Chapter 8
EIGHT
Shane
My body was sore.
It had been two days since I left Rhett’s place, once he had enough with me, and I was still so fucking sore.
Everything ached. Muscles I didn’t even know I had ached.
But it was worth it. I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that Rhett was so damn kinky and dominating in bed.
It was definitely something I wanted to experience again.
Just as I was finishing up doing some paperwork in my office at Coffee Beans & Love, I heard a commotion outside the closed door. My office was off the kitchen, so it was never really quiet, even though everyone tried to be when they knew I was working. But this time something was up.
When I left my office, I saw Noah and Presley huddled by a nearby table.
“You can’t tell me that he’s not using you, Noah,” Presley grumbled.
“I don’t care if he’s using me. You wouldn’t be all up in arms if I was anyone else,” Noah threw back at him.
“Anyone else is not my best friend.”
“Brady and Shane are your best friends as well. Go bug them.”
I thought of stepping in but then changed my mind. This was an ongoing argument between them. Presley didn’t care that Noah was sleeping with his brother. What he did care about was that Nicky was using him. Presley didn’t want to see Noah get hurt.
“They’re not sleeping with my brother,” Presley reminded him.
Noah huffed, attempting to storm away when Presley grabbed his arm. “You know I’m right.”
Taking that as my chance, I stepped closer to my friends. “What’s going on?” I asked even though I could already figure out the answer.
“Nicky is back in town and Noah is going to go see him, but I think that he should actually turn my brother down for once,” Presley explained.
“Noah is a big boy.” It wasn’t like I could say anything anyway when I was sleeping with my best friend’s father.
Although, we hadn’t done a whole lot of sleeping and we only spent one night together.
My body burned, remembering what Rhett had done.
I had been dominated before but never like that.
When he referred to himself as Daddy, it was one of the hottest things I had ever heard.
I never thought I would be into that whole dynamic but I liked it. I liked it a lot.
Rhett had dominated me in ways I never thought was possible. I didn’t even have to ask the guy and he just took over my very existence. It was like he controlled when I breathed, and he definitely controlled when I would have an orgasm.
“You really need to say something to Noah,” Presley said, turning to me. “He won’t listen to me but maybe he’ll listen to you.”
“What am I supposed to say to him? He’s an adult.”
“He’s also right here,” Noah grumbled. “Don’t talk like I’m not in the room. Besides, none of you listen to me either. I keep telling you not to spend money on junk because Shane is going to lose his shit, but you do it anyway.”
“Shane is always happy after the fact because even though it’s junk as you kindly put it, it still helps us,” Presley threw back at him.
“That is not the point and not what I’m talking about.”
“Of course it’s not the point. It’s never the point but I’m trying to save us money.”
They stared at each other. I almost wished I had popcorn. They were best friends but fought like they were brothers.
“This could help us. You have to spend money to make money,” Noah reminded Presley.
Presley threw his hands up in the air and left the kitchen.
Noah and I glanced at each other, a loud fit of laughter leaving both of us.
“You two fight more than Presley and his brother do.” I chuckled. “But…” The laughter died between us. “He is right. Nicky is using you.”
Noah sighed. “I don’t know. Maybe he is but haven’t you ever just wanted to be used before? Nicky travels for a living but whenever he comes home, it’s nice to know that I’m wanted.”
“You could find someone else who wants you too. Someone who wants more out of whatever you’re doing.” I wasn’t overly one to talk. Seeing as I slept with Brady for months and we both used each other. But I was trying to be the devil’s advocate.
“Maybe but no one makes me feel the way Nicky does.” Noah looked at me then. He shifted from foot to foot, a nervous energy suddenly rolling off of him. “He actually asked me to go up and see him. I don’t know if I will, but I like that he asked.”
My eyes widened. “Well, that’s a step in the right direction at least.”
“I thought so too. I was going to tell Presley but he kind of burst my bubble. When I told him that Nicky was coming home, he just went off on a tangent. I really think that Presley needs to get laid.”
“Honestly, Noah, as long as you are happy, that’s all I care about. I just want all of us happy.” I was jealous of Brady’s happiness with Cam. I wanted that for myself. I wanted that for all of us.
Noah clapped my shoulder. “Thank you. So, I guess Brady’s really happy with Cam. Is that weird for you?”
“Not really.” I hadn’t told anyone about my time with Rhett. Even though it was two days ago and it was all I could think about. I had his phone number and he had mine, but I hadn’t heard from him.
I ended up getting a text from Cam asking how the collaboration was going. I told him it was going really well but Rhett and I didn’t actually collaborate at all. Not on work shit anyway.
“I know that look.” Noah poked a finger in my shoulder.
“What look?” I tried playing dumb but my cheeks heated. Knowing he could see the blush, I was sure he already knew that something was up.
“You’re seeing someone, aren’t you?”
“Not really.” Which was the truth.
“Okay, if you’re not seeing anyone, you definitely got laid. I’m guessing it was a couple nights ago. Maybe it was even before that.” He tapped his chin.
“Thinking of any other times that I could have gotten laid?” I laughed, shaking my head. “Why don’t you worry about your love life and I will worry about mine.”
“I don’t have a love life. I have a Nikolai with a grumpy brother who refuses to leave us alone.”
“Yeah, well I don’t have a love life either.” Secretly, I had the father of my best friend who I spent one delicious night with. Thankfully, that did not leave my mouth.
“I do know you’re sleeping with someone or something is going on with you. You don’t have to tell me now but you will. I’m guessing it’s someone you think you shouldn’t be sleeping with. Almost like it’s taboo in a way.”
I stared at him. “How could you know that?”
“I didn’t but you just confirmed it.” He winked.
“Ass.” I shoved him in the shoulder playfully.
A laugh boomed through him.
“Maybe I’ll tell you when I’m ready. Until then…
” I kissed Noah’s cheek, wrapping my arm around his shoulders and pulling him tight into my side.
“Let’s get through tonight.” I really needed to talk to Brady first, but I wouldn’t do that until I actually talked to Rhett.
It was clearly a one-time thing since he basically kicked me out after he used me.
And fuck me, did he use me so damn well.
I would say that I was hurt about it. But I actually wasn’t.
It was almost taboo in a way and made me feel a little naughty.
Maybe we were doing something secretive or that we shouldn’t be doing since no one but us knew what we had done.
No one knew that I had bruises on my hips from his fingers and no one knew that he had scratches on his back from my nails.
When Noah and I left the kitchen, the bar was in full swing.
While the main item we sold was coffee, after three in the afternoon we sold alcohol and all sorts of coffee made with liquor.
Those drinks were fun to make but they were always too strong for me.
I would usually get a buzz after trying a couple mouthfuls.
While Noah, Presley, and I helped serve the customers, Brady ended up showing up late. It was normal for him now that he was with Cam.
When I was making a drink for a customer, Brady came around the counter right up to me. “How’s it going?” he asked. “Sorry I’m late,” he said, not waiting for me to answer his question.
“It’s not going too bad. It got a little busy there for a moment but it seems to have died down.”
“Busy is good.” Brady leaned against the counter behind us and crossed his arms under his chest. “I heard that you’re working with my dad.”
My back stiffened, my mind instantly going to the other night and what happened between Rhett and me. “Yeah, we haven’t actually done a lot of work. But we’ve been chatting about how to grow his business and ours.”
“That’s a good idea. I think the two of you will work really well together.”
My cheeks heated. If he only knew. Flashes of that night kept playing over and over in my mind. Like a movie reel. All I could see was me on my knees and him behind me breathing against my neck.
I gently gave myself a shake, not needing to think of that right at the moment. Especially not with Rhett’s son standing right behind me. Someone I used to sleep with. Could this be even weirder?
“Are you happy?” I asked Brady when there was a lull in customers.
“I am. I’ve considered asking Cam if he wants to move in together. His place is bigger than ours. And we’ve been dating for over six months now. Figured it was the next step.”
“That’s good. I’m happy for you both.” And I was, even though I was jealous in the beginning.
But I wasn’t really jealous of their relationship.
I was jealous because Brady was happy and I was still lusting over his father, like I had been doing for several years.
It also didn’t help that I slept with Brady even though I had a major crush on his dad.
At the same time, it left a little to the mystery. I was confused and my thoughts were a mess. I didn’t know what I was doing.
I found that I missed Rhett. I wished that he would contact me even if it was just to say hello. But I hadn’t heard from him, and it left a sour taste in my mouth even though it really shouldn’t. It wasn’t like we talked about what we were doing or anything like that.
“So a little birdie told me that Nicky is back in town,” Brady said, breaking the unnerving silence between us.
“Yes, he is. Presley and Noah got into it.”
“I heard about that too.” Brady sighed. “As much as I worry about Noah, it’s also none of our business. He’s a big boy and can take care of himself.”
“Yes, he can but at the same time, Nicky really needs to learn that Noah is a human being and one with feelings.”
“And the guy’s been in love with him for as long as I can remember.”
“Clearly Nicky is oblivious to that or maybe he knows, and he just doesn’t care.”
I grunted. “I think when it comes to Noah, Nicky definitely cares about what he thinks.”
“You think so?”
“Yeah, yes, I do.” But before I could continue, Noah made an appearance. He looked between both of us. A deep frown sat between his brows.
“You were talking about me, weren’t you?” he mumbled.
“Noah, we would never do such a thing.”
“Shane is just filling me in on everything that is going on,” Brady told him. “Since I haven’t been here.”
“You were here yesterday,” Noah pointed out.
“True.” Brady looked at me and waited. It was almost like he was waiting for me to comment.
I shrugged my shoulders and went back to serving customers.
Even though the four of us owned Coffee Beans & Love, we still helped the staff.
We introduced ourselves to the customers and always made sure that they were as happy as they could be.
If they weren’t happy, we would do our best to make it happen next time. Or find out how we could fix things.
While I was busy serving customers, the hairs on the back of my neck suddenly tingled.
My body stiffened. I glanced over my shoulder, finding Rhett walking over to a table in the far corner of the room with Presley and Nicky’s father, Manny, and Manny’s best friend.
I had only met him once before and couldn’t remember his name.
I looked around me, seeing...no...hoping my other staff could serve Rhett and his friends but when I noticed that they were all busy, I let out a slow breath. Looked like I would have to man up and do my job.
Heading over to the table with new customers, I put on a smile, stood up taller and addressed Rhett and his friends.
“Hello. Welcome to Coffee Beans & Love,” I welcomed them, using the standard greeting most of our staff used. It wasn’t a requirement, but we liked when the name of our establishment was thrown in from time to time.
“Hey, Shane.” Manny was first to respond. “How are you?”
“Not too bad, thank you.” Even though I was looking directly at him, I could feel Rhett staring at me. “How are you?”
“I’m well thanks.” Manny looked at his friend and nodded toward me. “This is Shane. He’s one of the other owners of Coffee Beans & Love.”
“Oh yes. I remember you telling me that.” The man with the name I couldn’t remember looked around him. “Seems like you four are doing really well for yourselves.” He stuck out his hand. “Kyle. I think we’ve met once before.”
“I think so too.” I returned the handshake. “But it’s nice to meet you again.”
“It’s nice to meet you again too.” Kyle leaned his elbows on the table. “Rhett practically had to drag us out tonight. He insisted on coming here.”
Rhett coughed, crossing his arms under his chest. “They have good beer and good food.” He shrugged.
“And good service too,” I added, giving them a wink.
The men chuckled but Rhett only stared up at me.
This was the first time I had seen him since our night together.
The first time I had actually talked to him since then too.
It was on the tip of my tongue to demand why he hadn’t reached out but at the same time, another part, a part that enjoyed being used, liked the fact that I hadn’t heard from him.
It didn’t make sense and I couldn’t quite put my finger on why I sort of liked that he didn’t contact me.
“So...” I placed menus on the table. “What can I start you off with?”