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“I…I didn’t know.” I shake my head and look at Hayden; his eyes were solely on her. I bite back my surprise and wonder how the hell they could have met. Did she plan this? How the hell did she know he was my brother? “I knew he was seeing someone, but he never told me her name,” I say quietly to Mom. “Come to think of it, Margie never said anything either.”
Mom’s eyes light up as she looks between us all. “Well, this is great.” She claps her hands together. “I mean, you two know each other, I’ve already met her—it’s perfect.”
This is far from fucking perfect. I force another smile onto my face as I look at her. She finally shifts her gaze away from my brother long enough to look at me. She gives me what everyone else thinks is a smile, but there is definitely nothing genuine about it.I know better than that.
I feel sick to my stomach.
“Hey, Reagan.” She wiggles her fingers in a little wave at me. “I can call you Reagan, can’t I?”
“Oh, don’t be silly,” Mom replies, cutting in. “We don’t have any formality in this house.”
My teeth clamped together, and I force out another tight smile.
Breaking herself away from Hayden, in a few small steps she’s in front of me. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you. Hayden and I thought it would be best if we kept it a secret for a while.
“Yeah, I bet.” Shifting my focus past Margie and over to Hayden, he just smiles and shrugs. “Oh, we could do double dates. You could bring Ev, and we could go out, the four of us.”
Hayden’s eyes widen and he gives me a knowing smile. The urge to correct her and tell her to call him by his proper name is so strong. It pissed me off. That’s mine and only mine to use.
“I have to go.” I shake my head in disbelief. I have to get out of the situation I’ve just been thrust into. Suddenly, I feel like I’ve been plunged into a maze and I’m going in circles looking for the exit. I need air.
I walk into the living room, grab my purse, and go back to kiss my mom on the cheek. I pass Margie and Hayden without a word and leave Mom’s house.
Once I’m in the sanctuary of my car I rest my head against the seat back and sigh. I have no idea what the fuck she’s up to, but with her antics recently and the change I’ve noticed in her, it could be anything. I have to get Hayden alone at some point and talk to him.
I thought Penny was bad, but at least she only cheated on him. Margie could end up doing a whole lot worse.
Hayden and Margie together…I can’t get my head around it.
Looking out my window, I watch the house for a second and try to get my thoughts in check before starting the engine and going to Everett’s. Margie and Hayden being together never left my head for a minute, but I know I have to shake myself out of it. It doesn’t matter what I think about it, but I have to watch out for him. Everett won’t think this is a big deal, he doesn’t think her dressing like me or even dyeing her hair like mine is a big deal. So, I’ll have to figure it out by myself. Or I’ll just call Ruby tomorrow and discuss it with her.
Forty-Nine
Everett
On the way home from Reagan’s office, I stop by the grocery store and grab some steak and potatoes for our dinner. I know Reagan needs some attention; she’s had a shitty day and I don’t even know the half of it yet. I know there’s definitely some tension between her and Margie—you could cut it with a knife. And for that reason, I am not going to tell Reagan she made a pass at me. I’m not sure how she’ll take it, and with everything that’s going on right now, she’s liable to fire her.
Reagan and I have come so far in the last few weeks; she’s everything I didn’t think I needed or, where a relationship was concerned, wanted. But I’m not sure where I stand on the whole no relationship now. Reagan has changed me, that’s for sure, and all I can see is her.
Going into my bedroom, I strip out of my suit and change into some sweats. I throw on a tee and go back into the kitchen. I was hoping to get a shower, but I know I’ll be able to grab one with Reagan later. For now, it’s time to show my girl some of my culinary skills. I know she thinks I’m only good at ordering takeout, but she’ll see.
I wrap two potatoes in foil and put them in the oven, setting the timer, then cut up some salad and mix up some ranch dressing.
That part of dinner prep done, I lean back against the counter and look around the penthouse. I wonder what Reagan thinks of this place.
Should I keep it?
Or should I buy a house?
Why the fuck am I thinking about houses?
What’s going on with me?
I shake myself. That was way too domesticated. I decide to go back to preparing dinner. I wash my hands and take the steak from the paper it was wrapped in and season it.
By the time Reagan arrives, the steak is almost done and I’m just putting the salad on the plates.
“Is that steak I smell cooking?” Reagan’s eyes light up as she steps through the door. Her warm hands on my bare skin is enough to say fuck the food, but I hold myself back. I do, however, lean in and kiss her. “Wow. I could get used to this, Mr. Brooks. Coming in from a shitty day at the office to a full meal already cooked sounds like heaven.”
