During the course of our relationships, however, there’s been a crucial, missing element. Honesty. In that regard, I’m just as guilty.
The broken promises, the lies and secrets—all of it was grounds for war. Have we turned a corner? It’s only been one night and a couple conversations, but I already sense a flutter of something I haven’t felt in a long time.
Possibility.
I want to try. I owe it to myself, to them, to see where this goes.
Except I’m scared, and that horrible feeling makes me want to duck and run.
Fear is a handicap. It was invented to fill the weak spots in the soul, and heaven knows I’m riddled with weaknesses. But that’s okay. I won’t let it control my actions.
Fear is just a visitor, stopping by to remind me to be stronger.
Because I have something important to fight for.
As I watch Cole and Trace finish the dishes, I replay everything they told me tonight and feel at peace with the choices they made. In fact, what occupies my mind the most is the breakdown of their friendship.
Trace told me once that they used to fight a lot. I suppose that’s not uncommon. The ones you fight with the most are the people you love the deepest. But I’m dying to know just how deep their friendship ran.
“Can I ask you something?” I draw in a breath. “Both of you.”
Cole starts the dishwasher and rests his hands on the counter. “Shoot.”
Trace takes a seat beside me and gives me his full attention.
“The woman you were with, the traitor… When you mentioned sleeping with her, I sensed there was a story there, something between the two of you. I know it’s in the past. I’m just curious about your relationship before me.”
“The woman was enamored with Cole.” Trace drags a finger across his bottom lip. “She slept with me to get to him.”
“I don’t know if that’s true.” Cole huffs a laugh.
The hint of a smile touches Trace’s mouth.
“That’s what I’m talking about.” I point at them. “There’s a story there you’re not telling me.”
“You don’t want to hear this.” Cole opens the fridge and reaches for another beer. Then he changes his mind and grabs a bottled water instead. “It’s meaningless.”
“Now you have to tell me.”
He braces a hand on the counter, his eyes cast downward and unblinking.
“She called out my name,” Trace says without emotion, “during sex with Cole.”
“Oh.” I grimace. “Ouch.”
“Like I gave a shit.” Cole scratches his whiskered cheek. “It was just an awkward way to find out my best friend was banging the same woman.”
“Did you fight about it?” I try to keep my voice even, despite the jealousy thrashing inside me.
“No.” Cole meets Trace’s steady gaze. “I called him afterward, and we laughed about it.” He pushes off the counter. “I need to hit the head.”
He strides toward the bathroom off the kitchen. When the door shuts behind him, I lean a hip against the island, facing Trace.
“Did she prefer you over Cole?” I ask.
“No.” He swivels toward me on the stool and brackets my legs with his knees. “She was infatuated with Cole.”
“Enough to send me photos of her having sex with him?” I rest a hand on the cloth napkin sitting on the counter and spin it around, fidgeting. “I’m sure she was pissed that he caught her and brought her in, but that last move with the pictures was an act of passion.”
“You’re probably right. But it’s over, Danni. You’ll never see her or hear from her again.”
“Okay.” I pull my hand back, and the napkin slips to the floor.
I crouch to pick it up, admiring the detail in the carved wood around the base of the island.
“While you’re down there…” Trace rumbles in a casual tone.
I lift my head and my gaze falls on his groin a few inches away. My breath catches, and I pop to my feet, standing in the spread V of his thighs. “Was that a joke, Trace Savoy?”
“I would never joke about that.” He touches a knuckle to my chin and ghosts his finger oh-so slowly to the hollow of my throat. “I missed you. Painfully. Your absence was a horrible way to remind me how much I love you.”
“I missed you, too, and I’m the idiot who walked away.”
“You’re an idiot for thinking I’d let you go.”
“Tell me what you really think.” I let out a self-deprecating laugh.
“You’re staying.” His gaze illuminates with the infallible confidence he’s known for. “Longer than one night.”