Page 74 of Pieces of Us

‘She’s mine.’ I don’t say it to be territorial, it’s just an admission I’ve always known and never had the balls to voice since I fucked up.

‘Yeah, mate. She’s yours.’

‘Will you get with her while you’re here?’

‘That’s not up to me. If you’re asking if I’ll gladly step out of the way, the answer is no. Whatever Amity needs, I’ll always give her.’ A bitterness coats my tongue at his words.

‘But you just said she’s mine.’

‘I didn’t say you were hers completely yet.’ I’m stunned.

‘But it makes it a hell of a lot easier for me to win her back if you’re not swinging your dick around,’ I splutter.

‘Who said I want to make it easy for you? This isn’t about you. It has been, is and always will be about Amity for me. Look, bro, I see us being friends in the future. Don’t make shit more complicated than it needs to be. Don’t worry about me. Worry about you and what you’re going to do from here on out. Don’t be the reason she self-destructs again.’

‘I slept with her a few days ago,’ I blurt, not knowing why I just revealed that.

‘I know, bro.’ With that, he gets up, pats me on the back and waltzes back to where the rest of the party is.

At this point, I’m not sure if he’s high, if I’m high, or if we’re both are. What the fuck just happened, and why do I feel like I just smoked an entire joint and landed in the most bizarre conversation I’ve ever had?

Chapter 29

Roads Untravelled

Amity

A warm, tingling sensation from the sun’s beaming yellow rays rejuvenates me every minute my pliable body melts into the cabana. For the first time in weeks, I feel a sense of relaxation and freedom as my brain switches off from the heaviness I’ve felt since I’ve been home.

I almost feel weightless, like all my problems have vanished. Truthfully, that’s what I’ve felt for so many years as I shoved my trauma and problems deep inside. Ignoring my issues doesn’t automatically mean they go away. It means I ran away. It also means I haven’t been fully living. Since being back, I’ve had to wade through some of the most difficult conversations I’ve ever had and embrace my emotions, almost all of them tied to Lincoln.

I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t exactly what I needed to sort my head out. The sea breeze air is intoxicating, as are the coconut margaritas and the white, powdery beaches that stretch across the shoreline, the perfect gateway to the still, azure water.

I’m rendered to a puddle as strong, firm hands contour the lines of my back with vanilla and pomegranate oil. I smell good enough to lick, which isn’t helping my raging hormones. It seems like Lincoln has unlocked my slut mode, because all I want to do is come when I think of how he fucked me in the alley.

‘Stop the moaning sex sounds,’ Jagger chuckles beside me.

All four of us are getting massages in our cabana that looks out towards the still ocean.

‘Shut up.’ My groans really do sound like moans.

‘You sound like you’re about to have an orgasm.’

‘You would know.’ Rome high-fives Jagger.

‘Fuck the both of you.’ I’m turned away from them both, so I can’t see if they see my gesture, but my arm extends out and I flip them both off. Jagger and I would usually have our little rendezvous on trips like this, but since I slept with Lincoln, it just doesn’t feel right.

‘If that’s how you sound, it’s hot.’ Lily is on my other side, giggling.

Hating them all at this moment, I can’t help to adore the heck out of the time we’ve spent here. Not everyone gets to create memories like we do. I’m forever grateful. A piece of me wonders—or maybe even hopes—if this is what lies in Linc and my future, and if he’ll be joining me on future adventures.

‘Relax, Miss Hartford.’ The masseuse can feel the knots of tension in my shoulders at the draining thought. Lily too.

‘What’s up, girly?’

‘Lincoln.’

‘Ahh, we wondered how long it would take for you to bring him up. A few days. Very impressive,’ Rome says, grunting as a muscle in his back is worked on.

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