9. Chapter 9
The morning sun filtered in through the window, and I shielded my eyes. I’d stayed on the couch last night, unable to bring myself to join her in bed. Waking up with a crick in my neck did nothing to improve my mood.
Coupled with the dull throb behind my eyes from last night’s drinks, I was in sad shape. My body ached, and not just from the couch. As if the universe dished out just rewards in heaps, reminding me of last night’s stupidity.
How could I have been so foolish?
Stretching only made things worse. A frustrated groan escaped as the memory of texting Ivan last night surfaced. Shit. I was supposed to meet him at the gym downstairs. A quick glance at the time confirmed I had fifteen minutes, tops. I looked down at my wrinkled shirt. Clothes. Right.
Reluctantly, I made my way to the bedroom and quietly entered.
My eyes landed on the bed, and I stepped closer.
Victoria lay uncovered, curled up in a ball, wearing a baby-blue nightgown.
It hugged her soft, feminine frame and was so her.
She was beautiful, exactly how I imagined she’d look in it when I browsed Geraldine’s online store.
And yet, it didn’t sit right. I liked my shirt on her better. I pushed a strand of her honey-colored hair back, and her brows furrowed.
“But a boy needs his mother,” she croaked out, lost in a dream.
I sighed, her words somewhat confirming my initial thought.
Cameron was using the boy against her. There wasn’t anything I could do at that exact moment, so I shook off my need to fix it.
I slipped into the bathroom and changed.
Fifteen minutes dwindled to ten, and Ivan would push me harder if I was late.
Damn, this workout with him needed to both ease the ache in my neck and the discontent raging in my mind. I slipped on my trainers and cast one last look at the bed before heading down. The lift opened, and Ivan walked through the lobby doors. I’d barely made it.
He nodded and strode over. “Well, you look like shit.”
“I feel like it too. Thanks for noticing. How’s the family?”
“Let’s see. Alek’s pissed that Nik called Sophia and insisted Kinsley go away with her.
She and Isabella have joined forces and have locked themselves in Bella’s studio.
Hannah stopped by the club looking for Pasha.
Bash was the only one there. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you, but it didn’t end well. ”
“Well, at least none of you fucked a broken woman last night, one you barely know, without protection.”
He halted mid-step, his expression darkening. Before I could respond, his palm slammed into my chest, sharp and deliberate. It set me back a few steps.
“You’re joking,” he said, his jaw clenched, the muscle ticking as he stared me down, searching for any sign I wasn’t serious.
When he got no answer, his nostrils flared. He took a step back, shaking his head. His fingers flexed at his sides. I half expected him to throw me against the wall or start shaking the shit out of me.
“Tell me you didn’t?”
“I wish to God I could, Brother, but unfortunately, I can’t. She said she’s on birth control, but you know how I am. If there’s even the slightest chance…”
I let my voice trail off, not wanting to give voice to my fear. I had to look away as uncertainty filled his eyes. He knew my reasoning, so I didn’t have to say more. A muscle ticked in his jaw as he took out his phone and sent a text.
“What the fuck am I going to do with you?” he murmured and shoved me toward the lift.
We headed to the gym, neither of us talking. The moment we stepped inside, I exhaled in relief. It was empty. Without a word, we headed for the treadmills. The familiar rhythm of routine offered a temporary escape. One I desperately needed.
The belt whirred to life beneath my feet, and I fell into an easy pace. Beside me, Ivan chose a route, his gaze fixed ahead. The silence between us stretched heavy, but not uncomfortable, until he finally broke it.
“I know I’m your best mate, but I need to know. Why haven’t you called Bash and asked him to step in? Cameron conceded to leave her alone for the next few days. It’s okay to sit it out. It’s not like any of us would think less of you.”
“I don’t know,” I stammered, feeling my thighs burn as the incline on the machine increased.
He shot me a look. “Not good enough. Try again. I’ve never known you not to have an answer when it comes to your thoughts on something.”
I sighed, feeling even more uncomfortable. The complexity of the situation wasn’t even the reason for my hesitation. There was some truth in his last statement. I didn’t want to recuse myself because, despite the guys not thinking less of me, it was akin to admitting personal defeat.
One in which I was inferior, once again. And all because my fucking old bully from fourteen years ago found his way back into my life. I didn’t want to tell him, but a part of me wanted to rip Victoria from Cameron’s life to prove I was better than him.
To prove that the fat, insecure kid he tormented long ago came out on top yet again. I thought that burning need to feel validated had left me entirely at the spring formal when we were in sixth-form college.
“You realize this isn’t a game, right?” Ivan asked, not holding back. “Her life and emotions, not to mention her son’s, are on the line here. You’re not asking yourself the right questions anymore.”
“Yeah, and what is the right question, Ivan?” I asked, exasperated.
“What are your true motivations here?”
He issued his question as a fucking personal challenge, cutting straight to the heart of shit.
“I don’t know anymore,” I admitted, my voice tinged with frustration. “All I know is it wasn’t supposed to be like this.”
Ivan’s gaze pierced me, and I looked away. “Then I suggest you figure it out and quickly, mate. This isn’t about you. It never was. It’s about her, and she deserves better than to be caught up in this vendetta. Get your motivations straight, or I’ll bring it to a vote with the guys.”
At the end of the day, he was right. I knew having him meet me this morning was the right thing to do. I didn’t want to dwell on the fuck-up anymore. I’d already made plans with Victoria for today and would see them through, regardless of how last night ended.
The machines slowed, and we began the cool-down phase of the course. Sensing the need to discuss something else, Ivan changed the subject.
“What’s on your agenda for the day?” he asked.
We stepped down and wiped the sweat from our brows. “A couple of different things, actually, one I need your help with if you’re available.”
“I’m not taking your place,” he offered with a smirk.
“I wouldn’t let you if you tried.”
“Well then, I’d say it depends on how well you do today.”
I groaned, as if the treadmill wasn’t torture enough. But this was Ivan. There was no way a little light cardio was enough of a workout for the lug. Nah, he’d ensure that by the end of this I’d resemble a wet noodle. I shook my head, clearing it, and nodded my agreement to the unspoken terms.
“Hmm, well, today’s activities involve Nan. She asked me to stop by and move some furniture. You know you’re her favorite King,” I said.
Knowing Nan, the piece she’d need moved would be large and heavy. It wouldn’t just be a table. Despite her saying so.
“I bet you say that to all of us, ‘you’re her favorite King,’” he mimicked and then smirked. “Let’s see your form. Squat, Brother, let me see those thigh muscles.”
Rolling my eyes, I dropped into a perfect squat, pulling my shorts up as I flexed. Ivan laughed loudly. After three reps, we moved to lunges. Ivan had the nerve to look startled as my knees popped.
“Damn, maybe we’ll need all the guys to help at Nan’s. You sound like a bowl of Rice Krispies with all that crackling,” Ivan joked as I switched to the other leg and more popping sounds filled the air. The immense burn in my legs and glutes made me grunt.
“Fuck you. I’m getting old. What can I say? These knees aren’t what they used to be, but as long as my cock is working, I’m good,” I replied, while he shook his head.
“Yes, well, I’m going to need you to watch that. If there’s any pain or discomfort, you’ll let me know,” Ivan said with concern.
“With my cock or just the knees, Coach?” I asked, trying to keep a straight face. He immediately moved into the role, offering advice I couldn’t help myself.
“You’re on your own with your cock, not my department. Although I did text Marcus and asked him to pick up a morning-after pill. You’re welcome.”
Ivan shot me a look, and I nodded, feeling a sense of relief. He saw it too and asked, “So what are we moving at Nan’s?” He stood and moved over to the weights.
“She mentioned a table but probably something else. If I’m being honest, my mind was elsewhere.”
We worked out for another forty minutes, and Ivan finally gave the signal to wrap it up. I swiped a towel across my face, my muscles burning from the weightlifting session. I shot Ivan a tired glare.
“You get off on torturing me, don’t you?”
He smirked, unfazed. “Builds character. What time are we meeting up at Nan’s?”
I rolled my shoulders, feeling the strain. “What are you doing now?”
Ivan exhaled, lifted a brow, and waited.
“Alright, fucker, I’m avoiding Victoria. Sue me. If we head over now though, your day will free up a lot quicker. I’m sure Kinsley would appreciate that.”
He shook his head and chuckled.
I grinned in response. “I’ll fill Marcus in on the plan.”
“Then I guess you’d better get to it,” Ivan said, looking at his phone.
I whipped out mine and quickly sent Marcus a text letting him know to bring Victoria by later. I still wanted her to come to Nan’s, but I didn’t want to be in the car with her right now. Then shot one over to Nan, letting her know we were on our way.
While Ivan headed to the car, I slipped back inside the suite and grabbed some clothes to change into. I’d shower at Nan’s. As we drove over, my thoughts kept returning to the blonde beauty.