AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And if she’s there and says no? You know your odds aren’t that great,” Xander reasons.
“If she says no, she’ll leave. She won’t stay and watch me with someone else.”
“Jesus, Marcus. What? Is it first come first served? You’re unreal. Playing Russian roulette with them. They’ve only just got over your London outburst, now you’re going to tell her, ‘Have sex with me or I’ll move on to fill your name in here, ladies, anyone will do.’ You need to get a grip.” He’s looking at me like I’ve lost it.
“I want her, but what can I do if she doesn’t want me? I'm asking, aren't I? I’ve just got to make sure she does want me.”
“Do you really think your birthday party, based on previous ones, is the place to gamble on that? You know what they’ve been like in the past. And are you really going to say no to everyone even if she’s there and says yes?”
“Yes,” I nod.
“You’re also going to acknowledge them at the party with your full family there? Because James is coming that day, and she’ll stay.” I nod again, but he goes on. “Then we leave and you go back on tour for the next two months. You’re not going to fuck anyone else?” He’s incredulous now. “You can hardly go a day without jerking off. You’ll never do it.”
“If she asks me to, I will.”
“You’re gambling and praying she won’t ask you. You’re a dickhead, Marcus,”
“Tell me what you really think, Xander.”
“I really think you should leave her alone. Leave. Her. Alone. Let her get on with her life.”
Ouch that hurt. I look at him and admit, “I would if I could, but she fucking haunts me. I thought I could fuck her and leave her. She left me eighteen years ago, I thought I could do the same. Turns out once is not enough. I just need to get her totally out of my system. When I’m fed up with the same thing all the time, and she’ll never put up with my shit, we’ll go our separate ways.”
“Marcus, you're so calculating. You’re cold, brother. But in this case, you're delusional. Anyone else, I’d say good plan. Evie? No. You’re so far out there, you can’t see straight.” He claps me on the shoulder. “I’m going to enjoy watching your plan backfire. But don’t worry, I’ll still be here to pick up the pieces she leaves you in.” He grins like a maniac. “What do you want me to do?”
I tell him I want her there the day before anyone else arrives, just her, no one else is to be in that chateau. Staff, yes, people building the party, yes. But no one else. And I want her room next to mine. I then go through the restaurant bookings he’s to make.
He grins at me. “Well, you’ve obviously thought about it. I’ll sort it.That’s, if she agrees to come in the first place. I’ve invited her friend Grace, as instructed, for peer pressure. Do you want her to come out the same day as Evie to ensure she comes?”
“No, only Evie that first day. I mean it, Xan. If anyone else turns up, I’ll go apeshit. I’ll ask her to come, if I grovel she may.”
As it turns out, I don’t need to grovel. I lure her in under the guise of gardens, trees, and courtyards. Thank god Jude talks about her all the time. I just need to make sure she comes alone for one day.
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
EVIE
Wandering into the kitchen at Greystone house in search of tea. I’ve got the updated plans in my hands for my old, now not so derelict, dockland factory building. It’s a dream come true. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve worked on in a long time and I’m enjoying myself immensely. While I have some ideas about the courtyard I found in the centre of the building there. I’ve yet to find a true inspiration for it. I need to do justice to its cosy feel, whilst taking advantage of its impressive size and open, unobstructed view of the sky. I’m torn between giving it an open communal feel or accentuating the cosy, intimate atmosphere with corners you don’t see until you are actually in them, new things to discover at every nook and cranny.
I see the invitations to Kellen’s party, on the worktop. All my brothers have been invited to the friends day, and they’re all staying for the family day with James as well. The venue is a chateau in the South of France, and it looks amazing. The brochure features the building itself, but also the surrounding area, including houses visitors can tour. My eyes linger on information about some aesthetic gardens nearby. I’ll have to send Jude to get pictures for me.
My phone rings with an LA number. Checking the time, I know it will be the early hours there. Kellen.
“Hey, Kellen.” I decide to play ball. I’ve been very polite and making an effort, even joining in on conversations if I’ve come across James and Kellen on a call. All very Stepford Wives.
“Evie.” His voice is a bit croaky, like he may have just come off stage. I thought I heard him talking to James about setlists yesterday.
“You ok? Your voice is a bit off. Should you be talking?” I try to sound concerned. I’m not, I’m just giving him a reason to not be on as long.
“I’ll facetime you,” he says and hangs up before I can stop him. “Hi,” he says as he appears on my screen. Hair tousled, clean shaven, green eyes sparking at me. “That’s better. I can tell if you’re rolling your eyes and trying to get rid of me.”
I grin at him and start to chuckle. “You know me too well, Kell. What’s up?”
“Is that the brochure for the party?” he asks, nodding at the papers I’m holding.
“Yeah, it looks amazing. I bet you’re looking forward to it.” I don’t elaborate and wait for him to get to the point of this call.
