The Sterling Boys(56)

"That was... weird," Dane murmurs.

"That must have been a nasty fight."

Dane shrugs as Wren walks out the door with Tag, and Ash slowly makes her way toward us, frowning.

"What happened?" Dane asks as she reaches us.

"I'm pretty sure Erica just left Wren."

My eyes almost pop out of my head. "Why?"

Her eyes lift to my cousin Billy, who I've learned happens to be her best friend, and then she looks away.

"Sometimes people think they've moved on from something, but they really haven't. I don't think Wren ever really forgave her for what she did with his brother. He tried, but in the end, neither of them really tried hard enough. I just hope they're both okay right now. Erica seemed pretty worked up."

If I knew Erica, I might go to her, but I really don't know her that well. Wren is my cousin, but I'm not really as close to him or Billy like I am Kade Colton.

"I think I should probably go check on her. I don't know if she has anyone else to do it right now," Ash sighs, turning and walking briskly on her way to the door.

I can't believe Tag Masters landed a girl that good. After the way he treated women, I expected karma to pay him back.

"Ash is too good for Tag," I murmur casually while turning around to face Dane.

"Actually," Dane says, wrapping an arm around my shoulders as he guides me toward the door, "she's good for him. You don't know what he went through to be with her. It changed him, and for the first time in his life, he's actually happy. Really happy."

We gradually make our way through the next horde of people, and Dane does the obligatory shaking of hands and exchange of cordialities.

"What did he go through to be with her?" I ask as we grab another glass of champagne from a passing tray.

"A crazy stalker, a secret pregnancy, gunshot wound, knife stab, a lunatic father... the list goes on and on. Rene Ballinger actually died during all that, and Ash went through hell."

I gasp and cover my mouth. Damn. And I thought I had it bad. I'd heard about Rene dying, but no one ever elaborated. I didn't really know her, so I never looked into it.

"Wow. I'm surprised Tag stuck it out."

"He never even faltered, surprisingly enough. From the second Ash needed him, he was by her side. It forced him to grow up. Tag was furious about her keeping Trip a secret, but he did something I never expected; he forgave her. That's not really Tag's style when it comes to girls. But he truly forgave her, and now he's... happy."

It seems like he's saying more to me than just explaining Tag's story. Then he turns me around and guides me into a private piece of the country club. My heels click against the slick floors, and every rustle is echoed through the empty room that is devoid of anything but mirrors and ballet bars. In fact, there are mirrors from the floor to the ceiling all the way around the room.

After putting down our champagne glasses, his lips lightly graze mine, and he pushes me into a corner. I grin as his hands come to rest on my hips, and all other thoughts start to shuffle out.

"Let's forget about the time we wasted—move on from it. I can get over the past if you can, but we have to be able to move forward, because I really want this to work."

He thumbs my chin, freeing my bottom lip from my teeth, and stares expectantly into my eyes. His emerald green beauties hold a depth of genuineness I can't deny, and I soak in his words.

He doesn't want to talk about that letter. He doesn't want to explain what happened, and this is his way of telling me that. Tag's story was Dane's way of letting me know he wants forgiveness—real forgiveness. Can I just let it go without discussion?

When he slowly slides his hand up my body, I shiver against his touch. I can forgive him because I love him, and I can forget it because I don't want to lose him. I've never wanted anything like I want Dane. And I refuse to spend any more time being pissed about that damn letter. We were just kids back then. If he wants me now, that's enough.

"I'll do whatever I have to in order to make this work," I say honestly, pulling him to me for a real kiss, one that I fully intend to deepen.

My tongue explores his mouth, and he returns the favor. I moan as he pushes against me, and my body melts against his. Can I really have sex in the country club? Is that a little cheap?

Fuck it.

"We should lock the door," I murmur against his lips, making his already hungry kiss become ravenous.





***

DANE



She wants me to lock the door? Oh hell yes.

She may not have apologized for the past, but I still forgive her. I love her too much to allow us to become Wren and Erica—a set of unresolved issues and festering resentments. We don't have to hash it all out. I can just let go of the past, and that's what I was telling her.