Page 15 of Rivals Next Door

“There’s a fine line between seeking affirmation and self-destruction. Acting on vendettas usually leads to a shit show…”

Although I rolled my eyes, I knew he was right. I recognized the need for caution where Olivia was concerned. However, the fire that had been stoked inside me, fueled by Olivia’s high and mighty attitude when I saw her, was full speed ahead on the highway to hell.

I poured myself another shot and held up my glass. “Well, then, to self-destruction!”

Jamie made a sound that sounded like a disappointed groan as he muttered, “You crazy son of a bitch.”

He snorted and lifted his glass, making me smirk. He really thought he could talk me out of going after what I wanted. After being friends for so long you’d think he’d know how hard-headed I was…

“So…” Jamie began. The wickedest little smirk curled his lips. “May I tell the others about Candy?”

“Hell no!”

“Oh, come on, Alex…”

“James Winchester, if you utter a word about my unfortunate incident to the guys, I will murder you.” I pointed threateningly at him. “Especially not Lincoln. He’ll never let me live it down.”

Jamie laughed and held up a hand. “Fine. Let’s drop it then because they’re here.”

I looked at the bar entrance to see three guys walk in. They looked around until they spotted Jamie and me. Lincoln grinned broadly as he barreled toward us. Spencer was behind him. He smiled too, but it wasn’t at us. He’d spotted a group of women at a table and interest sparkled in his eyes.

I snorted inwardly. And they say I’m the manwhore… Michael noticed where Spencer’s wandering eyes were, and he shook his head.

I smiled when they gathered at our table. Jamie and I stood up to receive and return bro hugs. For the moment, I forgot all about Olivia and my emotional turmoil because I was with family. These guys were the equivalent of blood brothers to me, and I lived for our meet-ups, short though this one would be.

Michael was here for business and Jamie already lived here, so Spencer, Lincoln, and I made time to visit Manhattan too. It had been almost a year since we were all together… much too long.

The laughter and banter began almost immediately, the kind that only came from years of friendship, shared experiences, and inside jokes. I wasted no time ribbing Michael about his serious demeanor.

“Ah, the professional scowler. You make frowning an art form, Mike.” That earned me one of his withering looks, and I grinned.

“Shut up and get me a drink, Tadpole.”

It was my turn to scowl and that made the grump smile smugly. He called me Tadpole in college because I was the youngest of the group at seventeen. While the others chuckled at our exchange, I lifted my hand to get a waiter’s attention. After we made our orders, the conversation resumed.

“Jamie, how’s Charlotte?” Spencer asked.

“She’s great. She’s in Oregon for her nephew’s birthday. I’m joining her in a couple of days.”

Charlotte was Jamie’s girlfriend who he had met on our group trip to Hawaii last year. They’d been going strong for a while now. Jamie was the only non-single one out of the five of us. In college, I was the only one willing to brave a relationship. The others all swore off commitment.

I joined their skeptical rank after Olivia ripped my heart to shreds. It was kind of a miracle that Jamie settled down, but I understood why he’d fallen for Charlotte. She was pretty damn special. I doubted there was a woman like that out there for me… not that I’d dare risk my heart again. True love, for me, was a crock of shit.

As we caught up, no one mentioned Olivia. They’d already given me their two cents, so there wasn’t much else to say. When I returned to Boston, I’d get back to matters of taking over my ex-girlfriend's empire.

7

OLIVIA

Yesterday, I almost exploded when I read an email from Alex’s office. It was the equivalent of an eviction notice, for heaven’s sake. The arrogant jerk was so sure that he had my company in his hands. It had taken every ounce of self-control I possessed not to immediately call him to remind him that BioTech was still mine.

I still couldn’t believe he’d gotten my shareholders to jump ship and was pretty much forcing me out. Frustration had been burning a hole in my stomach since I got news of a hostile takeover. It had reached a boiling point now that I knew who the culprit was and that he was awful enough to rub it in my face with that stupid letter.

I slammed my palms on my desk and pulled in several deep breaths. “You won’t get anywhere with anger,” I whispered to myself.

Some of the misogynistic asses I had to deal with already thought women were too emotional to hold positions of power… Seriously, one of them outright said it to my face. I’d always had to remember to play it cool.

It had been a week since Alex showed up at my office and revealed his identity as the vulture going after BioTech. Surely, he’d calmed down after that tense first meeting. I was confident that we could have a civilized second meeting where I could explain to him why I was fighting so hard to keep the company.

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