It still hurt, and Drew felt stupid that she’d gotten her hopes up, thinking he was feeling as devoted her as she was to him. There was no way Drew would be even tempted to be with anyone else at this point. No matter how hot the guy might be. Clearly, Nine didn’t feel the same way. Drew kept going back to that expression on his face, an expression she could now conclude was dread that he’d just been caught when she asked him about Becca in person.
It confirmed he was lying about not having seen her Friday night, but it also confused the hell out of her. Why would he dread it if this was what he did? If this was what he wanted, to have his cake and eat it too, why would he lie or care if Drew knew about his other booty calls?
Unless it was the other conclusion she’d come to. Drew was so damn obvious, even he knew without her having to say it that she’d be hurt and upset if she heard about his other trysts. There was no hiding how hard she’d fallen for him. Because she’d been hoping he had too, Drew had stopped trying to tone down her feelings a long time ago.
Since there was no denying he obviously enjoyed his time around her, maybe he wasn’t ready to just walk away from such a perfect setup. Here he had Drew all weekend every other weekend and when she could sneak in a few hours in between. He was free to do whatever he pleased the rest of the time. How would Drew ever know?
It made perfect sense. God knew, in spite of all the tears, Drew still didn’t have it in her to just walk away. But could she really deal with it now? Now that she’d fallen for him the way she had?
Even as she sat there, staring at her computer screen, trying to focus on work, she winced, feeling choked up for the millionth time. Of course she couldn’t deal with it. If all the tears she’d already shed over this weren’t the in-your-face answer, she didn’t know what was.
But of course, her heart was still holding out hope there was some other explanation. Drew flinched at the touch of a hand to her shoulder. “Hey,” she said, glancing up at Phoenix. “What’s up?”
“You tell me.”
She stared at him for a moment, alarmed. Did she forget something? She shook her head because she was at a loss. “What is it?”
He sat at the edge of her desk, crossing his arms. “I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure it has to do with Nine.”
Drew’s mouth fell open, but she closed it quickly. How the hell did he know? “Did Charlee talk to you?”
“Ah, so there is something going on, and you went to Charlee to vent but haven’t told me because you’re afraid I’d say I told you so?”
Sitting back in her chair, Drew exhaled. “I know you’d never say that.”
“I wouldn’t. So why have you made me wait all week to tell me about it. I noticed it from the moment you walked in here on Monday. Something happen this weekend?”
Drew covered her face but refused to cry about it anymore, so she took a deep breath before just saying it. “That girl,” she started to say, but then shook her head, feeling even stupider. “Well, one of the ones you saw him leave the wedding with . . . Pretty sure he slept with her this past Friday.”
Keeping it as short as she could, Drew brought him up to date on everything. “I haven’t spoken to him all week. I can’t. I’m afraid I’ll break down, so I’ve made this lame story up about my phone acting up and I can only text.”
“Why don’t you just ask him?”
“Because,” she squeaked as she struggled to say the rest, “I don’t know what I wanna do about this.”
Her lip quivered, and she was at it again, so she covered her face, feeling like the weakest, stupidest woman on the planet. Phoenix caressed her back. “What do you mean you don’t know what you wanna do about it?”
Sniffling, she reached for the tissue on her desk and wiped her nose and eyes. “I’m in love with him, Phoenix.”
Hearing herself say it only made the ache in her heart that much more intense. It was only then that she realized she hadn’t even admitted it inwardly, much less said it out loud before today.
“Oh my God, I’m so screwed.”
“Why?” He chuckled.
“Why? Because I’ve completely fallen for a guy who’s still banging other girls and probably always will be.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Did you not listen to a word of what I just told you?”
“Yes, but you won’t know anything for sure until you ask him point blank how she might’ve known about the injury.” Drew started to rebut, but he went on quickly. “I’m in total agreement. It’s him she was talking about. No way was there another guy who she might’ve been with that night who also injured his nutties.”
That made Drew smile momentarily, but then she groaned, wiping at her nose again as Phoenix went on. “Look. So, this is what we know for sure. Nine injured his groin area. Only way she’d know about it is if she’d seen it for herself or he told her. Either way, if the guy is in love with you too, like I’m certain of . . .” He paused when Drew rolled her eyes. “If he looked it at the wedding—trust me I’ve watched that footage so many times—and he hadn’t even slept with you yet, then I’m sure as shit that, after months now of being with you, he’s head over heels too. So as I was saying,” he said, arching a scolding brow. “Either way, if he is and this relationship with you has turned into something far more profound than what he thought it would be in the beginning, then even just his sharing with some other woman about something like that ain’t cool and he knows this. Hence looking so nervous when you asked him about her.”
“And the lying,” Drew added, feeling pissier and less emotional.
“No. We don’t know that he’s lying. You’re just assuming he is. Maybe he really hasn’t seen her, but as he said, maybe he really did just text her or even spoke to her about it on the phone and is sweating now that you might find out he told her. I never would, but if I was ever stupid enough to tell some guy I slept with in the past, details about my privates, I’d be dreading what Sean might say or do if he found out. Hell, it’d be grounds for breaking up if I found out he did.”
Lifting a hand up when Drew felt her expression fall, Phoenix went on. “I’m not saying it should be for you two. Technically, you two haven’t set any rules.” He shook his head. “This is why the whole friends-with-benefits thing never works out.”
“But this is why I don’t want to ask him straight out,” Drew insisted, feeling the obstinate lump in her throat return. “I know it’s stupid. But I can’t help that I’ve fallen so hard for him, and it’s what I meant by I don’t know what I wanna do about this. If I come at him like that and just ask him about how Becca would know, even if he does admit that he just told her about it, it’s still gonna piss me off, and there’s no way I’ll be able to conceal it.”
“Why would you?”
“Because like you said, we haven’t made any rules or demands, and if I start making any, he might call the whole thing off.” She pressed her lips tightly, trying to hold it together. “I’ve never felt so weak, Phoenix. I think I’d rather not know.”
“Honey, I hate to break it to you, but this relationship—the relationship as you’ve known it so far—is over one way or the other. You can’t even talk to the guy over the phone for fear of breaking down. You really think you’re going to be able to continue the relationship this way and everything is going to be all hunky dory?”
Drew stared at him for a moment as the weight of that sunk in. He was right. It was over regardless. She scrunched her face and felt his arms around her. “But here’s the good news,” he said, sounding more optimistic. “I don’t buy for a second that this guy would be okay with you hanging out with anyone from your past—or any other guy for that matter—so I have a plan.”
Pulling away from his embrace, Drew glanced up at him, reaching for another tissue. She cleaned her face as he went on.
“I know you don’t like playing games.” He sat back down on the edge of her desk. “Technically, you’re not playing any, and since you two have n
o rules, you wouldn’t be doing anything wrong. Tomorrow’s that charity golf tournament and brunch I told you Brad asked me to try and get you to come to.” Drew felt her eyes widen at that thought, but Phoenix went on calmly. ‘This isn’t a date you’re making with him. You’re just meeting Sean and me at the brunch. You’ll enjoy a good meal. Get a Lyft there so you can have a few mimosas with us. We’re getting a Lyft there too. Sean never likes taking any chances. We’ll all grab one car home together.”
Phoenix said he’d sacrifice Nine hating him because he said she was free to tell him that he’d been the one who insisted she go and at least hear Brad out.
“But he didn’t tell me about Becca,” Drew countered. “For all I know, he’s been doing this with her or other women since day one and never rubbed it in my face. I just so happened to find out this time because she decided to rub it in my face. I don’t want to just tell him about seeing Brad.”
As usual, Phoenix was quick to come up with something. “Well, don’t start by telling him about seeing Brad. Today you mention you have this charity brunch you’re going to tomorrow. When he asks you about it tomorrow night, you tell him a little about it. Then, when you see him this weekend, you let it slip that it was Brad’s firm who put it together. Guaranteed he’ll ask if you saw or talked to Brad, and then you very casually, not like you’re rubbing it in his face, say that you did.”
Remembering how Nine never held back with his endless inquiries, even in the very beginning, she knew getting him to ask about this would be easy. It was how he’d react that made her nervous. She’d never forget that very first conversation before he knew Phoenix was gay. He’d looked so disgusted when she said her man was okay with her hanging out with her ex; Drew had actually laughed.
All week long he’d been sending the sweetest texts insisting he was dying to see her. As sweet as the texts were, she had to refrain from crying each time or she’d scare Chelsea. But as usual, Phoenix had hit it on the nose. Regardless of what happened after this, their relationship as they knew it was over.
Chapter 25
Nine
Smiling when he saw the name on the screen as the text notification popped up, Nine took off his gloves. All week he’d immersed himself in his work and chugged along grudgingly. They’d been closed for hours now, and he was still in the garage’s workshop, hammering away.
Even via text, Nine knew there was still something off with Dee all week. He was certain it had everything to do with Becca and why he’d decided he’d be coming clean with Dee, dropping down to his knees and begging for forgiveness if he had to. But it’s why he was waiting until he saw her to do it. He just couldn’t deal with this anymore. This whole thing about her phone being wonky and her only being able to text was bullshit and he knew it.
Becca had likely made it clearer than she claimed, that it was Nine who she’d been with on Friday. Drew likely couldn’t stomach talking to him. Why she hadn’t told him off yet was the mystery. She could’ve told him to fuck off already if she knew he was lying. Instead, she’d responded to most of his texts. Her texts were curt and so unlike her, but she was still responding. It’s why he didn’t question her being so short with him. If she knew the real truth, Nine knew he should be grateful she was giving him even this.
It was Thursday evening, and he read the one she sent now in response to his question of what her plans were tomorrow. He’d known for weeks now Phoenix would have Chelsea two weekends in a row. Nine was hoping Phoenix might offer to pick up Chelsea Friday night as opposed to Saturday morning so Nine could see Dee sooner than later.
She’s spending the night at her aunt’s tomorrow because Phoenix and I are attending a charity brunch together in the day. His sister is picking her up from pre-school for us and keeping her overnight so Phoenix can pick her up Saturday morning.
Fucking perfect. Nine had already told O he was taking the whole weekend off. He anticipated having to do a lot of groveling, and he was ready to do so. Taking off early tomorrow as well shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Fern Dog was off tomorrow, and that guy was always looking to pick up extra hours. Nine would call him as soon as Dee responded to his instant reply asking what time she’d be done with the brunch.
To his surprise, unlike the rest of the week when she was so slow to respond to all his texts, she responded quickly this time. Nine tapped the envelope, smiling, and read it.
Not sure. I believe it’s from 11-4. It’s a long one because they’re putting on some show in the middle of it. But I don’t know how long we’ll be there. Just depends.
Not waiting for her to turn him down flat or make an excuse, Nine wouldn’t give her a chance. He blatantly invited himself over tomorrow, asking her to text him as soon as she was leaving the event, and he’d meet her at her place. He braced himself for her to respond with some weak-ass excuse why she couldn’t see him tomorrow night, but he’d be insisting he needed to talk to her in person ASAP if she declined to see him.
Already, he’d sent Fern Dog the text asking if he wanted to come in from noon to closing tomorrow. It made him nervous that his text had gone out to Dee first and Fern Dog had already responded but he was still waiting on Dee. Of course, Fern Dog said yes. Nine threw in that lunch was on him as a thanks for the guy agreeing to come in so last minute.
Finally, Dee’s text came through, and Nine was almost afraid to read it, but he did and it was bittersweet. She didn’t decline seeing him and agreed to text him when she was wrapping things up at the brunch, but following this week’s cold and indifferent theme, she ended the text with a simple good night.
As was the case all week, Nine ignored the coldness and sent back a heartfelt text, not holding back anything. He didn’t care anymore. He was putting it all out there.
Goodnight, baby. I can hardly wait to see you tomorrow. I’ll be counting down the hours. I miss you SO much. Something’s gotta change. I don’t think I can do this anymore. Go a whole week without seeing you. WAY too long. But we’ll talk tomorrow. Sweet dreams!
He squelched what else he was so tempted to say to her, but as he had all week, he abstained. What he really wanted to tell her was something he needed to say to her in person. He just prayed he got the chance to.
Of course, it wasn’t until nearly four o’clock Friday afternoon that Nine got the text. He’d hardly slept and was up bright and early because he figured he may as well get out of bed. Ever since, each passing hour had felt like an eternity. He’d hoped she might leave the brunch early, but apparently she wasn’t nearly as anxious to see him as he was to see her.
Again, it probably had everything to do with Becca’s shit. Damn it. Oh well, all he could do was suck it up now and hope for the best. The moment he saw the text come through he dropped everything and was already rushing up the stairs before he even read it.
Frowning when he saw that she was home already, despite his distinctly asking her to text him when she was wrapping it up, he just texted back that he was on his way. But he’d been so anxious about seeing her ASAP it annoyed him that he might have already been with her if she’d texted him when she was leaving.
The whole way to her place he went over what he would and wouldn’t say to her too soon. He was going to pace himself, feel her out. Clearly, she was pissed about whatever Becca had said that morning. What he couldn’t figure out was why she’d seemed okay on Saturday. She’d even greeted him the way she always did lately—jumping into his arms and kissing him wildly. He fucking loved it. So he couldn’t figure out what changed between then and the time he left her place Sunday morning.
Nine didn’t know how long Becca had been at the hospital. Had she gotten there before Dee? Left after? Maybe Becca had said more to Lila before Dee arrived or after she’d left. Maybe it was information that didn’t get passed onto Dee until Sunday after he’d left her place. It’s the only thing that would make sense. God, he was so fucked if that were the case.
Blowing out a breath when he got off his bike, he readied
himself to do this. As expected, he didn’t get the usual greeting. Dee didn’t even open the door. The screen door was open, and she called out for him to come in when he rang the bell.
“Dangerous,” he said as he walked into the kitchen where Dee stood filling the dishwasher. “Could’ve been someone else.”
She shrugged indifferently without even looking at him as she continued to put dishes in the dishwasher. “I heard your bike when you drove up.”
Holding back what he really wanted to say as he took her in from top to bottom—that she looked hot as fuck in a cocktail dress similar to the one she wore when he met her, minus the fuck-me shoes because she was barefoot—he took a deep breath. Nine squelched the a zing of jealousy he felt knowing she’d been at this thing looking like this. Even her slightly disheveled hair had him shaking off the suspicion of what else she might’ve been up to today, looking as fuckable as she looked.
He remembered thinking her boyfriend an idiot that first night, for not having issues about her going out without him and looking so damn good. Nine knew there was no way she’d be here talking to him, looking at ease, if she’d done anything that would make him insane. But he’d be damned if he’d ever let something like this happen again.
“So, how was it?”
“Good,” she said, finally looking up but glanced away quickly. “Real nice actually. They went all out. Lots of sports celebrities.”
“Oh, yeah?”
He hadn’t even thought to ask what the event was for when she told him. But he’d figured it was likely for some film thing like others she told him about before. Now he was thinking this was likely for the gym? He just wondered why Beast hadn’t mentioned it when Nine had talked to him just a few days ago.
Taking a step closer with every question he asked because he could hardly stand it anymore, he asked another. “What was it for?”
She glanced up at him again then cleared her throat and bent over to grab something out from under the sink. “Crap,” she said, slumping her shoulders, then looked up at him. “I’m gonna have to leave.”