Page 99 of Friend Zoned

“No one will ever take the place of my bestie.”

He pulls me on top of him. He’s shirtless, and when he wraps his arms around me, I rest my head on his chest. His chin rests on top of my head, and something stirs inside of me. It’s something I’ve never felt this intensely before. I look up into his eyes and he smiles down at me.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“You know I love you, right?” I ask.

“Of course, I do.” He taps the tip of my nose.

“I mean, I really love you. More than I’ve ever loved anyone. You know I don’t care that you’re a football coach or a Walsh heir.” I sigh and look up at the ceiling. “Even though I should still beat your ass for deceiving me about that. Anyway, I would love you if we had to move into my condo, or my parents’ house, or even the subway.” He shakes his head, picks up the remote, and pauses the game that’s been playing on the television. He pulls me up, and I end up straddling him.

“First, I would love to move into your parents’ house so your mom can take care of me, but where is this coming from?” When I look away, he grabs my chin and forces my eyes back on him. “Tell me.”

“Do you ever read any of the comments from the videos that get posted about us?” I didn’t listen to Vickie and made the mistake of looking. He holds my stare and waits for me to say more. “I’m being called a gold digger and that our relationship is fake. Which is crazy, because how can both of those things be true? And people say you can’t possibly be—”

He puts a finger to my lips and whispers, “Shh. I don’t pay attention to any of that, and you shouldn’t either.” His arms tighten around me, and I hug him tight. He pulls away and looks into my eyes again. “Really, baby, who cares what people think about our relationship? I know your heart, and you know mine.”

I wrap my arms around him and hug him tight. “You’re right.” I lean in and kiss him.

He wraps his strong arms around me until I pull away. “I hate that I have to bring him up now, but I don’t understand how someone can have you and throw it all away. Look at you. You’re everything. So beautiful and sweet and so damn innocent. He should have worshipped you, but that’s my job now. I can’t imagine having you go and being the cause of you leaving.”

I rest my forehead on his while I enjoy the feel of his rough fingertips sliding up my back. “Well, that’s because I wasn’t meant for him,” I say against his lips.

“You were always meant for me.” He takes me in a savage kiss, and within seconds, he’s lifted the shirt over my head.

“My man, my lover, and my bestie.”

“You’ve got that right. Now, how about you ride your bestie’s dick. We got to make it count since I’m gone for the next two days.” She straddles my lap and lowers her mouth to mine.

Even if The Mischiefs don’t play until the seventh game of the NBA Finals, I won’t have Aiden’s undivided attention for several more weeks. He’s been gone even more than before, but from what Vickie’s told me, the postseason is more intense than the regular. The stakes are higher.

Despite how busy he is, he still makes time for me. Even when we can’t eat dinner together, we text. He tells me how much he loves me and how he can’t wait to get home to me. I spend most nights at his house, whether he’s there or not. I watch the away games with Vickie at her apartment, and a few of the other wives and girlfriends always show up, but I like it the most when it’s just me, her, Tara, and Layla.

While I look at the computer screen to see how many rooms we have available, Layla walks into my office and shuts the door. She yawns loudly, raising both arms while she stretches. “Man, that was a late game last night with the double overtime, but our boys did it.” She leans over and gives me a high five. “I can’t believe I’m hanging out with some rich bitches of New York. This friendship we have is working out great.” She yawns again.

“Since you can’t seem to keep your eyes open, does this mean you don’t want to come to any more watch parties? What about the home games next week?”

“Go without me and face the consequences, Dubois. I still haven’t forgiven you for going to the baby shower without me, and now you’re leaving for this wedding.” Layla sucks her teeth and looks away. Tara threw an elaborate baby shower for Vickie last weekend in her penthouse. It was a grand affair attended by at least one hundred friends and family. There was an open bar with two bartenders, three food stations, and a host of servers to pass out appetizers and specialty cocktails.

“I’ll figure out a way to bring you going forward,” I tell her.

She stands and stretches one more time. “Okay. I’m going to get some coffee and get back to work. I expect pictures and lots of them.” She surprises me when she comes around my desk and hugs me. “When you go work for corporate, you’re taking me with you.” She runs out of my office and closes the door behind her.

I check the time and realize I only have two hours before leaving for Montauk. The wedding is taking place at one of Bradford’s homes to ensure total privacy. I’m surprised I wasn’t asked to sign an NDA before I can attend.

Despite being busy with work and my private life, my old life won’t let me go. At least not with everyone close to me doing their best to keep me updated.

Two days ago

“Guess who I saw today?” I put my mother on speaker while I look at the dresses Angie just sent over. I unzip a garment bag and gaze at the beautiful red, strapless Carolina Herrera dress. I whistle to myself when I see the price tag. This is one of five gowns. There are also a few less formal dresses and all the accessories to go along with it. “Jeannie,” my mom says, louder this time. I can hear the tone of her voice and I know she’s going to drop some silly gossip on me.

“Who?” I ask. I decide on three gowns and two dresses to be on the safe side while I wait for her to continue.

“Camille.” I roll my eyes to the ceiling. I should have known. “She looks terrible.”

“Mom, I don’t care.”

“I know you don’t care. If I thought you still cared, I wouldn’t be telling you.” She sucks her teeth as if the very thought of me still having any feelings is ridiculous. “She almost fell when she saw me.” Her accent gets thicker with each excited word.

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