Page 68 of Gorgeous

Anniston looks thoughtful as she twirls a strand of hair around her finger. “He probably won’t, you’re right.” The burning sensation arrives as predicted, and the first swell of tears accumulate at the corner. Anniston, unbeknownst to my imminent sobfest, forges on. “But that doesn’t mean he should be kept in the dark. It’s not good for his healing.”

She’s right. Keeping this secret from him will only make things worse.

“But he just started to warm up to me,” I plead, a lonely tear plummeting to its death onto my bare leg. Anniston eyes the wet spot and gives me a look like she may want to hug me.

“He’ll come back around,” is all she says. The fact that she didn’t deny my guess at Cade’s reaction gives my heart palpitations like it’s already bracing for the inevitable heartbreak. Another tear slips out, and this time it accompanies a noise that sounds a lot like a cry.

“Oh, B.” Anniston is out of her chair and has her arms around me in seconds. Her voice is comforting, and honest to God, she smells so good for someone who was just working out. Her flawlessness only adds insult to my already insecure state and I cry into her sports bra.

“I’m so sorry,” I tell her before pulling back.

She chuckles and rubs my back. “Sometimes, Breck, people surprise you. I’m not saying Cade will swallow that you’re Bennett’s sister easily—he’s for sure going to act like shit when he finds out.” If her speech is supposed to make me feel better, it isn’t working. “All I’m saying is that Cade may surprise you with how resilient he is. He’s come a long way the past year and a half.” Anniston’s smile as she looks out the window at the guys almost seems reverent.

“Do you love him?” I ask her, my insecurity knowing no bounds, and apparently neither does my filter. “I mean—”

Anniston’s throaty laugh cuts off the rest of my explanation. “What you really mean is, do I love him enough to want to fuck him?”

I choke. Full on, hacking up a lung kind of choking. “No …”

Anniston’s bubbly laughter wanes ever so slightly before she sucks in a breath and wipes at her eyes, leveling me with a stern look. “No, Breck. I don’t want to fuck him.”

Was that a sigh of relief I let out?

“Do I want him to get fucked in the near future? Absolutely. But you see, Breck, my taste in dick is aggressive and smartass.” Her eyes go to the window again and she smiles at Theo who is giving Cade hell about something we can’t hear. “And a whole lot of asshole.” She pats me on the leg. “I love Cade. I always will.” My pulse races and I want to stop her before she shares any more with me but I also don’t because whatever she is going to say, I need to hear it. “But I love Theo more. More than anything or anyone. That may sound shitty, but it doesn’t make it any less true. Mine and Cade’s relationship differs from that of mine and Theo’s. I love Cade like a brother—like my best friend. I can’t ever imagine sleeping with him. Just because we’re friends and business partners does not mean I want to jump his bones.Cade deserves someone special. Someone who won’t command him, but who will support him and give him the confidence to take control of his life and command himself. I’m not that person, Breck. You are. You are the selfless one for Cade. Not me. I’ve loved one man my whole life, and now that I have him, Von Bremen will always come first,” she admits softly.

“I know it’s difficult understanding my relationship with all the guys. The best way I can explain it is, think of them as my brothers. My family. I joke and carry on with them but I’ll be the first one to come to their rescue if they need it. I’m not your enemy. I won’t stand in your way. All I ask is that you don’t hurt him. Or any of them. The others seemed to have taken to you as well.”

I can see her point. After having lived with them for two weeks, I’ve taken to them, too. I want the same for them as she does. “I understand,” I tell her softly. “It’s just …” I clear my throat. “The way he looks at you…”

Anniston breathes deeply, her face softening ever so slightly. “You only see what you want to see,” she tells me.

So now we’re being cryptic.

“I don’t understand what you mean.” She gazes out the window once more, Cade and Theo catching us this time. Anniston crooks her finger, motioning for them to come inside. I guess our chat is over.

“The way Cade looks at me doesn’t hold a candle to how he looks at you,” she says absently before standing to face me just as the screen door slams. “Open your eyes, sweetheart, and take hold of what you want.” She swipes the pad of her thumb along my eyes, catching any of the remaining tears just as both guys lumber into the kitchen.

“Good thing you called us in here. I was just about to kick Cade’s ass.” Theo tosses a smile over his shoulder but Cade just looks bored.

“He wishes,” is all he responds, holding my gaze like he can read my mind.

Anniston chuckles but instead of responding to their mess, she shocks the shit out of us all by saying, “B’s agreed to go with Cade to the gala next week. She’ll need a dress.”

Cade and I both choke at the same time. What the hell is a gala and why did she tell Cade that I needed a dress? Or shit, that I even agreed to go?

“I, uh …” I let out another cough. “I have dresses I could wear.”

Anniston waves me off. “Oh no, this is black-tie. Cade can take you to the place we use.”

Cade shoots her an incredulous look, his eyes wide and, is that a hint of fear I detect?

“Won’t you, Cade?” Her face is stern with a no-bullshit look and I fidget before Theo breaks the tension.

“Congratulations, Jameson. Welcome to the world of torture. Upgrade your data package to unlimited so you can stream a game while she tries on every dress in the shop, including the ones that are too small.” Theo smirks, a hint of a smile directed at Anniston like he’s remembering something fun. “Spoiler alert. Those require you to pry them off.” He shakes his head at Cade. “I can’t tell you how many I had to buy because I said, ‘fuck it,’ and ripped the shit down the seam.”

Cade swallows and nods slowly. “Are you guys going, too?”

Theo’s face scrunches up like his gum turned sour. “Fuck no. You’re on your own. Have fun with that shit.”

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