Chapter 15

Wes

I unhappily grunt at the same time I drop the tablet back onto the tawny colored coffee table of my upstairs office beside the haphazard stack of documents. “ These are awful. ”

“I love when you mince your words,” J.T. good naturedly jabs in return, sapphire suit jacket covered arms stretching along the length of the leather couch across from me. “Gives me Riker goosebumps.”

I used to have no idea what that meant.

However, after two nights of watching Star Trek: The Next Generation alone in bed longing to feel like Bryn was beside me instead of hiding in her guestroom – where I can’t see her – refusing to speak to me, I now have a small inkling.

And needless to say, I am not amused.

“ I’m serious. ”

The rolling of his hazel eyes irks me. “ I’m aware. ”

“Then behave like it.”

His head tips slightly to one side in a curious nature. “Is this why Bryn’s refusing to talk to you? Because you talk down to her?”

There’s no stopping my glare from narrowing. “ This isn’t about her. ”

“Well, it sure the fuck isn’t about me, ” he swiftly bites, forcing my body to retreat. “Because we both know I already knew the designs for the hospitality event were shit, which is why I’m headed to Fire however, they never arrived.” Clicking the box in the notes section I made precedes meeting his stare. “Has there been a delay you failed to mention?”

“No.” He noticeably swallows his own annoyance. “There is no delay because there are no files to be delivered because you declined all the acceptable submissions.”

“We have nothing else to review for acquiring.”

“Not that you would be interested in at this time.”

“ Do. Not. Tell. Me. What interests me. ”

At that, my best friend slowly shakes his head and sighs, “God, I hope Bryn is in a better mood than you tonight.”

“Excuse me?”

“She’s…weirdly… charming …as her pull no punches self, but like you , she’s terrifying when bitchy.”

“I’m not bitchy.”

“ Moody then. ”

A disapproving glare is instantly shot in his direction.

“She seemed to be in better spirits earlier when she asked me to zip her up, so I’m hopeful.”

The thoughtless snapping of the screen writing utensil doesn’t even register until the man across from me is cackling like a supervillain.

“Ready to talk about the fight you two had?”

“We didn’t have a fight.”

“Not one you won.”

Another hard glare is mindlessly given.

“Perhaps I should just ask her tonight.” He adjusts the collar to his white button-down shirt. “I’m sure she wouldn’t mind complaining about you over cigars and whiskey.”

“She’s not working tonight.”

“She is.”

“Since when?”

“Since I thought it would be mutually beneficial for both of us.” His casual announcement is followed by Clark entering the room with an unopened package. “She’s a familiar, reliable, point of contact that I don’t have to worry about trying to oversell products or atmosphere or interfere in our business endeavors for her personal gain and she benefits financially as the sole service attendant for the space we’re occupying. ” The object is wordlessly offered to me. “I know she needs the money. This allows her to earn it versus simply cutting her a check that she wouldn’t accept anyway.”

“How the fuck do you know she needs money?”

“How the fuck do I know the woman responsible for giving you blue balls that doesn’t have her own computer, apartment, or reliable vehicle needs money?” Additional amusement plasters itself in his expression. “ Wild guess. ”

Grumbles of discontent prompt Clark into inquiring, “Still in a sour mood?”

J.T. and I deliver opposing retorts, ultimately sparking a small smirk to appear on the older male’s face.

“Have you spoken to Miss Winters?” He folds his hands behind his back as I discard the tablet and broken stylus back onto the table to focus on the piece of mail. “Expressed your apologies?”

“I have nothing to apologize for.”

“You never think you have anything to apologize for,” the face of my company scoffs at the same time he rises to his feet. “And that is the real problem here.” He works to button his suit jacket closed. “I put up with it because you’ve been my best friend since we were eight and my boss since I was eighteen and I know the difference between the hero and vigilante, but that doesn’t mean you’re not occasionally out of line. That you shouldn’t have to own your mistakes.”

Clutching the box tighter is done out of desperation for something stable to hold onto. “She wants me to be someone I’m not.”

“That doesn’t sound like Bryn,” J.T. instantly argues.

“How would you know?” I viciously snarl back. “She’s not your-”

The quirked eyebrow has him victoriously leaning forward.

Smirking.

Baiting me to finish the misplaced proclamation. “Not my… what , Wes?”

My mouth refuses to move.

I can’t quite answer the question.

Because she has become his friend.

Another person he can speak to that he clearly trusts.

And he has become hers.

She confides in him.

She has from the beginning.

I’m the one still catching up.

Hating that I haven’t surpassed him in spite of the fact I’ve had her naked.

On top of me.

On her knees for me.

Moaning and groaning and calling out my name and begging for me.

Whatever she is to me , she isn’t to him.

I take pride in that.

I take pleasure in that.

I am finally no longer a failure where he’s always seemed to succeed.

Hell, even Penny has started to give him more of her attention.

Flirt back.

Perhaps Bryn isn’t just mine in the aspect of friendship; however, she will always be just mine in the avenue of more.

One disagreement doesn’t change that.

At least… it shouldn’t.

“Our mutual friend ,” J.T. states with extra emphasis to underline his point, “doesn’t hate labels. She hates being mislabeled. ” Another arrogant grin jumps into position. “And on that note, I’m gonna go. See if Bryn needs a ride to work. Her car wouldn’t start earlier, and Hurst offered to take a look at it this afternoon.”

That explains what they were discussing in the front of the estate when I assume she woke up.

It was the first glimpse of her face I had seen since she stormed out and someway…some impossible Injustice League how…she managed to get even more beautiful during her absence.

I swear I couldn’t think or see straight for the next hour.

He doesn’t wait for my acknowledgement to exit yet the departing does become momentarily paused due to Penny sauntering in. “Evening.”

“Hi,” she offhandedly replies without bothering to look in his direction.

“You look pretty with your hair up like that,” J.T. sheepishly compliments. “You should wear it that way more often.”

His words are met with a very brief smile before she delivers her full focus to me. “I brought you a cup of hot lemon balm tea. Fresh leaves from the garden.” Unlike my best friend, I’m offered a full face of joy. Excitement. “It’s known for helping to improve a person’s mood.”

“ I. Am. Not. Moody, ” leaves my mouth through my gritted teeth at the same time my best friend disappears from the room.

“I um…I didn’t mean to…um…” Her head nervously shakes as she carefully places the cup down on the table. “I didn’t say…uh…well, you just…um…”

“Perhaps Miss Penny was simply doing her duty,” Clark slyly steps in to defend. “ Caring for the man of the estate.”

She swiftly nods, red loose locks at the top of her head bouncing around, reminding me of the style Bryn had earlier. “You looked like you needed something to lift your spirits.”

Between Clark’s firm gaze and her innocent one, I clear my throat to politely say, “Thank you.” An open palm gestures to the cup. “This was thoughtful.”

The sight of her entire essence lighting up over the statement unfortunately churns my stomach.

She isn’t the woman I want excited by my words.

Grateful to be in my presence.

I want the one who challenges me every opportunity she’s given and encourages me to step away from work to enjoy life.

Shows me how that’s done.

Can be fun.

“That’ll be all Miss Penny,” Clark calmly dismisses, stare relocating to her. “I will meet you in the aquarium for our daily check of pumps, filters, and lights, momentarily.”

Another round of nods is executed prior to her scurrying out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

Once we’re alone, the man my parents trusted more than anyone else in their lives, presents me with a firm yet sympathetic expression. “You cannot have it both ways, Weston.”

An unpredicted lull spreads across the space between us.

Settles heavily on my shoulders.

Chest.

Crushes the air out of my lungs.

“ You cannot hide from the past while trying to build a future. ”

Room for a rebuttal is granted, yet it isn’t given.

I don’t have one.

His point – much like my best friend’s – is valid.

Right.

Clark offers me one final chin tip and quietly leaves like the others.

Rather than open the package likely containing a new object for my collection, I carelessly toss it onto the table, accidentally knocking around the stacked papers, revealing a familiar item that significantly deepens the agony lingering in my stomach.

The word search booklet we pass back and forth between responsibilities like love notes no one else understands but us sinks me further into my seat.

Perhaps it’s time to reevaluate the labels I’ve put on myself.

And, more importantly, perhaps it’s time to remind Bryn of the non-negotiable one she already agreed to bear.