2. Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Ace
I know I have to come clean and tell Nate what happened, but I’ve got no fucking clue where to even start. The second he finds out I fucked his sister the night of Poppy’s foundation party—it’s all going to blow the fuck up, and probably tear the band apart. I’m not proud of it. I was ready to bury that shit, take it to the grave. But ever since Xander walked in and caught us in the act, he’s been giving me this fucking guilt trip about betraying my friend.
Despite Xander warning me to stay the fuck away from her, I couldn’t help myself. The night of Xander and Poppy’s surprise wedding, we found ourselves entangled once more. I made every effort to keep my distance, but the irresistible pull of the beautiful blonde with the sexy tattoos was too strong to resist. And now, because of what I’ve done, my conscience is tearing me apart. I know I’ve fucked up in the worst way possible, and every time I see Nate, the guilt just rips me to shreds all over again.
While Nate is a superstar, his sister is a whole universe of her own—happy and so full of light—while I’m more like a black hole.
The memory of those two nights we shared lingers in my mind. The sensation of holding her close and fulfilling her deepest desires. And what’s weird as fuck is that she’s constantly on my mind. It’s been over five months since I last got any action, and maybe that’s why. Perhaps when the band hits the road again and the groupies throw themselves at me, she’ll become just another name on the long list of chicks I’ve fucked. Maybe I’ll even forget the way her gentle touch sent shivers down my spine and how hungry she was for my cock.
It’s been five months of inner turmoil, contemplating whether to tell Nate what happened. Every time I go to come clean, Xander steps in and tells me to keep quiet. He insists on keeping it a secret, believing it’s in my best interest if Nate, the overly protective brother, doesn’t find out.
Xander’s convinced it’ll end up like last time, when I messed around with a guy’s sister back in high school and got my ass handed to me. I expect Nate will do the same, but at this point, I’m ready to face the fallout. I’d rather face the consequences head-on than let this guilt consume me completely.
Nate’s never been one to lose his cool; violence isn’t his style. He’s always been the serious, focused type. But there have been times when his temper flared, especially when rumors swirled about the old label wanting to replace Xander. The idea of him finding out I’ve been fucking his sister. Well, that’s something I can’t even start to wrap my head around. I don’t want to imagine the pain it will cause him, and on top of that, it will shatter the trust. That alone is fucking unbearable.
I suppose you could say I’ve matured. In the old days, I didn’t give a shit about hurting anyone’s feelings, except for Xander’s. He’s the only one who really gets me, who knows the real me. Even my father and sister couldn’t wait to ditch me. And as for my mother? She was too caught up in her own shit—always chasing the next high and dragging home some asshole to fuck.
Xander, Poppy, and Alex—they’re more than just friends, they are my real family. Nate and Theo, too. They accept me for the fucked-up, person I am. That’s why ripping Nate’s trust to shreds like this is tearing me apart. I know he’s gonna lose his shit when I tell him, but eventually, he’ll come around. Isn’t that what families do? They fight, they yell, they let all that shit out, and then they forgive and move on.
I attempt to wash off the guilt in the shower, but it clings to me like an invisible weight. With a heavy heart, I make my way over to Nate and Theo’s place, ready to come clean.
It’s been only two hours since we wrapped up recording the last track for our new album. I know if I dive into the studio to edit, I’ll miss my chance to confess. Getting lost in the music is like tumbling down a never-ending rabbit hole of pure bliss. Xander’s songs are hitting hard; our classic sound is back, and I’m confident the fans will eat it up.
This album is our big fuck you to Victory Records, and that we can succeed without their support. With all the bullshit they’ve thrown our way, we're determined to make this a success.
Stepping out of my house, I immediately notice Xander standing in front of his place, his gaze fixated on Alex zooming down the driveway on his bike. The pure fucking joy on Xander’s face is something else, and I can’t help but admire how Poppy and Alex have transformed him. It’s amazing how he changes when he’s around them—his true self emerges, full of happiness and devoid of any bullshit.
It makes me wonder what it’s like to have everything you’ve ever wanted: to love without fear, to feel completely accepted for who you truly are. Xander’s found that courage, embracing his vulnerabilities in ways I’ve always struggled with. Witnessing the way Poppy loves him, and all of us, without any conditions, is a clear indication of the strong bond that has formed within our family since they joined us.
The sound of my footsteps catches Xander’s attention, and he spins around, flashing that grin that’s become a permanent fixture on his face.
“Hey, man,” he greets me, before turning back to watch Alex, making sure he’s safe as he moves further down the long driveway.
“Hey,” I reply, stopping beside him.
We stand in silence, mesmerized by the sight of Alex confidently making his way towards one of the many ramps Xander has assembled. Alex pedals hard, soaring over the first three ramps with effortless ease.
“He’s really getting the hang of that,” I say, as Alex nails each jump.
“Yeah,” Xander replies, his voice filled with pride and his grin stretching from ear to ear. “He’s already asking me to build higher ramps, but Poppy’s not exactly thrilled about it,” he adds with a chuckle.
As I look at my brother, a rush of admiration and nostalgia washes over me. He’s come a long way, transforming into a devoted family man, always ready to go above and beyond to ensure Poppy and Alex’s happiness.
“What’s with that look, asshole?” Xander says, his smile faltering as he catches me staring.
“Nothing,” I reply, wishing I felt as content with my life as he does. I turn my focus back to Alex, who’s already cleared the rest of the jumps and is now heading back toward us. “I’m going to talk to Nate about Scarlet.”
Xander’s head whips around towards me, his previous relaxed expression now replaced with a serious one.
“For fuck sake, Ace, don’t go there. You know how Nate loses it over Scarlet.”
“Yeah, I know,” I admit, my words laced with a hint of defeat. “But I’ve got to. This guilt is eating me alive. I can’t even look at the guy without feeling like shit.”
“It was one fucking night, Ace. It didn’t mean shit, so why bring it up now?" Xander says, his voice laced with concern, sounding strained.
I take a deep breath, knowing this is going to hit hard. “It wasn’t just a one-time thing. We hooked up again the next night, on the same night as your wedding,” I admit, feeling the heaviness of my confession.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Xander’s voice erupts with disbelief, his tone now void of any previous cheerfulness. “After you promised me that morning you’d stay the fuck away from her, and you even admitted it was a mistake...” He trails off abruptly as Alex rolls up to us, interrupting the conversation.
“Hey, Uncle Ace,” Alex says, his innocent voice slicing through the tension.
With a nod towards the ramps, I comment, “You’re really improving,” purposely avoiding eye contact with Xander’s piercing stare.
“Yeah, I want the jumps to be higher, but Mom’s worried I’ll break my arm again,” Alex replies.
“Well, just keep at it," I comment, taking a few steps toward Nate and Theo’s place. “Moms always freak out about everything.” Honestly, I don’t know if all moms are like that since mine never gave a shit about me.
Xander’s voice booms behind me, calling out my name, “Ace.” I can practically feel the heat of his stare. If it weren’t for Alex, Xander would be in my face, warning me about the shitstorm coming my way if I proceed with this. But I’m determined to come clean anyway. If Nate beats the shit out of me for this screw-up, then so be it. I crossed a line, and I’ll own up to it.
When I get to Nate and Theo’s place, I skip the knock and just push the door open.
As soon as I step inside, the blaring noise from the TV overwhelms my senses. Alex has been kicking all our asses at Mario Kart for months now, and the familiar sounds emanating from the TV confirms Theo is once again determined to dethrone him. He’s always bitching about how it’s total bullshit that a six-year-old consistently beats us.
As I step into the next room, the sight of Theo sprawled on the couch catches my eye. His bare chest proudly displays the intricate tattooed angel wings. His dark, shoulder-length hair is wet, as if he’s just stepped out of the shower, and he’s dressed in nothing but gray sweatpants.
As I approach, I can see the sheer focus on his face, his eyes fixated on the screen.
“Where’s Nate?” I ask, dropping onto the couch next to him, my eyes glued to the TV.
“Shower, I think,” Theo mutters, not even glancing away from the screen.
Both of us fall silent, completely absorbed in his character’s electrifying performance on the track. It’s not until he finally crosses the finish line that his gaze turns to me.
“You good, bro?” he asks with a furrowed brow.
“Yeah,” I lie, as I brace myself to face Nate and come clean.
Theo locks eyes with me, his gaze lingering for an extra beat, his keen perception sensing the tension in the air. Despite his talent for teasing and getting under my skin, Theo is aware of when to give me space. I’ve witnessed him do it with both Nate and Xander. Instead of prying, he casually grabs the spare controller and tosses it onto the couch next to me, making a soft thud.
Without saying a word, Theo exits the game and returns to the home screen, switching the game to multiplayer.
“Fuck, I need to get laid,” Theo blurts out. “It’s like the goddamn fucking Sahara Desert down there. I was so desperate, I almost asked Nate for a hand job this morning, but I knew he’d fucking deck me.”
A smile tugs at my lips, a sense of relief washing over me as the conversation shifts, and I reach for the remote.
“But isn’t that what you guys do when you share chicks?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“Nah, we don’t touch each other’s dicks,” Theo says with a casual shrug. “Our dicks might bump into each other during a threesome or whatever, but that’s about it. I don’t think Nate’s into that.”
“But you are?” I press, genuinely curious.
“Hell yeah, why not?” Theo grins. “The day Nate Reynolds actually kneels down and sucks my dick, I’ll be the fucking happiest guy alive.”
I smirk, appreciating Theo’s blunt honesty. It’s one of the things I genuinely respect about him. “Why not just lay it all out there? Speak your mind.”
He falls silent, his eyes glued to the game.
Just when I think the conversation’s done, he speaks up.
“Because it could fuck everything up between us,” Theo says quietly, his gaze fixed on the screen. “Nate’s been my rock since I was nine, always there when the shit in my head gets too much. He’s the only one who can pull me out of that darkness. I can’t risk losing that. He already knows how much he means to me, and I can’t jeopardize the one solid thing I’ve got.”
As Theo lays it all out, I realize the depth of their bond, like an unbreakable thread connecting them. I’ve always sensed something unique between them, but never really dug into it. I had a hunch that their connection went beyond friendship, like there was an underlying tension simmering between them. Hearing that they’ve never crossed that line takes me by surprise—I’d always assumed their relationship was more than platonic.
We fall into silence, eyes locked on the game. My heart races as Nate’s voice grows louder, causing my nerves to kick into overdrive.
Nate bursts into the room, his phone clutched tightly to his ear, his voice oozing with anger. “I’ll fucking kill the bastard, Scar,” he growls, his anger crackling in the air.
Theo hits pause on the game, his laid-back demeanor instantly replaced by genuine concern as he turns to face Nate, who paces anxiously behind us.
Shit, did Scarlet just rat me out? I wonder, tossing the remote onto the couch and bracing myself for Nate’s explosion.
“Do you want me to come out there?” Nate barks into the phone.
Rising to his feet, Theo takes a step forward, effectively obstructing Nate’s path and forcing him to halt.
“So how the hell did that asshole get in?” Nate growls.
I let out a deep breath, relieved that Nate’s conversation with Scarlet isn’t about me. Still, the solemn expression on his face tells me that something grave has happened.
“You need to stay here,” Nate says firmly, his tone leaving no room for debate. “Crash in our spare room, Scar. If that asshole touches you again, I swear I’ll find him and make him regret it. I’ll hop on a plane right now and deal with him.” His voice is hard, but then it softens. “Scar don’t cry. It’s not your fault.”
Hearing Scarlet, usually so full of cheer, crying on the phone to Nate throws me off, and I can’t shake this weird urge to protect her. Apart from those two nights, her life remains a mystery to me.
“Alright, Scar, here’s the deal,” Nate says, his voice steady. “Pack a few things and come stay with me and Theo. You need to get away from that asshole. What did the cops say?”
Theo, sensing the gravity of the situation, grabs Nate’s arm, his face tense. “What the hell’s going on?” he demands.
Nate quickly covers the phone with his hand and lowers his voice. “Beck broke into Scarlet’s place. He attacked her. It’s a fucking mess.”
“Is she okay?” Theo asks, his voice filled with concern.
“Yeah, she got away,” Nate replies, pulling his hand back and returning his focus to Scarlet. “I don’t give a shit about the media, Scar. Ignoring this won’t stop him. Just come stay with us. I’ll get you on the next flight. You’ll be here in a couple of hours.” Nate takes a deep breath, the stress evident on his face.
"Who’s Beck?" I ask, even though I know I’m probably overstepping. I’ve already crossed a line with Nate, but I need to understand who this asshole is.
“Beck is Scarlet’s ex,” Theo explains. “They broke up ages ago, but he just won’t stay out of her life. He keeps showing up and making her life hell.”
Nate steps forward and takes a seat on one of the stools at the kitchen counter. “Alright, I’ll book the flight right now. Pack your stuff, and I’ll send you the details,” he says, his voice steady. “Theo and I will pick you up from the airport. We’ll be there as soon as you land.”
Theo retrieves a tub of yogurt from the fridge, effortlessly tossing one to me while grabbing another for himself. He pulls out two spoons from the drawer and hands one to me.
Choosing the second stool away from Nate, I sit down and open the yogurt container.
“Alright, Scar, I’ll see you soon. Love you,” Nate says, ending the call. With a careless motion, he drops his phone on the counter; the sound reverberating in the quiet room. He runs his hands through his hair, his frustration evident. “If I ever see that fucker, I’m gonna make him pay,” he says.
“What the hell happened?” Theo demands.
Nate looks up, his face etched with anger. “Beck broke into her apartment. He fucking hit her. She managed to get away, but she’s not doing well. She’s a fucking mess.”
“What the hell?” Theo says, clearly stunned.
Nate’s jaw clenches, his eyes burning with rage. “She came home from an audition, and Beck was already in her apartment,” he says, his voice rising with anger. “The bastard wouldn’t leave. When she tried to kick him out, he grabbed her by the throat. Then he kissed her, and when she fought back, the fuckhead hit her.”
In a fit of rage, Theo forcefully slams his yogurt container onto the counter, his face contorted with anger. “That fucking piece of shit,” he growls. “What the hell are we going to do about this?”
“First things first, we’re getting her out of there,” Nate says firmly. “She’s coming to stay with us until we figure out the next move. Then I’ll fucking deal with him.”
Just the thought of someone laying a hand on a woman makes my blood boil. “Is she okay?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
Nate and Theo exchange a glance, and I can see the anger and concern etched deeply in Nate’s eyes. “She said she’s okay,” Nate replies, his voice tight with emotion. “But she’s scared, and that’s what really gets to me.”
Theo’s fists are clenched, his knuckles white. “We need to make sure that asshole never gets near her again,” he growls.
I keep my voice steady, even though I can feel the anger rising inside me. “What about the cops?”
“She didn’t want to get them involved,” Nate explains. “She didn’t want the media sniffing around, especially with her being my sister.”
“The media can fuck off,” Theo snaps.
“Exactly what I told her,” Nate says, as he pushes himself off the stool.
“Where are you going?” Theo asks.
“I’m getting my laptop to book her flight,” Nate replies. “She’s coming here until I can sort that fucking asshole out.” He slips out into the hall, retracing his steps from just minutes before.
Theo finishes his yogurt and gives me a look of disgust. “Beck’s a real piece of shit,” he says. “I’ve hated that cockhead since day one.” He walks over to the sink, drops his spoon in with a loud clatter, and then glances at my half-eaten yogurt. “You gonna finish that?” he asks.
“Nah,” I reply, pushing the tub toward him.
He snatches it up and digs in with my spoon, a cheeky grin spreading across his face.
“I’ll leave you and Nate to sort things out for Scarlet,” I say, turning toward the front door. “Catch you later, man.”
Stepping outside, I immediately realize that Alex’s bike is no longer there. Xander sits on the front steps of his house, fixated on his phone, oblivious to the world around him. He’s probably been on edge ever since I brought up the idea of speaking with Nate.
As soon as he hears my footsteps, he quickly glances up, jumps to his feet, and swiftly tucks his phone away in his pocket. With determination in his eyes, he strides over to me.
“Don’t sweat it, I kept my mouth shut,” I tell him before he even has a chance to ask.
“Good,” Xander replies. “We don’t need this crap blowing up before the tour. What’s going on with you, man? You’ve never cared about who you’ve hooked up with before.”
“Yeah, but this isn’t just any hookup,” I say. “It’s Nate’s fucking little sister. It’s messing with my head, knowing I’ve broken the bro code.”
“I get it, Ace,” Xander says, his frustration clear. “You’re feeling like shit because of who it is, and if you need to come clean, can you at least wait until after the tour? We don’t need any of this drama right now, especially with us being under our own label. That kind of shit could seriously screw things up for us.”
“But what if Scarlet spills the beans before I get the chance?” I counter. “It’ll look even worse if Nate hears it from her.”
“I doubt she’d run straight to her brother to tell him who she’s been fucking,” Xander says.
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” I reply. “I just didn’t want Nate to hear it from someone else before I had a chance to come clean. I figured telling him now would be easier, but with everything going on with Scarlet, I couldn’t bring myself to drop that bomb today.”
Seeing the concern in Xander’s eyes, I add, “She’s crashing at Theo and Nate’s for now. She’s catching a flight later today. Her asshole ex broke into her apartment and hit her.”
“Fuck, is she okay?” Xander asks.
“Yeah, I think so,” I reply. “That’s why Nate wants her with him. To keep her safe and away from that bastard.”
He turns his head, and locks eyes with me, his gaze piercing. “Don’t fucking go there again, Ace. For fuck sake, keep your distance this time. He might let the last screw-up slide, but he sure as hell won’t if you keep fucking her.”
“Yeah, I get it. I won’t go there again. You have my word.”
“Alright,” he says, giving me a shove with his shoulder. “You up for a beer?”
“Fuck yeah,” I agree, knowing that hanging out with Xander, Poppy, and Alex will help drown out the guilt gnawing at me.