Skylar
I’m strolling down the hallway of our hotel when I notice Storm banging on the door of Phoenix’s suite. “Come on, dickhead. My appointment starts in twenty.”
An agitated sigh leaves him when there’s no response on the other side.
I take a tentative step in his direction. “Everything okay?”
Arms folding over his chest, he grunts, “Phoenix and I had plans, but the fucker is blowing me off.”
I debate telling him he left with Josh to grab some lunch, but decide against it.
There’s already resentment brewing between them and the last thing I want to do is make it worse.
I’m about to offer to tag along when I notice him sizing me up. “What are you doing right now?”
Normally I’d hang out with Memphis since Phoenix is on babysitting duty, but Valarie flew into town for a short afternoon trip so he’s taking her shopping.
I shrug. “Nothing much. I mean, I was going to try out this new waxing kit I bought, but if you want some company, I can—”
“Come on.”
He juts his chin, motioning for me to follow him down the hall.
Scowling he shoves his phone into the pocket of his jeans. “Thanks for being a better friend than Phoenix lately.”
I don’t miss the resentment in his tone.
We head toward the back exit of the hotel where a black SUV is waiting for us. “Oh, I’m a friend now?” I tease, wanting to keep it lighthearted. “What happened to being your little sister?”
“Sorry, but once you’ve seen someone’s O-face you can no longer think of them as kin.” He pushes the door open. “However, since you showed me yours, it’s only fair I show you mine.”
I give him a look. “Say what now?”
“We’re going to a tattoo shop.”
“Okay…”
“I have to get my ass tatted.”
Color me even more confused. Out of all the places to get ink, why there? Then again, Storm does have a ton of tattoos.
“Why? Did you run out of real estate?”
“Nah. This is all your boyfriend’s doing.”
I blink, not understanding. “What did Josh—”
“Your other boyfriend.”
Oh.
He opens the back door of the SUV and gestures for me to get in. “I’ll explain on the way.”
I can’t help but laugh as I take in the colorful and animated mythical animal on Storm’s right butt cheek. To be a fly on the wall the next time he’s with a groupie and drops trou. “I’m sure the ladies—and gents—are going to love it.”
“Laugh it up, chuckles.”
“It’s not so bad,” I assure him. “On the bright side, you have a pretty cute tush. And who doesn’t like rainbows…or pretty unicorns?”
Especially when they’re aiming their rainbow-colored horn right where the sun doesn’t shine. As if inviting you to ‘enter the fun zone.’
Another laugh escapes. The guys are never going to let him live this one down.
“So,” a visibly annoyed Storm says above the buzzing sound. “You and Memphis are getting pretty…you know.”
Clearing my throat, I study the artwork around the room. “I plead the fifth.”
Memphis is a private person and I respect that. Plus, it feels wrong to talk about this when I’m still attached to Josh. Not to mention, in public. For all we know, the tattoo artist could run to the tabloids with this info.
Although he is wearing headphones and looks very concentrated on his work…so there’s that.
“Well, I’m rooting for you two lovebirds.”
I give Storm a warning glare—one he ignores—as he prattles on.
“I want to be the best man at the wedding. I also think you two should name your first-born kid after me as a small token of gratitude for my exceptional secret-keeping abilities.”
Sadly, he’ll have to settle for something else given I can’t have children.
My heart drops. So will Memphis.
Which isn’t fair because not only would Memphis make a great dad, I know how much he wants babies.
Babies I can’t give him.
“That’s never gonna happen.”
Visibly insulted, he pouts. “Why? Storm is a great name. And it’s unisex…kind of.”
“I meant Memphis and I having babies.”
I’m about to change the subject because the last thing I want is a pity party. There are plenty of women who are child-free, and they’re perfectly happy and go on to lead fulfilling lives.
Besides, I’d probably screw up the whole motherhood thing anyway, so it’s for the best.
Storm shakes his head in disbelief. “You still haven’t realized you two are in love yet?”
A small grin unfurls, but I quickly slam the brakes before I let myself get carried away and take a trip to delulu-ville.
“It didn’t mean anything, it was just sex. I tried telling you this before, but you kept avoiding me. I don’t do relationships, and your clingy bullshit turns me off.”
A pang of sadness fills my chest as his words from our last go-around echo in my head.
My self-preservation won’t let me—or Storm—delude me into thinking it’s any different this time.
Just because things are even more intimate between us doesn’t mean it changes the outcome.
“It’s just sex for him.”
Storm studies me intently. “And for you?”
“I…”
My traitorous heart stops the lie my brain was forming from leaving my lips…because deep down it knows the truth.
The pure, visceral truth that’s getting harder and harder to ignore with each passing day.
I’ve been in love with Memphis Payne ever since I climbed through his attic window that night.
He’s my safe and stable anchor to hold on to whenever my demons take over.
He’s my home.
Clearing my throat, I turn to a nearby tattoo artist who’s grabbing some water from the dispenser. “Are you free?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Storm smiling smugly. “That’s what I thought.”