panties to stop it from running down them. Blaine lets out a low rumble and I put my head on his shoulder. This is a hot fucking mess.
It’s been hours since this shit storm of a situation unraveled yet I feel absolutely no better about what went down than before. Pierce is still out there, undoubtedly planning his next move, a shudder rolls through me at that thought.
I haven’t been lying. I understand why Kaden did what he did. In a way. Okay, that isn’t completely true. I understand why he had originally been hesitant but damn it we’d opened up to each other so many times … I guess I just felt betrayed. Not nearly as much as the guys did no doubt, but still. Then again, despite Blaine’s words … Do I feel any better? Looking up into Kaden’s intense blue eyes I realize that I believe some aspect of what he’s saying. It doesn’t stop the confusion but it gives me something to consider for sure.
Turbulence hits right at that moment and I groan as Blaine mutters a curse, rubbing a hand over my leg gently, in a soothing motion. I feel a bit sick as I wrap an arm around my stomach hoping that I don’t end up hurling over a toilet. I don’t care how fantastic this jet is, that isn’t a place where I want to find myself. Closing my eyes I let the feel of the seats and the night time cruising air bring me into a fitful sleep.
Almost immediately, memories begin to play across my sleeping consciousness.
“It was so wonderful to meet you, I hope you enjoy the party,” I offered a parting smile as Mrs. Kleindale, the wife of one of Pierce’s co-workers, goes to get another drink. The entire condo is lit up in festive decorations that I practically had a nervous breakdown over, only for Pierce to come home and barely notice it.
Fucking asshole.
My eyes sought him out from where I stood near the front door, greeting the guests entering right on time. Pierce was surrounded by four of his co-workers as they laughed and made snide jokes. My chest squeezed as I watched Pierce’s eyes follow one of my cheer friend’s ass, as she passed by. Part of me wanted to introduce them because frankly Amy was sort of a bitch and Pierce well … he’d fuck literally anyone.
Tears stung my eyes as I swallowed, trying to not feel insecure about my own body. I wanted to believe that it wasn’t a reflection on my looks, how much attention he paid to other women … but it was difficult sometimes. Tonight I was wearing a classic red cocktail dress that's tight at the waist and flared out in a tea skirt design. My eyes traced the ring on my finger that matched the diamond necklace I wore, almost mocking me. I looked like one of those trophy wives that I so despised and made fun of with my sister Sasha. Rather than a necklace, Pierce might as well have given me a dog collar. The way he had been treating me lately had been … horrible. It had been horrible. That was the only word for it.
“Sloane?” A warm voice asked and as I turned, an authentic smile filled my face.
Alex strolled in wearing a three-piece green suit and looking handsome as hell. As one of the physical therapists for the team, we worked in close proximity to one another and had become really good friends. He greeted me with a massive smile and I was so caught up in the moment that I didn’t remember that our friendship was very much unknown to Pierce.
“Sweetheart.” Pierce’s voice cut through our conversation and I could hear the warning edge there. I swallowed as Alex’s brow dipped slightly.
“Hey man.” Alex met Pierce’s hand as my fiancé tightened his other on my waist, squeezing just enough to make his touch threatening rather than comforting. “Fantastic to meet you. I’m a physical therapist for the squad.”
Pierce, as usual, brought out the full charm and any worry seemed to leave Alex. That was always what happened though. Was I really just waiting for someone to notice? Sort of felt like that. Every time I tried to tell someone something about my relationship or a concern, they either waved it off because ‘Pierce was so amazing’ or they told him. The latter was far worse, because other people’s perception and his social standing were