“Shannon,” he muttered under his breath. “She’s the problem. She’s not answering my texts, or even my calls. I’ve turned into a fucking stalker with the amount of times I’ve rung her.”
Marcus, ever the steady presence, placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. The warmth of the gesture was what he needed, even if he needed Shannon more.
“Women are different to us,” Marcus said, his mouth curving into a lopsided smirk. “Did you piss her off? You’ve got a talent for rubbing people the wrong way. Like Finka.”
Jamie rolled his eyes.
“No. When I left, things were great between us. Better than great, actually. Then boom, she cut me off.” His voice dropped, frustration taking over.
Jamie shook his head, frustration lacing his voice as he stared into his glass. He took a long gulp of whiskey, the burn doing little to numb the restlessness inside him.
“I don’t get it. She was into me. Or at least, I thought she was.”
Marcus, seated across from him now, leaned back in his chair and sighed. He wasn’t one to rush in with advice, but his older brother’s agitated mood was hard to ignore.
With a calm, almost detached expression, Marcus reached for his own glass, swirled the amber liquor, and took a sip.
“Sometimes women aren’t after you, Jamie. They’reafter what you can give them,” Marcus said, his voice stern. “And those kinds aren’t worth a damn.”
Jamie’s jaw tightened, and he sat up straighter. “She’s not like that. I’m telling you, Marcus, she’s not after my money, not like the others who just want sex and expensive gifts. I had to persuade her to meet me. That means something, right?”
Marcus’s eyes flickered with skepticism, but he said nothing for a long moment.
“I don’t know,” Marcus said, setting his glass down on a coaster and gesturing for two more. “If she really was into you, she wouldn’t ghost you like that. Maybe she has a few guys on her radar.”
Jamie’s lips curled into a bitter smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “She doesn’t. I don’t know what to tell you, Marcus. Shannon’s got her own life, her own goals. We’re supposed to hook up again this Friday when I get back.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “She’s in my fucking head, Marcus, and I don’t know how to deal with this quiet fucking distance.”
Marcus leaned forward, his eyes narrowed.
“Listen, I get youthinkshe’s different. But if she’s meant for you, she’d be blowing up your damn phone and telling you she can’t wait for you to fuck her on Friday. That’s how it works. Not this bullshit.”
Jamie’s hackles rose. “Maybe she’s not used to someone like me being around. She’s independent.”
Marcus’s gaze softened, but the protective edge never left his voice.
“I’m just trying to look out for you. If she’s pulling away, she’s not worth the hassle. You’ve always had your pick of women. Go find someone else and stop letting Shannon mess with your head. You’re obsessed with her because she’s the one you can’t have. It’s all just mind games, mate.”
Jamie yanked at the top button on his dress shirt, popping it open and loosening his tie.
“You don’t get it. I’ve never met anyone like her. If she’s pulling away, it’s not because she doesn’t care. It’s because she’s got walls up. I just need to be patient. I know what I feel, Marcus, and I’m not backing down from the challenge.”
“And what happens when you bust through those walls of hers and then you get bored with her?”
Jamie’s jaw tightened, his gaze hardening.
“I really like the girl. And if you can’t see that, then maybe you don’t know me as well as you think.” His voice lowered, his words weighed with conviction. “I’m not just gonna let her go.”
Marcus looked at him for a long moment, studying his brother with a mixture of concern and frustration. “Take the jet home tonight, Jamie. Sort your shit out. Go do whatever you have to do. I’ll cover things here.”
Jamie looked at him, appreciating the offer while knowing how much there was at stake in Vegas. “Thanks, Marcus. I’ll make it up to you, I swear.”
“I mean it,” Marcus pressed. “Pull yourself together. Not all women will bow to you, Jamie. If she’s not interested, move the fuck on. Don’t waste your time.”
“Who wouldn’t like me?” Jamie joked, pulling his phone from his pocket again, his thumb hovering over the screen.
His finger swiped across the screen, but there weren’t any new messages.
