Page 8 of Forever Fighting
I get a shaky nod as she gets to her feet and lets me lead her toward the back.
“Chef?” someone calls out from the kitchen as we pass.
“Handle it,” I reply curtly.
“Wait.” Braelyn stops us. “You’re working.”
I kiss her forehead and meet her eyes. “You’re more important.”
We walk to the back room, where I take off my chef coat and slip it back into my locker. I pull out my leather jacket and drop it on Braelyn’s shoulders. Dutifully, she slips her arms through the sleeves that hang on her. She pushes them up so her hands are free, and I hand her my helmet.
“Just give me your keys. I’ll Uber to your place.”
I smooth her hair from her face. “I’m taking you home. No more arguing with me.”
“I can tell you’re fuming.”
I laugh mirthlessly. “Fuming isn’t the right word for what I am.” I’m murderous. “Come on. We’ll talk more at home.”
“Your eye looks good,” she notes as I climb onto my bike and hold out my hand for her to climb on behind me. “It’s healing nicely for only a few days in.”
“Told you I’d be fine.”
The engine rumbles beneath us, and I peel out into the cool Boston night. Braelyn clings tightly to me. She hates riding, but this is all I had here, and I want to make a couple of stops along the way. After I do that, I drive us over the bridge into the Seaport, where my building is. Braelyn helped me pick out my penthouse and when I bought it, she told me it was the ultimate bachelor pad, likely because of the open two stories, massive media and great rooms, wraparound balcony, and the custom infinity-edge pool in the sunroom with a clear acrylic bottom and a retractable glass roof that opens in the summer.
Honestly, I bought the place for the kitchen, which I love, and because of the views of the Seaport. As much as it painsme, I feel better seeing the water. Like I’m closer to him this way. Nash was at home on the water. It was his favorite place to be, and I’d go sailing or swimming or whatever it was that he wanted just to see his goofy smile.
He’d be twenty-seven this year. The amount of trouble he, Adam, and Braelyn used to get into would turn any parent’s hair white. I always felt it was my job to look after them since I’m six years older. I let Nash down with that, but I won’t with Braelyn now.
I walk Brae up the wraparound staircase and into one of the guest bedrooms I never use. I think she’s slept in here more than anyone else.
“I’ll bring you some clothes,” I offer.
Her arms wrap around her chest, and she takes in the view and the furniture. There isn’t much. A king bed and two end tables. Not even a dresser, though there’s a large walk-in closet, and if she ends up staying, I’ll buy her whatever she needs to make it her home.
“Will you bring me your Rebels hoodie?”
I smile. “You have such a thing for that hoodie.”
She turns back to me. “It’s my favorite.”
“It’s mine too, though.”
She points to her chest. “Cheating fiancé.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine. I’ll bring it to you. But you can’t burn it in effigy when you decide you hate all men.”
She gasps. “I’d never. That sweatshirt is sacred.”
“Fair. I’ll be back.”
I shut the door behind me and jog down the hall to my bedroom. I head for my closet and grab her the smallest pair of sweatpants I have that will still be ten sizes too big on her, a new pair of boxer briefs, a T-shirt, and the hoodie. Girl is lucky I love her. She’s the only person I’d ever share this with. I also grab my hairbrush for her to use.
I’m tempted to text Adam and ask him what the fuck, butI’m not ready to talk to him yet. He’s lucky I didn’t find him. I would have killed him. I’m not sure that’s even hyperbole. I want to squeeze him and shake him because he had her and threw her away when she’s all I’ve ever wanted. I would have held onto her forever.
I head back down the hall, knock, and when she doesn’t answer, I place the items on the bed and leave. I can hear the shower going, and thankfully, I don’t hear her crying. What I do hear is her phone vibrating from inside her purse. He’s calling her. I bet he’s not even out looking for her. Lazy shit.
I’m so tempted to pick up, but I’ll deal with him in my own time.
