CHAPTER NINETEEN
LIAM
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My phone rings. It’s Jayden.
I’m in the BHS office doing desk work, which is boring as hell, so I answer.
It’s not a quiet office, like some are. There are at least twenty desks in the large open space. Cole and Jake are having a conversation at one desk—probably personal stuff now they are brothers-in-law and have made peace.
Aidan is leaning against a cabinet with his arms crossed, chatting to Noah, who I’m still not happy with. And a few guys are walking in with their gym bags, coming back from an afternoon workout.
The great thing about BHS is we manage ourselves. As long as we are doing the work and getting shit done, we can hit the gym whenever we want.
“Hey,” I answer, enormously aware that he and I are going to have an uncomfortable talk when he gets home. What the conversation looks like is another thing.
After the weekend, everything has changed.
I love Jessie.
Love.
Full on, absolutely in love with her.
I’ve always loved her. The Rogers have been a second family to me. I love all of them in that familial way.
I watched Jessie grow up from a little girl I felt the need to protect and care for into a blossoming woman.
Now...
Fuck.
Now she’s this sexual beauty I can’t look away from. A woman who has stolen my heart and probably did so a while ago, but I never let myself feel it.
Well, I fucking do now.
The past week has changed everything.
I don’t think I can let her go now.
Dad said Jessie adores you and we have to be careful when she grows up.
Doubt it, she’s a baby.
Yeah, but when we’re adults. You’re my friend. Okay?
Yep.
Those young boys we once were didn’t really know what we were talking about, but I knew I was making a vow to him as a friend.
And I’ve learned over the years that my word—a man’s word—holds value. That if you break it, there are consequences.
Jayden is the best friend a man could want. He was there for me when my father died, his family there for both me and Mom.
My attraction to Jessie always felt...selfish.
Frivolous.
Less important.
Now I know it was never just lust. I’ve been in love with her forever.
As she has been with me.
And in a way, I’ve already broken that vow to Jayden because he asked me not to hurt Jessie. Well, I have.
Over and fucking over.
But can I really break my vow to him? The guy I went through puberty with, awkwardly learning about girls and how to be the men we are today. Who I joined the Air Force with and now share a house with.
Sure, I have other guy friends, but it’s always been me and Jayden...with Jessie tagging along.
Seeing her at family events, pretending I haven’t slept with her in my arms, tasted her juices, seen her mouth wrapped around my cock, and imagined her wearing my ring. That’s just not fucking possible.
I am in love with her.
“How’s the brat? She behaving?” Jayden asks.
Irritation fills me before I can stop it, and the words pour out of me.
“She’s a fucking adult, man.” Silently cursing, I rub my hand over my face and force out a laugh to cover my response.
I haven’t touched her sexually for days, and it's making me lose my mind. I can’t. Not until I know who hurt her and have made them pay.
Until Jayden comes home, I can’t.
He needs to know how I feel about her and that she’s been raped. Then we will load up our weapons and head to Texas to kick some fucking asses.
Two of the assholes.
My jaw clenches knowing she was overpowered by two men. Except she won’t tell me who.
Knowing my angry, possessive behavior triggered her PTSD is the only thing keeping my cock in my pants and my mouth to myself. It hasn’t stopped me kissing Jessie and holding her in my arms, but everything else can wait.
Can wait until those two fucking dead men walking no longer are.
“Dude, if she’s pissing you off, tell me. I can book her into a motel or something.”
No fucking way.
I run a hand through my hair, and Noah shoots me a glance. I glare at him, and he turns away. I need to clear the air with him, but that can wait.
I’m still wound up.
He thinks she’s single, and I know he’s going to ask me what my problem is.
“No. She’s good company and tidier than your messy ass. I’m going to rent her your room. Don’t come back.” I force a joking tone into my words.
It works. Jayden laughs.
“Yeah, until she leaves her bras and panties drying in the living room. Then you’ll be begging me to come back.”
She doesn’t leave them anywhere. I tear them off her and toss them on the floor. Again...not saying that.
I’m also not talking about Jessie's panties with her brother.
“What’s happening there?” I ask. “You gonna admit there’s a girl you’re seeing in Atlanta, or are we still calling it a conference?”
He laughs and it trails off. “It was a conference. For the first four days.”
As I’d already guessed.
“No kidding, Sherlock.”
“I met her online.” Jayden sighs. “She’s hot, Liam. So hot. A gamer.”
“Wait, is that the chick with the gamer tag MissBehave?” I ask, finally working it out.
He’s been flirting with her for months.
“Yeah, that’s the one. When I found out she was in Atlanta, I extended my trip.” Jayden says. “But aside from fucking amazing sex, we have zero to talk about.”
Which is the opposite for me and Jess.
Over the years, we’ve come together under the stars, in the corner of a party where no one is paying attention, while sitting in the car waiting for Jay, or any number of other places, and we’ve talked.
Talked about our dreams.
Talked about a movie.
Talked about something that’s happening in the world. I’ve always liked hearing her thoughts.
I’m just realizing she’s the person I’ve wanted to tell when I’ve had something cool happen in my life. Been promoted. Buying my house.
Yeah, I told Jayden, but it was Jessie's face I would think of first. Imagining her happiness for me. How proud she would be.
I’d make an excuse to go over to the Roger’s or count the days until Easter or Thanksgiving so I could share.
It’s been in front of me this entire time.
“Oh well, write it off as a week of great sex.” I take a swig of my water, not seeing the problem. Did he think he was going to meet up with the love of his life in Atlanta?
“Yeah. I’m gonna head home.”
My bottle freezes halfway to the desk. “On Thursday, right?”
My heart rate speeds up knowing I have a decision to make. The biggest of my life. I’m either going to hurt Jessie or Jayden...or myself.
“Yeah, the flights are all booked, so I’ll see you guys Thursday. Tell Jessie to wash my sheets and book her ticket home.”
No, I won’t be doing that.
Josh strides into the office, a look of urgency on his face and fortunately interrupts my conversation.
“Noah. Liam, Cole. Get your weapons and meet me out front.”
“Booyah!” Noah pushes his chair back and grins.
“Gotta go.” I end the call, grab my Glock and phone, then follow the others out the door.
It’s after seven when I finally get home.