No Way Out (The James Family Book 2)

No Way Out

C.M. Steele

Copyrighted © 2016

The god-forsaken ceremony finally ended. It was a mind-numbing three hours long college graduation for my future sister-in-law. We’d all gathered around inside the auditorium and waited for Cam to bring Natalie to us. Thank goodness for mobile technology. I had been able to get some work done while I waited for her to walk across the stage.

My phone buzzed with a text from Kate.
It’s over.

What’s over?
I texted back. I felt like I walked into the middle of a conversation. We hadn’t spoken to each other since yesterday, but it ended on a sour note. We had a fight about my work schedule, which was never up for discussion because I was a workaholic. I wasn’t the type of man that dropped his responsibilities for a woman. There was no way I was going to be like Cameron, who lost his mind over Natalie and she’d been all the man could concentrate on.

Natalie came up and I gave her a sweet hug. It pissed off my brother, but it made me smile. I handed her the roses just to rile him up. What a chump. I would never let a woman wind me up like that.

With that thought, the most beautiful, sexy creature bounced up to us. Well, rather to Natalie. With a squeal, they hugged each other tightly. Once they were done, she was introduced to us. Miss Emmy Watts was Nat’s best friend and a woman I needed to know.

“Emmy, this is the James Family. You know Cam and Vanessa and her man Tim. These are his parents Melody and Simon, Sr. And this is Simon, Jr. Everyone, this is my best friend, Emmy Watts.” I mentally chanted her name. I wanted her.

My phone vibrated, I pulled the damn thing out from my pocket and read the text.
Us.
 

Okay.
Have a nice life.
What the fuck was I supposed to say? She started this, and you shouldn’t start something you can’t finish— A lesson my parents always taught me. Besides, she was ruining my admiration for the lovely Emmy. I didn’t like the fact that women played that game with me. I knew what she was up to. This wasn’t my first rodeo, nor my first time a woman wanted to play the breakup game. The thing she didn’t understand was that I never lose.

Slipping my phone in my pocket and ignoring my ex, I stared at Emmy getting lost in her smile.

She was stunning, to say the least. It was like I’d been hit with some strange emotion the moment I heard her giggle. I didn’t understand what it was, but I had a feeling I was just as fucked as Cam— if not more.

My ability to speak failed me; something it had never done before. I couldn’t fathom what was going on except that I’d turned into a mute. My phone buzzed again, but I hit the side button because it wasn’t important and admiring every second of her presence was.

She had to be at least five-seven, but those kitten heels she had on made her look a lot taller. My eyes roamed her body thinking of the things I could do to her.
Damn, the things. Mm…,
I thought.

Her super curly blonde hair looked hot as hell as it framed her face. Never had I seen someone so beautiful. I wanted to grip her hair and pull her to me and let her jump up and down on my cock. I was so hard at that moment, I lost all blood to my brain.

Before I could get my shit together and tell her that she was mine, a big motherfucker came up to us. He grabbed Nat first and spun her around which pissed Cameron the fuck off, then it was my girl’s turn. She was smiling up at him before he pulled her away. I wanted to bum rush him and bring her back, but reality hit me and I wasn’t an idiot. I growled, “Who the fuck is he?”

Nat just laughed at us because I wasn’t the only one losing my shit. Cameron was fuming, giving her an arched look that demanded answers. She hissed at us. “It’s her brother, you jealous asses.”

As we walked to the cars, I paused for a moment to think about what had just happened, and it hit me that Nat was right. I was fucking jealous. What the hell? I didn’t have a jealous bone in my body... well, not until five minutes before then. Shit. Suddenly, my perfect life just got complicated.

I jumped into the back of the car my parents rented and took out my phone. I wanted to forget about the busty, bubbly blonde in there and remember that I didn’t make a woman a priority.

Speaking of priorities, Kate, my now ex, sent me another text message after I didn’t return the three missed calls in the auditorium. What the fuck didn’t she get? It was over, she said it herself. I couldn’t help that I agreed with her a thousand percent.

I rolled my eyes, then chuckled at the message.

So that’s it. It’s over and you’re fine with it.

All my thoughts were centered around Emmy. I couldn’t give a shit about Kate at all. She and I were over three months ago. I tried to end it several times, but work got busy and I didn’t have time for her. That was her biggest issue with me and I didn’t care. In frustration, I sent her a text back. It was my final one to her.

Look, it’s over. You texted me yourself. Sorry, but no takebacks. I’m glad because it saved me the trouble of doing it in person— like an adult. So long. Don’t text me again.

Asshole.
She dumped me and I was the asshole. Oh, well. Mom was out of luck. She had been the one pressuring me into a relationship with Kate in the first place. I wasn’t looking for a serious woman. I wanted sex every once in a while, but no... she’d laid out her guilt trip, and I fell for it. She still had Cam and Nat to give her some grandbabies. Although with little Emmy, I may have to change my mind.

We got to the plane in a hurry because Cam wanted to get Natalie home as fast as he could, but my mind was telling me to stay. I was afraid I’d never see her again. I had to ask Nat some questions, but Cam got to me first and so the teasing commenced.

“What the hell happened to you back there, Mr. Single for life?” Cam said smacking my shoulder as he and Nat took the seats across from me.

“Nothing happened. I saw a hot woman. What’s the big fucking deal?” I was in complete denial and wasn’t letting up. No. I didn’t want to be on my ass when I just teased him three hours ago for being a lame ass.

“I’ve seen you notice hot chicks before, that wasn’t it. That was an “I met my future wife” look. I know, I’ve seen it in me since I met Nat.”

“He’s right. I don’t know how you two were with the ladies, but I remember the way Cam stared at me when we first met. That is a James’ “I’m making you mine” look.”

My mother laughed as she took a seat next to my father and added her own perspective. “Yes, son. It is. Your father leered at me in that lecherous way a long time ago.”

“It doesn’t matter. She’s hot, too young, and I’ll probably never see her again.”

“Bullshit. It matters, bro. The way you were looking at her was out of a page of the Cameron’s devotion book.”

“Okay, oh great, wise one. What’s my next step?”

“Get your head out of your ass and make a plan. She’ll be joining us in a few weeks for the wedding so you have a lot of time to get your act together.”

“Whatever. Come three weeks, I won’t even remember her name.”

“Stop lying to yourself because you sure aren’t fooling anyone.”

I tilted my seat back and closed my eyes; I was done with the conversation. The instant my eyelids closed, Emmy’s face appeared. Her cat-like eyes were burned into my memory and brightened the longer I kept my eyes closed. I wanted to bring her face closer so I could taste those nude-colored lips. I didn’t know I was smiling in my daydream until Cam kicked me and laughed. “Damn, bro, you’ve got it bad. Don’t worry, it’s wonderful.” He turned to Nat and kissed her roughly and rubbed her inner thigh.

“Lucky, bastard,” I grumbled to myself.

I closed my eyes again and she was back. This time I didn’t care if they teased me, I wanted to keep her pretty face in my mind. It made the flight easy and short. The three-week wait was going to be brutal.

My heart was pounding out of my chest as I ran up to Nat. It wasn’t because of the excitement of graduation; it was Cam’s sexy brother, Simon. It was insane that I wanted to let loose and crawl up his body with just a glance from across the room. I had to make my way over there before we left. I needed to get a closer look. The instant Steven pulled me away from him, I felt an unexplainable sadness fill me up. It was strange, but I shook it off with the help of Steven’s wife. My sister-in-law had been a total bitch to me since she married my brother. She hated his love for me and used mine for him against me. I wanted to knock her into next week, but my brother was a gullible ass.

“So, what’s that miserable look on your face for?” she said snidely. Stupid bitch. “You don’t want to be around your brother anymore?”

“I don’t want to be around you that’s for sure.” I was all up in her face. I’d love to pop her in the mouth.

Steven stepped in between us, looking me in the eyes. “No, girls, please stop fighting.”

“Your shrew started it.” He didn’t look at her when he was scolding. It was always me. Like I was the one who acted like a total cunt.

“Well, I’m asking you to stop it.” The pleading look in his eyes was the only thing that stopped me.

“Really? You let her call me names.”

I flinched at her, but Steven held me back.

“Behave,” he warned me again but turned to her and gave her some shit finally.

“You can’t be nice even today?”

“You always side with her.” His harpy whined.

I wondered if their relationship was at its breaking point. I could only hope. I don’t think he’s even happy anymore. I used to tolerate her because he was in love, but for the past six months, he’s been miserable.

“Because you start shit. Damn it,” he snarled at her. “Let’s go now.”

I gave a smirk behind their backs and followed them into the car.

The ride took three hours because the queen had to use the restroom and no rest area was good enough for her.

“Steven, why do you tolerate her shit? Is her cooch that good?”

“Seriously, Emmy.” His frustration seemed higher than normal. The last time I saw him, he wasn’t this frazzled. I hated her so much.

“Seriously, Steven.”

“Emily, she’s my wife, and I don’t want to be like Dad.” So that explained it all. He didn’t want to be a man who left his family for another woman. It wasn’t the same. Steven and the waste of space didn’t have any kids. At least, I hope they weren’t pregnant.

“That’s still not a reason to stay with a woman like her, unless you knocked her up finally…but knowing her she wouldn’t want to ruin her pencil figure. Seriously she looks like a pretty boy, Steven.”

“Claudia’s not pregnant and perhaps I prefer her figure. So please shut it; she’s coming back,” he said nodding his head to the window. Sure enough, she was walking back like she owned the place. I watched her sashay like she was a runway model. Rolled my eyes, I sat back in my seat, ignoring the snarky look she gave me.

“Let’s get home. I’m tired,” she whined to my brother. I wanted to tell her ass that she’s the reason we were dragging to get home, but I saw the frustration in my brother’s eyes.

Once we got to the house, I went up to my old bedroom that seemed to be a lot smaller than it used to be. Throwing my stuff on the bed, I passed out.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Simon, what are you doing here?” I said as I sat up in my bed looking at the handsome blonde man. His eyes narrowed into slits as he approached the bed, stalking me.

His face beamed as he answered, “I came to see my woman.”

“Your woman?” I must still be groggy. I looked around the room and it was mine.

“You, baby. Didn’t you know?” He leaned down and sat on the bed next to me.

“We haven’t even spoken to each other.” I couldn’t believe that he was here. It was too surreal, but I felt a sense of euphoria.

“It didn’t stop Cam, and it’s not going to stop me.” I remembered that it sure as hell didn’t stop Cam. He claimed Natalie the first time they spoke to each other.

“Oh, Simon,” I moaned as I wrapped my arms around him and we kissed. His body pressed into my mine, rocking back and forth. “Simon.”

I felt a kick on the bed stirring me awake and the evil shrew was standing above me. “Who’s this Simon guy?”

“None of your business.”

“You need to learn that this is my house and you’re just a mooching relative. Everything is my business.”

“This is my brother’s house, and I won’t be here forever. I’m looking for a job. Once I have it, I hope to never see you again.”

“I can’t wait for the day.”

“What were you doing in here anyway?”

“Your brother ran to get us dinner. He told me to tell you he’ll be back in fifteen.”

“Why don’t you ever call him by his name? You know what?... Never mind. I don’t care about anything you have to say.”

“Whatever.”

The moment her prissy ass left my room, I sent a text to Natalie
.
I think I might stab this broad. Hope your new family is better.

I’m sorry, Emmy. You know you can always move out here. So far so good. They are fantastic. BTW, watch out for Simon, he had that Cam look when he saw you. Miss you.

I miss you too. Call you tomorrow.

Okay, look forward to it.