Page 8 of Rivals Next Door

I lived in Massachusetts my entire life, but I was from the wrong side of the tracks. So, I tend to stop and admire the other side that I’d been fortunate enough to find myself on.

“You know, Jamie, my dad died when I was a baby. However, between you and Michael, I don’t lack father figures. You guys are unbearable.”

Jamie scoffed. “We have no choice but to lecture you when you go off the deep end and do something reckless.”

I wasn’t the least offended that he called me reckless. Jamie Winchester had the right to call me out on my shit because we’d been friends for a long time. Our tight-knit crew also comprised Michael, Lincoln, and Spencer. We had all remained tight since Harvard.

“The deep end?” I repeated. “That’s extreme.”

“You can get extreme sometimes…”

“You call making a genius business move extreme and reckless? Seriously?”

“I would have considered it genius had it been any other company but BioTech,” he said. “I can’t believe you suckered me into giving you the fuel you needed for a hostile takeover of your ex-girlfriend’s company. You made me an unwitting accomplice, you dick. I have nothing against Olivia Brentwood.”

“Well, as my best friend, you should.”

I heard Jamie mutter, “Jesus Christ,” and the tiniest smile played on my lips. I imagined him massaging the bridge of his nose as he typically did when he was annoyed. I’d called him months ago asking about BioTech, which he’d been thinking about investing in as a favor to his father, who he was getting on better terms with.

Old man Winchester was a friend of the late old man Brentwood and wanted to help the family out… something along that line. Anyway, Jamie stepping in to rescue Olivia was a possibility, and I couldn’t have that. A revenge scheme had quickly brewed, and I thwarted Jamie’s plans to become a major investor in BioTech. When Olivia fell, I wanted to ensure she had no cushions under her gorgeous ass. I hated that I still found her so damn attractive.

“You’re not an accomplice, by the way,” I said. “I haven’t committed a crime. My mild criminal days are long behind me,” I joked, prompting Jamie to groan.

“You’ve always been a nut job, Alex.”

“Sure, but a hot and funny one, according to the ladies.”

He sighed heavily. “I still stand by what we discussed yesterday. You’re playing with fire.”

My jaw tightened. We had one of our regular group chats and the gang all insisted that going after BioTech was the worst idea I’d ever had… and I’d had plenty of bad ones. Jamie thought he had talked me out of pursuing the company. Little did he know that the ball had been rolling for a while and the job was almost done.

“Why do you guys think that Olivia still has a hold over me?” I asked with growing irritation.

“Because it’s been nine years and you’re going out of your way to get back at her.”

My derisive snort echoed. “This is about business, Jamie.”

“Right…” he drawled.

It was hard for me to make my usual witty comeback because the mere mention of Olivia’s name sent me into an emotional vortex. One part of me couldn’t help remembering the good times we had while another part wallowed in anger about what she did. I didn’t think seeing her again would dredge up so much hurt. I’d assumed time would lessen the severity of the emotional blow she gave me.

“Think what you want, Jamie. Owning BioTech will expand my reach in the business world. I’m not backing down. I don’t care who owns it now… It will be mine soon.”

Jamie’s deep sigh said he was done arguing about it. He always said I was “a stubborn son of a bitch,” so he knew he wouldn’t win the argument. “Whatever, Alex. Just be careful.”

I laughed. “It’s tech and business, Jamie, not a life-threatening mission.”

“I mean be careful with your heart, genius.”

“Pfft.” I shook my head. “Since you fell in love, you’ve turned into a sentimental sap.”

“I was there when you and Olivia broke up, man. It wasn’t pretty… on your end…”

My eyebrows snapped together as memories of that dark period in my life threatened to surface. Yeah, I was a mess for a while, but… “Not to worry, my friend, I’m immune to matters of the heart.”

After Olivia, I never made the mistake of entering into such a pathetic, vulnerable state such as falling in love. No woman would ever have such a hold over me again.

“We’ll see…” Jamie said.

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