The Significant Other (The Relationship Quo Series Book 4)

by Nicole Strycharz

  So that’s what the flash in his eyes was.

  I started up the steps and followed the hall on the middle floor to another staircase. It led me to a white door. Trix told me about Chance’s place so I know this is right. I don’t care how bad Jax is, Jolee is not spending the night with a man like Chance Urban, either. In my book, he’s just as bad.

  I knocked and waited.

  No answer. Fuck. I have really awful images suddenly going through my mind.

  No answer.

  I banged harder and all I could see was Jolee telling Chance, no, and him not stopping. She’s a bitch and a brat but she’s my girl’s sister and seeing her get hurt would be like seeing a mirror image of Trix getting hurt. She’s been through enough. I can’t live with that. She’s my new responsibility like it or not. I even imagined her parents, freaking out because I let something aweful-.

  The door opened and Chance set his shoulder along the frame. “One knock, is good.”

  I glowered at him, “Where is she?”

  He turned his body so I could come in. I brushed past him and scanned the room. My eyes fell on the long white couch, shaped like an L. Jolee was curled in a ball in the center, with a blanket and a pillow. A glass of water sat on the table nearby.

  I strolled her way, crouched down to feel her head, and check her. “Jolee, please, come with me.”

  She moaned in her sleep then fell deeper into her booze coma.

  “She can sleep here,” Chance said as he went to his kitchen. It’s small but spotless and built into an alcove. He poured a cup of coffee then held it up in my direction.

  “No, thanks,” I said coldly.

  He shrugged and put it back then drank from his own mug. “I doubt you’ll get her in a cab like this,” he said.

  I stood up, “Well, leaving her here alone is no option.”

  He went from his kitchen to his desk, he moves slowly like he doesn’t care about anything, “You can stay with her, just don’t ever let this happen again.”

  I watched him divide papers and put them away in drawers while he sipped his coffee. “Trix said, you didn’t like people in your apartment,” I motioned to Jolee, “So why let her up here in the first place?”

  He focused on Jolee a minute then me, “Trix is very special.”

  “She’s also in a relationship. Is this to impress her?”

  He came around his desk and sat at the edge. “Don’t worry, Adam, your Trix is safe from me.”

  I set down my guitar case and my bag, “Whatever.” I set my hands on my sides, “I’ll stay and get us out early.”

  He narrowed his eyes on me, “So did you figure out what it is about me that bothers you? Because when we met in the alley, you weren’t so defensive.”

  I know why he bothers me and I know he knows, but I’m not giving him that, “I don’t know. According to most people, I’m a robotic dick most the time.”

  He smiled over his cup, “Sounds like every woman’s dream.”

  I laughed even though I hadn’t meant to. “How do you drink coffee this late?”

  “It’s decaf. I sleep during the day, not at night. Nine to one is when I’m in bed, four hours and I’m good.” He held up his half gone drink, “Change your mind?”

  I sighed and looked down at a softly snoring Jolee. “Yeah, why not?”

  He went to the kitchen and poured another cup. “Cream?” He asked.

  “No, I take it black,” I rolled up my sleeves and took it.

  “Me too,” he mentioned.

  My phone buzzed in the front pocket of my jeans and I pulled it out.

  “You learned,” he nodded to the phone.

  I smiled, “Yeah, no more back pocket. I told the guys too.” I looked back at the screen to see Trix’s text.

  It read.

  “Where are you guys? Is Jolee okay? I know you’re busy being a jerk but could you at least answer your phone?”

  I mumbled and started texting her back, “Sorry,” I told him.

  “Go ahead,” he went back to his desk.

  I wrote her back,

  “When you’re done being a bitch, I’ll pick up.”

  Ugh, that was too harsh. I started writing a sorry.

  Her reply came first,

  “Just wanted to know if you’re both okay. I know she’s not your problem, I don’t have to be your problem either.”

  I swallowed the sadness, I don’t want her thinking that but before I could get my message sent, my phone died.

  I pocketed it. Whatever, it is what it is.

  I went to the sofa as Chance pulled his coat on, “I’m going for a smoke, you can come if you want.”

  “It’s too cold and I left my coat with the guys.”

  He went to the door where a bar of hooks held up three nice coats. He took one down and came over to hold it out. “Come on.”

  I waved him off, “It’s okay.”

  “It’s a coat, not a contract,” he narrowed his eyes at me, “Ah, but I have one of those with you too.”

  I set down my coffee, “Right,” I mocked as I took it. I put it on and felt a little overwhelmed by his scent. His cologne was lightly laced over the thick wool of the gray fabric. It fit perfectly considering we’re around the same size.

  I followed him to the hall but instead of going down the steps he went further down the hall to where a big metal door sat. We went through it and up cement stairs in a narrow passage that smelled like a musty basement.

  He opened another door at the top and a blast of cold air hit my face. We were on the roof. Nice. No, nice is an understatement. He’s turned his rooftop into a patio. There are outdoor sofas and a fire pit. The view is stunning; I can see all the great points of the city and people walking near bustling traffic. There’s a stainless steel BBQ grill that looks more like a spaceship under a heavy transparent cover and plants are scattered all over. They are dormant for the season but still add to the appeal.

  “Wow,” I looked around, “This is cool.”

  “Do you have views like this in Colorado?” He asked lighting up a cigarette with his vintage lighter.

  “No… we have mountains…and forests…wildlife.”

  “Trust me,” he blew smoke away, “this city is full of wildlife too.”

  I laughed, “I bet.” Then I thought about it, “Like Jax?”

  He kept his eyes on the city below as he spoke, “He’s human. Humans are like animals. That means we have predators. He’s a predator.”

  I stuffed my hands in the pockets of his borrowed coat. “What are you?”

  He smiled before taking another drag of his cigarette, “I’m not prey.” He brought his hand down and tapped the side of his thigh.

  I felt something in the pocket of the coat. It slid between my fingers then looped around them. I pulled it out to find dog tags. He heard the jingle and followed the sound.

  “These yours?” I held them up and he put his hand out. I dropped them in his palm.

  “No, old boyfriend.” He confessed slipping them in his own pocket.

  I watched a plane go overhead, “Trix says you’re known to go through partners like socks.”

  He pushed smoke from his nose and squinted against the cold. “He was before all that.”

  I laughed, “Don’t tell me,” I teased, “he was the one and you were madly in love till he was hit by a bus. The perfect tragic tale to drop many a panty and boxer brief.”

  He smiled and nodded while holding the cig to his lips, then pulled it away, “Pretty much,” he agreed.

  Laughing, I asked, “What’s the story?”

  “Grew up together in the hood, I went to prison, he went into the army. I made it out of my situation; he didn’t make it out of his.”

  I noticed he wasn’t smiling, just stating facts. “Fuck, I’m sorry.” I retreated.

  He laughed, “It’s fine, Adam it was years ago.”

  I still felt like a colossal idiot. “Still, I’m sorry.”

  He shrugge
d.

  Now this feels awkward. I’m not sure what to say to repair the moment or return the easy going talk we had before. “So what turned you bi?”

  He faced me and sat down on the edge of the half wall, “What turned you?”

  “Could you not…?” I motioned to the wall, “Dude, it’s a death drop.”

  His smile, it’s a weapon. “Worried about me?”

  “Well, we argued downstairs and we’re alone. I’ll look like a suspect.” I reasoned.

  He laughed and pretended to fall back to freak me out. He’s funny when he’s relaxed. He stood up with the cigarette balanced between his full lips and rubbed the back of his neck. “I like sex,” he confessed. “I don’t know,” he held himself against the cold. “Touch is touch. After he died,” he said referring to the dog tags guy, “I really didn’t care what kept me company at night. Long as it distracted me.”

  I don’t know why but I understand. I went to the wall to look out again.

  “You didn’t answer,” he reminded.

  I licked my lips, “Just done with guys… I don’t trust men easily.”

  Chance flicked his cig away and lit another. “I pegged you for a closet guy.”

  I frowned and shook my head, “No, it’s not an insecurity thing. Everyone knows.”

  “Even Trix?”

  “Yeah. She just happened to show up in my life around the time I decided to try something different. Her love is safe. Women are different. They love differently.”

  He made a sound of disagreement. “People either let you down or they don’t. Gender doesn’t change that.”

  I only have a past of broken roads to compare with. I can’t agree with him. “It’s easier to find someone by being straight…” I teased.

  He laughed, “You mean, flamboyant ones?”

  I laughed, “I’m sorry but if you are in all ways…”

  He finished my thought, “Female?”

  I nodded, “Yeah and I’m gay, why would I date you? If I want a woman, I’ll date a woman.”

  His laughs filled up my chest, “Then there are the transgender surprises…”

  I laughed so hard it hurt. We chilled for a second, and then he added, “So being gay is like getting a box of chocolates.”

  I grinned, “Yeah, you have to poke em’ to find out what you’re getting.”

  These laughs and this talk is coming so easily between us. This was my first impression of Chance but then I caught a worry from my feelings and I kept him away. My attraction to him is what keeps me guarded.

  The time to go back in came and we strolled to the door together. “Your lip split,” he said as we went.

  I touched my bottom lip but I could feel the sting before that. I looked and saw a glimmer of blood on my finger. “Cold does that to me,” I said.

  He held out a little round silver tin, “Here, it’s organic.”

  I took it and opened it to find lip balm that had a faint but pleasing smell of peppermint. “Thanks.”

  He held the door open for me as I put it on. Then the thought crossed my mind so fast I couldn’t stop it.

  I wonder if this is how his lips taste…

  I woke up on Chance’s couch next to Jolee. She at one point in the night cuddled into my chest and drooled on my shirt. I sat up and groaned.

  Chance worked at his desk all night so he was still awake. He stood over me with a fresh cup of coffee. “Here,” he said.

  Chance in morning light, is a really sexy vision. He’s in a fitted white T-shirt and jeans. His tattoos are so dark they show through the shirt and like it or not, I had a morning reaction.

  “Thanks,” I was sly enough to roll Jolee off me, so she snuggled into the couch but I covered my morning wood with the blanket before it was noticed. I took the coffee and squinted against the light. His apartment is all windows. “What time is it?”

  “Eight-thirty,” he sat on the back of the sofa and looked down at Jolee, “Is she worth hiring?”

  “No,” I was going to be honest. “She’s not, but she needs to get her shit together and I guess a job would help.”

  He arched a brow, “Funny how two sisters can look so alike and be so different.”

  “Yeah.”

  “You got some serious bed head.”

  I felt my hair, I know what’s happening. When I sleep, I wrestle with myself and this leads to my hair spiking in several places. “I can’t be hot all the time,” I teased.

  “That’s debatable.”

  I drank the coffee like a race horse even as it burned my throat and tongue. Maybe the pain would kill the hard on. “You have an accent…” I observed out loud. “It’s so New York.”

  He laughed, “I’m from Brooklyn.”

  “What does your family think about the club? Have they ever been?”

  His eyes changed from chill and flirtatious to dark and withdrawn. “I really don’t want her passing out in my place again. I don’t like people in here. Watch her.”

  I felt a little annoyed by his cutting me off. I thought we got past the pissy phase. I set my coffee on the table, “Next time I tell you to cut her off, just listen.”

  “I’ll call a cab,” he stood up and went for his cell. What was that? More importantly, why do I give a shit?

  Then it really hit me what time it was and that my phone was still dead. Trixie.

  “Jolee…” I shook her none too gently. “Wake up.”

  Chapter Seven

  TRIXIE

  I sat at the island with the phone in my hand trying to decide if I should call 911. I hadn’t heard from my sister or Adam all night long and now it was bright with day and still nothing.

  “I can’t get him,” said Blaze. He set down his cell and came to rub his hand in circles on my back. His touch was comforting but I’m so anxious.

  “When do we worry?” Asked Knox.

  “I don’t know!” my voice came out in a strained wobble. “I’m so done! I’m sick of this! God damn it!” I smacked the surface of the island and let one sob break free.

  Diego winced and took my hand, “Easy Ma, he’s okay, your hermana…she’s okay. Nothing gonna be wrong.”

  I took my hand back to cover my face with my hands. “This city is… we don’t know this place! He can’t just disappear whenever the fuck he wants! And where the hell is Jolee? She was drunk off her ass! Why did I leave her? What if Adam didn’t help her? Is she laying in an alley somewhere? Is Adam?”

  All my fears tumbled out.

  Knox went behind me to rub my shoulders. He calms me the most. His energy is just very steady.

  Blaze picked up his phone again, “That’s it. I’m calling the cops. It’s been since what?”

  Knox’s grumbling voice came from behind me, “It’s not time. It feels like forever to us but to the cops, it’s not a long enough gap.”

  Diego rubbed his ear, “He always checks in by now. At least with one of us.” His eyes carried the worry in mine, “I should go check around maybe?”

  I hung my head, “This isn’t Little Water, Colorado, Diego. This is a city. There are too many places to look.”

  One might wonder why I’m so worried. The news last night told us that there was a shooting one block down from the club. Adam usually checks in, even if we fight. Even if he just texts one of the guys. So between that and my sister being super vulnerable at the bar, I just see bad things.

  The door lock jiggled and all of us looked up. Jolee came in first. She was a wreck, with day old makeup smearing and crazy hair. She inched in, knowing the trouble she caused and Adam was right behind her.

  “Sis,” Jolee saw how distraught I was and tried to come toward me but I put my hand up and glared at her.

  Adam moved around her and came to my side. Knox stepped back but when Adam tried to touch me I ducked away and stood, toppling my stool.

  “Back off,” I growled.

  “Everything is okay, Trix,” he was using his lion tamer voice. “We’re home.”

&nbs
p; “Was this your way of punishing me?” I threw my phone at him. It hit his solid chest then fell on the counter. “What the fuck, Adam? Why? Because I asked for help? Because you just had to make a point? What was it?”

  He tried coming around the island but I backed away and looked to the guys, “Do not let him touch me.” I went for the stairs but heard him following.

  The guys stayed in the kitchen with my sister and I grabbed my shoulder bag before frantically searching for my journal and my laptop.

  “Trix,” Adam was right behind me like a shadow. “Talk to me. I didn’t do it on purpose. My phone died.”

  “Right,” I forced a book I was reading into the pack, “Along with all the other phones in New York, huh?”

  He hovered, “I was mad. I don’t think when I’m mad.”

  “You know what?” I turned to face him. “This is bigger than that. Jolee sucks as a human being but she’s my sister. When you love someone, you deal with their shit!”

  “Well, maybe that’s your problem, Trix, you deal with too many people’s shit.” He threw at me.

  Angry tears stung my eyes, “Sometimes it feels like you’re trying to hurt me so I leave you alone. Do you want to be alone? Is that what this is?”

  He took my bag off my shoulder, “Don’t leave like this.”

  “That’s not an answer.”

  “I think you’d be happier if you thought about others a little less.” He confessed. “Your heart is too big. It bleeds for everybody. It’s what I love about you. It’s what I depend on but I’m not always sure that’s fair.”

  My furious breathing made my chest feel too heavy, or maybe it was what he was saying, “Is this a breakup?” I looked him in the eyes. Those beautiful eyes that might as well have chains coming from them. “I can’t tell…” I whispered.

  His jaw went tight. “If I was a good guy…” He blew air from his lips and touched my face, “It would be.” He held my face with both hands after shouldering my bag, “I just keep making you cry…”

  I cut my eyes even as they leaked evidence of my weakness, “Then do it.” I challenged. “Break up with me.”