Forever Too Far (23 page)

Her flashed with unleashed fury. I’d called her shit. She’d wanted to push me away and she’d

succeeded. I had seen enough. I wasn’t interested anymore.

“You said you loved me,” she reminded me.

“I thought I might could love you, Nan. But then I woke up and realized a hot fuck and good pussy

isn’t love. It’s just really good sex.”

The hurt look in her eyes should have made me feel guilty but it didn’t. I had confused need and want

with love. I didn’t know what it was like to love someone. Not the way Rush loved Blaire. I’d never

felt that. I knew that now. I had no fucking clue and I was pretty damn sure I never would.

“Fine. You want to hurt me then do it. I deserve it,” Nan spat, standing up and walking back to the

door. “But this isn’t over, Grant. I can admit that I messed up. You just need to admit that you still

have feelings for me.”

Did I? I wasn’t sure I did. I was angry at her for jerking me around but I wasn’t sure there were

feelings left.

“I am working through some things. It would be nice if someone gave a shit and understood.”

I would not let her turn this around on me. I hadn’t asked for this shit. I’d tried to make it work. She’d refused to ever be more than a fuck buddy. I had wanted more and she’d made it clear that I could

easily be replaced.

“I don’t think I’m the one to help you, Nan. Problem is I know what your life was like and I know why

you’re a bitch. But unlike Rush, I don’t let that excuse fly. It’s time you stopped using it and changed.

You’re pushing everyone away. Do you want to end up like your mom?”

She stiffened and I knew I’d hit a nerve. Without a word she spun around and stalked out of my condo

slamming the door behind her. Good fucking riddance.

Now I could get some sleep.

Bethy was waiting on me at the club for drinks. I had fed Nate and left him with Rush so that I could

go have some girl time. She also wanted me to officially meet Della. I waved at Jimmy as I passed by

the kitchen and hurried into the dining room.

Della and Bethy were over by the windows that overlooked the gulf. Della turned and smiled at me

when she noticed me approaching. I wasn’t sure exactly what happened with the police, I just knew

that it had been a very bad misunderstanding The rumor was that Woods threatened the officer who’d

arrested her. Grant said he’d thrown him up against the wall. Reminded me of something Rush would

do.

“About time you got here. I was about to have my second mimosa without you,” Bethy said cheerily.

“Sorry, I had to feed Nate before I left him. He was more hungrier than normal. But you know I can’t

drink mimosas. I’m nursing. However, I will take a tall glass of orange juice.”

“Nursing does not sound fun at all. Except for those amazing knockers you have I see no reason to do

it,” Bethy replied.

I chose to ignore her. She wouldn’t understand. Instead, I looked over at Della. “I’m glad we are

finally getting to talk,” I told her.

“Me too. I’m sorry about the last time we met. I can’t imagine what you thought of me after...,” she

stopped and trailed off.

“I thought that there had been a horrible mistake and while in labor I ordered Rush to get in touch with Woods and let him know there was an emergency,” I assured her.

Della let out a sigh. “Yeah, it was a crazy day. But thank you. I didn’t know until later that you’d gone into labor that day.”

Bethy ordered another mimosa for herself and Della. I told the new waitress that I just wanted orange

juice.

“So, you aren’t working for Woods anymore I hear,” Bethy said to Della.

She frowned and shook her head. “No. He won’t let me. He likes to keep me with him most of the

time. We’re dealing with some things...” she trailed off again. I could tell she didn’t want to talk

about her personal life and I couldn’t blame her. She’d just met us.

“I can’t keep you bitches in the kitchen. What am I supposed to do if all my good help keeps hooking

up with the rich ass men in this club and leaving me behind?” Jimmy said as he pulled out the fourth

chair at the table and sat down.

“I still work here,” Bethy reminded him.

“You don’t work in the kitchen so you’re no help to me. I’m almost scared for Woods to hire any

more attractive females. I need someone helping me who doesn’t catch these horny ass sexy fuckers’

eyes,” Jimmy hissed then winked at us.

I looked around the table and smiled. A year ago I was lost. I didn’t have anyone. Walking into Rush

Finlay’s house that night had changed everything. I sat back and listened as Jimmy told us about his

bad date the night before and how he wanted in Marco’s pants. Marco was apparently the new chef.

Bethy agreed that Marco’s pants were very fine. I looked across the table at Della smiling as she

listened to them talking and I recognized that look. I think she’d found a home too.

“So, Blaire, how’s the sex after marriage and baby? We gotta know, girl. Is Rush Finlay still smoking

up the sheets?” Jimmy asked his eyes twinkling with anticipation. He had a serious crush on my

husband.

“Not your business, Jimmy. You need to move on from your fascination with my man. It’s too late

now. I have him,” I replied.

“Hell, you’re no fun. I just want details. Really descriptive details. What about you Della? Wanna tell

me how the boinking is with Woods? Is he all bossy and shit? That just sounds hot.”

Della’s face turned bright red and she laughed. “I’m not going there with you either, Jimmy,” she

replied.

Jimmy stood up and stuck out his bottom lip. “And here I always thought female gossip was naughty

and fun. Y’all are boring me to tears.” He waved a hand dramatically at us before turning and heading

back to the kitchen.

“Now he’s gone I’d like to know how sex is with Rush and Woods,” Bethy said with a smirk

I shook my head and glanced over at the door as Grant came sauntering in by himself. He looked like

he was deep in thought. He hadn’t been around lately and I figured it was because he was out of town

again. Something looked like it was bothering him. He glanced up and his eyes met mine.

A small smile touched his lips and he winked before walking over and taking a seat at a table by

himself.

“Grant’s back in town for the summer. He seems different though,” Bethy said, apparently thinking the

same thing I was.

“Yeah, he seems off,” I agreed.

“You play with fire and you get burned. Nan is all kinds of screwed up. She had to fuck with his head.

I still can’t believe they were messing around though,” Bethy whispered.

“Nan came by the other day,” I said, looking back at Bethy then Della. “She still hates me.”

Bethy sniffed. “Who cares? Bitch.”

Della’s eyes went wide and I realized we were talking about people she didn’t know. It was rude.

“So, Della, I’ve been gone and I missed all the action. Tell me how exactly did you meet Woods? By

working here?”

Della shook her head and smirked. “Not exactly. We met back in September... it was... kind of a one-

night stand,” she said her cheeks turning bright pink.

This was going to be juicier than I thought. “Oh, this sounds fun,” I replied and leaned forward to hear the rest of it.

***

we could go down to the club’s bonfire tonight. It was the kick off to the summer season and it was a

members’ only event. Rush hadn’t wanted to go but Bethy had called and begged. I felt guilty for not

having enough time to spend with her anymore so I’d talked him into it.

Tomorrow was my doctor’s appointment and Rush’s patience was very thin. I was expecting him to

go with me then attack me in the parking lot. I wouldn’t complain but I wasn’t going to give him any

ideas.

Grant had called to see if we were going and so had Woods. He’d wanted to see if I would help keep

Della company in case he had to deal with anything during the bonfire. Bethy was also supposed to be

sticking close to her. They’d become friends, which only confirmed my belief that she’d be a good

friend. Bethy was picky.

The fire was larger than any other bonfires on the beach because the city couldn’t control what

happened on club property the way they could on the public beach. Bethy had said this party was the

‘don’t miss’ of the season. Which sounded good to me. Rush and I needed to get out.

“You sure you don’t want to go change into something else before we get out of this car?” Rush

asked, looking over at me.

Frowning, I looked down at my new outfit. I’d bought it last week. It was a white linen skirt that hit

mid thigh and a pale yellow off the shoulder top that just met the waist of my skirt. It only flashed skin if I raised my arms. “You said that at the house. Do you not like it?” Maybe my body wasn’t ready for

me to wear something like this yet.

Rush grabbed my chin and locked his gaze with mine. “You’re mouthwatering, Blaire. I don’t like

knowing that other men are looking at you.”

Oh. Well, in that case. “I am sure I don’t want to change. I like it when you get all possessive. Turns

me on,” I told him with a wink and opened my door.

“You’re killing me, woman,” he said with a slam of his door.

Rush reached down and took my hand in his as we walked down to the beach. The sun had already set

but the bonfire lit up our path once we got halfway. Bethy was waving at us and jumping up and down

as soon as we stepped into the light.

“Guess she wants us to come over there,” Rush said with an amused tone.

“Good guess,” I replied.

Bethy was already three sheets to the wind when we got over to them. Jace only rolled his eyes when

she staggered over to hug me. She smelled like tequila. “Hey you, you’re late!”

“No, they’re not. You just started drinking the hard stuff right off the bat and now you’re too drunk to know how long we’ve been here,” Jace piped up from his seat. He also looked a little annoyed with

her.

I glanced around for Della but I didn’t see her. “Where’s Della and Woods?” I asked Bethy who

smiled at me like she had no idea who I was talking about.

“I saw them a little bit ago but Woods had to deal with some of the staff smoking pot. Not sure what

happened to Della,” Jace said.

Crap. We were supposed to be watching out for Della. “I might need to go look for her,” I whispered

to Rush.

“I’ll go with you. Not sure I want you walking around alone,” he said.

“No. Just sit and visit with Jace. Get a drink. I’m just going to make one big sweep of the area and

come back. You don’t have to come with me.”

Rush frowned and I pushed him toward the free chair beside Jace. “Go,” I ordered and looked back at

Bethy. “I’m gonna go find Della,” I told her.

“Me too! I wanna go too!” Bethy said, raising her hand like she was in school.

“Nope. Your drunk ass is staying right here,” Jace replied.

Bethy stuck out her bottom lip and plopped down on Jace’s lap. “You’re no fun,” she whined.

I didn’t wait on her to ask again. I turned and made my way down closer to the fire. I saw several

familiar faces. I got a hug from Jimmy and met his date for the night but I still didn’t see Della. I

circled around and headed up to the outer reaches of the bonfire light to see if she was hiding in the

darkness. I didn’t see anyone.

I started to turn around and head back to Rush when I heard a high pitched voice screeching. It wasn’t

a frightened voice, more like one that was upset about something. I took a step closer to the parking

lot and heard another voice, definitely female and very southern trying to calm the other voice down. I

glanced back in the direction I’d left Rush but he didn’t see me.

I headed back to the parking lot following the voices. The closer I got I could make out more words.

There wasn’t anyone in the parking lot so where were they? I walked over to where we had parked

our car and stopped.

“No, please. Just, talk to Woods. I didn’t do anything. I swear. Don’t, ohgod.” The softer voice was

scared.

“I’m done talking to Woods. You took what was mine. He chose you. Fine. He can have your skanky

crazy ass. But first you’re gonna fucking pay for taking what was mine.” A loud slap and a cry of pain

followed her words. “Hurts, don’t it, bitch? You’re a psycho. Why Woods thinks you can make him

happy I don’t know. He’ll learn. He will fucking learn to screw with me,” the angry female said again

and another cry of pain came from who I now knew was Della. I had no idea who the other woman

was but she was hurting Della. I thought about going to get Rush but then she could have seriously hurt

her by then.

I didn’t need Rush. I wasn’t sure who the psycho was but I could handle her. I reached into my purse

and pulled out my key and quietly unlocked the door. Slipping my hand under the seat, I pulled out my

gun and made sure the clip was empty then checked the safety.

I didn’t intend to shoot anyone. No need for it to be loaded. I just needed to scare the bully off and

then call Woods. Hopefully, she hadn’t hurt Della too bad. Another cry from Della made me move

faster. I followed the voices around a building.

I saw the other woman first. She was holding Della by the hair of her head and calling her crazy

again. She was real hung up on the fact she thought Della was crazy. This bitch was pissing me off.

I held the gun and pointed it at the woman before letting her know she had company.