Page 33 of Never and Always
“I know, and it was cruel of me to tell her she’s always disappointed me. I just can’t seem to get past the whole situation. I could have been more sympathetic towards her losing her business, but the two million dollars and the paintings are another matter. We held those accounts jointly and she practically gave this guy ourpasswords.”
Nick could understand where Glenn was coming from, and maybe his feelings for Mia were getting in the way of logic, but the way he saw it was that the problem had happened and now it was time to deal with it. Not condemn herforever.
“She trusted the guy,” Nick offered. “He was heraccountant.”
“And she was involved with him.” Glenn looked annoyed again. “Look, Nick, I know I haven’t exactly acted like the overprotective brother you’re used to seeing, but the truth is this was like a grand slap in the face. I’m furious, really furious, because she took no extra care. And it’s because she has this vulnerability to any man who gives herattention.”
Nick didn’t think that was true. He knew her, knew her heart and what she liked. He didn’t need to have spent the last few years with her to remember what he knew of her. To him this sounded like one of Glenn’s concerns andreasonings.
“Glenn, does she look like the kind of woman that needs attention to make her happy?” He had to ask because he was sure that even Glenn could see that his sister was beautiful and didn’t have to grasp at any old person who showed her interest. That was how he was making her out tosound.
“That’s not what I mean. I mean she’s vulnerable when it comes to men. I know she gets a lot of attention, but she’s not able to distinguish the good from the bad. So they take advantage, like this guy.” Concern filled his eyes, and suddenly Glenn transformed back into the friend that Nick knew. “That’s what I mean, Nick. She’s never been with anyone who didn’t. They all messed her around and I was the one who had to pick up the pieces of her broken heart. They all took advantage, and…you willtoo.”
Nick felt his heart still within his chest and his breathing constrict. He wanted to check that he’d heard right but thought better of it when he saw the way Glenn was looking athim.
“What do you mean by that?” He decided to ask thatinstead.
“Nick, please don’t act dumb with me, bro. I see how you look at her. It’s always been thesame.”
“How do I look at her, Glenn?” hechallenged.
Glenn sighed and shook his head. “Like you want her. Please don’t even bother to deny it. You can save the denial for someone like Sawyer, or one of our other friends, but not me. I know you too much, and I am telling you that you look at her like you want her. And you make it obvious, too, by defending her all the time, even when she’swrong.”
“I don’t defend her when she’s wrong. If you’re referring to the other day, then I stand by my defense. You practically threw her out,” he lashed back, trying to distract from the fact that Glenn was right about Nick’s obvious feelings forMia.
“Okay, I’ll let you have that one. I was out of line again for doing that. But Nick, you always defend her. It’s great, but I know you. I know what you’re like withwomen.”
“I’m no different than you.” That wasn’t entirely true. Glenn was wild, threw some crazy parties that always involved strippers, but on a day-to-day level he wasaverage.
Nick on the other hand was not, and that was why Glenn was now giving him a deep, cold, sarcasticlaugh.
“I won’t even answer that. You’ve always been the playboy showing off your military muscles and tattoos. The women flock to you in droves. I warned you once before, Nick. Years ago. I warned you before about not giving Mia the wrong idea, but I wasn’t as clear as I’m beingnow.”
Nick couldn’t believe this. “Glenn—”
“No.” Glenn held up his hand and cut him off. “I understand the fun you get from all the attention the ladies give you, and it’s cool. But not when it comes to my sister. I won’t allow you to treat Mia like that, especially since it would be worse withyou.”
Nick shook his head at Glenn. “Why?”
“Because she feels the same for you. Even before you even noticed her, she’s always had a soft spot for you. So please, just don’t go there. Don’t encourage her, and don’t make me have to tell you to stay away from my sister. I will if I have to, because I won’t be okay with it. I won’t be okay with you being with her. I know that because we’re best friends it won’t go that far. I know you’ll respect my wishes.” Glenn kept his gaze on him as hestood.
The clarity in his words stunned Nick to intosilence.
No, the first warning years ago was definitely not as firm as this one was, and honestly, it threw Nick off balance and made him feel empty. Being told not to give Mia the wrong idea was entirely different from being told that Glenn wouldn’t be okay with Nick being withher.
The first warning had instilled Nick’s loyalty to Glenn, probably because it wasn’t as harsh and seemed a little more lighthearted. Just now felt morepersonal.
Nick watched him as Glenn walked past and went through the door. It wasn’t until the door closed that he released the breath he’d been holdingonto.
Then he felt numb and torn. Last time Nick dealt with the warning, pushed it to the back of his mind because he thought Mia was still going through her phase. Tonight told him different, and the something that changed between them felt like some tangible life force that would make staying away from her a million timesharder.
Nick closed his eyes. In his mind, he recalled Mia pressed against him wearing the necklace. As he’d looked at them both in the mirror he thought they looked goodtogether.
He told her he’d take care of her, and he still would. But how would he control his feelings for her with Glenn’swarning?
The only way he could “respect Glenn’swishes” was to stay away fromMia.
Nick would never take advantage of her the way Glenn thought he would. He would never. Not with the way he felt about her. He wouldn’t kid himself and put it down to mere attraction. It couldn’t be justthat.
Glenn had done so much wrong over the last few days. He was the one that treated Mia like shit. But now Nick had been placed in the category of guys Glenn thought took advantage of her. How fuckingabsurd!
Damn it, this was going to mess with his brain. It was simple when the ball was in his court. Simple when he just assumed there was a problem, but he didn’t realize how much he truly wanted Mia until he was told he couldn’t haveher.
