Chapter Eleven
Dax
Iwhip my hand away. Tony was grabbing the folks to run interference so I could get to Monica. Sophie looks smugly at Hayden and Liz. Lizzie abruptly separates us. Crumpled red face, Monica smacks at Hayden to wheel her away.
I chase after her, “Monica.” Sophie pulls my wrist.
“Don’t,” Hayden bites out.
They disappear around the corner and I shake myself loose. Lizzie greets Sophie and tries to be nice. Their close friendship fizzled when she realized Sophie’s not who any of us thought. She’s wearing a bindi as if she’s found some kind of peace.
“Why are you here?” Lizzie asks.
“Good to see you too,” Sophie says with a wry smile. “My love needs me.” I want to scream.
“Soph,” I scold her.
“I rushed here when I heard on the news. Does my worry not matter? Only hers or your precious friends?” I used to find her jagged voice sexy, but it’s like more scrapes across my skin. She never liked Monica.
Lizzie tsks and steps away. “I’ll be polite and say nothing.”
I cross my arms as she says, “Clearly, my concern means nothing. Typical. Have you thought about how this affects me?” I’m stunned.
I guide her back into my room. “Stay.” I close the door. Lizzie’s eyes are wide.
“Did you do that? She’s acting like a fretful wife. A selfish one but...”
“Hey, judgy. I know as much as you. Calm it down.” I put my hand up and she slaps it down and stares. Hayden and Tony round the corner.
“Dude?” Hayden questions.
“Bro,” I grit out.
Tony puts his hands up. “Gentleman.” We all shrug and retreat a little.
Lizzie’s eyes dart. “I hate ‘Brothers’ shorthand. Fix this.”
Hayden’s voice booms. “Monica is family. She understands what a fucking idiot I am and somehow respects me and loves you. She’s a fucking unicorn.”
I pound my chest. “My unicorn.”
He points and walks away. “Fucking fix this.” My phone pings.
LAW: Sophie’s there? What about Monica? Did you hit your head?
COLT: I don’t know why she’s there. But no, he’s fine. We saw the medical reports.
DAX: You have my medical records?
COLT: Dad.
ROBBIE: We’re in the elevator. I’ll kick her the fuck out.
I look at Tony. “You already texted them. This is happening in real time.”
Tony shrugs, “Thought you might need backup.”
Hayden grins at our gentle giant, Robbie, charging down the hallway. He doesn’t make me nearly as nervous as his feisty as fuck wife, Claire, whose barreling toward me. It would be intimidating if they didn’t have their children hanging off of them.
“Hell to the no!” Claire tucks her hair behind her ear like she’s taking off her hoops for a brawl. “You, ok?” I nod, she kisses my cheek. “Good. Now let me at her.”
Robbie hugs me. “You scared me. Don’t do that.” Then cuffs me on the back of my head. He’s the oldest of us all, and the one who cares the most but doesn’t show it. He’s Hayden and Law’s actual brother, but the six of us are closer than blood.
I toss up my hands to address the overprotective crowd. “Everyone stop. I don’t know why she’s here. Monica and I hooked up just after Tony’s 30th birthday in Vegas. And then she ghosted me. I love her. And until ten minutes ago I was pretty sure she loved me. Ok?” They murmur and talk in whispers and comments to each other.
“I had no idea where she was and didn’t look since she didn’t want me.”
Lizzie smiles. “We knew where she was. You should’ve asked.”
Claire laughs. “Yeah, it’s why we thought you went to Rugged. We all knew.”
“Fuck. Really? She thought I’d go back to Sophie. I’ve got to talk to Monica.”
“You should’ve opened up to us man, we could have solved this shit like a year ago,” Robbie says.
Hayden addresses me. “She’s going home with her sister. Call her after you sort this shit.”
I move past them, “No.”
“Give her space,” Hayden says.
Robbie puts a hand on my shoulder. “Deal with your mess.”
“I love her.”
Tony says, “Cool, but ditch Sophie first.”
“I get it!” I don’t get Monica unless I can convince Sophie to stay away.
I flip them all off and open the door to my past. “Talk.”
“Oh, aren’t we authoritative?” She grins. “I like it.” Then she licks her lips.
I cross my arms and lean against the wall. “Talk.”
“You were rescued with her. What were you doing—” I put up a finger, I won’t discuss Monica.
I crouch down so she sees my eyes. “You’re here because of misplaced jealousy for a toy you never loved and someone else has now. Leave.” She shrugs as if she knows I finally have called her bluff. “There’s nothing here. There never was, Soph.” She nods.
I step out of her path. She says, “When you were crouching, I saw your balls. You’ll call.” Smug and completely misguided.
“Yeah. And here are the metaphorical ones. Get the fuck out of my life, my family’s life and, for good measure, get the fuck out of Boston. You don’t even live here. Get a new hobby. Better yet, go be happy and stop making us both miserable.”
She holds the door frame longer than she should. I see the woman I used to know but I feel nothing for her. She lowers her head after a minute of our forced silence. Her voice is sincere for maybe the first time ever. “Christ, you’re right. I don’t know what I’m doing. I won’t bother you again,” she says.
I cock my head. “Promise?”
“I need someone but it’s probably not you.”
“You think?”
She laughs, “Yeah. Ok. So, here’s to not seeing you around.” She raises her hand. I nod.
“Good.”
Now, it’s time to find pants and Monica.