Skylar
“You’re amazing, you know that?” Josh tells me as the waitress places our plates in front of us.
Tonight, after the show Josh suggested we all go out for a nice dinner.
Needless to say, I was shocked. As are the rest of the guys.
Well, apart from Memphis.
I have no idea what he’s thinking because he hasn’t so much as breathed in my direction for the past forty-eight hours and counting.
“Damn,” Storm says around a mouthful of fettuccini alfredo. “This is delicious. Almost as good as Grams’s.”
Josh laughs. “I wouldn’t go that far. No one cooks as good as that woman does.”
The rest of us nod in agreement.
I feel like I’ve been kidnapped and placed in an alternate universe.
Not only did Josh have an exchange with Storm that didn’t end with either of them hurling insults or stomping off…the only thing he’s drinking is soda.
My bewilderment must be evident because Josh lifts my hand to his lips and whispers, “I love you more.”
Pride and hope tangle in my chest—because this is all I’ve been asking for—but it’s quickly followed by a flicker of guilt.
If he finds out I slept with Memphis, he’ll be crushed, despite all of his extracurricular activities.
That’s when it occurs to me that he hasn’t looked at our waitress once tonight…and she’s a total smoke show.
Maybe he’s ready to lay off the booze and drugs?
Maybe he’s finally realized that he’s hurt me so much I’ve grown numb to it?
Maybe he wants to be a better man not only for me, but for himself?
Leaning over, he kisses my temple. “I forgot to tell you how beautiful you look tonight.” Beaming, he turns to the rest of the group. “Isn’t Skylar beautiful, guys?”
Phoenix and Storm stop inhaling their food and come up for air.
“Yeah.” Storm wipes his mouth with his napkin. “You’re a lucky fucking dude.”
Phoenix makes a face like he smelled something sour. “No comment. She’s like the little sister I never had.” He gives me a cheeky grin. “Or wanted.”
Returning his grin, I give him the one-finger salute.
I’m about to dive back into my lasagna when Josh clears his throat and eyes Memphis who’s been silent the whole time. “Isn’t she beautiful, Memph?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Storm and Phoenix exchange an uneasy glance.
Shit. That means Phoenix opened his big, fat trap and told Storm about our conversation the other night.
I’m disappointed, but not surprised. Those two are like an old married couple.
Not to mention, Storm can be both a meddler and a bit of a yenta.
Qualities he no doubt inherited from his grandmother.
“Come on, bro?” Josh goads when Memphis doesn’t answer. “Don’t you think my girl is beautiful?”
Memphis’s hand tightens around his fork and his next words are delivered with an icy timbre. “She’s not my type.”
I inwardly flinch. Hearing my own words thrown back at me is the equivalent of being slapped in the face.
It’s clear he regrets the other night.
I take a sip of my water, washing down the lump forming in my throat.
“Bullshit,” Josh claims. “Skylar’s everyone’s type.”
“Only if you’re into sharing.” Memphis cuts him a look so callous I nearly choke on my drink. “Too bad I’m not.”
Across from me, Phoenix grimaces. However, Storm looks like a proud mama at a soccer game.
Unfazed, Josh takes a sip of his soda. “Guess it’s a good thing I’d never share her with you then. Huh?”
Visions of Josh bleeding out on his bedroom floor invade my thoughts.
I push my plate away, whatever appetite I had long gone now.
Fortunately, Phoenix changes the subject.
“Storm has crabs.”
Storm whacks his arm. “What the fuck, dude? What part of keep that shit to yourself don’t you understand?”
“Nah, dude.” Phoenix points his fork at Storm’s crotch. “You keep that shit to yourself.”
Storm glares at him. “Unless you’re planning on fucking me, or my sloppy seconds, you have nothing to worry about, douchebag.”
“Dinner was nice,” I tell Josh as he turns off the light.
Well, apart from Josh taunting Memphis and Memphis looking like he was seriously contemplating ramming his steak knife into Josh’s jugular.
“Yeah, it was.” Turning over in bed, he pulls me close. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
That flicker of guilt returns with a vengeance.
He took a small step in the right direction tonight…but it was still a step.
I don’t want to ruin that.
“I’m proud of you for not drinking.”
He pulls back to look at me, his expression pained. “Please don’t ever leave me, baby.” Slanting his mouth over my ear, he whispers, “I’d die without you.”
I know.
My heart tugs and I gently wipe away the moisture on his cheek.
It’s why I’m still here.