Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
West
P rivate bar.
Pool table.
Apparently, Ricky’s office is the new VIP, and it doesn’t get more private than this
“Two, corner pocket,” Dane calls out, and I lean on my pool stick, focused as he takes his shot.
His lame ass does a literal fist pump when he knocks that shit in, then he makes his way around to the other side of the table to line up another one. Sterling sips his beer, then his gaze slips toward me while I wait to take my turn.
“Listen, I did some thinking on the way home today. You have my word I won’t give you anymore shit about your shoulder. It’s not my business, you already know my thoughts on it, so I’m officially retiring my nagging card,” he jokes, which draws a smile from me. “And that goes for Dane too,” he adds.
The second he says his name, Dane knocks the cueball in, and I scan the table for a shot.
“All good.” I keep my response short, because honestly? I’m feeling guilty as a visual of the pills swirling down the toilet pops into my head.
Sterling places his hand on my shoulder, shaking it a bit before he walks over to the bar to swap out his empty bottle for another. “Clean slate,” he says. “So, what’s new? How’s the center coming along? Blue ready to pull her hair out yet?”
I smile but don’t speak until I sink my shot. “Nah, you know she loves a good project. Shit, getting my ass in line was probably her greatest challenge.”
Ricky laughs the loudest from the stool he’s holding down at the bar, and I shoot his disloyal ass a look.
“Sorry, Rich Boy, but that’s the realest shit you’ve ever said. I mean, damn, you almost ruined things before you even had her.”
As much as I’d like to disagree with him, he’s right, which is why I’m laughing too now.
“All right. I get it. I was an asshole.”
Dane arches a brow. “Was?”
He laughs when I flip him off, then I make my shot.
“Any trouble out of this Seth guy yet?” Sterling asks. “Pandora seems to want everyone to think he’s a problem, but if anyone knows she blows shit out of proportion, it’s us.”
I take a breath before answering. “He’s keeping his nose clean so far, but you know me, always on high alert.”
“As you should be,” Ricky nods, approving one hundred percent of my tendency to be overprotective, because he’s the exact same way. “Don’t trust a motherfucker further than you can throw his ass.”
He fist bumps me, having taken the words right out of my mouth.
I don’t mean to, but I fall silent after that, feeling guilt creep in again as I’m reminded of my visit to Tripp’s earlier today. On top of everything else, now I’m carrying this, too.
“What’s on your mind, Rich Boy. Talk to me,” Ricky says, and I’m not sure how he always does that, reads our damn minds like some kind of prophet.
Again, I’m quiet. Not because I don’t trust the guys, but just… because I’m fucking ashamed.
“We can do this all night,” he adds, and when I glance toward him, he smiles a little.
I hate myself for having stooped so low, but… fuck it.
“Had a rough day today, and… it led me to do something I’m not proud of,” I admit.
Ricky nods. “Been there. I think we all have.”
His words have me remembering some of those moments for each of the three in the room with me tonight.
“Yeah, but… this feels exceptionally bad. Like, if my ass had gotten caught, I could’ve lost everything.”
And I mean that wholeheartedly, which is why I can’t believe I even considered it.
“This is a no judgment zone, remember?” Ricky adds, then sips from his glass.
“I know, I just… I… paid an old friend a visit today and… copped a few pills to help with my shoulder.”
I’m breathing harder when I finish, knowing they’re all probably thinking what an idiot I am—risking my career, my marriage.
“I just had this moment of weakness, where I kept thinking that I just needed something to knock the pain out, so I can push through it. But… then I got home, saw Blue, and it was like a switch flipped, and I realized how I was about to fuck things up even worse, so… I flushed them.”
The guys are quiet now, and it feels like my little side mission to Tripp’s was an out-of-body experience, because what the actual fuck was I thinking?
“Well, the important thing is, you got rid of that shit,” Sterling says.
“Exactly,” Ricky chimes in.
I blow out a breath. “Damn. It feels like a weight has just lifted off me. I hate keeping things from Blue, but I can’t put this shit on her right now. She’s already dealing with enough. The last thing she needs is to stress more than she already is.”
About me losing my position.
About having to move away from Cypress Pointe again.
The thought of it has me shaking my head. “I can’t do that to her.”
My next thought is of Blue’s past, the history with her parents’ addiction. The more I think about it, all of it, the stupider I feel.
“This pressure… it’s… suffocating.” I stand straight, holding the pool stick upright as I zone out.
“So, let’s talk about it,” Ricky says. “What’s your plan?”
I sigh, preparing to share the idea I came up with on my way here. “I’m gonna reach out to our old strength and conditioning coach from NCU. I’m thinking I’ll do some extra work to build up the shoulder.”
They’re all quiet, and I’m guessing they think the plan sucks.
“Won’t that just be more taxing?” Dane asks.
My chest feels tight as I consider this being the only viable option. Even if it’s a shitty one.
“I hear you, but this is all I have.”
“Then, it’ll be enough,” Sterling jumps in. “And we’ve got your back if it isn’t. For whatever you need.”
I nod at him, then sip my soda. “Much appreciated. Now, can we change the subject?”
Sterling nods. “Absolutely.”
“I’ve got something. How about you three get in touch with the tailor this week?” Dane asks. “It takes a while to get custom-fitted tuxes, and he needs your measurements. And quite frankly, I’d like to get Joss off my back about it.”
I laugh at that. “Yeah, right. Joss will always be on your back. Keeping the three of us in line is her happy place. But be honest,” I say, staring him down. “You get off on her bossing your ass around.”
The slow smile that hitches on my brother’s lips says it all.
“Fucking freak,” I grumble, and he doesn’t deny it.
“Seriously, though. She’s stressed—wondering if all the pieces will fall into place, wondering if her parents will behave themselves—so I’m trying to do what I can to keep things running smoothly. I can’t do anything about her folks’ nasty divorce, but I can wrangle you three dickheads in to get fitted for your tuxes.”
As a guy who also likes to keep his wife as stress free as possible, I get it. “Fair enough. Let her know I’ll take care of it as soon as possible.”
Ricky steps toward the table as I bend forward to take my shot. Then, I glance left when he places a hundred-dollar bill on the edge.
“Speaking of what’s possible, no way you’re gonna make that shot,” he teases, casually pointing at the seven ball.
Smiling, I pull out a bill to match, placing it on top of his. Then, a laugh leaves me when I sink the shot, happily slipping both mine and Ricky’s money into my pocket. “Fuck off. Don’t ever doubt me.”
“Lucky shot,” he smiles, then checks the time on his phone. “Shit, I’m late. I’m meeting Hunter over at Dusty’s.”
“Everything cool?”
He nods when I ask. “Yeah, we’ve just got some paperwork to fill out. Finally convinced the guy to take some help.”
“No shit? Blue’s been trying for years.”
“We all have,” Ricky shoots back. “But he’ll be done with his EMT training in a few weeks, which means he can apply with the fire department soon. So, co-signing for his place plus six months paid rent is my gift to him. The guy needs a place of his own, and a break,” he adds. “But he only agreed to accept if I promised to let him pay me back once he’s on his feet, so…”
A laugh slips and this doesn’t surprise me. “Of course those were the terms, because he’s just like his sister.”
“ Exactly like his sister,” Ricky adds. “But we’ll link up again soon.”
“I should probably get going, too,” Dane chimes in. “Joss was cooking when I left, and I’m pretty sure we’re having dessert in the bedroom.”
I roll my eyes, wishing he’d keep some shit to himself.
Sterling has the same reaction, then grabs his keys from the table. “Guess I’m out, too.”
I rack the balls, so the table’s set for whenever someone plays again, then mount the sticks on the wall. My brothers head out, but before I make it to the door, Ricky stops me. He stands there, staring me down as he slips both hands into his pockets.
“Just wanted to have a word with you. Man-to-man.”
I didn’t realize this was about to be a serious talk, so I brace myself. “What’s up.”
At first, he only stares, but then he nods slowly. “Just want you to know I’m proud of you. It took a lot of courage to flush those pills, and it took even more to come clean about it. Shows you intend to be accountable moving forward.”
He extends his hand, and I meet him halfway, grasping his palm. “Thank you.”
He nods again, but his expression goes serious, just like before. “You know me and the guys always have your back, but I think you should have a little more faith in Blue. We both know she’s tougher than she looks. It’s cool to lean on us , but you’re wife’s strong, too.”
His words sink in, hitting me square in the chest, because he’s one hundred percent right. Only, things aren’t that cut and dry with all Blue has going on at the moment, but I’ll definitely consider it.
“Thanks, man.”
“Call me. For anything, ” he says, then pulls me into a tight hug. When he lets go, I feel slightly less ashamed for my slipup. We’ve all made mistakes, and according to the men who are all my brothers—whether we share blood or not—I’ve got all the support I’ll ever need.
@QweenPandora:
Well, it looks like the #KingsOfCypressPointe had a night out on the town, leaving the Queens home alone.
Tonight’s gathering was held at none other than our very own #SexyBeast’s nightclub, but pics only show the guys headed inside, only to be quickly ushered to a private elevator I imagine leads to bossman’s private quarters.
No fair, boys. Everyone’s dying to know what happened next. In fact, you’ve been extra careful to guard your secrets lately, and that’s now how this game is played.
Guess I’ll just have to step my game up, #GoldenCrew.
No bother…
Challenge accepted.
Later, peeps :)
—P