Page 28 of The Bitter Rival

Nick looks to Kat, who shrugs her shoulders in silent approval before he turns to me and says, “Nah, man. I’ll take her. I don’t want her riding there alone in your fancy car.”

“You two are something else,” I say, shaking my head. “When does the honeymoon end?”

“With this one? Never,” Nick answers, pulling his wife’s palm to his lips for a kiss. Lucky Bastard.

“Come on, we’ll all go. We can have a drink once we get back. Maybe hit the pool.” Standing from my stool at the kitchen island, I grab the leftover steak and place the plate directly into the fridge. “But you’re helping clean all this shit up when we get back, loverboy.”

“Deal,” Nick says, grabbing Katarina’s hand as they head for the door.

“You look happy, man. Really fucking happy,” I say to Nick as we’re sitting in the hot tub, cold amber bottles of ale in hand.

“I didn’t think it was possible, feeling this way. I fought it tooth and nail, but I’ve never been so grateful to have lost at something.”

Shaking my head, I tilt back the bottle, letting the cold lager coat my throat. “It couldn’t have happened to two nicer people,” I say, holding out my bottle to clink with his.

“Thanks, Bas. But if it could happen for me, there’s no reason-”

“Let me just stop you right there.”

“Sebastian. Has there ever been anyone? Well, besides her?” Nick knows better than to mention her name. I don’t let myself consider her any longer. It’s no longer anger, simply a reminder of a significant failure I don’t plan to repeat.

“No. Just haven’t let myself go there. My life is full. My career is demanding, and any increased stress has a direct impact on my performance. I don’t need any distractions. Things have been tough enough lately. I’m sure it comes with getting older, but my precision and reaction times are slipping. I need to keep my focus on my work.”

“I used to say the say damn thing. Knowing she’s waiting at home for me has lowered my stress level. My job performance is better. Plus, having someone supportive to listen and give you space to decompress is nice. Hell, sometimes after a tough day, I just want a hard fuck without words, and she just gets it.” Nick takes another pull from his bottle, and I consider all he’s said. His words aren’t without merit. Jesus, just the last point alone would be worth considering a relationship if I didn’t have to contend with all the other issues.

“That’s all fine and good if you can find the right one. But I don’t want to let my guard down simply to end up with someone like Sophia. Hell, or worse yet, my mother.”

“We both dodged that bullet.” Nick laughs. “I’m just saying, it might not be such a bad thing after all of these years to give it a try. You might be surprised.”

“If after all of these years I manage to find someone who isn’t a money-hungry bitch wanting to control me… then yes, I would be surprised.”

“Fuck, Bas. You’re so damn derisive. Your parents have really done a number on you. I’d try and set you up with Kat’s sister, Rachel, but she’s got kids, and I think that’s probably way more than you’d be ready for.”

“Hell, you can say that again. I need kids like a fish needs a bath towel.”

“Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it. You and Gavin get along well.”

“Ah, I love that kid. He cracks me up. Just says what he’s thinking. Never gives a shit.”

“You’re right. He is just like you.” Nick chuckles as he finishes off his bottle. “The kid even looks a lot like you, now that I think about it.”

“You think so? Lucky bastard.” I laugh into my beer. “I can’t believe I’m telling you this. But, if it’s possible, I think I found a woman who might be just like me.” Shocked at my honesty, I tip back the last of my lager, place it on the edge of the hot tub, and reach for another.

“Jesus, that’s scary. In what way,” Nick guffaws.

“A lot of ways. I’ve only spent one night with her, but she’s as private as I am. Best fucking sex of my life, and that says something. She left the next morning before I woke up. I only learned her name recently.”

“Wait. So you spent the whole night with her?”

“Worse. I brought her back to my damn house. I don’t know what I was thinking other than I didn’t want her to get away.”

“Man, this girl must be quite the looker.”

“It’s more than that. There’s something about her. I could sense it before I took in her appearance. She’s not the usual young, thin, blonde type I hook up with. She’s our age. A tiny, curvy brunette with a sassy mouth and an attitude to match.” I take a larger pull from my beer, letting the hops cool down my overheated body.

Pulling myself out of the hot jets, I realize it’s been silent for longer than I’d expect given my admission. Turning questioningly to Nick, I find he’s smiling at me.

Shaking his head, he laughs. “That’s how it fucking starts, Bas. That’s how it fucking starts.”

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