Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
Shane
I did not want Brady to find out this way. As much as it pained me to have him pissed off at me, there was also this sense of relief that he now knew about his father and me.
“Shane.”
My gaze flicked to Rhett’s as we both got dressed and fixed our wrinkled clothes as best we could.
“He’ll get over this,” he continued.
“But what if he doesn’t,” I threw at him. “What if I lose him?”
A dark shadow passed over Rhett’s face.
“Is this…” I took a deep breath. “Is this worth it?”
Rhett finished doing up his pants before making his way over to me.
He cupped the back of my neck, tilting my head back and staring at me with a deep intensity in his eyes.
“Sometimes we have to take risks, Shane. But this? What we’re doing?
I’ve never felt anything like this. So yes, it’s worth it. It’s fucking worth all of it.”
“I’ve been best friends with your son for years,” I reminded him.
“I know.” He pulled away, running his hand over his head. “Listen, I like you, Shane. I like this and what we’re doing but I’ll step aside so you don’t lose my son as your best friend.”
My chest tightened at the thought of not continuing this with Rhett. “I need to talk to Brady.”
Rhett nodded, sitting behind his desk. “Talk to him in here.”
“Really?”
“This isn’t your fault and I’m not having you take the full blame for this. It’s both of us.” He nodded toward the door. “Get him in here.”
I took a deep breath and did as I was told. When I left the office, I found Brady sitting at the bar with a pint of beer between his hands.
“Brady?”
His head lifted as I approached.
“How long has this been going on for?” he asked, his gaze meeting mine.
Part of me expected to see anger on his face or for him to blow up at me but when his voice remained calm, it almost seemed worse.
“Not long but…” I paused. “I’ve had a crush on your dad for years.”
Brady’s eyes widened and then he laughed. “I knew something was going on. I didn’t know with you and my dad, but I knew that you were either seeing someone or that you were interested in someone.”
“How did you know that?”
“Because I know you, Shane. That’s how.” His eyes flicked past me. “Dad.”
My body stiffened, the hairs on the back of my nape standing on end because of him. Rhett. Brady’s dad. A man I had feelings for. Could I fall for him? Was I falling for him? Maybe I was. Maybe it was already happening.
“Join me in my office, both of you.” That single command from Rhett forced a shiver down my spine.
“He’s so demanding,” Brady grumbled, slipping off the stool.
He had no idea.
When we rejoined Rhett in his office, Brady shut the door behind him.
“Come here,” Rhett told me.
My heart jumped but I did as he said and moved beside him.
He kissed my temple, his fingers brushing the side of my hand. “Whatever happens, I’m here,” he whispered.
“So…” Brady’s voice trailed off.
“This is new,” Rhett began. “And I understand that this is quite the shock. We didn’t want you to find out like this and maybe we should have told you right away, but I didn’t want…
” He tugged my hand, forcing me to look up at him.
“I didn’t want to upset anyone if there was nothing happening between us.
But there is and I know you feel it too. ”
“I do.” I slipped my fingers between his.
“I’m shocked, yes,” Brady confessed. “But I’m also happy.”
Both of our heads turned to Brady who had a wide grin on his face.
A laugh escaped him. “Now both of you seem shocked.”
“I didn’t want…I don’t want you upset with me. With either of us. I can’t lose you,” I told him.
Brady scoffed. “Do you not know me at all? You could never lose me. Especially not over something like this.”
Rhett sighed, pulling me closer. “Clearly we were worried for nothing.”
“I’d say.” Brady closed the distance between us and cupped my shoulders. “I just want you happy. I want both of you happy. But you know.” He glanced at his dad. “Mom is going to love this.”
Rhett chuckled, his cheeks reddening. “Yeah, she really will.”
“She will?” I felt like there was some inside joke that was shared between them that I wasn’t privy to.
“Mom has been saying for years that Dad needed to find a man since he clearly has no luck with women.” Brady shrugged. “She was drunk when she said it the first time.”
“But she’s stuck with it ever since.” Rhett rolled his eyes but couldn’t stop the smile forming on his face.
“I knew I liked your mom for a reason.” I winked.
They laughed.
“Dad, can I have a moment alone with Shane?” Brady asked his father, the humor no longer there.
“Of course.” Rhett released my hand and began walking away.
I watched him go, suddenly wishing Brady and I weren’t about to have this conversation.
“Let’s sit.” Brady didn’t wait for me and walked over to a nearby table.
I joined him, bracing myself for him to blow up and demand to know how I could ever sleep with his father in the first place.
“I’m sorry for what you walked in on,” I blurted as soon as I sat in the booth across from him.
Brady grunted. “It’s not like we haven’t walked in on each other before. I think all of us have at least once.”
“Yeah, but this is different.”
“It’s not.” Brady stared at me. “You’re happy?”
“This is new but yes, I am. I’ve been worried how you would react, so I haven’t jumped into this relationship headfirst or anything.”
“Now that I know, you can. Just don’t hurt my dad or I’ll kick your ass.”
A laugh boomed through me. “Not gonna happen.”
“Are you in love with him?”
“I...yes, I think I am.”
“You are?”
My head whipped around, finding Rhett standing a few feet away.
I glanced back at Brady.
“Go.” He nodded. “But I just want you both to know that I approve of this.”
Both of us left the booth at the same time but before I could go up to Rhett like I wanted, Brady pulled me into a hug. “I’m happy for you, Shane. And it’s about fucking time.”
A laugh rumbled through me. Returning the embrace, I gave him a hard squeeze.
“Shane.”
My dick twitched at the rough bark of my name.
Releasing Brady, I went up to Rhett and placed my hands on his chest. “Yes, I’m in love with you.” I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly before continuing. “I’ve been in love with you for years. I just never knew it until now.”
“Good.” Rhett grabbed my hand and began making his way down the hall back to his office. He pushed me into his office and shoved me up against the nearest wall.
“Say it again,” he demanded, his voice rough. He lowered his mouth to my throat. “Say that you’re in love with me.”
I grinned. “I’m in love with you.”
Rhett licked a path up the side of my throat before covering my mouth with his. “I’m in love with you too.”
My breath caught.
“But...” He pulled back, giving me a wicked grin. “I’m about to use your body like I fucking hate you.”
“Geezus, Rhett.” I groaned at his promise.
“Ready?” He wrapped his fingers around my throat.
I swallowed hard. “No.”
His grin grew. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
THE END