Page 32 of Our Cracked Pieces
The third floor was an actual dance club and the floors between each section were so thick and insulated, the dance club noise never trickled to the other two floors. If you were eating, it truly felt like you were just having dinner. If you were at the bar, it truly felt like you were just enjoying a drink. And if you were at the club, it truly felt like a good time.
The Highlands was the only place where you could have dinner, grab a drink, and then go dancing. And while there were elevators and stairs that led to each floor, there were separate entrances from the outside, as to not disturb each floor’s vibe.
Grayson and I had already eaten dinner downstairs, and now we were at the bar. We opted-okay,Iopted for an open table because I wasn’t opposed to someone catching my eye. And after that nonsense with Lorcan Cavanaugh yesterday, I needed something to get my mind off the guy. Disappointed with myself, his possessiveness yesterday had turned me on, making me stupid.
Three cocktails in, I eyed my brother. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything,” came his easy reply.
“Are you single because of me?”
Grayson’s head jerked back, his eyes blinking in surprise. “What?”
“Are you single because of me?” I repeated. “Are you single because you still feel like you need to take care of me?”
Grayson reached for his whiskey, tossed it back, and then signaled our server for another. That was another thing about the bar, it employed servers to prevent long lines at the wall bar.
Leaning forward, placing his arms on the table, he asked, “Why would you ask that?”
I shrugged. “I sometimes wonder if you’re single because if you ever fall in love, she’ll be the one who will have to be first in your life. Not me.”
“Rowan, you’re my sister,” he said, those familiar blue eyes looking straight through me. “Love or not, I will always be there for you.”
“Then why are you still single?” Just then, the server placed a fresh whiskey on the table.
When she walked away, Grayson answered, “Because it’s not that easy to find someone who ticks off all the boxes, Row. And I refuse to settle.”
“So, it’s…it’s not guilt?” I winced as soon as the words were out.
Grayson’s smile was the sweetest thing in the world. “You’re my little sister, Rowan. I’ll always feel guilting for what happened to you,” he said honestly. “But it doesn’t define me anymore. I work hard to make sure it doesn’t.”
I almost let the alcohol get me stupid emotional, but I pushed it back. Tonight was not about deep issues. It was about me kicking off my vacation.
“I just think you’re awesome, and I wonder why some lucky girl hasn’t snatched you up yet,” I said instead of blubbering all over him. I’ve done that plenty over the years.
Grayson chuckled. “They’ve tried, Row,” he replied. “I’m just not that easy to snatch up.”
I laughed and signaled our server for another drink. “Good for you. Never settle.”
“What about you?” he asked. “Dating anyone new?”
My mind automatically went to Lorcan Cavanaugh, and the signs that I might be getting in over my head with the man. I was too tempted to try with him, and that was scary as fuck.
“No,” I answered. “Though, Lorcan still keeps asking me out.”
Grayson tilted his head and regarded me thoughtfully. “So, what? It’s been like a year, right?” I nodded. “What’s the problem? He an asshole, or something?”
The server delivered my drink, and I stopped her before she walked away. “Another one, please.” She glanced at Grayson, then back at me. “He’s my brother,” I blurted. “No taking advantage at this table.”
Patty-according to her nametag-smiled. “Very well.”
Grayson’s lips tightened in a sorry attempt to disguise a smile. “Need two drinks to discuss Lorcan Cavanaugh?”
“Shut up,” I muttered.
Grayson laughed. “What’s the problem, Row?”
I didn’t say anything for a while, but it was hard to admit that your cracked pieces might not have fused back together correctly. I knew I had no reason to be embarrassed with Grayson, but no one wanted to discuss sexual details with their sibling. I’ve done that once already, and it had been humiliating.
