Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Nick
T he sound of Lake getting ready in the bathroom was the only thing I could focus on. Considering the beat of my heart echoing in my ears was deafening, the fact that I could hear her at all said something.
There hadn’t been a pullout couch, just two loveseats and a semi-couch that wasn’t long enough for me. I had nearly had to physically toss Lake into the bed so that way she wouldn’t touch the couch. Then I remembered that I didn’t touch her, and she would have issues if any man did.
My hands fisted on my stomach and I let out a breath, telling myself that growling would only freak her out. And while I couldn’t find Zach and beat him up, I could at least pretend.
I slept on the damn couch that was comfortable—honestly more comfortable than my bed at home—but was too small.
After we had gotten into the room and gotten settled, we had dinner with a few people who I couldn’t remember more than their names. I was decent with names because I had to be in my job. Forgetting somebody’s name as I was literally driving a needle into their skin repeatedly seemed like an asshole thing to do.
So I schmoozed the best way I could, meaning I stayed silent after she introduced me and answered questions from a couple of men that Lake seemed relaxed around, though it was still a different Lake than I was used to.
There were different versions of the Lake that had been in my mind since I had met her.
The one who had hidden behind her hair when she had been a child and was still getting used to her new family, just like I was getting used to mine, but in completely different contexts.
The shy one who loved books and science and coding.
There was the woman who laughed and drank and joked around with us in our friend group. The woman who owned part of the shop and came in to joke around, even in high heels and pencil skirts that made her ass look delectable, was still relaxed.
Then there was this business Lake, but then again, this seemed like a different version of the woman that I had seen at her company headquarters the one time I visited with Leif. We had gone to drop some paperwork off, and I had seen her in her element, a CEO, helping others but also dominating the workforce in a kind yet forceful way.
She was brilliant, not egotistical, but confident. Hell, I had more of an ego in my job than she did, but the person I had seen yesterday at dinner had been a shade of that. The polite CEO was testing the waters of the people around her. And I had been quiet, trying to be nice and watching her.
Today was the pre-award ceremony, a lunch event that was probably going to give me a migraine.
But I was here, being her friend, because there was nothing else I knew how to do.
When that asshole had spoken to her the day before, she had tried her best to stand up to him. Oh, she had done it. She had cut him down to size in a way that I knew the man would try to retaliate later. But I had also seen her on the verge of a panic attack. Something I had seen before. She was good at hiding it, and I wasn’t even sure her family knew about it.
But I had made an accidental habit of watching Lake Montgomery.
And that meant I noticed when her face had paled slightly beneath her reddened cheeks, the way that she had pressed her lips together, and I could see her finger pressing against her thumb, counting out to ten.
All so she could catch her breath and not panic in public.
I knew she had gone to therapy in the past, even before the events with Zach. So I didn’t know where exactly those attacks had come from, but damn it, something was wrong, and I knew it wasn’t my place to deal with it. But I wanted to.
I wanted to fix it.
But it wasn’t like it was my job to fix it.
I sat up as my phone buzzed, and I took it from the table, snorting at the text chain from the guys.
Leif
Are you awake yet? How’s the resort?
Sebastian
Take photos. I need to live vicariously through you because I can never afford that. Do you know how much college costs? And I’m not talking about my own.
Noah
How’s Lake doing? Send photos. The sisters want to see it.
I shook my head and answered back, wondering why they were texting so damn early in the morning their time, but I was running late. I slept in because we had been out late, and now I didn’t want to get up and shower because Lake was in there. And there were just some things I didn’t need to be part of.
Me
I’m afraid to break anything. There’s marble and crystal everywhere. I’m pretty sure there are more diamonds in this place on random necks than I’ve ever seen in my life. But Lake is kicking ass.
Leif
I’m glad you’re there for her. I don’t understand that whole lifestyle, but Brooke has to deal with some of it in her job. So I can only imagine the dude-bros that she has to deal with.
Me
I almost punched a guy yesterday, but your cousin took care of it.
The fact that I was saying your cousin rather than Lake meant I was putting distance there for a reason. A reason I did not need to go into.
Sebastian
What happened? Is Lake okay?
Noah
I can get on a plane. I mean, I think I can. But I will.
I held back a curse, annoyed with myself for even saying that. I had just been damn proud of the way Lake had handled it, and I didn’t need to worry them. Lake could handle this on her own. I was just there as support. A marble pillar that didn’t need to speak.
And why did that sound grumbly?
Me
Everything’s fine. Just normal. Guys trying to think that they’re big and bad for the little woman. You know Lake doesn’t put up with that. None of the girls do. And should I be calling them girls if I’m talking about things like this?
My lips twitched as the guys continued to text back, going on about whether we should call them the girls even though they also called themselves “the girls.”
We were just fucking around because we respect our friends, our family. I was here for a reason, after all. Because I did respect Lake. And I knew she could do anything she put her mind to.
Leif
Brooke and I want to know what the schedule is for the day.
I smiled.
Me
I like how you guys are a ‘we’. It’s cute.
Leif
*Middle finger emoji.*
Leif
Shut up.
Me
I think today is lunch and maybe a meeting or two. We’re not doing the golf thing this morning.
Sebastian
Should I be worried that you just said ‘we’?
I winced, holding back another curse so Lake didn’t hear me and come out and wonder what the hell we were talking about.
Me
Shut up. With Lake, damn it. You know that.
Noah
Whatever. I know you will take care of our cousin. You’re one of us after all.
I said my goodbyes as they all headed into their own lives, and I sighed.
I was one of them. Lake was practically family. I didn’t know why I was acting like this.
Oh, I did. I knew exactly why I was feeling like this, thinking like this. I had for years, even though I had told myself I didn’t.
First off, she was younger, and she was Leif’s cousin, practically his sister. And since Leif called me practically his brother, that would have been weird. And there was no way I would ever fit into the sphere of Lake.
We were in such different worlds that I felt out of place, even sleeping on a couch. Like I wasn’t even clean enough for it.
I just needed to get this done, go home, and never think about it again.
The double doors to the bathroom opened and she walked out, her hair done perfectly, her makeup expertly done, and she smiled at me.
She had on white linen pants and this flowy top that emphasized her waist but covered her breasts. Conservative as possible but still womanly.
She had bare feet, and she had painted her toenails white, making her feet look tanned. Why was I staring at her feet?
And why did I care about her curves?
“Oh good, you’re up. I ordered breakfast, and it should be here soon. I know what you like. But if you want to change your mind, let me know. I just didn’t want to bother you.”
I cleared my throat, set the phone down on the table, and got up, stretching my back.
“That’s fine. I’ll eat whatever. I should go shower.”
“Of course.” Lake pulled her gaze to my eyes, and I wondered what she was looking at. Or maybe I was just tired and seeing things.
“We can take turns. I’ll sleep on the couch. And damn it, the bed is huge. We can put a pillow barrier between us and sleep next to each other. It won’t be too bad.”
Thankfully my pants were baggy enough that she didn’t notice the fact that my cock had hardened at that thought. I already had morning wood, and I was getting harder thinking about sleeping next to Lake.
No, that wouldn’t be fucking happening.
“It’s fine. It’s comfier than my bed at home.”
She gave me a dubious look. “That means we need to get you a different bed.”
“Don’t you fucking buy me a bed. I can handle things on my own.”
She frowned and held out both hands. “I meant I would pick it out for you and be a dork while you paid for it. You and I have never had an issue with money before. Please don’t make one now. We co-own a business. Equal parts.”
“There’s always going to be a thing about money, Lake. We’re in completely different circles. You know that.”
“Oh, shut up. You never had an issue before. Now one night sleeping on a couch in this suite and we have a problem? No, you’re sleeping in the bed.”
“No, I’m not. I’m not sleeping with you or in the bed.”
I froze as I said the words before I winced. “I’m sorry. I need coffee.”
“Yes, you do. And frankly, so do I.” She looked down at her watch. “We have the lunch ceremony with the keynote later, but they’re still milling about and networking. I know you already set out your clothes, and they actually match mine nicely. You know, I almost asked you if we should coordinate our outfits, then I realized that would just be weird, even if we were together.”
Why the hell did she keep bringing that up?
“It’s fine. I’ll be quick. I don’t have as much hair as you.”
“I did notice you got a haircut before this.”
I ran my hand through my hair and shrugged. “Needed a trim. Figured I shouldn’t look like a mountain man.”
“You can look however you want. I’m the one that has to care about my own things. And that’s on me.”
I snorted as I made my way into the bedroom and the bathroom. “I see the way these vultures are. You’re not like them. But you do need to at least be a chameleon. I won’t shame you.”
She reached out and gripped my arm as I passed her. I froze and looked down to where her hand touched my skin.
“You would never shame me, Nick. I’m sorry if this whole thing’s uncomfortable for you. I’m not exactly in my element here. I know I may look it sometimes, but I’m not. So thank you. For doing this.”
I nodded tightly, then went to the shower, knowing that not even a cold shower was going to help.
* * *
The lunch went decently, as we sat with three other couples who were pleasant enough but all knew each other very well, and while they tried to include Lake in the conversation, it was a little stilted.
But the food was damn good, so at least there was that.
Lake had even commented as much under her breath, and I smiled, liking the way that it lit up her eyes when she joked.
When we finished lunch, everyone walked out onto the veranda for an afternoon cocktail hour. People were schmoozing, talking, and congratulating themselves on this accomplishment.
I knew Lake was amazing. She was brilliant and deserved everything that came to her. Yet this just felt weird as hell.
Mostly because everybody came from different industries, so I didn’t know where we all fit in.
Joseph, that growly asshole guy from before, came over to us, another man next to him who leered at Lake.
She stiffened at my side for an instant before she lifted her chin and smiled.
“Lake, so good that you’re here.” The guy grinned down at her, trying to check out her cleavage, and I stepped forward slightly, since I was bigger than both of them.
The man glared at me, and Lake cleared her throat.
“Ned, this is my friend, Nick. I don’t believe you two have been introduced.”
Ned, the dumbass that she had warned me about. Well, he was lucky I didn’t punch him right then just because I felt like it.
“Friend? Really?” Ned asked. “I’m surprised you didn’t bring Zach with you.”
Wrong thing to say. My chest tightened, and I tried to move forward, but Lake was there, pressing her hand against my back as she leaned into me. If anyone didn’t know her well, they would think she was fine, that she was confident and could take anything.
But I saw the tension in her shoulders and her jaw, so I slid my arm around her, so we were hugging each other as she stared up at the man.
“I’ve no idea where Zach is, but I’m sure he’s enjoying himself. That’s what he does. I see your wives are over there, alone. You should probably go with them.”
With that, she turned and left. I followed after glaring at the two men.
They shrugged before watching her walk away, and all I wanted to do was punch them. But that wouldn’t help anything.
They were just good at snide remarks and bringing up Zach like they had any right to.
A woman with a low-cut dress, big red hair, and redder lips smiled at me as I walked past.
“You’re new,” she purred before Lake pulled at my arm.
I looked down at Lake, and she mouthed “Ned’s wife,” and I rolled my eyes before I took Lake’s hand, and we moved away.
“Was she serious?” I mumbled.
“She and Ned have a bet at these things to see how many people each of them can sleep with. And then they go home and fight about it and probably fuck like bunnies.” She shuddered as she said it and I nearly gagged.
“I really need something to drink right now. Like bourbon.”
“Did somebody say bourbon?” A woman with dark hair and light eyes said as she came forward.
Lake’s entire body relaxed, and she smiled wide, one of the first genuine smiles I’d seen all weekend.
“Susanna.”
“Lake. It’s so good to see you.”
Susanna. This was the other woman nominated and awarded this weekend. The woman that Lake admired and looked up to.
She seemed genuine, and as the two hugged, I finally got it. Why she came to this damn thing.
Because she deserved this, and not everybody were assholes. Although the ratio wasn’t great.
“I’m so glad that you’re here,” Lake whispered, even though I could hear it.
“I’m so glad that I’m here too. Now introduce me to your gentleman here.”
Lake laughed and gestured toward me.
“This is Nick. My friend. He owns part of Montgomery Ink Legacy with me.”
Susanna’s eyes brightened as she looked me up and down. Not in a creepy way, but in a way that said that she was watching out for her friend.
I lifted my chin in acknowledgment and smiled, and our gazes met. She smiled widely back, and I figured I had just found an ally.
Interesting.
“Okay, I’m just so happy to see you. Really.”
“Jamie’s coming, and I know he went to go find bourbon. They only have this rum drink here because one of the guys owns a distillery, but we’ll find the good stuff.”
“I don’t mind rum, but if it’s Bradley’s Rum, I’m going to go with no,” Lake joked as she sneered the word Bradley.
The two women’s gazes met before they laughed, and a man with a wide chest, all muscle, and dark hair with gray at the temples came forward.
“They gave me a bottle, and since I saw you over here with your best friend and her date, I brought four glasses.”
He set them down on the side table between us and held out his hand.
“Hello, I’m Jamie McAvoy. It’s nice to meet you.”
Jamie McAvoy. I knew him. A former defensive end for an NFL team. And that meant I knew of his wife as well, her company, and the charities that she did around the world.
I had even given to her charity before. “Susanna McAvoy. I know you.”
She winked. “I guess I need to know you as well. Now, let’s have a toast, some really good bourbon, and I have an idea for a school that I wanted to talk to you about.”
I frowned as Lake beamed.
She leaned forward, brightening to the point it did something to me I didn’t want to think about. “Oh, the one that we were emailing about? Do you have more information?”
“Oh yes. I want to discuss building that school completely, plus we have to go through our programs that are going to help the Live Foundation.”
I frowned, going through what I remembered about the Live Foundation.
It was a foundation that helped women thrive in business, life, and health. Lake was not a founder but a heavy supporter.
They spoke, and I drank damn fine bourbon and listened to one of my favorite NFL players talk, and it sounded like the two women were going to take over the world.
She was fucking amazing.
Brilliant, caring, and had her hands in a thousand different pies, protecting the world even as she gave herself to it.
And who the hell was I?
Then again, did it matter?
I was in trouble, and I knew it. I couldn’t sit here for much longer, not if I needed to be normal for dinner and the awards ceremony.
I cleared my throat after Jamie was called away on another thing, and I stood up.
“I’ve got to go,” I growled out, and for once I saw a hurt look cross over Lake’s face, before she blinked it away, and she nodded.
“Of course. I’ll be back soon.”
“No, it’s fine. Take your time. This is your thing. Do it. I’ve just got to go.”
And I walked away, leaving her behind.
The one thing I knew I’d gotten right.