“I’m not asking.” She sighed again. “We can meet for lunch.”
For an entire week, I had lunch every day with Brielle. I worked my schedule around hers so I had an hour when it was us. Each day it was a different place. It all seemed to be going well until we ran into someone who knew me.
Brielle and I were at Chick-fil-A when Eric, Caleb’s soccer coach, approached me. “Nathaniel,” he called out.
I turned to face him. “How’s it going? Are you guys ready for next season?”
“Good.” He nodded and glanced over at Brielle.” Yeah, I think the kids have a good shot at the championship next year. How is Caleb doing? And Delaney?”
“Good. Caleb is enjoying the summer. He’ll be off to camp soon. And Delaney is great.” I glanced over at Brielle. Her eyes were wide like a deer caught in headlights. “This is my sister-in-law, Brielle. She just moved here from Chicago.”
“Oh.” Eric’s face softened. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” Brielle said shakily.
“I’ll let you two enjoy your lunch,” Eric said before walking away.
“Oh my God,” Brielle said when he was out of sight. Her hands rested flat on the table.
I chuckled. “What are you so scared of?”
“I don’t know. Him, running back and telling Delaney? Julian being the one who walks in and finds us?”
“It’s our word against theirs.” I paused and waited for her to look up at me. “And we’re having lunch.”
Brielle nodded. “Can I ask you something?”
I nodded and took one of her waffle fries.
“Do you ever feel guilty?”
“Do you want the truth?” She nodded. “No. There’s not a single second that I’m with you that I feel guilty. I know what we’re doing is wrong, but I can’t seem to stop this. Trust me, I’ve tried. Do you?”
“I don’t know.” She looked down at her tray. “I feel horrible because she’s my friend. So it’s not like I’m betraying just him.”
“If I was to leave her, would you leave him?”
She snapped her head up at me. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“It’s not that simple. You have a kid. I’d be breaking my marriage and yours but most of all I would be hurting Caleb. This isn’t college when we’re all only dating. What would your mother think?”
“Brie.” I took her hand in mine. “As long as I’m with you I don’t care what anyone thinks.”
“And your son?”
“Like I said before, he’ll be my son regardless.” I shrugged. “You tell me to leave her and I will. For you, I will.”
Brielle pulled her hand away from mine and covered her face. “I came here to help your brother.”
“Maybe there isn’t anything we can do to help him. Maybe this is the universe giving us another chance.”
She sighed. “Maybe.”
Chapter 31
Brielle
On the Fourth of July, Delaney insisted on having a barbecue. She invited most of her employees and a couple of Nate's co-workers to the big party. The side dishes were catered, the grill was warming up, and I'd gone upstairs to take a shower. The guests would be arriving shortly, and I wanted to seem presentable when I met Julian's new boss.
Walking past the window in our living room, I spotted Nate in the back yard. He was unfolding chairs for the guests to sit on. I paused a second, admiring his polo shirt and khaki shorts. His hair was slicked back and his Ray-Ban’s dangled from his shirt. He looked up at me and our eyes locked. I heard Julian behind me.
“Whatcha looking at?”
“Nothing.” I spun around and faced him. Julian closed the gap between us with long strides. His hand laced around my back and pulled me toward him. His eyes were filled with desire.
“Brie,” he whispered into my wet hair. “I want some.”
I swallowed. We'd been intimate a few times since being here. I'd never said no to Julian. Before, it was from fear of the backlash, and now it was from fear he'd go back to drinking.
I was the dumping ground for his pent up energy.
“Julian, the party is about to start.” He still had me against the small table that leaned up against the window. His hand lowered and cupped my ass cheek.
“I'll be quick.” His voice was low. “Turn around.”
“Julian,” I protested.
He ignored my request and yanked the towel off my midriff. His fingers dug into my core.
I was dry.
I had no arousal when it came to sex with him.
“I'll be quick, babe.” He lowered his mouth to my bare chest and sucked on my nipple. He was so rough that I whimpered in pain. “Turn around,” he ordered.