Page 34 of Beneath The Truth
“He’s not a detective anymore,butyes.”
“Stand your ground, Ari.Don’t settle for scraps from this guy just because he’s been your holy grail for fifteenyears.”
“Thank you for the reminder.Now, gotobed.”
I hung up before they could give me any more advice, but as soon as the room went silent, I missed their presence.Now I was alone in a big empty house with nothing but work to keep mecompany.
Story ofmylife.
17
Rhett
As soon asI left Ari’s, I texted Heath saying I’d dropped her off.His response was a suggestion to meet at our regular place at ten o’clocktomorrow.
Looked like I wouldn’t have to trackhimdown.
How was I going to tell my best friend that I’d manhandled his sister, kissed her, and planned to do a hell of a lot more?I climbed into bed at my hotel a little while later, still without an answer to thatquestion.
When I woke up at seven the next morning and jogged to the gym, I was still coming up empty.Even a punishing workout didn’t knock any ideasloose.
Didn’t matter.I was going after what I wanted.No more sitting on the sidelines.No more allowing life to passmeby.
I rolled up to our regular breakfast spot just beyond the boundaries of the Quarter and decided to wing it.Heath was already inside, a mug of coffee in front of him.Black with two sugars.That was how well I knewtheman.
As I sat across from him, the waitress swooped in and poured me a cup as well.When she disappeared, Heath slid his phone across the tabletowardme.
“We got aproblem.”
I expected to be staring down at information relating to my dad’s case, but instead I saw a picture of Ari on the screen, walking out of a restaurant with another guy’s arm around her shoulders.I’d put money on that asshole being her ex.The gossip rag that had posted the pic had captioned itReclusive Tech CEOs Vacation in NewOrleans.
Whatthehell?
“He’shere?”
Heath shook his head.“No.Old picture.She definitely never brought him home.I’m guessing this is Carlos’s last attempt to keep her by forcing the issue in thepress.”
My hands clenched into fists.“They’re done.Ari was clear about that.Obviously, someone needs to make it even clearer to thisasshole.”
I looked up at Heath in time to catch the satisfaction flashing across hisfeatures.
“If he comes here, there’s no way I’ll let him get close to her.”He leaned back in his chair and held my gaze.“If she wasn’t living in Cali, I would’ve told her she’d be better offdatingyou.”
If I had a mirror, I was sure my face would be the picture of dumbstruck.“What didyousay?”
“When we were in school, I knew she was crazy about you.We all did.You never let on that you knew, which made me respect you even more.Some guys would’ve taken advantage and tried to hook up with her because they knew she’d be aneasylay.”
“I neverwould’ve—”
Heath held up a hand.“I know.But we’re not in high school anymore.She’s not my virgin little sister.We both know I have no say in what she does with her life.But I’m just throwing it out there because I know she’s never totally gotten over that crush, and I know you’re too good of a guy to make a move behindmyback.”
Guilt formed a fist in my chest, wrapping around my lungs, and I had to comeclean.
“I kissed her last night.”I left out the rest for obviousreasons.
Instead of his features twisting with anger or betrayal, Heath smiled.“Fucking finally.All I’m going to say is this, and then we’re never going to talk about what happens between you and my sister ever again.You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, the best man I know.You fuck her over like that asshole did, and I’ll deal with you shotgun-and-shovel style.You guys try it out and it doesn’t work for whatever reason, I’m not gonna hold it against you.If it does work out, I’ll welcome you as a brother with open arms, because you’ve already been one my whole life.That’s my way of saying you’ve got my blessing for whatever youdecide.”
With each word Heath spoke, the fist loosened its hold a little more.When he finished, all I could do was shake my head inamazement.
