I’m so fucked.
TWENTY-TWO
Conan waits as I head inside my building before he leaves, and part of me wants to race back there and demand more, but he’s right. If he doesn’t do one-night stands or unattached sex, then that would be cruel. It’s even crueler that he hasn’t been with anyone since his husband, and yet he wants me. I’m an asshole. I’m just letting go of Noah, and I don’t want to use Conan as a rebound, so maybe this is for the best.
I like Conan, and I want to get to know him better. It’s clear he has a past—I mean, hello, husband? But I don’t care. He makes me happy. I’m just grumpy and horny and still feeling shitty after the whole Noah thing.
I’m so lost in my thoughts that I almost don’t see him until my key is in the door. Blinking, I gawk at Skylar as he leans against the wall next to my front door. “What the fuck?”
“I own this place, remember? You’ve been ignoring me, so I thought I’d come by and see what the hell is going on.”
I try to run away as his arm wraps around my neck and he fists my hair.
“Where were you? Who were you with? Why are you ignoring me?”
We spin as I fight him, and then I give up, relaxing into his chokehold.
“Bones is right. You’re so needy. Go bug him,” I grouse.
“I have, and I could be balls deep in my love, but instead I’m chasing down my brother since he won’t pick up the phone.” Letting me go, he watches as I fix my hair and throw him a glare. “Talk to me, Mack, what’s going on? You never miss work, and your phone is off. Something is up.”
“Nothing,” I mutter as I play with my keys. His eyes narrow, and I know he sees too much. Skylar Warren is like a wrecking ball. He never lets anything stand in his way.
Surprising me, he sighs. “Fine, you don’t want to talk. Let’s do something else instead.” Turning my body, he pushes me toward the elevator.
“No, I want to go home,” I whine.
“Tough shit. You should have thought about that before.” He drags me all the way to the garage, where he throws me in his passenger seat and runs around, starting the engine and pulling out. He hits call as I sulk, and within seconds, Bones’s voice comes through the speakers.
“Hey, baby, is he okay?” He sounds worried, which makes me feel like shit.
“He’s being a brat. I’m taking him out for a bit to bully him until he tells me what’s up. Don’t wait up, okay, my love?” Sky’s voice is soft when he speaks to Bones, and it makes me roll my eyes. There has never been a man more in love than him. His obsession borders on psychotic, yet they love each other.
What would it feel like to have someone love me that much?
I wouldn’t fucking know.
“Sure thing. Go easy on him, okay? See you later, love you.” He hangs up.
Skylar looks at me, his eyes still narrowed as he floors it. “I’m not going easy on you. I will get it out of you one way or another. Don’t think I won’t stoop so low as torture.”
“You really are insane. Does Bones know that?” I retort.
“Of course. Why do you think he loves me?” he replies.
I don’t speak for the rest of the drive, and when we pull up outside of a club, I slide lower in my seat. He doesn’t care as he drags me out, ignoring the line as he pushes me inside. Skylar steers me to a table in the back, where a guy I’ve met once or twice sits.
“Sanjay!” Skylar grins as he pushes me into a seat. “I’m stealing your booth to get my friend drunk so he confesses his sins.”
“Sure.” Sanjay nods at me. “Hey, Mackie, how are you doing?”
“I’d be better without this psycho in my life,” I mutter as Skylar pours me a drink and pushes it at me.
Sanjay laughs as he throws back a shot. “Nah, Sky keeps it interesting. How’s the race world? Are you two still the golden boys of legal shit?”
“Are you still the poster boy for illegal shit?” Skylar teases.
“You know it!” Sanjay cheers. “Not all of us are meant to be good boys, Sky. How’s that hottie of yours?”
