Chapter 13

 

 

Dani

eace and happiness.

Fucking peace and happiness?

My eyes scorch the side of the black casket as we sit listening to the minister sing Julia Sullivan’s praises.

Burn in hell, you twisted bitch.

“Julia wasn’t only a successful business woman, but a leader of the community. She not only gave back in monetary donations to this town she loved, but she often helped to shape the youth.”

I may actually be physically ill. I watch Brandon, sitting on the opposite side of the room, bitter hate and rage oozing from every part of him. And then I look at Michael.

His handsome face is twisted in conflicted torment as he listens to the fucked-up portrayal of a monster.

When the memorial is over, we all stand. Brooke and Dylan find their way to Peter Sullivan to offer their condolences. I stand with Luke and Michael. Even though Luke isn’t my favorite person, I’m not leaving Michael's side.

“Man, this is like déjà vu.” Luke's eyes are sad, and his voice is quieter than normal. Luke is quite often the loud, outgoing asshole type.

“Yeah . . .” Michael seems lost in thought, and I’m terrified what those thoughts may be.

Brooke and Dylan rejoin us, Brooke's hand rests on Michael's shoulder. “We aren’t going to the burial. We should get back home to the kiddos. You two staying?”

Michael and I both shake our heads, but only Michael speaks, “I have a lot to do. Going to race in Florida next week.”

Brooke smiles with the pride of a mother. “All right, but family dinner tomorrow.” Michael nods, and she turns to me excitedly. “Oh Dani. You’re more than welcome! Cassie told me you two made up. Thank God.”

That still feels good to know. I have my best friend back. “Thank you so much, Brooke. I’d love to, but I have to catch a plane to Dallas first thing in the morning.”

She looks slightly disappointed, but I know she understands as she gives me a hug. “You’re welcome at our home anytime.”

“I appreciate it.”

Brooke hugs Michael. Dylan nods to me and ruffles Michael’s hair, and then Luke bumps fists with Michael. “Hey, stop by the shop tomorrow afternoon. I have a surprise for you.”

Michael's mouth quirks up in a mischievous smile. “Is this a trap? You gonna beat the shit out of me again?”

That gets a headshake from Brooke, who clearly didn’t agree with Luke's answer to Michael's relapse. I’m not sure she’d approve of mine either.

Luke grins, his usual bravado back. “Depends. You using again?”

“Nope.”

Luke pulls Michael into a half hug, half headlock, and laughs. “Then, no. It’s a good surprise. Just show up, dickhead.”

Michael hugs him back, but then with a slight, subtle shove pushes him toward Brooke and Dylan. “I’ll be there.”

Brooke shakes her head and urges Dylan and Luke toward the exit. “I swear. Do I really have to say no roughhousing at a funeral?”

Dylan grins proudly and nudges Luke. “Right. Get it together boys.”

It’s all done quietly, and no one is really paying attention to us. Not that I really give a shit about being respectful at this bitch’s funeral. Still, it’s so damn good to see Michael reunited with his family.

They leave, and Michael and I wait a moment before going to the hall outside to leave the building.

That’s when we run into the ever-brooding Brandon. His eyes are bloodshot, and he looks worn-out for someone that's only twenty and admittedly good-looking.

“The Monroes. Holy fuck, you all are just too fucking cute, you know that?”

Suddenly, Michael is backed against the wall with Brandon in his face. I can see Michael visibly trying to keep his cool, but I’m close to nut-punching this asshole.

“What do you want, Brandon?” Michael's voice is a low growl.

“I can't fucking believe you told your little fucktoy about Julia.”

Brandon gestures at me, and I see Michael's jaw working angrily as he leans a little closer. “She's not a fucktoy, and what makes you think I told her anything?”

His lips turn up in a sinister smile. “Because when everyone else was sobbing like a mindless idiot, there were three people that were glaring up at that cold, dead body.” Brandon’s head tips in my direction. “She was one of them.” His cold eyes land back on Michael as I take a step closer to the two damaged men. “I thought we were gonna take that shit to our graves.”

“It’s none of your fucking business what I do.”

Brandon shrugs his wide shoulders. “True. I mean you seem to be doing pretty fucking great for yourself, Monroe. Maybe I should get a hot little confidant.”

I shudder, knowing what he's implying. “You should go.”

He just brushes me off like I’m an annoying gnat and smiles tauntingly at Michael. It’s working because Michael’s jaw clenches as he grits out fiercely, “Stay the fuck away from Gabby.”

“Hey, you have your hot little bodyguard here to confide in. I think I could use that in my life. Tell sweet, little innocent Gabby all the naughty things I’ve done.” His eyes flash with menacing torture. “Of course, then your name would definitely come up.”

“Fuck off.” Michael's voice is low, but he says it with a growling conviction as he shoves Brandon’s body back a foot.

Brandon closes the gap yet again, his body leaning in closer, but I still hear every word. “Remember that night Julia got us so fucked-up and horny she talked us into that three-way?”

Michael visibly tenses. “Fuck. Off.”

Brandon continues to challenge him. “I'm not into dudes, but I have to admit, that was fucking hot. Me taking her ass while you sank into her pussy.”

I stop the gasp before it escapes my mouth, but Michael's eyes briefly glance over at me. He's frozen, and I won’t let this continue. I walk until there’s less than an inch separating me from the side of Brandon's face. “What that sadistic bitch did to you two wasn’t hot. It wasn’t consensual fucking. She was a predator, and it clearly fucked you up.” His head turns to face me slowly, his green eyes glowing with hot rage. “Get help. But leave Michael alone.”

The rage morphs into a twisted, hateful grin. “Oh I’ll seek help.” He faces Michael. “And isn't that cute, you have her convinced you were an innocent victim in this.” His shoulder checks Michael’s aggressively. “This will never be over, Golden Boy.”

He steps back and turns his body away from us, disappearing into the crowd filing out.

Christ, my chest aches as my hand brushes over Michael's cheek, trying to offer any bit of comfort I can, as I witness the intense agony this day has made him feel.

I’m terrified he's going to use.

My hand guides his head down as our cheeks brush each other’s, my lips moving to his ear. “Let's get out of here. Go back to your place.”

His head jerks back as he peers down at me. “Are you saying what I think you are?”

My fingers grasp the waist of his slacks as I rasp out, “Yes.”

His hands grip my wrists as he rips mine away. “Then, no.”

He starts to walk off, and I follow him in a near fury as he walks through the glass doors and toward his car. It’s stopped pouring, but the water is still slightly spitting down on us. “What the hell do you mean, no?”

We reach his new car, and I move my body between him and the driver’s side door.

“Dani, don’t take it personally. You heard me in there. You aren’t a fucktoy. Now move. Go back to Cash.”

I don’t budge, and I don’t miss the hint of jealousy in his tone. “I’m not taking it personally, asshole.” Maybe a little. “You’ve had a god-awful day. You’re an addict who currently has no escape whatsoever. This situation screams relapse.”

His keys jingle in his hand as the annoying mist continues to fall. “I’m not going to use.”

“Bullshit. I’d much rather you use my body to escape from the hell she's put you in than any type of drug.”

His fingers graze over my lips, and for a minute, I think he's going to kiss me again. “I saw you falling for me last year, and I was too weak to stop it. I'll never do that again. I'm stronger now.”

He slides me to the side and slips into his car. As I step back and give him room, he drives off, leaving me behind this time.

I need to go back to the hotel and get on that plane tomorrow and move on.

That’s what the intelligent girl who is thinking with only her mind would do.

That’s the woman I am now.