Page 107 of Indecent Ventures

“Stop saying that. She’s not a child. She’s a woman. A beautiful, smart, funny, stubborn, strong woman.”

“And you’re in love with her?”

“I think I am.” I pause. “I know I am. We started off mutually deciding to keep it casual, but along the way, we discovered that we’re kind of perfect for each other.”

“Does she love you?”

“I don’t know. I think she does, but she hasn’t said the words. Frankly, I’m not sure that she’s admitted it to herself. She’s got a lot of abandonment issues with Declan not being in her life for so many years. Her mother has had a sea of bad men in and out of their lives. Men that stole from them. Men that may have come on to her. I’m sure what I did at the party didn’t help matters. She makes a habit of leaving men before anyone can hurt or leave her. She’s built walls around herself. She assumes all men will leave her at some point. You saw how she reacted tonight.”

Reagan’s eyes start tearing. “That makes a lot of sense with how she behaves. She’s briefly mentioned having those types of issues in the past.”

I nod.

It’s silent. I think they’re both processing everything I’ve said. I want to give them that time.

Eventually, I look at my best friend of over thirty years in the eyes. “Carter, she gives me something I never knew I needed. You once told me that you knew Reagan was the one when you felt like you couldn’t breathe without her. The simple thought of sleeping without her made you sick to your stomach. There was nothing in your life you loved or wanted more than her. You’d give up anything and everything for her. That’s how I feel. I didn’t understand it then. I get it now. She’s my Dodge Tomahawk.”

He nods in understanding. “Okay.”

I look at him in shock. “Okay?Okayas in you’re okay with it, orokayas in I never want to see you again?”

He lets out a laugh. “Collin, you’re a brother to me. Nothing you could ever do would change that. I just want you to be happy. If she makes you happy, that’s the end of the conversation. I admit that I often see Jade as the seventeen-year-old with a crush, but you’re right, she’s a beautiful, intelligent, interesting woman now. Honestly, I don’t even see other women anymore. I only have eyes for mine.”

Reagan narrows her eyes at him. “Are you just trying to get laid tonight?”

He smiles. “I’ll get laid regardless. You’re addicted to me.”

“I suppose that’s true.” She turns back to me. “What can we do to help? She was obviously upset when she left.”

“I’ll deal with her.” I look back at Carter. “We’re okay? Really?”

He nods. “Yes, really. I wish you had told me earlier, but I know now, and we’ll get past it. Don’t keep shit from me. I don’t keep anything from you.”

“You keep your wife from me. I’ve asked for threesomes for years.”

He shakes his head. “Don’t start. Not today. You’re already skating on thin ice with me.”

I smile.

“Frankly, I asked you here today for a reason.”

“My good looks?”

“No.”

“My charm.”

“Definitely not.”

“Then what was it?”

“Reagan is forcing me to go on this damn fishing trip with Jackson and all the boys.”

She rubs his back. “Babe, he’s been looking forward to this for a year. He’d be heartbroken if you didn’t go.”

“I’d be heartbroken if I missed the birth of our first child.”

She shakes her head. “My doctor said I’m not dilated at all. He felt like you were fine to go this week. It’s only three days. Two nights. Please go. You’ll have fun. Jackson has his chopper on standby. You can be home in an hour if needed.”

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