you once, and that’s the last time.”
“Why can’t I hate you?” I utter and feel more of the walls crashing down. “Why are you making things so hard for me?”
“Baby, that’s not what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to make it easy and make you realize I’m here. Standing here before you letting you know how sorry I am and how much I love you.”
He pulls me close to him, holding me tightly against his chest, and leans down to whisper in my ear. “Thank you for tonight. It means the world to me that you’re giving this a chance. I want you to know I’m not going anywhere.”
Chapter 20
Clayton
The music fills the air as I drink my whiskey and watch Nolan flirt with the redhead down the bar. My brother’s a playboy, and who knows when he’ll settle down. I’m not sure if settling down is in his realm.
Nolan and I never had problems with dating and women. We got our good looks from our dad and our down-to-earth personality from our mom. It was a dangerous but perfect combination. We were quick-witted and knew what to say. That’s also what makes us great businessmen.
“This is becoming too easy.” I turn and see Nolan taking a seat back next to me.
“I didn’t think I’d see you again tonight.”
He shrugs. “It was too easy. I told her I’d call her. She didn’t seem too happy about that.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “You kill me, you know that?”
Nolan’s beer pauses at his lips before smiling. “Yeah, it’s definitely not a boring life, but it’s the same old thing. Sometimes I wonder what it’ll be like to find someone and settle down.” He shrugs, taking back his beer. “You get a second chance, bro. Don’t mess it up. It’s a lonely, messed-up world being alone.”
“I hear you. We’ve been spending time together, and I’m getting to know Alex. It’s a process. We’re taking it slow, but she has her guard up.”
“Don’t blame her,” he mutters.
“Yeah. Same here.” A tightness moves to my chest. “I can’t mess this up.”
“I’ve seen you do a lot of things in your life. When you put your mind to something, you can achieve it. Look what we did for our company. Look what you’ve done so far in your life. You know you can do this. There’s a reason you sought out Ashley and why you have a son.”“I regret it.”
“Don’t regret things. Life is all about making your mistakes a lesson learned. You’ve been beating yourself up, and it’s time to let it go. You’re making it right, and even though it’s not going the pace you want, you can’t push it. This time, she’s the CEO, and you need to take a step back.”
I nod and take back my drink.
Nolan slaps the bar. “Don’t be a little bitch and close up. I’m your brother. You can talk to me and I’ll be here to help you out.”
“Thanks, man.”
The night begins to get dull, talking business with Nolan and watching him fend off women. It’s comical. I didn’t realize how much I needed a night out with my brother until now. We’re busy nearly every day trying to make our business successful and taking things slow with Ashely and Alex. I don’t have complaints.
Nolan orders a few more rounds for us, and we move away from our business discussions and into what’s going on with him and how he’s doing.
He shoots back the whiskey. “I don’t have complaints. The only thing that gets me is going home alone. I’m twenty-five, and I’ve done more in my life than most can say.”
“You’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself. You don’t need to have everything figured out. Life is what you make of it. Don’t stress too much.”
I think about texting Ashley to see what she’s doing. I can’t stop thinking about her as I’m giving brother advice.
“I’ve been bitching like a pussy tonight. What about you? When do I get to meet my nephew and meet the woman who has you twisted?”
I shrug. “Soon, I hope.”
Nolan blows out a breath and mutters a curse. “I hope things work out for you. From what you’re saying, it seems to be going pretty well. You know Mom and Dad felt bad about keeping you away, right?”
“It was my choice to stick around and help out.”
“Yeah, I’m sure the fact you’ve kept their grandchild from them will shove away everything that happened. Mom’s going to kill you.”
I laugh