Chapter 14

"Anything," he said before I could say what the favor was.

I squeezed my eyes closed and took a breath. Oscar making things easier was already making things harder. "I know this is beyond weird, after… everything, but I need your help."

"Yes," he agreed instantly. "Of course. Always."

His instant support made my stomach swoop. I both loved it and hated it in equal measure. But I couldn't help thinking Oscar wouldn't be so agreeable when he found out what the favor was.

"You remember me telling you how I needed a date to my sister's wedding because I didn't want to see Jared alone?" I asked. "Well, it turns out there won't be a wedding. Abby and Dex got married at a courthouse last month because she says she cares more about her marriage than her wedding. But she is having a marriage celebration party, and Rafa can't make it, so I wondered if you'd come?—"

"Oh, Hugh, I'm sorry."

I swallowed. Stupid to feel the sting of disappointment when I'd known it was a long shot. "No, don't be sorry. It was silly of me to ask. You're busy, and I know you were joking when you offered before?—"

"I meant I'm sorry that Abby and Dex decided not to have a wedding," he said, his voice low and oh-so kind. "I know how much you were looking forward to her having a perfect wedding day so she'd know how special she is."

"Y-yeah." The word came out with a little wobble, not because of Abby's changed plans—I was over that, mostly—but because Oscar got it. No one else had understood my disappointment—not Rafa or Dex or even Abby—and I'd had trouble articulating it even to myself. It wasn't a surprise that Oscar saw what no one else had, but damn, it hurt.

"But Abby and Dex are happy," I went on, "and that's what matters. Well, that and not appearing like a pathetic, dateless idiot at her Nacho Reception?—"

"You won't," he said with the supreme confidence of the powerful billionaire I sometimes forgot he was. "I'll be there."

I blinked, suddenly flustered. "It's November 14. Are you even free that day?"

"I'll have Lesya clear my schedule." He said it as if that were easy. As if he weren't the CEO of an investment firm with an infinite number of obligations on his plate more important than this.

"It's in New Jersey," I added.

"No problem. Whatever you need me to do or don't need me to do, I'm there."

"Thank you," I told him, hoping he wouldn't notice my voice wobbling again.

"You don't need to thank me. I'm happy to help. Believe me, I understand about family weddings. In fact, maybe you could…" There was a pause. "Never mind."

"I could what?" I pressed.

But whatever Oscar might have said was cut off when a man's voice in the background asked if "Oscar darling" was going to "finish his rosé."

My stomach curdled with embarrassment and something hotter… something a lot like jealousy.

But what had I expected? That Oscar would be home alone on a Saturday night, missing me as much as I missed him? That he'd want to keep talking for hours, the way he had the last time I called?

"I'll see you on the fourteenth," Oscar said. "Send me the information, and I'll pick you up."

I wanted to press him again on what he'd almost asked, but since the man in the background was still talking, I let it go. "Okay. Thanks again, Oscar."

Over the next two weeks, I did my best to convince myself I was okay with the idea of seeing Oscar again and embracing the happy-right-now, but it wasn't easy. Half my brain was worried Oscar might have to cancel at the last minute. The other half was busy fantasizing about what might happen if he didn't.

Being with Oscar again for one evening… and possibly one night.

When November 14 rolled around, a sleek Ferrari Stradale pulled up in front of my apartment building, glinting in the late-afternoon sun. Oscar stepped out of the vehicle, and I met him on the sidewalk. He wore a butter-soft cashmere overcoat with a burgundy cable-knit sweater and designer jeans underneath. He looked like the cover spread of a men's magazine.

The only exception to the perfect image was the small, nearly unnoticeable bulge in his coat pocket and the hint of Frank's pink nose poking out of the top. If he'd brought his emotional support hedgehog, that meant Oscar was nervous, and the fact that I knew this, knew him, made my own nerves ratchet up another notch.

"Hi," I said, unsure how to greet him.

"Hi," he replied.

We stared at each other. Only a few steps physically separated us, but it may as well have been miles. I tried not to remember the fact I'd licked and kissed and teased this man the past. I knew how he smelled, how he tasted, how his throat made a faint guttural sound when he was on the verge of making me come.

My stomach tightened and twisted. How exactly was I going to be with him and pretend that the last few months had never happened? How could I allow myself to get close to him again, knowing our time together had an expiration date on it?

Something must have shifted in my expression because Oscar's forehead furrowed slightly. "Something wrong?"

I pasted on a smile. "No. Just thinking about tonight. Thanks again for coming… and for picking me up. Definitely the sweetest car I've ever been in." I reached for the door handle, but he grabbed it first, crowding into my space. He pulled the door open but stood directly in front of me, blocking my entry.

"You're upset," he said, eyes searching my face. "What's wrong? Are you nervous about seeing Jared?" His voice went down an octave. "Worried he might make a play to get you back?"

"God, no," I scoffed. He couldn't be further from the truth. "Even if I wanted that, and I do not, Jared's bringing his new boyfriend. The one he's making plans to propose to over the holidays."

"Propose? Marriage?"

Despite his nearness, despite my nerves, I found myself laughing out loud. "No, proposing they start a competitive underwater basket-weaving team." I rolled my eyes. "Yes, Oscar. Marriage."

Oscar shook his head. "Jared the commitment-phobe has decided to commit?"

"Mmm. I guess everything's different when you meet the right person, huh?" I looked away. "Especially when that person is a famous drummer like Ben Garrison."

His eyes widened. "Toxic Echo. Wow."

I swallowed. "Yeah."

Oscar's expression was impossible to read. "How are you feeling about that?"

"Pretty shitty," I told him honestly. "I don't want him back. I never did. But I also don't want him—or his family—thinking I'm still pining after him. They're really nice people. Even Jared. Seriously! I wouldn't have dated him as long as I did if he wasn't," I insisted, seeing the skeptical look on Oscar's face. "If I know Jared, he'll spend half his time glancing at me to make sure I'm okay. I can't stand the idea of him wondering if his boyfriend situation is bothering me. I don't want to deal with his pity."

His eyes sought mine, and he squeezed my upper arm. "You know he's an idiot for letting you go, right?"

"Sure he is." I didn't bother pointing out that this logic made Oscar an idiot too. "We should get on the road," I told him instead.

It wasn't until we were out of the city and halfway to Bloomfield that Oscar turned to me with an expression of conviction on his face. "I'm your boyfriend, and I'm madly in love with you."

I blinked at the side of his face as he turned back to watch the road. "Uh… 'Scuse me?"

"For tonight, I mean. We'll pretend, like we talked about when I was in Macau. You have to admit it's the best way."

I scratched behind my ear. "Is it? Because my sister knows the truth about us. Which means Dex knows the truth. And Jared's his brother…"

Oscar reached over and took my hand in his, threading our fingers together. "No. They know the old truth. The new truth is that we decided to give this thing a try. And so far, it's going amazing."

Oscar squeezed my hand and held it. I imagined what it would be like to pretend to be Oscar's boyfriend. For him to pretend to be mine.

"So I'm your boyfriend, huh?" I teased, trying to cover my nervous excitement. "How are you going to explain to everyone that you're dating again after swearing off relationships?"

He kept his eyes on the road. "I won't have to. No one at this party knows me except your sister. And eventually—maybe even tomorrow—you'll tell her things didn't work out. It wasn't you, it was me. I was far too demanding. Possessive. Wanted to spend all my time with you, and it drove you crazy."

I stared at him. "She'll never believe that," I said softly. I certainly couldn't. No amount of time I could spend with Oscar that would ever feel like too much. It was being without him, trying to keep my distance, that was the problem.

"No?" He darted a glance at me and cleared his throat. "Well, you'll come up with something," he assured me.

I rubbed at the back of my neck. "I'd rather not lie at all if I don't have to."

We arrived at the bar, and while Oscar focused on finding us a place to park, I shot Abby a quick text.

Hugh

Oscar and I…

I deleted and tried again. I didn't want to lie, but I wasn't sure how else I could prepare her to see us acting like boyfriends when she knew we weren't.

Hugh

I'm bringing Oscar as my date.

Abby

Yeah, you told me already?

Hugh

I'm… I think it might be…

I deleted it and made a grumble sound under my breath.

"Problem?" Oscar asked with a laugh. "Is that phone giving you attitude?"

I shoved the phone in my pocket. "No. I just… I guess I'm nervous."

He turned the car off and came around to meet me as I stepped out of the low-slung sports car. When we began walking toward the bar entrance, he put his hand on my lower back to steer me toward the inside of the sidewalk. He was close enough for me to catch a whiff of expensive cologne.

"Don't be nervous," he murmured. "I got your back."

I leaned a little closer to him and sighed. "I don't care about Jared. It's the rest of them. His entire family… they were almost my family. I was close to them, and I miss that. I don't miss him…"

Oscar wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close, turning his head to press a kiss to my cheek. "But you're mourning the loss of the family you wanted. It's probably hard to see Abby getting everything you wanted. And before you interrupt me," he added with a knowing grin, "I understand you're happy for your sister. You can feel both things at once."

I nodded, happy to be so understood. "Thank you," I murmured. "And thanks again for coming with me."

He stopped and turned to face me before taking my chin in his hand. His eyes bored into mine, and his lips were curved into a killer smile. "I'm a very dedicated boyfriend, Hugh." His voice was low and went straight through my chest to my balls.

Then he leaned forward and kissed me full on the lips, slow and certain.

All of the worries ping-ponging through my head became muffled and unimportant. Nothing was as vital in that moment as accepting his kiss. Giving myself over to the power of it, the reassurance of it, and the genuine affection clear in the gesture itself.

When he finally pulled away and met my eyes, I tried to look better, more solid and less fearful.

"Thanks," I croaked stupidly. "And… thanks."

Oscar took my hand in his and led me through the doors and into the bar. The noise of chatter and cheer greeted us, and I immediately recognized Jared's thick, dark hair across the crowd. He was taller than Dex, taller than most people, and my eyes went straight to him as if the previous two years hadn't happened.

"Over there," I murmured, pointing to where I now saw Abby and Dex at the arched entrance to a side room, giving people big smiles and hugs. Abby was dressed in a gorgeous white sweater dress, and as we moved closer, I saw she'd paired it with the tall black boots she rarely found an excuse to wear. She looked beautiful.

"Hugh!" she cried when I came within hugging distance. She beamed at me before squeezing me tightly. "So glad you're here. I can't wait for you to meet Sandy, my boss, and Henry—you know, the one I told you about who teaches in the room next to mine…"

As she continued telling me all the people she wanted me to meet, I caught Jared's eyes over her shoulder and exchanged an awkward smile with him. Thankfully, the warm press of Oscar's hand on my back reminded me I wasn't alone.

I pulled back and gestured to Oscar. "Abby, you remember Oscar Overton. Oscar, you know Abby, and this is her… husband… Dex Currier."

While Abby stepped forward to grab Oscar into a hug, Dex hugged me. "Sorry about everything," he whispered. "Thanks for understanding. Abby was upset that she disappointed you with the whole courthouse thing, but?—"

I smiled. "I do understand. I was just surprised. But I'm very glad to finally be able to call you brother."

His grin was wry but genuine. "Not quite the way we imagined, was it? But I have to say, I vastly prefer this way. I'll never be able to thank you and Jared enough for introducing us."

Oscar stepped closer and slid his arm around my waist. "Uh, Dex," I said, licking my lips nervously. "This is Oscar."

Oscar reached out his free hand to shake. "Nice to meet you. Congratulations on your marriage."

If it was possible, Dex's smile got even bigger. "Thanks, man. I'm the luckiest asshole on the planet. Appreciate you joining us for the celebration. There's beer and wine over there. Please make yourself comfortable and enjoy."

As I led Oscar away from the archway so Abby and Dex could say hello to another set of newcomers, I deliberately avoided glancing toward Jared. I wasn't ready yet, and I didn't want to exchange any more awkward half-smiles.

Before we could get to the small bar on the side of the room, Oscar pulled me back against him and pressed a kiss to the sensitive spot behind my ear. My skin broke out in tiny bumps all over.

"Fuck, don't," I breathed. "That's indecent. What are you doing?"

"Driving my boyfriend crazy the way I happen to know he likes."

I reached back and pushed at him half-heartedly. "Jesus, stop," I gasped, turning my head to get his lips off that spot before my dick made a scene. The move put my mouth closer to his until our lips were inches apart. My eyes flicked up, expecting to see the teasing glint I knew so well… but that wasn't what I saw.

His eyes held molten steel, the kind that both burned and had the potential to trap you in a slow-moving assault.

"Oscar…" I whispered.

He leaned in like he was going to kiss me, but someone jostled him from behind before our lips could meet.

"Oh, shit," the man said. "My bad. Sorry, bud. What can I get you? A drink?"

I glanced over to see the long-haired drummer from Toxic Echo, a man undeniably beautiful and worth however many millions of dollars sponsoring brands threw at him to take his picture. His cheekbones were a photographer's dream, and the profile of his jawline?—

"Babe?" Oscar snapped. "The man wants to know what you'd like to drink. White wine? Or do you want a beer tonight?"

I blinked at the drummer before blinking at Oscar. "Oh, uh…"

"You usually prefer beer with nachos," Oscar said with a smile half a millimeter off-center. "We'll each take whatever lager's on draft, thanks."

This was Jared's new boyfriend. His almost fiancé. His… his person.

Oscar's arm came around my back again as he studied the man. "You look familiar," he said idly. "You don't work in Tribeca, do you? There's this Thai place I go to for lunch sometimes that has a guy with the same?—"

"No," he said with an easy chuckle. "My studio's in Midtown. I'm a musician."

"You're Ben Garrison," I said, holding out my hand. "I'm friends with Jared. And Dex. I'm Abby's brother. It's nice to meet you."

His eyes widened. "You're Hugh? Huh. Yeah, nice to meet you."

I felt Oscar bristle beside me, possibly at the surprised little huh. "Ben Garrison… Why does that name sound familiar?" he asked, continuing to pretend he had no idea who this guy was.

I kind of loved him for it.

"Toxic Echo plays ‘Punk House Chaos,'" I said. "And ‘Vessel of You.' Ben's the drummer." I met the guy's eyes and conceded the truth. "You're really good."

He grinned. "Thanks, bud. No offense, but you don't look like the rock type."

Oscar's eyes darkened, and he opened his mouth to say something presumably scathing, even though Ben happened to be right. Just as I jerked my elbow back into his side to shut him up, Jared came up and gave me a hug. I stumbled from the change in momentum and landed against his chest.

Humiliated heat flared in my face as I tried to extract myself from his familiar embrace.

"Hugh, it's good to see you. How've you been?" He pulled away and kept his hands clasped on my shoulders. "You look good." His eyes flicked over to Oscar, but he didn't ask for an introduction.

"Thanks," I said, standing straighter in hopes he'd drop his grip. Thankfully, he did. "This is my, uh… Oscar Overton." The hesitation had been so brief I hoped no one noticed. "Oscar, this is Jared Currier."

Oscar's hand slid easily into mine and held tight. "The brother-in-law, right?" Oscar asked with a big smile. "Nice to meet you. Have you met Ben?" he asked as Ben returned to our little group with a drink in each hand. "He plays music."

It was harder than it should have been to keep from laughing. Oscar was so enigmatic and so effortlessly charming when he wanted to be that it would have been virtually impossible for a stranger to know whether he was being offensively petulant or sincerely polite. No one else at this party could see the strong emotion underneath his polished surface any more than they knew about the tiny hedgehog secreted in his pocket.

But I did.

"Yes," Jared said. "Ben's my boyfriend. We're together." He had to step back when Ben pushed between us to hand glasses of beer to me and Oscar. "So, ah… how long have you two?—"

"A while now," Oscar cut in with that same affable smile before Jared could finish his question. "We met at a friend's wedding a year and a half ago." His eyes met mine. "Didn't we, baby?"

"W-we did," I said with total honesty.

"It wasn't easy to win him over, let me tell you," Oscar told Jared without looking away from me. "I had to pull out all of my very best pickup lines?—"

I snorted.

"—while Hugh rated them," Oscar added slyly, "on a pity curve."

"Hey!" I squawked, unable to stop grinning despite my outrage. "That is not an accurate interpretation of events, Oscar Overton?—"

"It was tricky to make things work at first because I travel around the world for work, and Hugh's job keeps him incredibly busy on the weekends, but the truth is… I just couldn't stay away, no matter how hard I tried."

"That's great," Jared said. "I'm really happy for?—"

"Every time his name came up on my phone," Oscar continued, staring into my eyes, "my heart would leap just knowing that he'd been thinking of me. And no matter where I was or who I was with, I had to stop and see what Hugh had to say because it was always something funny or brilliant or thought-provoking."

"Yeah. Hugh, remember the time—?" Jared began.

My cheeks were on fire, my fingertips tingled, and I didn't so much as turn my head to see what the hell Jared was talking about. Oscar's eyes hadn't moved from mine, and the things he was saying…

"There were a lot of nights I spent on the other half of the world thinking I'd give my entire bank account to have Hugh beside me… in my bed." He gave me a sultry look that nearly ignited all of my clothes and everything around us.

I made a guck sound and wondered if the floor might be willing to open up and take me to the comfort of the underworld for a few minutes so I could cool off.

Oscar looked at me with warm affection before leaning in to kiss my cheek softly. "Hugh's the sort of boyfriend any mother would adore too. My own mother once said my family wanted nothing more than to see me happy and settled. But they say it doesn't feel like settling when you've found your person, right?"

"Er. I suppose," Jared agreed. "My mother also?—"

"And then there's my best friend. He might like Hugh more than he does me," Oscar went on, his gaze never wavering. The look in his eyes was doing something filthy to my stomach and groin.

I frowned. "Your best?—"

"Poor Frank. He gets so socially awkward at parties, but Hugh knew just what he needed." Oscar's lips twitched up in a smile. "Didn't you, sweetheart?"

I shook my head slowly. Unbelievable, I told him with my mind, and Oscar lifted a challenging eyebrow.

"Meeting Hugh changed my life," Oscar assured Jared and Ben… and me. "No lie."

As I stared at him, I realized he wasn't lying. He very carefully hadn't lied once to Jared and Ben about any of the facts of our friendship. And as for the way he'd said them… My breath rushed out in a whoosh, and I had to forcibly remember to inhale.

"Uh-huh. Well, it was nice to meet you," Ben interrupted, sounding bored. "Please excuse us. I see Jared's mom just arrived, and I'm dying to give her a hug."

For weeks, I'd thought it would bother me, knowing Ben would have the life and family that I'd wanted. But at that moment, I didn't care. None of it mattered. The entire party could have been abducted by aliens, and I wouldn't even have noticed.

As long as Oscar Overton was looking at me with fire in his eyes and calling me sweetheart, there was no famous drummer in the world who could come close to the staccato rhythm pounding a crescendo in my chest.