Page 79 of Shameless

“On one condition,” Jules finally says. “If we do this, you stay away from Star Cove and from Lula once and for all. I want it in fucking writing too.”

“Sure,” Evan chuckles. “We have a deal. I’ll stay away. One day though when Lula wants to be with a real man, she’ll know where to find me. I’m going to call my family lawyer now.”

“He’s fucking crazy,” Lula shudders as Evan walks away. “Thank you guys for doing this for me.”

I pull Lula into my arms. “Are you kidding? We would do anything for you.”

Jules agrees with me. “Crew is right. I would fucking give him a boat. All the boats we have actually, as long as you’re safe.”

As we lock up the boathouse and we walk back to the clubhouse, there’s an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. Even with a written agreement, I don’t trust Evan Johnston as far as I can throw him.

This must be how it feels to make a deal with the devil.

17.Fireworks

Stefan

The bartenders are more than happy to swear that Jasmine is drinking martinis despite being pregnant.

I’m happy to help Jules with this. We’ve had our differences in the past, but he’s still my brother. Besides, I wouldn’t wish Jasmine Wheeler on my worst enemy. Ok, that’s probably bullshit, Evan would totally deserve a wife like Jasmine, or Tiffany.

I’m also doing it for my niece. I understand why Jules has been so worried about his daughter. Jasmine doesn’t even pretend to care about her little girl. I swear, my brother’s ex was made from Tiffany’s same mold.

But I’ve used enough of my time trying to fix Jules’s problems. I want to find Lula and Crew, maybe have some champagne before dinner.

I can’t help but smile at the thought of what happened the last time the three of us had champagne together.

I wouldn’t mind a repeat of that night. Don’t ask me what it is that makes sharing Lula with Crew so hot. If anyone had told me I would enjoy seeing my girl with another guy, I would have laughed. But this is the thing, Crew isn’t just another guy. He’s my brother and Lula loves him. All I want is seeing Lula happy. I know I’m a huge part of that happiness, so I don’t feel threatened by Crew.

Or by Jules.

The realization hits me so hard that I stop in my tracks to appreciate that thought in all its importance.

I know I told Jules that if he loves Lula, I’m ok with it as long as he treats her right. I threw in his face that I’m confident in my relationship with my girl and I don’t feel threatened by him. One thing is not being jealous of Jules, like I’ve been my whole life, another thing is wanting them together.

The truth is that they’re made for each other the same way Lula and I are. We’re like the parts of a puzzle, the picture wouldn’t be complete without all of us in it, and that includes Crew.

“Hey Cutler.”

No one ever calls me by my last name. I’ve always been Stefan to everyone. Jules is the one who usually gets called by our last name, a remnant from his varsity football days.

I turn on my heels and glare at Mason Morelli. It makes sense that he would call me “Cutler,” he’s an outsider after all.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I grind out, careful not to raise my voice. We’re right outside the pool area, so there isn’t anyone here aside a few waiters fetching orders to the poolsidetables from the main restaurant, but I don’t want to cause a commotion unless it’s strictly necessary.

The sardonic smile on Mason’s face rubs me the wrong way.

“Is this how you treat your guests? Jeez, you can’t find good service anywhere these days, not even at a Country Club. Or is this the famous California hospitality?”

If he’s trying to be funny, he’s totally missing the mark.

“Oh we’re plenty nice to guests. Who even let you in here?”

His smile widens. “I came in with my uncle. He’s been a member here since before your family took it over. So, I’d be a little nicer unless you want me to let my uncle know that his family isn’t respected here. I don’t know if you’ve met my uncle before, but you don’t want to disrespect him, trust me.”

Fuck this guy. Seriously.

“Is this a threat, Morelli?” I don’t let him intimidate me, even though a little voice in my head tells me that I probably should.

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