Page 67 of Fox
Fox: ANSWER YOUR PHONE
Fox: YOU TOOK WINSTON!?
Fox: I am BEGGING you, TALK to me.
Me: I’m staying with Stevie until I get a new apartment. I’ll get my stuff when I can. I’ll be working remotely.
Fox: Don’t do this to me.
Me: I’m not doing anything we haven’t already discussed, Fox. You can’t be in a boyfriend position, and I can’t be close to you right now. One day, I’ll move on. But for now, I need space.
Fox: Janie, I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you.
Me: Good night Fox.
TWENTY-SEVEN
fox
God, I’m so fucking hot and uncomfortable. Taking a breath, I look in the mirror hanging in the open room and run my hands over my beard, even though there’s nothing wrong with it. “Stop looking in the mirror.” Atlas hisses while handing me a glass of bourbon. Glancing at the spherical ice in the glass, I raise a questioning brow toward Atlas while pointing at the bougie ice.
“Dude,” Atlas groans knowingly. “Ash is extra, okay? Don’t ask me; he said proper ice shapes are crucial in setting the vibe.” I snort while drinking the liquid as my eyes scan the party room we rented in Ash and Atlas’ building.
She’s not here, you idiot; you’ve checked a thousand times.
To say I’m uncomfortable would be an understatement. I’m in a new suit, in a crowd, talking about the death of the closest thing I’ve ever had to a father, and I’m waiting for Janie to show up. She’s thirty minutes late, not that there was a set time to arrive. I need to see her; it’s been too long. I thought I would see her after work the other day after she spent the night at Ren’s. But I was wrong. She and Winston were gone when I got there, and I sent her multiple texts, but she said she needed space andwould be staying with Stevie while apartment hunting, and she would be working on our online presence from there.
Coming home to my empty house the last few days has been the absolute worst feeling. There’s no smiles, no laughs, no fights, no Winston. No Janie. All I could think about was that creepy ass biker and how he said I was already in it. He’s right, I’m in it, and there’s no going back. I decided then, in my empty fucking home, that I needed to tell her everything. Even though I’m unsure what I have to offer her, I have feelings for her. Feelings that I want to act on, despite me throwing up three times before I got here. I think… I don’t know, I keep going back and forth, and the panic I’ve had most of the day isn’t helping things.
As of right now, I’m ready to tell her. I just hope she comes through the door soon before I lose my nerve. Again.
I hear the door open and watch as a man I don’t recognize walks in. He’s about my height, has tan skin, and is very built under what appears to be a costly suit. His black hair is pushed back, and he has a calm, easy smile on his face. I’m about to ask him if he’s in the right place when I see who’s on his arm.
My heart stops.
Long, poker-straight red hair, smokey dark makeup, nude lips, and a short, too-tight halter cocktail dress, black and backless. I’ve forgotten how to breathe, and I literally feel all my blood rushing straight to my cock, leaving me light-headed. Her sapphire blue eyes meet mine, and she smiles so big before pulling on the guy's arm and pointing my way.You’ve got to be kidding me. There is no way they are together. This isn’t a dream. It’s a fucking nightmare.
“Fox,” Janie smiles as they walk up to me. “This is my date, Luca.” I stare as the man smiles and holds out his hand. For a second, I’m still trying to decide if I should shake his hand or deck him in the face.
Deciding calmer heads will prevail, I stick my hand into his, squeezing harder than necessary. “Nice to meet you,” I state crisply, though in my head, I am screaming. I will kill you and everything you hold dear.
“It’s so great to meet you as well.” Luca’s voice is deep with an Italian accent that I’m sure gets him all kinds of women. But not mine. Janie wouldn’t go after him. Would she? Glancing down at the redhead, I’m livid to see her smiling up at him.
“Janie has spoken so much about you and the men at the shop.” Why are his teeth so fucking white? It’s annoying. He’s annoying.
“Funny because she has never mentioned you,” I say and drink my bourbon to hide my smirk when I see Janie’s face heat up.
Luca’s smile doesn’t waver. “Well, you know how it is when things are brand new. Of course, we’re still trying to see where we fit in each other's lives, minus the bedroom.” Had I known I would be committing a murder tonight, I would’ve worn a t-shirt instead of my nicest outfit. Oh well.
As I go to explain to Luca, in great detail, how I plan on skinning him while he watches, Janie speaks up.
“Luca, could you get me a drink? Atlas knows what I like.” I watch as she twists her fingers together nervously.
Luca leans in and kisses her temple.My temple.“Of course, my pet.”
His Pet?
This fucker’s lips move toJanie’s cheek, the same cheek that I want to stroke and kiss. Goddammit, this rage coursing through me is too much. I need to punch somethingright now. Janie is completely ignoring me as she smiles and talks to some asshole who may or may not have known Tony. At this point, I’ve realized everyone is an old friend of his.
