13. Aubree
THIRTEEN
Brody
Thinking about you. Would love to see you soon. Maybe Monday?
I stare at the text, wanting so badly to say yes, but instead, I close out of the message thread and drop my phone into my purse. I told myself until I figure out which guy I’m picking, I won’t be seeing either one, but it’s so hard when I miss them both.
Jesus, how did I get myself into this mess? To go from having no one—feeling lonely and wondering if I would ever be able to move on—to caring about not one but two sexy and sweet guys?
My taxi pulls up to the front of Silk, and after paying him, I get out, so I can head down the black carpet to where the bouncer stands, letting people in. Since I needed to get ready, and Lacey’s house is nowhere near mine, I insisted we meet here. There was no reason for them to drive all the way over to get me, only to go back up to where Silk is located.
As I walk across the carpet, with several photographers and paparazzi snapping pictures of everyone, I’ve never been so grateful to Lacey for buying me this dress. It’s a long-sleeved, black-laced skater dress with a plunging neckline that shows off my curves in the best way, hiding my flaws and accentuating my assets. So that I’m comfortable yet stylish, I went with my favorite lace-up front stiletto heeled mesh boots. It gives me the sexiness and height without killing my feet. I kept my hair down and straightened it, something I rarely do since it’s so thick and takes forever to straighten. Then I went heavy on my eye makeup, giving myself a smoky look. I must admit, I look good, sexy even. For the past few years, I’ve been down on myself and my curves, but being with Brody and Hayden has given me my confidence back, especially when they both look at me like they want to devour my body every time we’re around each other.
“Aubree Heart,” I tell the bouncer, giving him my maiden name since I started using that shortly after Pete died. The kids have Westley—which was his last name, but I found it too hard to explain when people would ask if I’m married or divorced, and I’d have to explain I’m a widow. I’ll always be Aubree Westley-Heart, but it just hurts less to go by Aubree Heart.
After showing him my ID, he lets me through, and I head inside toward the hostess desk, checking out the inside on my way. It’s all mahogany wood mixed with dark reds and gold accents.
“Good evening,” the hostess says, smiling politely. She’s standing behind the hostess desk, so I can only see her from the waist up, but she’s in all black with only a tiny bit of cleavage showing, and her makeup is on point. She’s gorgeous and not what I expected. “How may I help you?”
“I’m here for?—”
Before I can finish my sentence, Lacey calls out my name, sauntering toward me, dressed in a sexy little red number complete with matching red lipstick and red heels. The color pops against her pale skin and black hair.
“We need to talk, now,” she says, her tone serious.
“Okay, can we get a drink first?” I ask as I let her guide me into the club-slash-restaurant. I gotta admit, the place is the perfect mix of elegance and sexiness. As we walk through, I notice the plush booths have high backs, giving each one an intimate feel. Women dressed in black leather cheeky bottoms, lacy black tops, and heeled stiletto boots are dancing on the poles erected in the center of several small round stages spread across the floor.
I stop to watch as one woman does some spin and then somehow flips upside down before she slides down the pole only to do another spin.
“I always assumed pole dancing would look trashy,” I whisper to Lacey, “but these women make it look like an art.” I nod toward the woman I’m watching, who’s now gliding around the pole like she’s performing and not in the middle of stripping.
“From what I’ve heard, these women take classes several times a week.”
“We should take pole dancing lessons,” I tell her, shocking both of us. “I can’t imagine doing anything close to what that woman is doing, but I bet it’d be fun.”
“I’m down,” she says. “But right now, we need to talk.”
She grabs my hand and guides us toward where I assume the bathrooms are since that’s where women tend to talk. I’m so intrigued by this place. I’m glancing around when I see a guy who looks a hell of a lot like Brody, standing at the bar talking to… “Wait, is that…?” Holy shit, it is! Brody is here, and he’s talking to… “Is Brody talking to Sam?” I tug on Lacey’s hand, preventing her from walking any farther as my gaze locks on Brody.
As if he can sense me, he looks past Sam, and his eyes land on me. His features morph into a look of shock, obviously not expecting to see me here. But after a quick second, the shock wears off, and his eyes trail down my body, drinking me in. Based on the way his gaze turns heated, he likes what he sees. He says something to Sam, then sets his glass down and starts stalking toward me like a man on a mission.
“Brody knows Sam?” I whisper to Lacey without taking my eyes off Brody. He’s dressed in a suit, but unlike his usual corporate ones, this one is sharper, more expensive looking, and he’s actually wearing a tie. It’s blood-red and matches the color scheme of the club.
“He does,” Lacey says as Brody approaches. “And so does H?—”
“Bree?”
I twirl around since the masculine voice calling my name isn’t Brody, and my heart stops. I suck in a harsh breath as I take in Hayden, who’s standing only a few feet away from me. He’s also dressed to the nines in a suit, only his shirt is black, and his tie is gold.
When I glance back to see where Brody is, I bump directly into him. He catches me so I don’t fall, and then I back up slightly, watching as the two men I’ve fallen for come face-to-face.
My blood drains from my body.
My heart kicks into overdrive.
My skin turns cold and clammy.
“What are you doing here?” Brody asks as I quickly glance at Lacey, who looks almost as nervous as me. And then it hits me—this is what she needed to tell me. They’re both here.
“I…” I begin, but the words won’t come out. I fucked up. I made a horrible decision to date two men, and now I’ve been caught. I need to own up to it, admit what I’ve done, and bow out gracefully. This isn’t who I am—well, it’s not who I was. Apparently, it is who I am now.
A cheater.
Regardless of how casual it was, despite the fact that I’ve kept them at arm’s length and haven’t done anything more than kiss them.
I’m a cheater.
“You look beautiful,” Hayden says, leaning in and kissing my cheek. “This dress… Jesus, it’s like it was made for you. I had no idea you’d be here tonight. Are you here with someone?”
My eyes dart to Brody, who seems to be waiting patiently for me to answer and, for some crazy reason, despite the fact that Hayden just kissed me, he doesn’t look mad.
Why the hell doesn’t he look mad?
“She’s here with me,” Lacey says since I’ve yet to answer. “My husband is Samuel Powers.”
“Oh, shit,” Brody says, shaking his head. “I had no idea. He always talks about you, but I never put it together.”
“He was a huge asset to the renovation of Silk,” Hayden adds, joining in the conversation. “The man has talent, that’s for sure.”
Wait a second. They both know Sam? How is that possible?
“Are you talking about me?” Sam says, coming over and putting his arm around his wife. “It looks like you’ve met my better half and her best friend. I was planning to introduce you, but you ran off,” he says to Lacey, kissing her temple. “Have introductions been made?”
“I actually know her,” Brody says. “She works at Heart’s with Bree.”
“Oh, you know Bree?” Sam’s confused gaze flits back and forth between us.
“I do. Her coffee and pastries are the reason I’ve had to double my gym time.” Brody winks at me, and butterflies swarm in my chest, reminding me how I feel about him, and also what I’m about to lose.
“You’re telling me.” Sam laughs, completely oblivious to what’s about to go down. “I’m torn between begging Lacey to bring sweets home and not allowing them in the house. They’re a damn addiction.”
“The best addiction,” Hayden adds, making Sam turn his attention on him.
“You know Bree too?” Sam says, then adds, “Well, that makes sense since you two are practically joined at the hip.”
“Who’s joined at the hip?” I blurt out in confusion. He can’t be referring to…
Sam laughs. “Brody and Hayden.” He looks from one guy to the other. “They own this place together… and are best friends and roommates.”
My body stiffens. “You’re…” I breathe, glancing at Hayden. “You’re…” I swallow thickly, my eyes going to Brody. This can’t be happening. I’ve not only been dating two guys, but I’ve been dating best friends. I’m pretty sure I just moved from horrible person to worst person alive.
“We are,” Hayden says softly.
Before I can respond, a beautiful woman, who clearly works here based on her attire, comes over and says, “Welcome to Silk. You can have a seat at any of the booths, and someone will be by to serve you shortly.”
“Thank you,” Hayden says, then turns his attention to me. “Bree, why don’t you sit with us?”
I glance at Lacey, silently begging her for help. “I’m here with Lacey,” I choke out.
“Well, then, Lacey, Samuel, would you guys like to join us at our table?” Hayden asks them.
Sam nods with a smile. “We’d love to.”
Hayden takes my hand in his, and I should probably pull away, but I’m too in shock, too confused, too… freaking the hell out to do anything but let him guide me over to a circular table surrounded by three moon-shaped plush booths.
Hayden slides in, taking me with him, and then Brody slides in after me, making me the cream in the most awkward Oreo sandwich ever. Lacey and Samuel sit in the booth to the left of us, leaving one booth open, but a few seconds later, a couple comes over and introduces themselves as Lucas and Brianne Sharp. Apparently, Lucas is Sam’s boss and owns the architecture and construction company where Sam works.
When the server comes over to take our drink orders, I order a double rum and Coke. The girly drinks aren’t going to cut it tonight if I have to be squeezed between the two men I’m dating at the same damn time. Lacey eyes me with curiosity and confusion, silently asking what the hell is going on.
I simply shake my head since I have no idea while several questions flit through my brain. Are they aware I’ve been dating them both? Are they okay with it? And the one that I get stuck on is if they were okay with it, why didn’t they say something? That one gets my hackles up. Sam mentioned they’re roommates and best friends. We talked for weeks about everything—my kids, our jobs, our families—yet not once did either of them mention the other.
And then a horrible thought crosses my brain, one that has me feeling as though I’m going to puke: Was I nothing more than a game to them? Did they plan this out? It can’t be a coincidence that they both came into Heart’s and asked me out. And if they’re as close as Sam insinuated, there’s no way they never discussed who they were dating.
This entire time while I’ve been freaking out, have they known I was dating them both? The thought has me tensing in my seat, and I’m suddenly more pissed than apologetic.
Hayden must notice because his hand moves to the top of my thigh as he leans in and squeezes it. “We’ll talk later, okay? Right now, just enjoy the night. The food is to die for.”
“But…” I breathe, wanting answers to my questions. Before I can voice that, though, Brody’s hand lands on my other thigh, forcing my words to be cut off.
“You look gorgeous,” Brody murmurs, kissing the sensitive area just below my ear. “All night, we’ve wished we could’ve invited you. And then, to see you, dressed in this sexy as hell dress and those heels, walk through the door. Fuck,” he groans. “It’s like a fantasy come true.”
We… Oh my God, he said we. They know. They’ve known. They were in on this, and I had no idea.
The server returns with our drinks, and I down mine in one go, needing the liquid courage to get through tonight. Brody chuckles, then orders me another, and I let him, not wanting to make a scene. Tonight is important to Sam. Lacey told me this was a huge project for him, and there are talks about him being promoted.
While I sip the second drink slower, everyone at the table talks about the club and their hopes for it, then eventually moves on to discuss other business. Since I don’t really have anything to add, I sit quietly, which is probably best because while the guys talk and I drink, both massage circles into my exposed flesh. And when the appetizers arrive, their hands ascend under my dress and get dangerously close to the apex of my legs. I should push them away, but my common sense is clouded by my arousal.
But when Hayden’s fingers brush my center, I snap out of it, shoving both their hands away. “I need to use the restroom,” I announce louder than necessary, making everyone look my way.
I catch Hayden’s smirk as he shifts out of the booth so I can escape and take a moment to find my bearings.
I’m not looking behind me as I flee, so I don’t realize both guys follow me until I’m almost to the bathroom. Brody calls my name and grabs my bicep, pulling me into a door marked PRIVATE.
The second the door closes, and I see we’re in an office, I spin around and glare at both of them. “You knew… the entire time I was dating you both, you both knew, didn’t you?” My tone is a mixture of anger and hurt because even though I’m mad, I’m also hurt.
“Was this all just a game? Date the fat chick and see who she picks?” I ask, hating the insecurity in my voice. “Did you laugh after every date? Compare notes? How much did you bet?” I accuse.
“Fuck no,” Brody says, stepping toward me first. “This wasn’t a game. We’re both attracted to you. We want you just the way you are.” His hand cups my cheek, and for a split second, I relax into his touch before I back up, needing answers.
“How long have you known?”
They glance at each other, something silently being said between them, before Hayden answers. “The entire time.”
I gasp. “And you said nothing.” I shake my head. “This whole time, I’ve kept you at arm’s length, trying to choose one of you, hating myself for dating two guys at the same time, feeling like the most horrible person in the world, and you knew and said nothing?”
“You are not a horrible person,” Brody says. “We both really like you and care about you and…” He sighs. “We were okay with you dating us both.”
“For how long?” I cry. “Would you have let this go on forever? What would’ve happened when I picked one of you? What would you have done then? You’re roommates and best friends! You would’ve brought me back to your place and introduced me to the guy I broke up with?” I hiss, tears burning behind my lids. I know I brought this on myself by dating them both, but they knew and didn’t even say a word.
And now, I have no choice but to end things with both of them.
“I didn’t see either of you last night or confirm plans for the future because I’ve been stressed out thinking I needed to choose. It hurt my heart to imagine not being with either of you, and now, because of what you did, I have to lose you both.”
“What? Why?” Hayden approaches, but I put my hand up to halt him in place.
“Why?” I screech, traitorous tears falling as the reality of the situation hits me. I’ve been falling for two men, and now I’m about to lose them both. “Because you’re best friends, and I can’t pick between you without hurting the other person or myself!”
When both guys try to come closer, probably to comfort me because I’m now full-on crying, I stop them. “I have to go,” I mutter through my tears, darting past them and out the door.
Hell-bent on getting away, I completely forget to let Lacey know I’m leaving until I’m in a cab and on my way back to my apartment. I send her a message that I’m not feeling well and will talk to her tomorrow—Sunday is her day off, but I have no doubt she’ll be in to get the scoop. Of course, she asks if I’m okay and offers to come over tonight, but I tell her I just need to be alone.
After getting undressed, I run myself a hot bubble bath, turn off my phone, and try to get lost in my current book. Unfortunately, my heart hurts too badly, and my brain won’t shut off, so instead of reading, I close my eyes and try—and fail—not to cry, wishing I wouldn’t have listened to Lacey. I thought I could do casual, and instead, I ended up with my heart broken by not one but two guys.