Page 101 of I Promise You
Meredith’s fingers trail my chest hair down to my groin. She grabs my dick, stroking it again, determined to get me hard, and I wish it could be that simple right now.
I wish I could fuck her and forget everything, but the more I push myself into someone else, it backfires.
I’m tempted to call our relationship fun off because I like her. But maybe if I keep trying, I’ll get over Ari.
“Mmm, I bet you taste good, Kane.” Meredith shrinks down and crawls over my torso. She’s about to suck me off but then my phone pings, and I internally thank whoever texted me.
Meredith stops feeling me, and I kiss her on the cheek before I reach over to my nightstand to answer.
I can feel Meredith grow disappointed when something else captures my attention. She lets her body fall on top of my bed sheets.
I look at the screen, and it’s only one text with two unsurprising questions.
Lopez: El Devine? Strip club after?
I hesitate before I reply. I stare at the words over and over again, tempted.
Meredith and I haven’t made it official. We both agreed to a relationship of fun, and then we would see where it took us.
She’s technically single, and so am I.
“Who is it?” Meredith asks behind me. I can feel her pull the blankets from underneath me. Probably to cover herself up.
“Lopez.” My jaw ticks, and I swipe out of the chat and go straight for Ari’s contact instead.
I’m not crossing any boundaries.I’m just keeping the promise I made to Paul.At least, that’s what I tell myself as I type.
I’ve wanted to reach out, but how can I when she and Grim are together? I have to be careful with everything that I do or say because he’s my best friend. But she’s the woman I fell in love with before she met him.
I met her first.
I knew her first.
Me: I’m sorry about last week. You deserved to know.
I tap send on the screen but don’t expect a response. I need her to know I am sorry. She’s been through a lot, but this can’t get pushed underneath the rug. Ever since Ari started dating Grim, we don’t text anymore.
“Why are you texting Ari?” Meredith asks me over my shoulder. I sensed her, but I didn’t bother hiding. I don’t answer right away. I run my hand through my dark hair and turn off my phone, setting it back on the nightstand and search for gray sweatpants.
“She’s my friend. Paul was one of my best friends, and he’s dead. Why wouldn’t I check up on her?” I tell her calmly, pulling up my pants, tying the strings at my waist, and reaching for a shirt.
“Yeah, I get that, but—”
“But what?” I quirk a brow at her defensively. I hadn’t meant for it to come out so territorial, but it rolled off my tongue naturally.
Because even if Ari doesn’t feel the same way about me as I do, I will always be there for her. If she needs a friend, I’m there.
I’m the same way with my other friends.
If someone needs me, I’m there. No questions asked. It’s just the way I was raised to be.
“I’m sorry if I’m being nosy, Kane. After not seeing you for a while, I thought I would have your full attention.”
“We all made a promise to look after her. Paul’s team and Grim’s team. She just lost her baby, and—” I almost slip up and tell her that the people that killed Paul are after her and all of us.
“And what?” she snaps.
“Nothing.” I close the drawer that stores all of my sweatpants and finish tying the knot at my waistband.
