Page 8 of When There Was You
Mick helped create our powerful connection by letting me in, sharing his painful past, and embracing whatever we are or could be. He once told me I was giving, but in truth, he’s the giver. Damn near selfless. He’s infused me with pride, confidence, and validity. He believes in me—the most potent aphrodisiac on the planet. I can’t imagine loving another human being more than I do him. Ever.
Not that I’ve written Remy off or don’t obsess about him. But what choice do I have except to wait until he’s out of rehab to know how to move forward—or evenifwe will? As Mick suggested, I’m waiting for more information instead of drowning in all thewhat ifs.
Five
“Meet me at the boatyard. Pack for an overnight,” Mick says through the phone.
I squeal, loud enough he probably pulled the receiver away from his ear. “We’re going out overnight?”
“Yeah, baby.” Bet he’s smiling.
“Mick Callahan, you are my favorite human being on the planet.”
“Better be.”
“And you realize this kind of treatment is why you get blow jobs at the wheel, captain.”
He hums. “Another reason I’m addicted to you. I’ll pretty much do anything for you now.”
I catch my reflection in the bedroom mirror—momentarily transfixed at the happiness radiating from my face.
We hang up and I busy myself getting ready, shoving clothes and toiletries into a backpack. I pull on my bikini, shorts, and a cute tank, and snag warmer stuff for when the fog rolls in and we’re out on the bay.
I nearly trip in my haste to get downstairs. My roommates study me from the living room couch in our shared condo. Kit is slumped into the cushions, using the coffee tableas a footrest as she watches TV; Jaswinder sits cross-legged reading aGlamourmagazine.
“Where’s the fire, Jax?” Jas says, flipping her gorgeous onyx hair off her face. Her white jeans and peasant top contrast gorgeously with her deep beige skin.
“Let me guess,” Kit muses, mischief in her warm whiskey eyes. “Off to see the wizard? Mr. Marvelous? What amazing adventure has he conjured up for you today?”
I laugh, dropping my backpack onto the carpet with a thud. “We’re sailing…but he’s taking me somewhere overnight!”
Jas drops her head back with a groan. “You’re such a lucky bitch.”
“We hate you,” Kit adds, standing up to adjust her navy sweatpants and oversized T-shirt.
“What about you, Jas? You’re dating a total hottie.”
She smiles knowingly. “True. And we’re dragging Kit out to LA Rocks tonight.”
A memory surfaces of my twenty-first birthday. We danced for hours in that club—Remy, his buddy Vinny, my roommates, and me—all drunk off our asses.
I don’t want to remember. Not today. It’s easier not to think about Remy at all. Even Mick and I agreed to stop talking about him for now.
“Against my will,” Kit inserts. “They keep trying to set me up with someone. I’m perfectly fine rolling solo. I don’t need a man to be complete. None of us do.”
I tilt my head, considering. “But there are perks.”
“Says the girl with two men who would slay dragons for her.” Kit blanches, realizing she’s stepped in it.
My smile fades. Jas shoots Kit a look.
“I’m sorry, Jax. It just…slipped out.”
I shake my head. “It’s okay.”
“No word from Remy, huh?” Jas asks.
“No,” I murmur. “He’s still in rehab without phone privileges. If he could call, he would.”Right?
