Chapter 53 Beatrice
BEATRICE
Iwoke up this morning later than planned, and since the moment I opened my eyes—about three seconds before I ran full speed to the toilet to vomit—I’ve felt like I’m missing something. And it hasn’t gotten any better all day.
I’ve checked my calendar over and over, but I can’t see anything.
My clients all arrive as usual. My lunch is delivered, thanks to an order from Everett, just like it has every day for weeks now.
And as the day draws to a close, I still can’t figure it out.
Ready to head home, I grab my things and get ready to lock up, seeing as I’m the last one in tonight, but as I head toward the salon door, I discover that I have people waiting for me. Three of them, to be exact.
Excitement flutters in my belly. I’ve been chatting with them in our group chat—Vipers WAGs—for a while now, but despite trying to organize something, someone has always been busy.
A laugh tumbles free as I watch them goof about on the other side of the windows.
“Bea,” Parker squeals before shoving the others out of the way so she can get to me first.
Her arms wrap around me, and I immediately embrace her back.
“What’s this?” I ask, after giving Freya and Casey a quick hug as well.
“We all owe Parker dinner,” Casey says with a wince.
“You lying witches owe me more than dinner,” Parker states, although it’s with a smile. “I can’t believe they knew before me.”
“Ah,” I breathe, understanding dawning. “That was an accident.”
“That’s what we said,” Freya states.
“I was still the last to know.”
“Not even close to being true, but whatever.”
“Your parents are coming to your engagement party, right? Rett’s time is running out,” Casey points out, making my stomach twist nervously.
Having his friends find out the truth is one thing, but his parents? Just the thought of telling them—of lying to them—makes me want to vomit on the sidewalk.
“Yep. It’s time for him to grow a pair and confess his sins.”
“Oh God,” I whimper.
“Hey, it’s okay. Our parents are cool. And they’re going to love you.”
I force a smile, but it feels fake as hell.
“Come on, Chinese will fix all your problems,” Casey says, linking her arm through mine and leading me toward a car parked just to the side of my salon.
I glance back. “But my car,” I argue. “I’ll need it for—”
“Rett’s already picked it up. It’s waiting for you at home,” Parker informs me.
Home.
Whenever I hear that term, I never think about the apartment I abandoned. It barely registers in my memory, more than happy to leave it behind with a few other bad memories.
“You’re ours tonight, and you don’t have to worry about a thing. We’ve got it all covered,” Freya promises as she holds the passenger door open while Parker hops in the driver’s seat.
“I-I can sit in the back,” I offer, feeling weird about taking the best seat.
“Nope, you’re in the front, Momma,” Casey calls from the back.
With a smile, I climb in. Parker takes off while they all chat away, ensuring that I’m involved in their conversations as if I’ve always been a part of this group. It’s not all that different from last night with the guys, and my chest grows tight at how easily I’ve been accepted in.
“You okay?” Parker asks, noticing that I’ve fallen quiet.
I blink back the threatening tears.
“Yeah, I’m great. Thank you for this.”
“Are you kidding? We’ve been dying to get together. We told you we’d make it happen,” she says, reminding me of some of the conversations we’ve had over messages.
“You did.”
“I know the engagement party is going to be a lot,” she says. “We wanted to hang out before so you could feel more relaxed.”
“I appreciate that, thank you.”
Their engagement party is mine and Everett’s first official event as a couple.
Sure, it might not be a big charity gala or awards night, but Linc and Parker’s engagement is almost up there.
From the buzz online, it’s safe to say there are more than a few fans who are interested, and just a couple of bunnies who aren’t overly impressed—not that I think Parker spares them a second of her time.
“It’s all going to be okay. You know that, right?”
“Yeah,” I say, trying my hardest to believe her.
My night with the Vipers WAGs is just as incredible as I hoped it would be. I laugh until my stomach hurts and I’m sure I’m about to pee my pants.
The food is incredible, and despite not being able to eat as much as I would like, I’m sent home with a considerable amount all in containers, ready to be warmed up later when I’m hungry again.
Something tells me I won’t be the only one having a Chinese midnight feast tonight, because the second Everett smells what I’m hiding in here, he’s going to want in on the action.
When Parker drops me off outside his apartment building, my heart is full and my body exhausted.
“Don’t let my brother eat all that food. You need it to ensure my niece or nephew is big and healthy.”
“I’ll do my best,” I promise her.
“I meant what I said earlier: our parents are going to love you. You’re good for Rett, and they’ll see that.”
“Here’s hoping. But what about—”
“Just worry about now,” Parker says.
I sigh. “I can’t help it.” My hand comes to my stomach. “I’ve got to think about the future more than ever.”
“We’ll all be there, no matter what happens with Rett. You and your little one will always be looked after and protected. You’re a part of the family now, whether you like it or not. Shit, I’m sorry,” Parker cries when my tears spill free.
“I’ve been trying so hard not to cry tonight,” I wail.
“Damn it, Rett’s going to kill me if I send you up there looking like that.”
“He’ll know it wasn’t your fault. I’m just a mess right now.”
“Oh, he’ll blame me, all right. For a man who claimed to never want a woman, he’s suspiciously protective of you.”
“I’m growing his baby and saving his reputation.”
“Both may be true, but I think it’s more than that. You’ve got him wrapped around your little finger, and he has no idea how to deal with that.”
“He’s…” I sigh, a smile pulling at my lips. “He’s been incredible. So sweet and caring.”
“Many wouldn’t believe it’s possible.”
“But you know better,” I say.
“Yeah. Rett might be the hot-headed player we all know and love, but that’s only one side of him. There are only a very select few who get to see deeper, and you’re one of them, Bea.”
I nod, those pesky tears continuing to flow freely.
“I promise to take care of him, too,” I whisper.
“Oh sweetie,” she breathes, reaching for my hand and squeezing. “I know you are.”
Despite my best efforts, I’m still crying when I let myself out of Parker’s car and walk inside Everett’s building.
I meant every word I just said to her. If I achieve nothing else in my time with her brother than to prove to him that he’s worthy of the good things in life and that everyone loves him just the way he is, then I’ll walk away happy.
Well…maybe. “Accomplished” might be a better term, because something tells me I’ll be far from happy at the prospect of watching him live out his life from afar.
I’m still battling my emotions when the elevator doors open. I take a step forward, more than ready to be upstairs and peel my too-tight clothes off, but I quickly discover the small space isn’t empty.
“Everett?” I gasp, my heart lurching when I find him resting back against the handrail, his shoulders pulled so tightly I’m convinced they’re about to snap.
“You’re crying. Why are you crying? What did Parker say to you?” he demands, sounding a little unhinged.
“What? Nothing. Everett, come back,” I cry as he hightails it out of the building.
I follow, and the second I round the corner, I find Everett bent over, glaring at his sister through her window.
Parker puts the window down, and I back away as he starts barking at her for making me cry, giving them some privacy.
By the time he rejoins me in the lobby, my tears have dried up.
“Was that necessary?” I ask, hands on my hips, the bag of leftovers hanging from my left wrist.
His eyes track down the length of me. I don’t know why he bothers; I’m still wearing my salon tunic that is getting way too tight around the middle, my leggings that are nearly threadbare between my thighs, and I can only imagine the state of my hair and makeup.
My chest tightens, and I’m pretty sure I stop breathing when his eyes come back to mine. My core clenches as the air crackles between us.
I forget about everything in that moment, everything I made him agree to, because the only thing I can focus on is his hands on me.
“What’s that?” he asks, his deep rasp dragging me from a place my head certainly shouldn’t be.
“W-what’s what?” I stutter.
“In your hand,” he says, ripping his eyes from me and glancing down. “What is it?”
“Oh, leftover Chinese. I couldn’t eat much, so the girls made sure to send it home with me for later.”
He bites down on his bottom lip, and the sight does ungodly things to me.
“Is there enough to share?” he asks.
I pretend to think for a moment. “I’m not sure. I’m feeling quite hungry again now, so…”
“Goddamn it.”
“If you wanted some, you should have said,” I tease.
His lips turn down at the corners. “I’ve already had dinner,” he mutters before taking my free hand and towing me into the elevator. He presses the button, and in seconds, the doors are closed and we’re heading toward the top floor of the building.
“I hope you weren’t horrible to your sister,” I mutter as he continues to gaze down at me.
“I’m never horrible to my sister,” he counters.
“Hmm…”
“She’s too scary to be horrible to. Unpredictable, too,” he confesses, shuffling a little closer, ensuring the only thing I can think about is his proximity.
“I’ll make sure to tell her that.”
“Don’t you dare, sweetheart.”
My heart stutters as he lifts his hand and tucks a lock of hair behind my ear.
“Did you have fun tonight?”
“I did. You’ve got great friends.”
“They’re Linc and Parker’s friends, really. I just—”
“Don’t do that,” I interrupt.
A frown pinches his brows. “Do what?”
“Act like you’re not just as important to them as Linc and Parker. You’re a part of their family too, Everett.”
He shrugs one shoulder, unable to accept my words.
“I’m lucky they let me in.”
“Or maybe they’re lucky that you became a part of their group,” I counter.
His eyes shutter as if hearing the words causes him physical pain.
The elevator dings, announcing our arrival and giving Everett a much-needed escape from this conversation.
Once he’s opened the door for me, he snags the bag in my hand.
“Hey,” I complain. “Hands off the food.”
“Go and get comfortable. It’ll be waiting for you when you’re done.”
I study him with narrowed eyes. “I know exactly how much is in there,” I warn.
He holds his hands up in surrender. “I won’t touch any of it. I promise.”
I take off across the apartment and slip into my room. I may not have been here long, but you wouldn’t know it from the state of the bedroom—my things are everywhere.
But it isn’t any of my belongings that make me almost trip over my own feet; it’s the sight of my bed and a memory slamming back into me.
“Don’t go,” I hear myself begging as clearly as if I said it only seconds ago.
Fire burns through my veins as I remember the heat of his skin against mine, the weight of his arm wrapped around my waist.
That thing I’ve felt like I’ve been missing all day suddenly slots into place.
I slept with Everett Donnelly last night.
And not in the way I suspect any other woman ever has.