Page 38 of Missing Pieces (Men of Manhattan 3)

"No. I think it's probably better this way." I pressed the doorbell and took a step back.

"Why would it be better like this?"

Luckily I didn't need to answer her question, because just at that moment, Josh opened the door. "Tyler Stevens." A smile spread across his face.

I was a little surprised. I was expecting more of a punch in the face, not a smile. "Great to see you too, Josh," I said. I stuck out my hand for him.

Instead of shaking my hand, he folded his arms across his chest. "Rumor has it that you're fucking my ex."

And there it is. I laughed awkwardly. "It's not what you think, we both..."

He laughed. "I'm just messing with you. You should have seen your face. I don't really care, man. We broke up forever ago." His smile was back again. "I'm just glad to see that you're finally over Penny." He stepped forward and slapped me on the back. "Who's your friend?"

"Hailey," she said and stuck out her hand before I could say anything.

"Nice to meet you, Hailey." He shook her hand and held on to it for way longer than he should have. She looked a little uncomfortable from the exchange.

"So, we were just passing through and got in a little accident during the storm," I said. "Apparently there's some music festival and all the hotels are full. I was hoping..."

"Say no more. Come on in." Josh put his hand on the inside of Hailey's wrist and guided her inside.

I clenched my fist by my side. I knew what Josh was doing. I had been his wingman enough in college to know his moves. Despite what he said, he was clearly pissed that I had been dating his ex. Now he was trying to screw me over. Fuck this.

"Your place is seriously amazing," Hailey said as she looked around the foyer.

And she was right. Everything was modern and sleek and spotless.

"Thanks," Josh said with a smile. "I have one guest room. Are you fine with staying on the couch, Tyler?"

I slipped my hand behind Hailey's back, trying to take control of the situation. "Hails and I can share a room, it's fine."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Sure, man. How long are you guys gonna be staying?"

"Just the night."

"Then we are definitely going out," said Josh.

"I don't know if..." I started.

"That sounds great," Hailey said.

Josh smiled. "There's a bathroom connected to the guest room. How about you two go get out of those wet clothes. Maybe we can leave in thirty? Dinner and drinks on me."

"Thanks. That's really generous," Hailey said.

But it wasn't really generous. He just wanted to show off how well he was doing. He had always seen women as a conquest. And I knew that's how he was looking at Hailey. I was surprised by how much it bothered me. Hails and I weren't a couple. We were friends who had just slept together. We hadn't talked about what that meant. But she was also the sexiest girl I had ever laid my hands on. She was strong willed and stubborn and so fucking gorgeous.

"I'm actually going to take you up on that hot shower, I'm freezing," she said with a smile.

"Let me show you to your room, then," Josh said. The two of them walked ahead of me. They laughed about something that I couldn't hear as they made their way up the stairs.

I tried to stay calm as I followed them.

The balcony upstairs looked out over his enormous family room. It was just as modern looking as the rest of the house. Josh opened up one of the doors in the long hallway and stepped aside.

"Thank you," Hailey said. "It's so nice of you to let us stay the night."

"Of course. Anything for Tyler," Josh said and clapped me on the back. He smiled at me. "I'll leave you guys to it. There's clean towels in the bathroom closet. Just let

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