Wanting Reed (Break Me) BOOK 2 (30 page)

“You’re on a fucking roll. Sierra, now?” he asks, clenching his jaw. “You wasted no time with that.”

“Shit, it’s not like that with her, man,” I say, rubbing my forehead. “She’s just a friend, and why the fuck do you care?”

“Dude, this is Sierra we’re talking about. You can’t trust that bitch.”

“You and Sierra now, huh?” Cane interjects. He steps into the mix, clenching his fists at his sides and glaring at me. It’s the same scenario this time, only with a different girl, but I don’t want fucking Sierra. Little does he know she was just a one-night fling. Nothing extraordinary. She served her purpose for me, and that was it. One and done. She knew it, and I knew it. If I had known about this drama, I would have kept my distance, but now I’m in the thick of it all and I’m not going to let these guys dictate whom I can talk to. They can think what they want.

“Who I decide to socialize with is my business.” I glance between them.

“I’m telling you right now. It’s better to have no friends than to be friends with someone like her. I’m just saying.” Jace smiles as he scratches his forehead in amusement and looks at me like I’m some kind of lost cause. Right now, I kind of feel that way because I have no one.
He doesn’t give a shit about what happens with me. Fuck. He’d gladly push me in front of a train.

“Listen. I’m giving her the benefit of the doubt.”

Jace looks straight at me and says, “I don’t know why I’m even saying this to you, because I don’t really like you, but if you think you’ll ever have another chance with my sister, then drop Sierra. If you don’t believe me, ask Cane.” He turns toward Cane, eyeing him to say something.

I scratch my head, hesitant to answer. “I told you, man. I have no interest in Sierra. I still care for your sister,”
I seethe, feeling nothing but contempt for this guy.

“I’m not getting involved in any of this shit,” Cane replies, raising his palms in front of him. “I’ve had enough with my own shit. I’m not gonna get mixed up in someone else’s. Just know that when Sierra wants something she goes after it and doesn’t give a shit who or what’s in her way.”
He speaks from experience, and it’s got to fucking suck for him since her little ploy cost him Elle.

I step back, soaking in his words. They might tell me more about Sierra if I play my cards right. They don’t know the extent of my involvement with her, but then again, Jace may be trying to screw up my shit with his sister. If what they say about her is true, who knows when my dirty laundry will be hung out to dry. If Jace is messing with me, it’s only a matter of time before she opens her mouth and uses our one-night stand as some kind of leverage. I have nothing to prove to him or anyone else, but I have everything to prove to his sister.

“Hey, listen. We’re giving you the heads-up. You can take it or leave it. It’s no skin off my back.” He shrugs his shoulders and turns to leave.

“Thanks, man, but I’m pretty capable of taking care of my own shit.” I flick him a sideways glance.

Turning, Jace sucks in a breath and stares at me. “Seriously, dude? You won over my sister and then you fucked up. Now, here you are fighting to get her back. And the kicker is you’re teaming up with the sneakiest female in Boston. You call that handling your shit? I call it a shit show waiting to happen.”

I grin to camouflage the doubts I’m having about conspiring with Sierra. But why? I can’t trust this asshole in front of me. I wonder how many suckers who wanted to get close to his sister he put through this same shit.
Don’t fucking let him get to you. Stick with the plan. It’s all you have right now.

“Yo, Jace, is all this necessary?” Cane asks. I glance at the girl who stands off to the side. She looks confused and pissed and grabs her phone to call someone. I wonder which one of these guys she’s here with. I hope not Jace because she deserves better than that son of a bitch. I watch as a dude walks up and hits on her, and she doesn’t refuse. Now, I hope to God she’s with Jace because that would make me fucking happy if she blew him off for another guy because he’s standing here giving me hell.

Jace throws Cane a quick glance and smiles. “I like messing with him, is all.”

“Your sister would be pissed if she knew you were doing this shit, so just leave it alone,” he says.

“Obviously, you’ve got nothing better to do. I mean, there are all these pretty women out here, and you’re focusing your attention on me.” I smile sarcastically, noticing Luke coming up from the first floor. The only time he’s seen me mad was when he picked me up from the airport after seeing Elle. The way he rushes over tells me I’m not looking too happy right now. With the way I’m feeling, I’m about ready to punch someone, specifically this shithead in front of me, but he knows I can’t. Cane presses up next to Jace when he sees Luke approaching.

“Hey. Hey, it looks like we’re having a little showdown here with my cowboy.” Luke throws his hand on my shoulder as he places his beer onto the table. He nods at Jace and Cane, letting them know that he’s not going anywhere and if anything goes down it’s going to be two on two.

“No biggie. We’re done here, right? I mean, we can always take this outside if you want.” Not that I needed Luke to help me in any way with Jace. I’m sure I can take him, but that’s the furthest thing from my mind. “That’s good.” Luke drops his hands from my shoulder and cracks his knuckles. “I’d hate to get this T-shirt dirty, and my hair is looking extra good tonight.” He grins, running his hand through his slicked back hair.

I glance over at my roommate while trying to suppress a smile. I’ve got to hand it to him; he’s a fucking comedian.

“Yeah,” Jace mumbles under his breath. “We’re done until Monday at practice.”

“I’ll be there, and by the way,” I signal in the direction of the bar and continue, “you better take care of your girl over there before she gives that dude more than her number.” I laugh as I finish my beer. He glances toward the bar, and without saying a word, he walks over to her. From the tension in his face, he’s already prepared to start shit with the guy for making a move on his girl. I turn back to Cane who’s still standing in front of me.
Damn. I thought we were done.
If shit continues like this, I’m just gonna stay home from now on.

“Don’t take it personal, man. He was like that with me until Elle stepped in,” Cane states a little hesitantly.

“I’ve never understood that shit,” I answer, rubbing my forehead with my hand. “How is he okay with you after everything that happened between you and Elle?”

“Elle didn’t want what happened with us to ruin our friendship. That’s how she is, and Jace loves his sister.”

Fuck. I love her, too.

“Yeah,” I reply, thinking Cane had an advantage. He had time, and he’s actually friends with Jace. I’ve got nothing.

“I don’t know your plans, but you can bet on Jace being this way with you until the day you leave town or the day you prove yourself good enough for Elle.”

I guess I’ve got to suck up this shit and be prepared to stand my ground.
“I’ve had to deal with worse shit,” I reply, glancing over at Jace who’s giving me his signature badass stare and trying to keep his girl in check.

“I hope it all works out for you,” he says, patting me on the shoulder before walking back toward the bar.

Luke turns his head to me and starts laughing.

“Dude, why is everything a fucking joke to you?” I push him in the chest.

“Shit, I’ve lived here all my life, and I haven’t gotten into half the crap you’ve gotten into in just three fucking months since you moved up here,” he says while trying to catch his balance.

“Stick with me then because I’ve got a feeling this ride is going to get batshit crazy.”

“I’m always looking for a little action to spice things up. Things have been kinda quiet,” he replies before throwing back his beer. “Who the fuck was that punk, anyways?” he asks, placing the beer on the table.

“Elle’s brother and his sidekick.”

“Oh shit, man. You’ve got a cock blocker to take down. Good luck with that.”

“Not worried about him. He’s just a little bump in the road,” I say confidently.

“Dude, if I ever act like this over a girl, she better be going all fifty shades of fucked up on my ass.”

“I think after that little situation I
can
use some eye candy and assistance,” I say, admiring the view while leaning over the balcony. “You’re right. There are plenty of fine single ladies showing off their assets down there.”

“See, asshole. I’m rubbing off on ya. Now, let’s go find me some.”

I lazily reach for the ringing phone lying next to me on the sofa. I inhale sharply in anticipation before reading the name scrolled across the screen.
Not Reed. Good
. Yes, Elle, keep telling yourself that. Since he missed my call the other day, he’s called a handful of times and has sent a couple of text messages. I haven’t had the desire to talk to him. I’m afraid that I might crack under the pressure of hearing his voice and forgive him. I don’t care to listen to his shit.

“Hello?” I answer.

“Hey, it’s Karlie.”

“What’s up?” I sit up and reach for my lukewarm coffee and take a sip. My eyes wander out my open window as the sunlight attempts to break through the clouds while the autumn breeze kisses my skin.

“I’ve been meaning to call you all week about what happened at the ice cream shop. Pretty lame of me, but Travis and I have been busy with some stuff.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’ve been so busy studying that I don’t even know what day it is.” I laugh. “But, I do know that it’s Tyler’s birthday.”

“Right. Travis can’t stop talking about it,” she bubbles. “He loves being back home. He’s really happy…happier than I’ve ever seen him,” she admits, taking a long breath like she wants to say more.

“Yes.” I sigh, winding my hair around my finger. “They are really close.”

“Yeah, it’s really refreshing. I love seeing this side of Travis. I didn’t think I could love someone so much. It kinda hurts.” She pauses. “In a good way.”

“I know that feeling,” I reply. It was only a couple of months ago that someone stepped into my life and caused those same emotions. Until recently, the only people I’d mentioned Reed to were my mom, Jace and Evelyn, but not in any detail. I won’t bring it up with Tyler because I know he’d get angry, especially since our friendship has gone a step further. It’s only a matter of time before something more happens, if I allow it. I just can’t think about that right now. I need an unbiased view from someone on the outside looking in. Perhaps talking to Karlie is ideal.

“Are you free?” I exhale slowly to calm my emotions.

“Like now?” she asks warmly.

“Yes.”
I close my eyes and fall back on the couch.
This will be good.

“I don’t want you to feel pressured.” Her voice is soft.

“No, I need to vent and just get things out.” I take in a few breaths, trying to clear my head.

“Sure, I’m here to listen.”

“How does an afternoon on Newbury Street sound? Shopping? Coffee?”

“Are you kidding me?” She chuckles. “Travis has been dragging me everywhere with him but no shopping. Plus, I want to pick up something sexy for tonight. I’ve been wearing jeans and T-shirts since I’ve gotten here.”

“Public transportation options really suck here.” Karlie frowns as we get off the train at Copley Square.

“I rarely do the “T” since Tyler tends to drive me around, and when I do, it’s a last resort.” I chuckle as we walk through the turnstiles.

“Speaking of Tyler.” She glances fleetingly as we make our way up the stairs and out onto the busy sidewalk. “I know you guys are best friends, but there’s more going on.” Her face softens.

“Why do you say that?” I ask apprehensively. Other than Tyler and me, nobody else really knows what has been happening between us, but the fact that we are so comfortable around each other is rather obvious to others. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

“Your name came up a few times in a conversation I overheard between Tyler and Travis last night, and I have to say that Tyler sounded more than frustrated,” she states as we wait at the corner to cross the street.