How to Marry Your Frenemy - London Casey Page 0,19
a second job.”
“No need,” she said. “I guess Uncle Vince takes care of his real business makers better than his family.”
“You know of my family, sweetie,” I said.
“I know I’m going to enjoy my time living here.”
Misha opened the door and saw me standing there and quickly shut the door.
“You know, you could be a gentleman and help me move these boxes in,” Callie said.
I stepped over the boxes. “Not interested.”
“Too bad,” Callie said. “The one you just stepped over is full of my sex toys.”
I froze and looked back at her. “That’s so sad.”
“Sad?”
“You can’t get a decent cock so you’re stuck with neon pink silicone,” I said.
Callie laughed. “That’s where you’re wrong.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Everyone knows my favorite color is purple,” she said.
She was fucking with me. And slightly winning.
Just for the moment.
“Enjoy moving in,” I said. “Don’t unpack. You won’t be staying long.”
“Try me, Jackson,” Callie said.
I turned and hurried down the hallway.
I looked down and saw my dick slapping around my gym shorts.
I was far from hard but she had me a little full.
Picturing her in that blood red dress, on her back, legs open, a purple toy between her legs… thrusting it at herself… or maybe something with batteries, buzzing and humming against her clit…
“Fuck,” I groaned.
I punched the door.
I had to get those images out of my head for good.
“Another PR, brother,” Liam said.
I took a deep breath and sat up.
I looked out the window to the busy city street.
“How the fuck is this going to work?” I asked. “Huh? I can’t live with her, man.”
“Live with her?” Liam asked. “She’s next door.”
“One wall between us? No.”
I looked back at Liam.
He was putting more weight onto the bar.
“I think you’re letting her get to you,” Cole said.
I whipped my head the other way. “What?”
“She’s a thorn in your ass,” he said.
“Yeah, and I need to pick it out.”
“You keep shoving it deeper,” Liam said.
I stood up to stretch my chest. “Can we stop talking about things getting stuck in my ass?”
“You keep rambling on about it,” Cole said. “I thought we were going to shoot the shit. Relax a little.”
“You’re over here trying out to be Mr. Universe, worried about your neighbor,” Liam said.
“You don’t get it,” I said to him. “Why would you? You threw a ring on Miranda’s finger when she tried to dump you. And you have no end in sight for your fake engagement.”
“See this?” Liam asked Cole. “He goes on the attack.”
“It’s sad,” Cole said. “No wonder Vince won’t give him the company.”
I stepped toward Cole.
Cole clapped his hands, laughing. “Come on, Jackson. I’m fucking around here. Can I ask you a serious question?”
“What?” I asked.
“Do you like her?”
“What?”
“Do you like her?” Cole asked again. “I’m being honest. You can pretend to hate but really like her. I’m not going to judge.”
“Hey, Callie is hot,” Liam said. “She’s got a natural beauty to herself, you know?”
“I don’t like her,” I said.
“Then maybe you need to fuck her,” Cole said.
I curled my lip and felt like hitting him.
Cole had no problem getting in my face. And even if I did take a swing, he’d take the punch and give one right back to me.
Same for Liam.
That was just how our friendship was.
“Spot me,” I said.
I got back on the bench and wrapped my hands tight around the bar.
I took a few deep breaths and readied myself.
Liam stood behind the bar, his hands hovering over it, keeping himself from touching the bar but ready to grab it if I needed the help.
I didn’t need the damn help.
I never needed help.
This was me versus the weight.
Just like it was me versus Vince.
I was going to get the company and run it the way I wanted.
Just like it was me versus Callie.
She was just another hurdle to step over.
Even if that hurdle got a little more annoying since I would have to deal with her both at the office and at home.
I brought the bar down to my chest and pushed it back up.
I managed three reps and stopped.
“Wow,” Cole said. “You’re going all out here, huh?”
“Just one of those days,” I said as I sat up again. “I’m good here.”
I stood up.
Cole and Liam stripped the bar of the weights.
I flexed my arms and chest and felt good.
I looked to my right and saw a woman looking in my direction.
I winked and she smiled.
Cole grabbed my shoulders and shook me. “Come on, brother. You can’t let this rattle you.”