Leo has been making my life a living hell since the breakup. Taunting some pseudo relationship/friendship with Kendall over my head. Others swear to me he hasn’t touched her, but my anger refuses to accept that. She’s a kid. And she’s mine. I’ve broken his nose once, given him two black eyes and threatened to end his life if they didn’t ship his ass to Cape Cod as soon as humanly possible. His orders are in and he’s leaving next month so I’ve backed off, but I still keep tabs on the fucker for Magnolia’s sake. I’m responsible for Leo being in their world to begin with. I recall the conversation on the beach when I told him that Magnolia was off limits. Why would I think to add Kendall into that spoken order? Never in my wildest dreams did I think he would move in this, sneaky, desperate way. He hasn’t done anything illegal, so no actions can be taken. Being friends with a teenager isn’t a crime, especially when you are a teenager yourself. It’s hard when two years’ difference is close to nothing once you’re in an adult relationship. I don’t want to accept that intellect now. Not when it affects me and those I love.
I brush my sweaty hair off my face and mop it with my t-shirt. The gym is empty and I’m thankful I don’t need to make small talk with anyone. Tonight we have a mandatory fundraiser for the local school district. We have to be there, and I’d rather be anywhere else besides in a room with Leo, but I was told there isn’t an option. Sighing, I hit the showers and put on my dress uniform. I fix my hair, leave the office and put my cover on. It’s a short walk to Town Hall and it’s already buzzing with people. I see my brothers right away and make sure Leo isn’t in sight before approaching the group.
Mercer slaps my shoulder. “Got that extra workout in, bro?”
I nod. “Three times today.” I’m not fucking so I need the adrenaline release and endorphins working out gives me. Bonus points because it clears my mind and it’s the only time, all day, that happens.
He cups my arm. “Your muscles are even more perfect than they were before. I want to hump them.”
I push him away, shaking my head. “Is the fucker here?”
“Oh, he’s here, but he’s staying out of the way. He knows he’s not welcome in the crew. It’s so fucked up what he did to you, man. We all agree.” Mercer shoves a beer into my hand. “Oh, there was someone looking for you though.” His pink cheeks tell me he’s been drinking for quite a while already, and his grin is mischievous.
My heart skips. “Magnolia is here?” My voice changes when I say her name and he catches it.
“No, no, man. Sorry. Didn’t mean to get your hopes up.”
The elation quickly turns to dread as I sip the beer. I need to stop that. Getting all bent dicked over Magnolia when she clearly wants nothing to do with me. “Polly was looking for you. Heard you were single again,” Mercer explains, glancing away so he doesn’t have to witness my pain.
“Wonder who she heard that from,” I deadpan, scanning the crowd for my nemesis. “That kid is trying to fuck me over constantly. I never did anything to piss him off.”
Mercer clears his throat. “He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t need a reason.”
I brush a piece of lint off my jacket. “Where is Polly?”
Mercer’s drunk smile appears again. “Atta boy. Get back in the saddle. She was in the foyer looking for her table number when I last saw her. Wearing some weird flowery dress or some shit. It’s short.”
I clap him on the back and excuse myself. I take off my cover when I enter the building and look at the main desk where table numbers are being issued. Polly isn’t there. Magnolia and Jenny are walking away, toward the bar. I trip over my own feet and have to steady myself on the door frame. She’s so beautiful—the low lights falling on her bare shoulders like an invitation. I’d give anything to kiss them again. She saunters with confidence as she talks to the bartender. My brothers filter in and move toward two tables in the center of the dining room.
I move away from them, heading toward the sign for the restrooms. It’s a hallway I can hide in for a second. While my mind flits through all of the possible outcomes of me saying hello, Leo rounds the corner. He winks at me when he enters the restroom. I follow him in.
“You need to fucking watch yourself, Leo. You’re playing with fire. You might be getting transferred, but you’re pissing off a lot of people. That’s not good for business. You’re new to the teams so let me be the one to say, you are only one indiscretion away from being fired completely.” I mean it to sound like a threat. I am his senior, but he knows enough that I alone would be hard pressed to have him fired without solid, indisputable evidence.
He pisses into the urinal, and tilts his head back, eyes closed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t touched Kendall. We’re just friends.”
“Bullshit,” I scoff.
“Stay the fuck away from them. This isn’t a game. This is their life.”
He zips his fly, and readjusts his cock. “Not a game? Life is a game, brother. Have a good night.” He winks at me as he leaves and I’m left holding fury and jealousy. I slide down the filthy wall until my ass hits the ground. I don’t know how long I stay in here trying to come up with a plan that will backfire on Leo and expose the truth, but I snap directly out of it when Polly slides into the men’s room and flattens her back against the door.
“He said you wanted me to meet you in here?” Polly whispers. “Is that true?” I don’t know if it was Mercer, who was trying to do a good thing, or Leo who is trying to set me up, but in this moment I don’t have any fucks left to give. I stand up.
She stalks toward me, her ass hanging out of the cheap dress she poured herself into. When she’s in front of me, I take her hands in mine. “Listen,” I say, swallowing hard, “Polly, I want to apologize for being an asshole.”
Her face changes and her head tilts to the side in confusion. “I forgive you,” she mumbles.
“I was a bad man.” I sigh. “I did a lot of bad things to people who didn’t deserve it. I’m trying to be better now.” I lean over and kiss her cheek just as Magnolia blows in the door.
“Oh my God, this chick again?” Polly hisses. “She has a radar on you or something! I thought you were finished with her. That’s what you said.”
“I never said that,” I clap back, gently moving Polly out of the way. “Magnolia,” I plead. “Please, talk to me. Please.”
She nods. “I don’t care that you’re in here fucking Polly, Aidan. Trust me. They told me this is where you’d be.” Magnolia glances at Polly and back to me. “I’m resigned to the fact that you will always be the same.”
“He’s not fucking me,” Polly says, folding her arms across her chest and yanking on her hem. Magnolia’s gaze darts to the dress.
She rolls her eyes. “Yeah. Sure. We both know Aidan Mixx is a skirt chaser and yours looks just his style.”
