Текст книги "Love Surfaced"

Автор книги: Michelle Lynn

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Текущая страница: 10 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

fourteen

CURTIS’S SMILE IS WIDE AND almost cocky on the drive over to Breakers. His hand rests on the gear shift between us as he quietly sings along with the song on the radio. For someone who complains about his father all the time, he is now gleaming after his dad’s praise about me knowing Tanner McCain.

My fingers curl and loosen in my lap, pushing back the tension my body won’t dissolve. If Tanner’s presence tonight isn’t enough, mix in Bayli’s friend and Curtis’s dad’s expectation, I think I need a long day at the spa and a gifted masseuse at this point.

I’ve been sitting here quietly for the past twenty minutes, glancing over at a relaxed Curtis. For every minute, anger brews a little hotter under my skin.

“I’m not sure I want to ask Tanner,” I quickly throw out breaking the silence

“What?” Curtis’s head whips in my direction, and his finger turns the radio volume down.

If I’d known my declaration would warrant this response, I would have spoken up earlier.

I shrug my shoulders. “It feels wrong. If your company already reached out to him and he declined, there isn’t much more to do.” I watch his face manifest from shock to anger to, lastly, understanding.

“Baby”—his hand moves off the shifter, grabbing a hold of mine—“you heard my dad. This could do so much for me, making me a spot in the firm.”

He’s guilt-tripping me into this, and to be truthful, it’s working.

“I get it, Curtis, but Tanner and I aren’t exactly close.” At least, not anymore.

“I don’t believe you. It seems like you’re closer than you let on.” His voice changes tones to an accusatory one now.

“Why would you think that? You see how I try to stay clear of him.”

He rolls to a stop, the silence filling the car. I sit there, pretending to be cool and calm when I’m positive he’s figured it out. He turns to me, and my stomach sinks from inquisitive glare.

“Come on, Piper, tell me.”

I pull back my hand from his grip. “Tell you what?”

He concentrates on the center console, and mine veer out the window as I pray the traffic light changes soon.

“I told you already. There’s nothing between us,” I lie again.

If only I could believe it . . .

The light turns, and I yell, “It’s green!”

My back straightens against the leather seat, and I focus on the road ahead. The sprinkle of rain has made the pavement slick and glossy from the streetlights.

“Piper, I get it.” Curtis doesn’t let the conversation go as I’d hoped he would. “It’s like a taboo thing. It’s the classic storyline of wanting what you can’t have.”

“Taboo? He’s not my cousin, Curtis!” I face him, exasperated by our conversation.

“No, but I’m positive Brad wouldn’t like it.”

“Brad doesn’t run my life.”

“No, but I know you, Piper.” He flicks a look my way before pulling into the parking lot of Breakers. “You’d never cross your brother.”

“Cross my brother? I make my own decisions, and if I wanted to fuck Tanner McCain, I would!” I yell.

Curtis stops the car, still calm. In the time it takes him to turn the key out of the ignition, I realize what I just said.

I fear he’s silently fuming, so I position my hand on the metal door handle.

“Piper, slow down.” He laughs, gripping my other hand.

My head flies back, and I find soothing eyes, not angry ones. “I guess I got defensive there.” I’m not about to apologize for what I said though.

“No, I shouldn’t push you to talk to him. You know what? I’ll approach the subject with him tonight,” Where is this Curtis coming from?

I open the door and put one foot out. “That’s a better idea. Thank you.”

“Of course.” A small smile crosses his lips, and he nods.

The click of my heels on the wet sidewalk echo in the night air. Curtis’s hand rests on the small of my back as we follow a group of giggling girls toward the door.

“You look beautiful tonight,” he whispers in my ear.

I wish his voice quickened my pulse as much as the guy who I’m terrified is on the other side of this door.

When we walk in, I swear, the music stops, and everyone turn our way. It’s as though my entrance has shifted what the universe planned tonight. Thankfully, only two people’s sights are pinned to us—Bea and Tanner. I reposition my purse on my shoulder as Tanner slides away from the girl I only suppose is the friend of Bayli’s. Even from this distance, his eyes on my body heats a low hum in me that only he can calm.

“There they are.” Curtis’s cheek rubs against mine as he points to the tables in the back.

Pretending I didn’t spot them first, I break from the contact and smile. “Great.”

I fixate on Tanner until I glance to Bea, noticing her eyes bouncing between Tanner and me as Curtis and I approach the group.

Turn away, and look somewhere else, I think in my head.

But I can’t.

Tanner has consumed my mind lately, and the fact that he peeked up at the door when I walked in, gives me more pleasure than it should.

“About time, girl.” Bea hops off her stool, and her arms wrap around me.

“He’s been waiting,” she whispers. “Ouch!” she shrieks. She backs up, holding the side of her stomach. “You pinched me.” Her eyebrows scrunch together.

I can’t stop the giggle from her reaction, but it has to end. “Stop it,” I whisper, turning around to find Curtis shaking hands and introducing himself to everyone.

“What?” She inches closer.

I grab her hand, leading her to the restroom.

Unfortunately, after only two steps, Tanner steps in our path. God, he’s gorgeous. Even with his ratty old hat flipped backward, those emerald gems he calls eyes spark visions of them smoldering at my naked body.

“Rushing off already?” His arms cross over his broad chest, and his legs widen in a cocky stance.

“We’re going to the restroom.” I tilt my head with attitude.

His tongue sneaks out, licking his lips. He looks down at my body in a tormenting slow pace, picking up my heartbeat. When he finishes, his eyes bore into mine, and I swallow the last amount of saliva in my mouth.

“Love the dress.”

He sidesteps to allow us through, but my body numbly stands there. I’m like a geek in front of the starting high school quarterback.

“Piper.” Bea’s shoulder bumps mine, and she grabs my wrist.

I shake my head, and Tanner chuckles, knowing the effect he has over me. I hate my body for betraying me.

“See you when you get back.” He winks—fucking winks—taunting me.

He’s fully aware what that move does to me.

Bea yanks me, and my body stumbles forward. Once again, I’ve embarrassed myself. Bea and I escape into the restroom, and she positions me in front of her, her hands holding my arms.

“What the hell is wrong with you?”

“Stop texting me about Tanner and another girl. Don’t tell me that he’s been waiting for me. Your words spur unresolved—I mean, I’m with Curtis.” My thoughts are jumbled, and my words randomly come out, making no sense.

“Okay, I can do that.” She reaches for my hands, pulling me into her.

I finally relax and welcome her comfort.

“From this point forward, Tanner doesn’t exist. Do you want me to body block him all night?”

I laugh into her shoulder. Bea truly is a great friend and there’s no way I could get through this wedding without her.

“I’m serious. You want me to be your bodyguard? I’ll keep the mofo out of your space,” she jokes.

Laughter erupts out of me.

“But, Piper”—her tone goes serious, and she pulls back, her hands gripping my arms again—“you have to do your job. You can’t look at him like you want to take him out back and hump him like a bitch in heat.”

“Bea!”

She giggles. “Come on. If you want me to protect you from his flirtatious ways, you have to help me out. Stick to Curtis’s side, for starters.”

“Okay, but it doesn’t seem to deter Tanner.” I turn to look at myself in the mirror. The torment screams in my brown eyes. How does Curtis not see this?

Bea follows my lead and weaves her fingers through her hair.

“Curtis’s dad wants me to get him a meeting with Tanner,” my confession rushes out.

Her head whips my way. “Seriously? That’s awkward.”

“Well, awkward for me, but they don’t know my past with him.” I swipe my fingers under my eyes to get rid of the smudged mascara.

“Imagine if they did. I have to think that Curtis wouldn’t give a shit who Tanner McCain signed with if he knew the two of you used to rock it and roll it under the sheets. Although, I’m starting wonder if the boy is blind. How can he not see the sexual tension between Mr. Olympian and you?” She raises her eyebrows at me.

“Curtis is all on board. I told him I don’t want to do it, but he guilted me by saying it would help him in the firm and with his dad.”

Bea’s the only one who I trusted with the secret from two years ago.

“So, they’ve never heard the rumors?”

She’s referring to what happened our senior year of college, and I shake my head.

“You know Coach kept the incident quiet. No one will ever dig it up.”

“People like Curtis and his dad have ways, Piper. If they wanted it, they’d get it.” She washes her hands and keeps the paper towel.

“They see him as a big paycheck. That’s all,” I assure her.

She cocks her head. “Just keep those walls up with Curtis for a little while longer. There’s something weird going on.” She grips the handle and pulls the door open.

“You trusted Tanner and look what he did,” I say as I sneak through the opening.

“Tanner made a mistake. Curtis is like a cheetah in the grass, ready to sneak up on his prey.”

I stop in my tracks and turn around to face her. “Whose side are you on?”

“Yours. I’m always on your side. But if you really want to know which guy—”

“I don’t.” It’s not hard to figure out whom Bea likes.

In the past five months, she hasn’t shied away from her opinions on Curtis. She believes the money, expensive gifts, and charity functions are all a show. It seems she hasn’t trusted him since their first meeting at the corner coffee shop by her apartment. She’s my best friend, so she’s kept her criticism to a minimum for my benefit.

When I turn the corner, not much has changed. Brad’s at the bar with a few friends, and Bayli’s gossiping with two of her friends in a booth. Dylan and Curtis are talking at the table I whisked Bea away from earlier. The only difference is that Tanner’s missing.

I search the bar but come up empty. Bea walks by me, and I watch her sway her ass toward Dylan. Even when she approaches the table, Curtis’s vision never glances my way, wondering where I could be.

“Looking for me?” Tanner’s chest pushes against my back.

My voice constricts. “No,” squeaks out in a soft voice, holding no conviction.

“Don’t lie.”

My eyes flick to Curtis, who is still enthralled in some conversation with an unenthused Dylan. But I don’t move, even with my brain screaming at me to get the hell out of dodge.

“Why? You’re pretty good at it.”

He doesn’t back up from me, and I can smell the cologne he used to wear.

“If you’d talk to me, I’ll explain.” His fingers graze down my back, goose bumps following his path.

“You’re ready to finally talk?”

“I’ve always been ready, but you’re the one who kept running. This isn’t the place though, not with Mr. Stick Ass two feet away. Here’s a truth though. I’ve waited all night for you to walk through the door. When you did, you didn’t disappoint, except for the scumbag next to you. You’ll always make my heart react when you walk into a room.” His hand molds against my hip, gripping it in his palm.

I suck in a breath while my sight stay glued to Curtis, waiting for him to notice Tanner’s hands on me, the heat radiating between us.

“Save your bullshit for someone else.” I begin to walk away, but his hand grips my wrist and pulls me back into the dark hallway.

His body shelters mine in a tucked away corner by the exit door to the alley. I desperately wish he’d sneak me through the door and slam me against the alley wall. His arm rests above my head while he peers down at me.

“I’ve never bullshitted you, Piper.”

God, my lips tremble, wanting his on mine.

“Stop acting like my presence alone doesn’t make you yearn for my touch. You’re transparent, I know you still want me.”

His other hand flows down my hair, and I only wish he’d grip a fistful and tilt my head, so his lips could devour my neck.

“Here’s a second truth.”

I’m not sure I can keep myself together. His hips pin mine to the wall, and his erection pushes against my stomach.

“I’m trying really hard not to walk out this door and slam into you because, even though I’m positive you’d scratch my skin and pull at my hair while I thrust deep inside you. Then you’d walk back into the bar and allow that piece of shit to take you home.” His two hands cup my face in his palms. “I refuse to take you until you are completely mine again. So, whenever you’re ready to give in to this, let me know.”

He backs away and walks down the hallway, leaving me breathless. Invisibly glued to the wall, I’m stunned at how, after all these years, he continues to manipulate my body into a hot mess.

Grabbing the last ounce of willpower I have, I venture back to the party. Brad’s passing out rounds of shots. Bea and Dylan’s legs are locked together while Curtis fiddles on his phone. Then, a parting of people splits at the bar, and Tanner’s eyes zero in on me while a girl starts talking into his ear. He’s so at ease, leaning against the bar rail, taking a long pull from his beer.

I swallow and then walk toward Curtis.

“Sis!” Brad stumbles over to me with the tray of shots. “Have a shot with me?”

“Maybe I should take yours and mine.” I grab the tray that was ready to topple over out of his hands and place it on a nearby table.

“Aw, I’m fine,” he slurs. He takes a glass, tossing it back before I can stop him.

“Shouldn’t the groom be with his bride?” I ask, eyeing Bayli at a booth all by herself while her friends dance on the small wooden planks, Breakers calls a dance floor, in front of the windows.

She looks pathetic, and even though I hate her, I feel bad for her.

He glances behind himself and then back to me. “I need some time with my sister.” He swings his arm around my shoulders. He hands me a shot glass, and I down it for no other reason but that it will stop Brad’s soon-to-be alcohol poisoning.

“We should do more stuff together.” It’s a classic drunk Brad remark.

“Yeah, we should,” I say, hoping he’ll leave me alone. “But, right now, you should be with your bride.” I rotate his body around and point to Bayli, who is leaned back, her fingers flying off her phone. “She’s probably messaging her dad and telling him to call it off,” I joke.

Brad turns my way. “Maybe that’s a good thing.” He tosses another shot of the dark liquid down before slamming the glass on the table.

“What?” I ask, wondering if he has cold feet.

He looks at me, sad and truthful. I’ve only seen this look one other time with Brad, and it was when things ended between him and Taylor. It’s almost as though he’s in too deep and can’t figure a way out.

For twins, our personalities couldn’t be more different. I speak my mind, most of the time, except for when it comes to Tanner. Brad shelters his true feelings. Anything emotional, he hides deep inside. I hope Brad confides in Tanner.

My eyes automatically drift over to Tanner. He’s staring steadily at us, but the same girl’s hand is now on his thigh, and his legs are locked around hers—just like they used to be with mine.

“Piper?” Brad touches my arm.

I flick my eyes back to him.

“Do you ever think you’ll forgive him?”

“Who?” I play dumb.

When he slightly shakes his head, I know I didn’t fool him.

“You know who I’m talking about.”

My shoulders fall, and it’s my turn to grab a shot now.

When I go for the next one, his hand lands on my arm. “Don’t numb yourself like me.”

There’s a nonverbal understanding between us, and I sense he’s silently giving me permission.

“You should forgive him.”

“I don’t understand how he could do it.” I sit down at the nearby table, my head resting in my hands.

“It was a long time ago.” The chair across from me screeches when it slides out from the table. Brad sits down, his hands on mine, pulling them away from my face.

“I know, but it hurts. It was cheating, no matter which way you take it. I have so many questions.”

“Piper?”

I can’t help but realize how sober Brad appears now.

“What?”

“You love him?” he asks.

I divert my eyes from him, unsure of how to answer. What will his reaction be?

“Don’t say anything. I already know the answer anyway.”

“I’m sorry, Brad.” I feel the tickle in my nose certain tears are going to form soon. My head falls and I concentrate on the table.

“Don’t be. I kind of always knew it.”

“You knew?” I ask, my eyes flying up to meet his.

“Not at the time, but Tanner told me once when he was drunk. It was one of the times I went to see him in Colorado. We were in a bar, dancing and drinking. He wouldn’t hit on this girl, who was a friend of the girl I was with. He went to the bar and got smashed. When I brought him home, I was calling him a pussy and stuff. He started punching things and screaming.” Brad hesitates for a minute. “He loves you, Piper.” The small nod of his head confirms he’s telling me the truth.

A million questions swim through my mind. “You never said anything.”

“He didn’t remember when he woke up the next morning, so I let it rest. I was stupid. It was fresh off my breakup with Taylor. I was a mess, and thought love sucked.” He turns to Bayli, still sitting by herself. “Truth is, I’m just an asshole. I’m not sure I deserve anyone.” His eyes tell me he truly believes it. They’re more anguished than my own.

He stands up and I follow suit, pushing back the tears desperate to pour out.

“That’s not true, Brad.” His arms wrap around me.

“You have to say nice things. You’re my sister,” he says softly. “Decide what you want to do. I’m not going to stand in your way. At least just forgive him, and release him from the guilt, if you want Curtis.” When he pulls back, he kisses my forehead and then lets me go.

Everything Brad just revealed circles around in my head, trying to find a place to land in order to process.

Tanner loves me . . .

Brad knows . . .

He’s okay with it.

With my brain on overdrive, I need to be alone.

“Hey, beautiful.”

My body stiffens when Curtis surprises me from behind.

When I turn around, Curtis is standing there. I’m judging from Curtis’s angry face that he heard Brad talking.

“Hi.”

“Thought I’d give you two some time.” His eyes veer to Brad, who is currently cuddled next to Bayli.

I’d never know that he was so serious a moment ago based on how he’s now singing obnoxiously in her ear. She pushes him with her hand, laughing at his antics. As good as it is to see Brad happy, I can’t help the nagging feeling that he’s lying to himself and everyone else.

“Thanks. Do you mind if we go?” My eyes scan the bar, and I spot Dylan’s fingers flowing over Bea’s tattoos while she’s trying to inch her body closer to his.

“No. You know me. This isn’t really my kind of place.” He laughs, and I don’t.

“Thanks.” I walk over to tell Bea when Tanner approaches Curtis.

“What do you say? You play pool, Curtis? Or billiards as you’d call it,” Tanner mimics his best snooty rich person accent, but it comes off British instead.

I lightly shake my head.

“Yeah, I play.” Curtis straightens his back a little.

“Great. I’ll rack.”

“Actually, we were leaving.” I grab Curtis’s hand, but his feet remain planted.

“Just one game.” Curtis tilts his head, non-verbally asking permission.

“Come on, Piper. One game. You want to play. We can play Cutthroat?”

It’s the game I’ve played enough in my lifetime with Tanner and Brad.

“No, thanks.” I take a seat at the table next to Bea.

Curtis grabs a stick, and Tanner racks the balls.

“Shit, this night just got interesting.” Dylan swivels in his stool and slaps his knee. When he turns to me, he gives me the classic wink of the McCain boys. “Did they wager anything?” he whispers.

Before I can answer, Tanner screams over to Curtis, “You want to make a bet?”

Curtis’s eyes frantically set on me. He better realize this isn’t some sixties movie where I’m the prize.

“Friendly, of course,” Tanner clarifies.

My stomach knots within itself.

“What kind of game would it be if we didn’t have something to lose?” Curtis’s cocky side appears.

I should probably warn him that Tanner knows his way around a pool table. He’s been playing since he was six.

“My kind of guy.” Tanner smiles.

Curtis chuckles, most likely thinking he found his way in to win Tanner over. “One hundred?” Curtis digs his wallet out of his pocket, opening the billfold area.

“Money’s good, but I was thinking something a little different.”

“What do you have in mind?” Curtis asks.

Tanner peers over to me, and his hand rubs along his face.

Shit.

Judging from Tanner’s mannerisms, pure evil is flowing through his mind.

“What about winner picks a charity?” he asks.

Curtis tucks his wallet away in his pocket. “Perfect.” He smiles.

Dylan cracks up, and Tanner smirks over to me, confirming there’s more to this than Tanner’s leading on.

“I’ll tell you what. You break.” Tanner steps away from the table, spinning the triangular rack in his hands.

“Thank you.” Curtis places the blue chalk on the tip of his pool stick and positions it across the felt. Allowing it to run through his fingers a few times, he hammers the stick to the white cue ball.

With the click of the balls, the game starts.