strain in my voice isn’t feigned. I’m tired and anxious and scrambling to figure out all of the things that need solving.
Every day, I remind myself that the past is a useless place to dwell. I force myself to focus on my future.
I have a lot to do. Marcel isn’t the only bridge to my old life that’s no longer passable.
Friends, board directorships, club memberships, and long-standing invitations all disappeared faster than roaches when the lights come on.
When the crowd thinned, I could see clearly who my real friends were, and they’re pretty amazing. So, yes, I don’t have Stone. But I have my brothers, and Dina and Confidence and Kal. And Hayes, kind of.
He’s made attempts to talk about what happened. I went to visit after Phoenix, their beautiful baby boy, was born. He didn’t miss the chance to remind me of what Stone stood to lose if his identity was revealed. I know Hayes means well and that he’s just trying to protect his brother, but I wish he’d see that I am, too. Even when it’s killing me too. And I know I can’t avoid him forever. I’ll have to see him at some point.
My heart and thighs clench, simultaneously, as joy and desire swirl inside me, and for a moment, I’m lightheaded with giddiness.
I have to shake myself free of it. This is how I got into this mess in the first place.
As a reminder of that, I read Tyson’s text again and memorize that picture and all the places he’s touching that girl.
“Here we are,” Charlie drawls, as we pull to a stop in front of my house. I glance up and see the dark row of windows that line the second floor. My mother has them tonight. The week that Marcel kept them from me was the longest of my life. But I wasn’t the only one he kept them from. When she asked for them to spend the night, I said yes. Now, I wish they were here. I need their warm little snuggles and unrestrained affection.
“I’m sorry to be a pain. But at least you’re spared an evening of being seen with the notorious Regan Wilde.” I reach across the center console and press a quick kiss to Charlie’s scruffy cheek, at the same time that I pull the lever to open the door.
He puts a hand on my arm to stop me. “Fuck anyone treating you like shit. Marcel is well-liked, but so are you. And you’re family. I’m here for you. I wish I could do more than lend a friendly ear.”
I only nod, because I can’t speak around the throb in my throat. I press a grateful kiss to his cheek and slide out of the car.
I stand on the sidewalk in front of my house and wave goodbye, until he turns right onto Wildewood Parkway and disappears from sight. I trudge up my driveway, tired and feeling sorry for myself.
“Venus.”
For a second, I think my mind is playing tricks on me.
I stop in my tracks halfway up to my garage.
My heart kicks into high gear, and the next breath, I attempt to take, doesn’t come as easily as the one before it. By the time I’ve managed to turn around and face him, I’m nearly panting from the onslaught of emotions running riot through me.
He steps into the flood of light from the security lamp that hangs right above my garage.
He looks… like the answer to every single one of my problems. His hair is shorter than I’ve ever seen it. In his gray suit, white dress shirt, and a dark blue tie is draped over his neck, he looks more like Mr. Grey than Dr. McDreamy. “Stone, what are you doing here?”
“You’ve been ignoring my calls. So, here I am.” His voice is ragged with frustration.
He stops short of being an arm’s length away. I want him closer. I cross my arms to stop myself from reaching for him. “I’ve had a lot going on with my kids.”
He crosses his arms, too, but from his furrowed brow and deep frown, he’s restraining something very different than desire. “Regan, cut the shit. Let’s just get this over with,” he snaps.
I flinch at the bite of steel in his voice and bristle at the accusation in his eyes. “You knew what this would be, Stone. I was very clear in my letter.”
“I was very clear in the one I wrote you back. Or did you get it mixed up