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JAY
Iwatched from the rooftop as Adam’s sorry ass skulked around the corner and was gone. I wasn’t happy in the slightest about what he’d done, but still, the tiniest hint of a smile formed on my lips knowing he’d got what he deserved.
“Alright everyone!” I said, turning back to the crowd on the rooftop. “It’s over, let’s not let that asshole spoil the festivities, huh?” The crowd let out cheers of agreement before turning their attention back to their drinks and conversation. Thankfully, everyone there seemed not to have allowed the Adam bullshit to bother them.
But they didn’t matter as much as Dream. She was seated on the edge of the roof, a faraway look on her face.
“You doing alright?” I asked, placing my hand on her shoulder.
She nodded quickly; her eyes still fixed forward. “Fine. Just…not how I wanted all that to end.”
“Yeah?” I sat down next to her. “Sorry if me and the guys made a scene.”
“No, that’s not it at all.” She turned to me with a warm smile. “It’s really not. You guys came to help, and I don’t even want to think about what would’ve happened if you hadn’t shown up when you did. It’s not that.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“It’s Adam. The guy’s a real piece of work and I’m glad he’s out of my life.”
“We’re going to make sure it stays that way,” I said. “If he ever bothers you again…”
“I know,” she stopped me. “I know you guys will be looking out for me. But all the same, we were together for a long time, right? I never seriously considered getting back with him, but part of me hoped that he might get his act together and put the dark side of his personality behind him. Looks like the opposite happened, though – he let that dark side totally consume him.”
“You’re right – it is too bad. But maybe he’ll be able to turn things around eventually. Until then…”
“Until then…he can screw off. I’ve got my friends and family and everything else I need. No time for toxic people like that in my life.”
There was determination to her voice. I was happy as hell to hear it. Dream had always been a strong woman, and her behavior over the last hour was confirmation of that. She’d been cornered by a drunk asshole who’d made it clear he had no issue with hitting women, and she stood her ground. That was courage.
“Think of this party as a fresh start,” I said, pulling her close. “Would’ve been nice if Adam had gotten the hint a while back, but he had to learn the hard way. Now he’s gone for good, and you can finally turn the page.”
She smiled. “Happy to have you guys here with me for it.”
She snuggled her head into my shoulder. A few people around regarded us with glances of uncertainty, as if they weren’t sure what was going on between me and Dream. I couldn’t blame them. Over the course of the party, all three of us brothers had been close and cozy with Dream in our own ways.
Things were heating up between me, my brothers and Dream. It was only a matter of time before people started asking questions. But I didn’t give a damn – it was a bridge we’d cross when we came to it.
“Shoot.” She sat up, taking her phone out of her pocket. I watched as her screen filled up with texts. “You’ll never guess who it is.”
“What a prick. What’s he saying?” I didn’t want to pry into her business, but at the same time I needed to make sure he wasn’t saying anything I needed to worry about.
“He’s in whiny mode; begging me to take him back.” I watched as she made a few swipes here and there. “Done. He’s blocked.”
“Hopefully he wakes up and makes the right call. But if he doesn’t…my brothers and I will just have to teach him another lesson.”
Dream smiled up at me, wrapping her arm around my body once more and giving me a tight squeeze. At that moment Clarissa poked her head up from the stairs that led from the deck to the roof, concern all over her face.
“Oh my God!” she shouted, running over to us. “Are you OK? I’m so, so,sorry that I didn’t do a better job making sure that asshole didn’t show up and ruin things.”
“It’s fine,” I said. “That wasn’t your responsibility. And the guys were here to send him packing.”
Clarissa sent a warm smile in my direction.
“Thanks, Jay. You know, you’ve always been kind of a hard ass. But even so I’ve always suspected that deep down there was a real sweetie pie waiting to come out.”
I laughed. “A ‘sweetie pie,’ huh? Let’s not go crazy.”
Dream laughed. “Maybe a slice of sweetie pie.”
