Chapter 41
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
LUKE
T he past week has been crazy with Dei plotting revenge against her mother and Victoria.
Okay, it’s not so much revenge as it is salvation.
I’m proud but also nervous about the scheming she’s doing.
She’s not a woman I would want to double-cross, knowing just how her brain works.
There are several layers to her plot to expose them both, all while maintaining her and her company’s reputation.
Tony has been a great asset to Dei, especially with these newfound skill sets I didn’t know he had. He’s discrete, dedicated, and smart in many ways. I see how he made a good soldier when he served in the military.
The only people who know the plan are Dei, Tony, and I. Dei said that she didn’t want Mandy to be pulled into it to protect her. Plus, the fewer who know, the less likely her plan will get back to Victoria or her mother.
Dei and I are snuggling under the covers at her place.
Vix has already been taken care of. We’re trying to decide what to do today since Mike and Claire will be down tomorrow.
We had to rush through a few business things so we can have some alone time.
We haven’t been able to be together as much this past week, and with her brother coming, I’ll barely be able to see her, let alone hold her.
“Ah, guys,” Mandy calls oddly from behind the door.
“What?” Dei replies.
“You need to hurry up and finish…and I mean in the next sixty seconds.”
“What? Why?” Dei asks.
“Your brother’s here.”
Deidre and I look at each other for a second before we both bolt up from the bed. We toss each other’s clothing as we frantically get dressed. As I check my hair in the mirror, Dei brushes hers while she opens one of the windows.
“It’s cold,” I tell her, knowing that even late March mornings can be cold in the Hollywood Hills.
“I don’t want Mike coming in here and smelling sex.”
“He’d come into your room that early with just being here?”
“No,” she chides, throwing her brush at me. “But I’m not taking any chances.”
“He’d smell it on you first when you hug him.”
Dei glares at me, unimpressed, and then suddenly terrified by the idea. She sniffs her armpits and shirt.
“You smell good as always.”
“They’re walking up to the door,” Mandy announces. “I can’t really stall them since they’ll have a direct view of the two of you coming from the hallway.”
“We’re here.” Dei rushes past me and plops herself down on the couch. She continues to fidget with her clothes and hair.
I take a barstool at the island in the kitchen and wait to see how this is going to unfold.
“Hey,” Mandy greets, opening the door five seconds after the doorbell rings.
“Hey, Mandy,” Claire greets.
“What are you guys doing here?” Dei asks, jumping up from the couch, hugging her brother.
“Oh, hey man,” Mike says when he sees me.
“Hey.”
“I didn’t know you’d be here,” he says.
Hugging him, I reply, “I live here.”
Mike looks at Dei and then at me with a funny expression.
“Here, as in LA County,” I remind.
Mike laughs. “Right.”
“We figured that we’d come a day early,” Claire states. “We hope we aren’t intruding.”
“Not at all,” Dei says.
“Good,” Mike and Claire say at the same time.
Mike takes their bags down to a spare bedroom while the rest of us stand in awkward silence.
“I thought you guys were going to be staying with Dad,” Dei says.
Claire accepts the drink Mandy pours her. “We will.”
“We just wanted to get some time just with you first,” Mike says, coming up behind us.
Dei tucks her hair behind her ear. “Cool.”
“They know we’re here,” Claire informs.
“I’ll text him and tell them to come for dinner,” Dei suggests.
“Dad and Irene have some plans already,” Mike explains.
“Oh, okay.”
Mike takes a sip of the drink Mandy offers. “So, Luke, how has the move been?”
“Good,” I reply. “I’ve settled in pretty easily.”
“Is the new place closer to your girlfriend?” Claire asks.
Deidre and Mandy look back and forth between each other, me, Mike, and Claire.
“A little bit.”
“Girlfriend?” Mandy repeats.
“You haven’t met her yet either?” Mike asks. “Luke’s been keeping her all to himself. All we know is that her name is Marie.”
Dei gives me a pressing look, so I just shrug my shoulders.
Mike leans against the counter. “I was a little nervous at first.”
“About what?” Dei asks.
“About who he might have been dating.” He cups his mouth, but doesn’t lower his voice as he says, “You know…if she was even real.”
“She’s real,” Dei replies.
“You’ve met her?” Mike asks, glancing at me for a second.
“Yeah,” Dei says, brushing it off. “She’s nice. A little shy, but nice.”
“I’ve met her, too,” Mandy announces.
“You just made it sound like you didn’t,” Claire states.
“I didn’t know he was officially calling her his girlfriend,” she says with a widening smile.
“Call her,” Mike instructs. “Invite her over for dinner.”
“No."
Mike’s brow furrows. “What? Why not?”
“For starters, this isn’t my house.”
“You don’t mind, do you, Dei?” Claire inquires.
Deidre, Mandy, and I look back and forth at each other as we try to avoid the situation.
“What’s the big deal?” Mike asks.
“Because I’m his girlfriend,” Mandy blurts, moving closer to me. She laces her arm around mine and kisses me on the cheek.
“Yeah, right,” Mike laughs.
“What?” Mandy asks.
“Honey, don’t be mean,” Claire chides lovingly. “I think it’s cute.”
Mike studies me, so I drape my arm around Mandy.
Laughing, Mike says, “Bullshit.”
Claire smacks his arm. “Mike.”
“What? He’s lying. We’ve been friends since we were six. I know when the fucker is lying.”
Mandy lets go of my waist and steps away.
“Michael James Lawrence,” Claire scolds. “Language.”
“Sorry, Claire Bear,” Mike replies, sounding insincere.
Silence falls upon the room.
“Who is she?” Mike asks. “Why won’t you tell me? Why can’t I meet her?”
Mike and I have a silent stand-off while the ladies watch on.
“Oh,” Claire gasps suddenly. “Oh, my.”
Mike doesn’t look at her when he asks, “What’s wrong?”
“Aw,” Claire says with her voice increasing an octave. “I should have known. It’s too cute.”
Mike finally looks at her. “What are you talking about?”
Claire giggles. “You don’t see it?”
“See what?”
Claire walks over to Die and hugs her. “Aww, Dei.”
“Why are you hugging her and….” Mike looks at me. “You’re fucking kidding me, right?”
I don’t comment.
“Yay,” Claire cheers. “I love it. You guys are perfect for each other.”
“No, they’re fucking not,” Mike snaps.
“Michael,” Claire calls sharply. “You better watch your fucking language or else you’re sleeping in the Goddamn car.”
Dei and Mandy nervously giggle as I smile at hearing Claire curse. I’ve never heard Claire swear since I’ve met her.
“I’m not fucking sleeping under the same roof as this asshole if he thinks he can just fuck my sister,” he announces heatedly.
“Michael!” Dei shouts.
His head snaps to look at Deidre. “You better tell me it’s not true!”
“Or what?” Dei challenges, walking to me and lacing her fingers with mine. “You’re going to disown me. Go ahead. I don’t fucking care.”
“Can we please stop with all of the fucking language?” Claire requests.
“What’s the big deal?” Mandy asks.
“I’m pregnant,” Claire announces, jumping up and down.
“You’re having a baby?” Mandy asks.
Claire jumps and down more. “Yep.”
“And he or she will never know his or her aunt…or my best friend,” Mike declares.
“Michael James Lawrence,” Claire says. “I’ve had enough of you and your attitude.” Claire stomps her foot. “If you aren’t going to be nice, then go outside. Sleep in the car for all I care. You will not be like this around me, the baby, or your sister.”
“I don’t see what the big deal is,” Dei states, glaring at Mike.
“Have you two slept together?”
“That's none of your business,” Claire says.
“Of course it’s my business. She’s my little sister,” Mike challenges, taking a step towards me.
I stare at Mike, not wanting to answer and hoping that he doesn’t remember some of the conversations we’ve had over the past few months.
Not that I’ve ever outright stated that I was sleeping with my girlfriend.
I’m pretty sure Mike and the guys guessed since I have continued to secretly date her for as long as they have known.
“Holy fuck!” Mike shouts.
“Michael!” Claire yells.
“Dei’s the one you’ve told me about when?—”
“No,” I lie.
“Yes,” Dei confirms smugly.
My hand tightens around hers as Mike’s posture changes.
“You’ve been fucking my sister all this time?” he barks.
“No.”
“Many times,” Dei says as if to bait him.
“Dei, stop,” I request.
“And I liked it every…fucking…time,” she states. “He’s really good with his?—”
“Enough!” Mike takes two steps towards me, his fists balled together.
Dei steps in front of me, blocking him.
“I’ve been taking self-defense classes, Mike,” Dei warns. “Just try me. I’ll put your ass down on the ground so fucking fast you’ll regret it.”
“Don’t threaten me,” he argues. “My beef is with him.”
“You shouldn’t have any beef with anyone,” she replies. “This is my house. If you want to have beef, then have it with me.”
“It’s him I’m after.”
“I didn’t freak the fuck out when you slept with Mandy,” Dei mentions coolly.
“What?” Mike gasps, quickly looking to Claire and shaking his head like he’s trying to deny it.
“Please,” Dei chuckles with a creepy tone. “You don’t think Claire knows? She’s known for a long time now.”
“You told her?”
“No,” Dei replies. “Mandy told her because she didn’t want anything to get weird.”
“It’s all good,” Claire announces. “It doesn’t bother me.”
Mike is quiet for a few moments.
“Mike,” I call.
“Don’t you ever say my fucking name,” he counters. “I’ll be with you in a minute.”
“Don’t do something you’ll regret,” Dei warns.
“I already have,” he claims. “Having him for a friend.”
“You don’t mean that,” Claire states.
“Yes, I do.” He looks at Dei and then me. “End this now, or I will.”
“Fine,” Dei agrees.
“Dei?” Mandy and Claire call in unison.
“Leave my house and never come back.”
“I meant with him,” he clarifies.
“I dealt with Mom as a bully for a good portion of my life, Mike. I will not let you do the same.”
Mike’s expression softens as if Dei just sucker punched him in the nuts. He looks back and forth between me and her. “You’d give me up for him?”
“I gave up Mom,” Dei reminds. “I forgave you with Mandy. And Claire doesn’t care.”
“How could you do this to me?”
“I didn’t do anything to you,” she defends. “I didn’t hit you. I didn’t force you to do anything. You are choosing to either keep me in your life or not.”
The room stays eerily silent for a few moments.
“Do you love her?”
I wrap my arm over Dei’s shoulders. “Yes.”
Mike wipes his face. “I’m sorry I never believed you about Mom.”
“I know.”
“Do….” Mike forces out a breath and rubs his neck. "God, I hate myself for asking this. Do you feel the same way about him?”
Her grip tightens around me. “Yes.”
“Yay!” Claire cheers. “Can we all get back to loving each other again?”
Mandy and Claire continue to talk, carrying on as if nothing happened. They grab snacks and turn their conversation over to Claire being pregnant. Dei’s body remains a little tense. I do my best to soothe her while also not provoking Mike to do anything stupid.
“You fucking hurt her, man…and I’ll kill you,” Mike states.
“I know.”
“Does Dad know?”
“No one other than those who are in this house,” Dei informs. “And it needs to stay that way.”
“Why?” Mike and Claire ask at the same time.