater, her hair in curls down her chest, bracelets on her wrist.

  “Hopefully, Kat gets on board soon,” Matt said. “Because it looks like it might happen whether she’s ready or not.”

  I didn’t even look at the court because I was more focused on the two of them, close together and engaged in conversation. He said something to make her laugh, and she touched his arm, which seemed innocent, but since I was aware of her attraction, I knew it was anything but.

  I took a seat beside Charlie on the bench. “Ready for this?”

  He turned to me, a guilty look in his eyes like he knew what I was really thinking. We were connected like that, so it was easy to read his mind. “Yeah.”

  “I didn’t know you were coming.” I leaned forward and looked at Denise.

  “Charlie invited me,” Denise said. “Since there’s pizza and beer afterward, I couldn’t say no. Plus, all the hot shirtless guys on the court.”

  “That better not include Dax.”

  Denise smiled. “Sis, he’s all yours.”

  Dax had walked up and embraced Charlie. After Charlie jogged onto the court, Dax stood over me. “Get your ass up, sweetheart.”

  I recognized the playfulness in his tone, but also the subtle offense because I hadn’t gone out of my way to greet him like I usually did. I set my stuff down and got to my feet, having to tilt my chin back to look at him. “Hey…” The second I looked into his face, I forgot about the dilemma playing out right in front of me. My hands moved around his waist, and I rose onto my tiptoes to kiss him.

  His powerful arms tugged me against his hard body, and he kissed me hard, as if he didn’t care that my sister was right there. Like always, his hand snaked to my ass and gave one cheek a tight squeeze. “That’s better.” He pulled away and brushed his nose against mine. “What did I tell you?”

  I cocked an eyebrow, not following his question.

  He grinned, arrogance in his eyes. “I heard what you said, sweetheart. Would you like me to keep my shirt on?”

  I rolled my eyes and gave a good-natured shove into his chest so I could walk away and onto the court.

  He grabbed me by the wrist and tugged me back, his hand capturing my ponytail and forcing my head back so he could press another kiss to my mouth, this one even more aggressive than the last.

  Then he abruptly released me, walking back on the court like nothing happened.

  I turned back to Denise.

  Denise fanned herself and mouthed, “Damn.”

  I jogged onto the court, and we started the game.

  Dax was on me like usual, touching me in so many ways that were illegal during a real game. Even when I didn’t have the ball, his hands were on my hips or on my ass. He pressed his naked chest and stomach into my body, his face coming close like he would kiss me if the right opening occurred.

  “Geez, you’re ridiculous.” I gave him a playful shove in the chest.

  “Sweetheart, you like it.” He grabbed my wrists and planted them on his sweat-soaked body.

  I shoved him and sprinted off, trying to get open to grab the ball. It was the perfect moment, because I caught the pass and dribbled across the court and reached the basket. I made the shot, using the backboard to sink the two-pointer.

  Dax stood with his hands on his hips, grinning at me even though I’d gotten away.

  Charlie got the ball and started to dribble as he prepared to pass to someone.

  I stayed close with my hands open. “What the fuck are you doing?”

  “What the fuck are you doing?” he snapped. “Get open.”

  Dax was on me now, covering me and finding any reason to touch me.

  I pushed him aside and stuck out my head. “Why the hell did you invite Denise here?”

  Once Dax realized I was just trying to talk to Charlie, he eased up on the blocking.

  Charlie sighed. “We’re playing a game here.”

  “Don’t be a dick, Charlie,” I snapped.

  “I’m not,” he snapped back. “She texted me the day before about something, so I just decided to invite her. It’s not like I asked her out on a date or something. We’re friends, right?”

  “But you know your intentions aren’t friendly.”

  The guys started to shout from the other end of the court.

  Dax started to block me more seriously to make this believable. “You guys are going to have to talk about this later.”

  “Oh, we will,” I snapped. Then I took off, running down the court and trying to leave Dax behind me.

  He was too fast and caught up to me, blocking me in the corner. “I know you’re trying to keep everyone happy, but I’m not sure if you can.”

  “Well, I’m going to try.”

  William wiped down with a towel as he sat on the bench. “We need to mix up the teams, because Charlie and Carson can communicate telepathically or something.”

  Charlie stood close to Denise and wiped down with his towel, starting with his face and then his body.

  She stared.

  I did not want this to happen now. I wanted this to happen when the moment was right. Charlie clearly had grown impatient waiting, and when Kat didn’t give the green light, he snapped. He’d been waiting long enough and couldn’t do it for several more months, however long Kat needed.

  “What are we eating?” Matt asked. />
  “I’ve been craving hot wings,” William said.

  “Me too,” Denise said. “Even though I didn’t work up a sweat at all.”

  We filed out of the gym and headed down the sidewalk.

  Dax was beside me, drawing the attention of each woman who passed. Being sweaty made him look even better, so he turned every single head.

  It didn’t bother me, despite what he claimed, because they couldn’t have him.

  I watched Charlie, Matt, and Denise walk up ahead. Thankfully, Matt was there, so it wouldn’t be too much one-on-one time.

  Dax glanced at me. “It’s out of your control.”

  “I just need to give Charlie a reminder when we’re alone together.” And I would give him a big-ass reminder.

  William was on the other side of Dax. “Renee almost came today, but she bailed at the last minute. Had to do something at the office.”

  “You kept your shirt on,” Dax noted.

  “Because if she found out…” He shook his head and whistled. “She’d burn the gym down with her fire. She acts all professional around other people, but with me, she’s an emotional wreck. I love it.” He grinned.

  “My woman is like that too.” Dax gave me a teasing stare.

  “Am not,” I argued.

  “That’s not what it sounded like when you spoke to your sister,” Dax noted.

  “I was teasing,” I said.

  “Sure…” He gave me a gentle tickle in the side. “Whatever you say.”

  “I don’t have to put up with this.” I walked ahead and came to the other side of Dense.

  She turned to me. “You were on fire on the court today.”

  “Thanks.” I was glad she looked at me and didn’t stare at Charlie the entire time. “What’s new with you?” Without turning around, I could feel Dax’s gaze right on my ass. I glanced over my shoulder to see him doing exactly that.

  When he knew I checked, he grinned—unapologetically.

  “I just finished my rotation,” she said. “I’m off for four days.”

  “Cool. Any plans?”

  “Not really. I have a date on Saturday, but I don’t know if I’m gonna go.”

  Charlie ended his conversation with Matt abruptly and turned in her direction when he heard what she said.

  “Why not?” I asked.

  She shrugged. “I just think I’m not going to like him, so I don’t want to waste his time. He’s a neurologist.”

  “Do you only date doctors?” I asked incredulously.

  “No,” she said with a laugh. “But I see them a lot, and it kinda just happens.”

  Charlie turned away and continued his conversation with Matt, but his tone was definitely different.

  We entered the restaurant and took up a large table. I made sure to say near Denise and Charlie to interrupt anything inappropriate, and Dax sat on the other side of me, his hand moving to my thigh under the table.

  I kept Denise engaged so she wouldn’t pay much attention to Charlie.

  Charlie glared at me because I was being the biggest cockblock on the planet.

  The food arrived and everyone ate, washing it down with their beers. Dax talked to William because I was so focused on the drama unfolding right in front of me.

  Dax moved his arm around my chair and leaned in close to kiss me. “Sweetheart?”

  “Hmm?”

  “I’d like some attention too.”

  I lowered my voice. “I’ve got to cockblock this thing.”

  “You’re pretty small. Not sure you could block Charlie’s cock.”

  “Well, I have to try. I’m not gonna let this take off and then Kat finds out, and it’s just terrible…”

  His hand moved to my back, and he rubbed me gently, the playfulness leaving his gaze and being replaced by a softer look. “It’s sweet that you’re so invested in other people’s feelings, but there’s nothing you can do. If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. And it’s not your fault.”

  I propped my chin on my knuckles and sighed.

  He pulled me in and kissed the corner of my mouth, the stubble on his jaw scratching my soft skin lightly. “It’ll be alright, sweetheart.”

  Once we left the restaurant and said goodbye, I grilled Charlie—hard. “What are you doing right now?”

  “Walking,” he said, like a smartass.

  “I’m serious.”

  He shook his head and kept walking, crossing the street with me in tow. “I just invited her to watch the game. You’re making this a much bigger deal than it needs to be.”

  “Charlie.”

  He ignored me.

  “Charlie.” I grabbed his arm and forced him to halt.

  He turned to me, his jaw clenched.

  “You know exactly what you’re doing.”

  “How would you feel if the woman you’ve wanted forever wants you too? I just do nothing? You know how impossible that is?”

  “I know, I get it.”

  “No, you don’t get it,” he snapped. “I’m sorry Kat feels the way she does. Truly, I am. But I’m not going to not be happy just because she isn’t. This is what I want. I’m tired of living for someone else’s feelings instead of my own.”

  “I get it.” I raised both hands to calm him down.

  “And we’re great together. I make her laugh, she makes me laugh, we’re connecting. I’ve never really connected with her before because there’s been this fucking wall between us since I can’t do anything. But now that I know she feels the way I do…I can’t help it. I flirt. I smile. I compliment her. And if I don’t continue to do that, she’s gonna end up with some other guy, and that’s the worst thing that can happen.”

  “Just give it a little more time.”

  His hands moved to his hips, and he glared at me. “It’s been nine months—”

  “Just a little more time.”

  “Then I get to talk to Denise and tell her I want to ask her out, but I’m waiting for Kat’s fucking permission.”

  “We can’t do that.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “Because then you really are sneaking around behind her back.”

  He pressed his palms over his eyes then slowly dragged them down. “You’re killing me here, Carson. She’s gonna go out with that neurologist unless I step up.”

  “She said she’s probably gonna cancel that.”

  “And then some other guy will ask her out. She’s fucking gorgeous, Carson. I’m surprised she’s been single as long as she has.”

  “Chill.” I lowered my hands.

  His nostrils flared. “You’ve talked to Kat twice, and she hasn’t come around. And honestly, if she doesn’t come around, it’s not going to stop me. I’ve tried to do the right thing and be as sensitive as possible, but I’m getting tired…really tired.”

  I wasn’t sure if Kat would ever be on board. She was making some progress, but not enough. “If it really comes down to it, I know one thing that will get her on board…but I don’t want to take that option.”

  “What is it?”

  “We tell her the real reason you ended things.”

  His eyes shifted back and forth as he looked into mine.

  “Because she doesn’t understand why you can’t just find someone else and Denise can’t find someone else. There are a million women out there, and it doesn’t need to be Denise. So if I tell her the reason why this is so important to you, she would definitely bow out…but be eternally heartbroken.”

  He sighed, like his lungs ached. “Yeah…I don’t want to do that.”

  “I don’t either. But it might come down to it.”

  “That’s just cruel, Carson.”

  “I know. But if there’s no other way…”

  “If it comes down to it, then she should hear it from me.”

  “I don’t know. That might make it worse.”

  “But if you tell her, then she’ll know you knew the whole time. And that will put you in a really tough position.”
/>   “I know, but it’ll still hurt a lot less.”

  Nineteen

  Carson

  Charlie and I were the first ones there.

  He got me a lemon drop and grabbed himself a beer. We stood at the table together, him dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, me in a black dress that had slits in the material, showing the side of my stomach and my upper thigh. My hair was pulled back slightly, the curls pinned in an elegant updo. A lot of the guys stared at me but didn’t make a pass because they assumed I was with Charlie.

  Charlie was totally immune to my looks. He never showed a hint of attraction for me, looked at me like I was the little sister he both loved and hated. Our personalities meshed together so well that we’d felt like family the moment we met, but that romantic connection, like what I felt with Dax, had never been there. Sometimes people said Charlie and I would be perfect together, but those urges weren’t present…for either of us.

  “Fuck.” Charlie straightened and bought his beer to his lips, his eyes on the door.

  “What?” I turned to see Denise walk inside in a deep green dress with one sleeve, her curled hair down one shoulder with her clutch hanging from her wrist on a string. Her makeup was fully done, and there wasn’t a guy in that bar who didn’t notice her the way Charlie did.

  Charlie quickly stuck his fist into his mouth and bit down, like he needed to express his frustration in some way. He dropped his hand and straightened. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”

  “Keep it together, man.” I nudged him in the side.

  He sighed and tried to look casual.

  Denise noticed us and came to our table, a smile spreading on her lips when she reached us. “Hey.” She hugged me. “You look hot. Trying to give Dax a heart attack?”

  “You’re the one giving people a heart attack…” If only she knew how much.

  She turned to Charlie next, her smile growing, her eyes wearing a special shine. “Hey.”

  “Hey.” He hesitated for a brief second before he wrapped his arm around her and hugged her to his chest, his fingers spread out over her back, his eyes closed as he held her. When he released her, he took his time letting go, his hand sliding over her back and to her hip before he finally dropped his embrace. “Can I get you something to drink?”