Chapter 28
RACHEL
To find a prince, you’ve gotta kiss some toads.
In my case, to be sure the prince I’ve found is the real deal, I’ve gotta humor a few imposters.
Ugh.
I tug at the too-high collar of my sleeveless top and do a couple of squats to stretch out my jeans. My feet despise the heels I’m wearing, and my bra is digging into my left boob.
I haven’t even left my bedroom, and I’m already uncomfortable.Put a margarita and some nachos in me, and I’ll be fantasizing about my pj’s before the date is halfway over.
This does not bode well for poor Reese. Though, let’s be honest, he never stood a chance.
“You can do this,” I tell my reflection. “All you have to do is chat about your classes and make small talk about teaching.” With a long breath out, I fuss with my hair in the mirror. At least that looks good, thanks to Crystal insisting she curl it before she took the kids for a few hours.
A notification pops up on my phone, and in response, my stomach twists into a knot.
Reese: On my way. See you in a few.
Too late to back out now.
Me: I’ll be here!
No can’t wait! or I’m so excited!
In reality, I’m kind of excited, but not for any of the reasons Reese would probably like me to be. I’m looking forward to getting out of the house on a Friday night, and I’ve been dreaming about raspberry margaritas since he asked if I liked Mexican food. And maybe a small part of me is eager to go on a date. To see if it’s anything like I remember. To simply experience it again.
If only Justin were the one about to knock at my door. I love spending time with him, and I love the way he makes me smile so much that my cheeks hurt. That he gets me without me having to explain myself. And that, with just a simple touch, he can set my body on fire.
That’s not going to happen with Reese. I’ve worked with him for years, and not once has he made me laugh like Justin does. He’s never made me blush, either.
Okay, Rachel. Get it together. The last thing you need is to call your date the wrong name tonight.
At the sound of the doorbell, I grab my purse from the dresser and take one last look in the mirror.
Date-night me looks pretty good, I’ll give myself that.
Now to make the most of tonight… and get it over with at the same time. The sooner I humor these imposters, the sooner I can claim my real prince. Or as I like to think of him…
My knight in that shiny white truck.
JINX
The guywho thought Rachel going on a date with another man was a good idea is the dumbest son of a bitch on the planet. Masochistic, even. It’s only been two hours, and I’m already three beers in and pacing a damn groove in my living room floor.
Is she having fun? Is she laughing? Blushing? Did he bring her flowers?
I swear to god if he kisses her, I’ll lose my shit.
She’d have to disclose the details for that to happen, and I hope like hell she doesn’t. I really don’t want to know. Reese whatever-the-fuck-his-last-name-is doesn’t want me to know either, I guarantee that.
A series of hard knocks sounds on the front door, and before I can take a single step that way, Aiden lets himself in.
“Break and enter often?” I snarl.
“Shut the hell up,” he mutters as he closes the door behind him. When he looks my way, he recoils. “What the fuck is wrong with you? You look like shit.” His gaze sweeps to the empty beer bottles on the table and the one in my hand. “Are you drunk?”
“I’ve had three beers, asshole.”
He continues to scrutinize me, brow furrowed. “Is this about Jesse?”
Great. He’s already heard, which means Jesse’s been running his damn mouth.
“Or is it about Rachel?”
The mere mention of her name makes my already pounding heart quicken and the knot in my stomach tighten. “Why the hell are you here?”
“Holy shit.” My brother lets out a deep exhale and rakes a hand through his hair. “I was hoping Jesse had it all wrong, but he doesn’t, does he?”
And there’s my answer.
“He doesn’t know the first fucking thing,” I growl. “And let me guess, you’re here to make assumptions, too.”
He holds up his hands in defense. “Actually, I’m not.” He takes a tentative seat in one of the living room chairs, hands still held out in front of him like he expects me to pounce.
Smart, since I could really use a good knock-down drag-out right now, and he’s as good a target as any.
In a tone so calm it only makes me want to take my anger out on him more, he says, “Why don’t you take a seat and tell me what’s going on?”
Focus locked on him, I shift my jaw from side to side. I have no interest in discussing this with anyone. Especially right now, while the woman I care about is out with someone else. Then again, maybe talking it out will keep me from doing something stupid.
Dropping onto the couch, I set the beer aside and scrub my hands over my face. “What did Jesse tell you?”
“That you’re sleeping with Rachel.”
“That motherfucker.” I shake my head and let out a begrudged laugh. “Of course he’d jump to that conclusion.”
“So you’re not?”
“No, I’m not,” I snap. “But am I seeing her? Yes. Sort of. It’s fucking complicated.”
He lifts a brow. “And here I’ve been worried about her getting hurt. Maybe it’s you I should be concerned about.”
I huff out a breath, willing the tension in every one of my muscles to ease. “What?”
“I’m a detective, Jinx. Did you really think I wouldn’t figure out that you’re seeing her? I knew a month ago.”
What the hell?
He shrugs. “I kept my mouth shut because it wasn’t my business. That, and I didn’t want to get in the middle of you and Craig.”
“Fuck him,” I spit out. “How the hell are you even friends with that prick?”
“Same way you’re still friends with Ty.” He shrugs and leans back. “We go back a long way. Doesn’t mean I support everything he does. Hell, doesn’t even mean I like him most of the time.”
“Sure doesn’t look that way. He’s been sleeping on your couch on and off for the past six months.”
He lifts a hand. “I wasn’t there most of the time. And I kicked him out the second Olivia started staying with me.”
He should’ve let the asshole sleep in his truck for pulling the shit he did with Rachel.
But then again, if he hadn’t left her, she wouldn’t be in my life like she is.
She wouldn’t be mine.
“What’s got you so worked up tonight? Did Jesse say something else?”
“Jesse’s avoided me for four damn days. If he’s talking shit, it ain’t to me.”
Aiden leans forward, elbows on his knees. “Then tell me what’s going on, man. I’m too fucking tired to try my hand at reading your mind.”
I roll my shoulders, still fighting the tension, but the movement only makes it worse. “You don’t need to mediate, man. You’ve got your own shit to deal with.” Not all that long ago, he was fighting demons from Olivia’s past. His blood pressure probably still hasn’t recovered.
“My family is my shit,” he retorts. “And this may come as a surprise to you, but I’m actually on your side here.”
That grabs my attention and does something funny to my chest.
“Jesse’s out of line.”
Well, cover me in sprinkles and call me a fucking donut.
“Rachel may have put up with Craig for too damn long, but she’s not stupid. She’s sure as hell not going to let another man use her.”
My blood boils at just the thought of her being used. And it pisses me off that my own brother thinks I’d be capable of doing that kind of shit. I’d go toe to toe with any motherfucker who tried to take advantage of her. Hell, I did that night in the pub.
“I’ve never seen you this wrapped up in a woman before.” Aiden gives a small smile. “And the way you’re invested in her kids?” He whistles and leaves it at that.
No shit. Because I’ve never felt this way.
Rachel is nothing like any woman I’ve ever been interested in. She knows what she wants in life. She’s settled and stable—even in the midst of a divorce—and her quiet strength blows my damn mind.
As grateful as she’s been for my help, she doesn’t need me. She never has. That woman is a badass. Damn, I hope she realizes it someday.
“Man, if you don’t talk to me, then I can’t defend you,” Aiden prods.
“Look,” I say, scratching at an invisible spot on my jeans. “I appreciate the thought, but I don’t need you to defend me. And Jesse can kiss my ass if he truly believes I’d ever do Rachel dirty like that.”
Lips pressed together, he considers me for a beat. “This is serious, then.”
I swallow hard and glance away, chest aching at the thought. “I don’t know. I really friggin’ like her, but I don’t want to be her rebound.”
“Ah. Now we’re getting somewhere.”
“Yeah.” I grab my beer and take a swig. “I tried not to let this happen, but here we fucking are.”
He nods, thoughtful. “These things tend to take on a life of their own. They don’t care about our plans.”
I snort. “You would not have said that a few months ago.” Before Olivia came back into his life, he was so cynical it was sickening.
He smirks. “Happens to the best of us, man.”
I tap the beer bottle against my knee. “I’m still trying my damnedest to do this right. It might kill me, but I’m trying.”
“Is that what this is?” He nods at the empty beer bottles.
Jaw clenched, I crane my head from side to side until my neck cracks. “She’s on a date right now.”
“Are you serious?” He stiffens and blinks at me, his mouth slack. “With who?”
“Some guy she works with. She didn’t want to go, but I told her she should.”
He barks out a disbelieving laugh. Clearly, he thinks I’m an idiot. And I’m not sure he’s wrong.
“She hasn’t dated much, and I don’t want her to make the same mistakes she made with Craig all over again.”
He rubs a hand around his neck, still chuckling. “Wow.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“So, what? You’re just gonna drink yourself to death while she spreads her wings?”
I huff and take another pull of my beer. “What else am I going to do?”
“How long do you expect this to take? A few months? A year?”
My gut churns at the thought of standing on the sidelines for even a few weeks. “I don’t know. However long it takes, I guess.”
“You know it doesn’t matter, right?”
I flick my focus back to him, waiting for him to elaborate.
“If it’s right, it’s right. If it’s not, it’s not. The only way you’re gonna know that for sure is by giving it a shot. Not by watching her try on other dudes.”
Try on? Like she tried me on in her laundry room? The thought of her getting anywhere near another guy’s dick makes me want to smash something. Several fucking things, in fact.
I know she wouldn’t. It’s not the kind of woman she is. But I know too much about her past—or lack of one—to deny that she needs to explore a little. To see what else is out there. Who else is out there. Even if that means more than just dating.
Yeah, I want her for myself, but more than anything, I want her to be happy. After giving up so much of herself to be a mom and a wife, she deserves it and so much more.
“She needs to do this.” I tip back the last of my beer, then run my wrist across my mouth. “I don’t like it, but it’s the way it’s gotta be.”
Aiden sighs and rubs at his forehead. “I get that. You’ve got balls for encouraging her to do it, knowing it might blow up in your face, but I get it.”
“I can’t promise I won’t go apeshit at some point.” This is only night one—and with a guy she claims is harmless—and I’m close to going out of my damn mind.
He gives a half laugh. “Yeah, well, you haven’t yet. I’d call that a success.” He waves a hand at the empty beer bottles. “You’re playing with fire by getting drunk and loosening up your resolve, but lucky for you, I came over.”
“I wouldn’t call you nosing into my business lucky.”
He grins. “Don’t get pissy. I’m on your side here, remember?”
I grunt.
“I’m glad to hear you’re not just fucking around with Rachel. I don’t mean in the literal sense because that’s not my business.” His face twists like the idea of me having sex makes him want to puke.
Serves the asshole right.
“As long as you’re treating her right, and you’re doing this because you genuinely care about her, then you’ve got my support.”
Well, shit. That simple comment makes the backs of my eyes sting. I sniff the sensation away and give him a nod. I don’t need anyone’s approval, but I’ll take it, nonetheless.
“I appreciate that.”
“I’ll talk to Jesse—”
“No.” I cut him off with a stern shake of my head. “This is my shit. I’ll deal with it.”
He regards me for a beat, lips turned down, then nods. “All right, then.” Exhaling heavily, he gets to his feet. “I’ll leave you to your pity party.”
I stand as well, and before I know it, he’s got me in a headlock and he’s giving me a noogie.
“I love you, you little fuckhead,” he grumbles as he rubs his knuckles against my skull. “Believe it or not, you turned out all right, considering you had me and Jesse as role models.”
With a laugh, I shove him away. “Get the hell off me.”
He smirks as he heads to the door. “Don’t do anything stupid once I leave, or I’ll take back everything I said here tonight.”
“I’m not making any promises,” I mutter, knowing damn well I’m not going anywhere. I can’t stand in her way, even if it hurts like hell to watch it happen.
“Uh-huh.” Aiden grins over his shoulder. “Ty’s on duty tonight. I’ll have him park down the street and keep an eye on you.”
“Ty would one hundred percent have my back on this. Hell, he’d probably drive.”
He scoffs. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”
I hold the door open for him as he steps out into the night. “Thanks, man. I appreciate this.”
He dips his chin. “No problem.”
As he heads to his truck parked behind mine in the driveway, my phone sounds from the living room.
Closing the door, I pull in a deep breath and muster the fraction of additional control Aiden’s visit has given me.
I know it’s her without having to look. Though I don’t have the first clue what she has to say. Maybe we should have talked about it beforehand. Set some rules or some boundaries, because as badly as I want to know how things went, it’s probably for the best that I don’t.
Inhaling again, I pick up my cell.
Rachel: I’m home.
Nothing more, nothing less. It’s all I need.
Me: Thanks for letting me know.
Rachel: Good night.
Me: G’night, Sunny.