Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
XANDER
I stare at his outstretched hand. Who the fuck is this guy? Wait, oh shit.
“I'm Travis. Travis McClain. London and I were...” He puffs out his chest as if I give a fuck.
“Oh shit, you’re that guy.” I almost laugh, looking him up and down. He's a few inches shorter than me and... good enough looking with his mousy brown hair and salt and pepper beard. But he’s not someone I can even imagine being worthy enough to pick up her dry cleaning.
“Yeah, yeah, nice to meet you, or whatever. I went back and forth about this. I wasn’t sure how I would react if we met.” Grasping his hand, I pump it enthusiastically. “Thanks for the introduction. You paying your respects? This is fucking gold.” I slap him on the back with a nod.
I add before he responds, “Because I'm happy to meet the guy who completely blew up his fucking life and let that beautiful woman walk into mine. Thank you, I appreciate your idiocy and incompetence. You’re a fucking twat,” I say with a broad smile.
His face is tomato red as he splutters, yanking his hand away. “Man, fuck you. You can have her. I'm just curious about who you are. I haven't seen you around here before and I know everyone in Seattle.”
My hands go into my pockets before I do something I won’t regret, as I look this guy over. “Oh, am I supposed to be impressed by that? You know everyone in Seattle .” I mock, my eyes wide.
“I wish I had a fuck to give. But since I don’t, here’s a tip instead. You’re no one to her, less than shit to me, and you damn sure don't need to be curious about what's mine. Just know you had your chance, and you fucking squandered it. But you don't have to worry, she's in bigger and better hands now.” His eyes widen and I can’t hold in my chuckle. “We done with this dick measuring contest yet? I think I’m going to call it before you embarrass yourself further. Now, why don't you run along and enjoy your night, Trav.”
My obvious condescension must finally penetrate his thick skull because he steps forward, and we’re toe to toe. Mimicking his demeanor, I scrunch up my face and puff out my chest. Holy fuck, what did London ever see in this guy? We’re going to have a long talk after this.
“I repeat, fuck you. You fucking run along and be sure to take her with you. Yeah, I remember this stage. She’s a pretty face, don’t get me wrong. But just you wait, you'll see the cracks soon. She’s fucking frigid.”
“Ohhhhh,” I purr. “It just sounds like you didn't know how to make her melt.” Leaning in, I hold his gaze, so he understands the words that are coming out of my mouth. “And watch your fucking mouth. I'll say this again, one more time nice and slow. Have a good night.” I pause. “Unless we have a problem. Do we have a problem, T-Rav? Please tell me we do.” I smile, big and wide and I suddenly feel more shark than man.
Sensing blood in the water and the true predator lurking, Travis backs down, deflating right in front of me. “No, no problem at all.” He throws over his shoulder as he walks away.
I stand there, incensed at the gall of this guy to not only approach me but to speak down on London. London, by all accounts, is perfect. Maybe not to someone with the pea size brain, and what I imagine a similar dick size, but to me she's flirty and dirty all wrapped in one and I want nothing more than to have her wrapped around me.
Footsteps alert me to someone approaching and I square up, ready to fuck this guy up if he comes at me again, but my shoulders drop as I meet amused eyes.
“Nicely done. I never really liked that guy, and I’ve struggled to keep my mouth shut, but you've always had a way with words.” Ty pauses as he holds my gaze, searching for something. “From what I just heard, you have it bad for my cousin?”
“Yeah, man. Let's head to the bar. It's time we talked.”
“Fine, sure, lead the way.” We grab the last two stools at the end of the bar and take a seat. I signal to the bartenders, but seeing how busy it is, I know it’ll be a while. So, I might as well get this over with and jump into this conversation.
Meeting Ty’s gaze, I say, “I've come to the realization that I want to pursue things with London and I’m coming to you as a man to let you know my intentions.”
He holds up a hand. “While I appreciate the thought behind this conversation, it is completely unnecessary.”
“Wa—”
“Let me finish. You’ve been my A1 since day one and you’re one of the best men I know. You’re fucking family. Besides, you're both adults. I trust you and I trust her to make her own decisions, but this one I have no concerns about. I’ve always thought that when you grew the fuck up and got serious, and it sounds like you have, you will give whoever you’re with the world.” He chuckles before continuing. “I'm happy that it's London. She deserves nothing but the best and I’m confident you’ll give it to her. I said all that to say, I have no worries and what you both do is none of my business. Well, besides the fact that she is coming out of that horrible fucking relationship. I hope this is a good time for both of you, and that you're not diving into something that neither of you are ready for.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “Dude, really? I have been sweating bullets about this and thinking that you would hate the idea of me and London. You’re right, you’re my day one and you’ve seen the good and the grimey. You’ve been there for all my bullshit. You could easily see me as that dickhead…”
“Never that. We wouldn't be friends if I thought you were a piece of shit. Of course, you've had your fun, we all have, but when it comes to being a standup guy, I put you at the top of my list. So, if this is you thinking you need my blessing, you don't because you've always had it.”
Nodding, I clear my throat. His words mean more to me than I could have imagined. “Whoa, you’ve never sounded smarter. Thanks, man. I haven't completely shot my shot yet, but I did tell her I'm interested, and I want to spend more time with her when we get back to the city, but we'll see how that goes.”
The bartender approaches then, and I cock my head toward Ty. “I'll have whatever the big guy’s having.”
Ty offers me a nod and tells the bartender, “Two doubles of your best tequila. Chilled, please.”
“Hell yeah. It's gonna be that kind of night, huh?”
“Absofuckinglutely. You dragged us all here after all.”
“ Dragged is a bit of an overstatement. You didn’t really put up a fight when I suggested we fly to Seattle to surprise the girls.”
He shrugs. “What can I say? It was a little test to see how long I could stay away from the wifey. But once you said it was time to go, I was too weak to resist. You know how it is, apparently.”
“Yeah, once you told me London was gone, something just clicked, you know?”
“I fucking do.”
The bartender brings our shots, interrupting whatever he's about to say and I'm thankful for the reprieve. I still need some time to sort out my feelings, process my own damn thoughts because this is not where I thought we'd be night one of this trip.
Did I charter a jet the second Ty told me London had left and run off to Seattle? I absolutely did. For some reason I was gripped with the thought that we were at a turning point, and I was going to lose her. The fact that she fled and ended up here makes me think she’s searching for something. I had to come, to help her figure it out and show her that whatever she’s looking for, she can find it in Chicago—with me.
Sliding a drink over to Ty, I pick mine up and we give a little salute before we toss them back. Warmth flows through me as does determination. I'm not going to give up until I say my part, convey what's been plaguing me since she left. I need her to understand just how serious I am about her.
Sliding his shot glass across the bar, Ty turns to me. “Are you gonna tell her you ran into him?”
I look over at him rubbing my thumb along the rim of my glass. “I don't know. Should I?”
“You should. Because knowing that asshole he's probably already called her to talk shit about you. He’s that type of dude.”
I snort. “He was happy to tell me they were done. Why does he give a fuck?”
“You know why. He can say whatever he wants. Especially since he’s under the impression that he’s moved on and she hadn't, but from what I gathered, he saw you guys together?”
“Yeah, apparently he watched us walk in and then he was waiting outside the restroom when I came out.”
“Sounds like him. Maybe seeing her with someone else and I can only imagine she was smiling or laughing or some shit. Something she never did around him and that probably twisted something deep in his gut. No matter how much he doesn't want to admit it. He can say he’s done, but that shit will never feel good.”
Fucking facts . “Alright. So, what do you say we head back in there? I'm sure your wife misses your ass, and everyone is probably wondering where we are.”
“Yeah, come on, check this place out. It's pretty dope.”
Standing, I throw a few bills on the bar rapping it with my knuckles and shooting a thanks to the bartender before we head back to the private room.
Stepping into the dimly lit space, my eyes find London sitting on the curved couch with Zuri, looking at her phone, and her eyes shoot to mine as soon as I walk through the circular safe door. Beckoning me with the crook of a finger, I go to her as if in a trance. It's crazy how she easily controls me with just a flick of a hand.
Making room for me on the leather sofa, I perch on the seat beside her. “Anything you wanna tell me?” she asks, a hint of a smile shaping her lips.
Shrugging, I say, “Not especially, but if it has something to do with that pencil dick, it sounds like he already told you.”
“Oh yeah.” She and Zuri share a laugh as she turns her phone to me, and I see the barrage of text messages.
“I think you broke him, Xander.” Zuri laughs.
“He has a very fragile ego if he's that easily broken. But when you point out how someone utterly ruined their life and someone else is reaping the benefits…” I say, holding London’s gaze with my own. “Maybe he finally sees himself for the fucking piece of shit he really is.”
London frowns a bit, shaking her head as if she's just not understanding the meaning behind the words I’m sharing and that won’t do. I need to make her trust me and know every word is sincere. Kneeling in front of her with my hands resting on her thighs, I take a breath and gather my thoughts.
“Babycakes, once I pointed out that I was thankful to him for imploding his life and allowing you to strut into mine, to fucking blow it apart and put me back together, that's when he lost his shit.”
“You said that?” she whispers.
“Of course, I did. He didn't like hearing about his failures and my triumphs, and you know me, I had no problem telling him. And I’ll gladly do it again if he continues blowing up your phone.”
“Well,” Zuri interrupts and gestures over her shoulder. “I'm gonna go join the girls over there, wherever there is, and let you guys talk. I mean, I think you should be doing a little bit more of that and maybe toss in some fucking but talking for sure, one hundred percent.”
We’re both silent as she saunters away, those hazel eyes so uncertain as they search mine.
“Xander,” she whispers, “what's going on?”
“I don't know. I honestly don't. I just know when I'm not with you it's… it's not right, something doesn't feel right. But that uneasiness fades away when I look into your eyes, or I feel this soft skin or smell the scent of your hair. I'm not trying to pressure you, but I want to explore this. I want to explore you and every delicious curve of this beautiful body. Are you ready to finally give me a chance to prove to you that I'm not a fuckboy?”
She dips her head and laughs, and I know I’ve got her. “Even though we've proven that you're a fuckgirl and I'm more than okay with that. But can I prove to you that I'm more than whatever my reputation is or whatever your initial notion of me was?”
“Yes. I would like that.”
“Good, we’re doing dinner AF.”
She snorts. “Dinner as fuck?”
“No, dinner and fucking. Babycakes, I’m going to date you so good. You’re going to fall in love with me and we’re going to live happily ever after.”
That laugh I love bursts from her, but I’ve never been more serious.
She will be mine.