Page 51 of Our Cracked Pieces
Finally, calling it a night, Gage paid for dinner, but only after a dick bumping of the ages. Mystic, Mandy, and I had watched in fascination was all three men had fought to pay the bill. It had brought on a whole new meaning to men and their egos. The only reason Gage had won was because he had argued that this would be the only time he would probably be able to pick up the tab since the babies were going to keep them from traveling for a while.
After everyone had gone their separate ways, I realized I hadn’t been that convincing because all three-Grayson, Mystic, and Mandy-had asked me if I had wanted to come over or if I needed company. While Mandy didn’t know the details about me and Lorcan because I hadn’t wanted to ruin our spa day, she’s known me since we were kids. She knew my tells.
Having assured everyone that I was fine, I had gone home alone.
Fresh out of the tub, I had decided on a good mystery book. I didn’t think I could handle romance, and I really needed to get out of my head for a bit, and nothing did that better than a good book.
Throwing on a tank top and underwear only, I wrapped myself in my fluffy bathroom robe, and got settled on the couch. I turned on the television, just for some background noise, and then opened my e-reader for the latest Harlan Coben novel. Glancing at the time in the corner, it was already close to ten, and I could only hope to read myself to sleep. My couch was comfortable enough to sleep on, so no worries there.
Four chapters in, there was a knock on my door that had me cursing my brother. It could only be him. Sure, it could be Victor, but I was betting on Grayson.
Putting down my e-reader, I got off the couch and went to answer the door. If it was Grayson, and not Victor, I was going to have to send him on his way. I really wanted to get lost in my book, and Grayson being here would only depress me since he’d make me talk about my feelings. And it wasn’t that I didn’t want to talk with him, I was just tired of being depressed. It’s been four days.
Answering the door, it wasn’t Grayson standing there, being an overprotective big brother.
No.
It was Lorcan Cavanaugh standing at my door, and my first thought was that something happened to Mystic or Gage.
My panic jump front and center. “Oh, God…is Mystic okay? Gage? The babi-”
“No, no,” Lorcan rushed out. “They’re fine. Mystic, the babies, Gage, they’re all fine. Well, as far as I know.”
I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath. “Oh, thank God.” I shook my head and pushed back my premature panic. Opening my eyes again, they narrowed with confusion. I tightened my robe around my body. “Then…then what are you doing here? It’s past ten, for Pete’s sake.”
His voice was cool and slightly unfriendly as he asked, “Am I interrupting something?”
My head reared back at his tone. Then remembering his date earlier, I asked, “Did you cut your evening short for any particular reason?” His grey eyes raked over my face, and I hated how we’ve come to this. “What do you want, Lorcan?”
“We need to talk, Rowan.”
Chapter 36
Lorcan~
She looked beautiful.
Her blonde tresses perched on top of her head, fresh-faced, wrapped up in her fuzzy robe, her feet bare, Rowan looked beautiful.
“About what?”
“Us,” I told her honestly. “I know I said I’d never come back here, but we can’t go on like this. Not with what Gage and Mystic have entrusted us with.”
She didn’t say anything for a moment, and I seriously didn’t think she’d let me in, but soon, she stepped back and allowed me entrance to her apartment. As she closed the door behind me, I noticed the television on and an e-reader on the coffee table near the couch.
I’d had an entire speech planned in my head when I had made the decision to come over here, but now, looking at her, there was only one thing I wanted to know. “Was Darnell Tyson your date tonight?”
Genuine surprise appeared on her face. “No,” she choked out. “His wife was the woman sitting in between him and Grayson. Molly Tyson. Molly’s been one of my best friends since we were kids. I’ve known her and Darnell forever.” I could feel my shoulders relax, and I felt like a fucking pussy for it. “What about you?”
“What about me?”
Her brows shot upward. “The gorgeous woman with you tonight? Her?”
“Mrs. Kyo?” My brows furrowed. “That was a business dinner. She’s part of an engineering firm who’s looking for investors.” I blinked. “If she were my date, do you honestly think I’m so rude as to not introduce her, if she were?” Then I laughed at that. “Never mind,” I said. “You already think I’m the type of man to take advantage of a woman, so what’s a little rudeness.”
“Lorcan…” she whispered, and my chest thumped with the emotion she was displaying in that one word.
“It’s true, Rowan,” I said. “You’ve made your opinion of me pretty clear.”
