Ace Read online

  “You’re going on blind trust.” I put my arms around her waist, holding on tightly. The tits I was eyeing earlier are now definitely pressed against me. I just hope she can’t feel the reaction that’s sprung up in between us. “I’m proud of you.”

  She gifts me with the brightest smile I think I’ve ever seen her give anyone. “Ya know what? I’m proud of me, too. All the changes I’ve made in the past few months. Honestly though, I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”

  “You should be. It’s taken a lot of courage to make those changes, Violet. I know none of this has been easy for you. And you would have done what you had to do, I’ve done nothing but help facilitate you becoming independent. You did that all on your own.”

  She’s quiet for a few moments, and I’m enjoying being with her. It’s almost as if we’re sitting back out on the porch, sharing a couple bottles of beer and a container of wings from the BBQ joint we both love. When the next words come out of her mouth, I’m not prepared for them.

  “I’ve filed for divorce, Anthony. I want to be free. I don’t want my life tied to what’s happened with him the past eight years. It’s time for a fresh start. The counselor I saw for the first few months I was back to work told me I’d know when I was ready. I woke up the other day and just knew. It helps knowing he’s going to have to serve time for what he did and knowing I have a restraining order for when he does get out, but this is my decision. Like you told me not long ago, our relationship is about compromise, and this is mine.”

  There’s a lump in my throat, and I’m scared to ask the next question. “Is that fresh start gonna be away from Laurel Springs?” I want to take off those damn mirrored sunglasses of hers and see the brown depths that I sometimes get lost in, see for myself how she’s feeling, be prepared when she lets me down easy.

  She plays with the edges of my swim trunks, she has yet to let go of. I’m not even sure she realizes she’s doing it, but I let her because it seems to be soothing her. I hope like hell it’ll get her talking to me.

  “I’ve thought a lot about it. Leaving or staying in Laurel Springs – there are pros and cons to both. It’s kept me up at night, to be honest with you, but after I filed for divorce, I knew what I had to do.”

  “What’s that, honey?”

  She pulls me closer, using the waistband of the swim trunks. For a moment I panic, hoping like fuck my hard dick doesn’t appear over the edge. I don’t want to stop her, since she seems to be feeling more confident, but motherfuck how much am I supposed to withstand in a day? “I’ve started to build a life here, with the people who have become my friends. I go to school, I have a job, and I have a home. None of that is thanks to Brent, I’ve done all those things on my own. With your help of course. You’ve shown me what it’s like to be independent. I’ve stood on my own two feet. And I’ve never had that anywhere else, Anthony. If I leave” – she pulls her bottom lip in between her teeth, lifting her shoulder up in the absence of words, before she continues – “I lose two of the best friends I’ve ever had in you and Leigh. I don’t think I can handle that.”

  My palms cup her face. I have to touch her, have to have some tangible connection to the string of awareness we have with one another. I want to kiss her. I’ve kept myself from doing it so far, I can wait a little while longer. Little pecks on the cheek have been the name of our game, and we’ll keep it that way until I can blow her mind. My voice is rough and choked with emotion when I finally speak. “I’m glad you’re staying. I truly don’t know what I’d do without you in my life, Vi. You’ve become a very important part of it.”

  And those words are no bullshit. They’re self-preservation, because I can’t lose this woman. She means way too fuckin’ much to me.

  Violet

  “Oh my God, Stella.” I giggle as she picks up handfuls of wet sand and throws them over her shoulder.

  They land in her hair, tangling it into a knotty, wet mess. “Your mom is going to kill us.” I giggle as I glance over at Leigh.

  “Nah.” Leigh wrinkles her nose. “She’ll just make us clean her off, but given the amount of sand this kid has in her hair, that might take a while.”

  I silently agree as the three of us sit under a huge umbrella on the beach. The rest of our group has gone to parasail. Leaving Leighton, Stella, and myself to hold our spot.

  “I know why she didn’t go, and I’m scared to death of heights. Why didn’t you go?” I ask Leigh as we watch the sky for our group. I can see the boat, a small dot out on the horizon. This is one of those times I wish Anthony’s fearlessness would rub off on me.

  “This child I’m carrying has to have one parent when my husband falls to his demise in that deathtrap of a parasail.” She places her hand over her still flat stomach as she too watches the horizon.

  “What????!!!!” I turn to face her. “How did you not tell me? How did I not know?”

  “We haven’t told anybody.” She grins over at me. “You’re the first, my friend.”

  I leap up from my seat, wrapping her in my arms. “I’m so excited for you. I know you all have been trying since October.”

  She wipes at her eyes. “We have.” She nods. “But we’d decided just to forget about it, and go on with our lives. Maybe go to a fertility appointment or look into adoption. We got a little drunk on Valentine’s Day, and surprise.”

  “That’s why you aren’t showing yet.”

  “Right, but if you look closely I’m up a damn cup size in my boobs. Like I can’t believe how big my tits have gotten. The fact that no one has noticed tells me how small I was before,” she huffs as she reaches forward, pushing some sand off Stella’s face. “Stell-Belle, you’re a mess,” she laughs.

  “When are you going to tell everyone?” I take a wipe out of Stella’s bag and go to work on trying to at least clean her face, as Leighton tries to get the sand out of her hair.

  “When we get to twelve weeks, but I’ve been dying to tell someone, especially you. We work together so closely, and there’s been some days where I’ve had to go out back, puke, and go back to work with a smile on my face. It’s not been awful, but I have had some morning sickness.”

  “I thought you’ve looked green some days.” I think back to a few times when Leighton complained of not feeling well. “How’s Holden taking it?”

  “Oh my God.” She giggles. “He’s walking around like he’s the only person in the world to ever get a woman pregnant. It’s a point of pride with him, and he acts like he’s got super sperm. It’s embarrassing. We have an ultrasound picture on our bedside table. He’ll walk by it and say, ‘Look what I did.’ Like seriously dude? You didn’t do this on your own.”

  I’m laughing hardcore. If there are two people in the world who are meant to be parents, it’s these two. The way they love each other is how I aspire for a man to love me.

  “Since you shared a secret with me, I’ll share one with you.”

  “Oh do tell.” She leans close, as she pulls Stella’s hair into a ponytail. “Have you and Ace done the nasty yet? He’s talented with his hips, isn’t he?”

  “Jesus, woman!”

  “I can’t help it. I’m one of those women who has gotten incredibly horny since getting pregnant. I think about sex like a teenage boy. Holden is loving life right now, let me tell you. In between puking, we’re fucking like rabbits.”

  I can’t even with this girl. She’s one of my best friends, but right now, I seriously can’t with her. Putting my face in the palm of my hand, I giggle. “TMI, Leigh. So much TMI. But to tell you what’s going on with me – I filed for divorce.”

  “For Ace?” she asks excitedly.

  “No.” I shake my head. “For me, but Ace is a part of it. If I decide to hop into a relationship with him, I want it to be fair for the both of us. If I’m still married, it’s not fair for him. He’ll always be the other man, and I don’t want that.”

  “Let’s be honest, Violet, he’s never been the other man with you, not since he walked in
to The Café.”

  Leighton’s right. Anthony’s the only man and maybe that’s what scares me more than anything. He has the power to hurt me more than Brent did. But I’ve learned something about myself in the last few months. I truly believe in the happily ever after, and I’ll be damned if I don’t have one for myself. Complete with a hot man, a screaming orgasm, and the settled life I’ve always wanted to have with a man I love and respect.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Ace

  “Do you think this is okay?” I turn my gaze from where I’m looking out of our glass balcony doors to the sound of Violet’s voice. She stands framed in the doorway of our suite, in the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen her in. Having the sister I do, I know a thing or two about dresses. She could give Whitney a run for her money in the southern debutante category.

  Violet is a vision of a wet dream in this pink/peachy thing with a hem higher in the front to show off her muscular thigh, lower in the back to help showcase the tan she got today. Her arms are on full display and the lace cut outs at the top are playing peak-a-boo with her perfect cleavage. Her long hair is down – I hardly ever see it that way, but it’s curly (which I’ve never seen) and she’s got this dark stain on her lips. The stain gives me ideas about how that dark color would look smudged at the corners, or maybe smeared up and down my cock as she goes down on me.

  “Anthony?” Her voice is full of uncertainty, and I realize I’ve been standing like a dumbass just staring at her.

  “You look absolutely amazing.” I unanchor my feet from the floor and walk toward her as fast as they will carry me.

  “You sure?” she questions, pushing her fingers through her locks. “I got this dress at a thrift store and did a little sewing on my own to it.”

  “It’s gorgeous. You’re a ten, Vi, don’t think you aren’t – ever.”

  The way her lips spread in a smile is worth the compliment, because her unguarded smiles are so few and far between.

  “You’re not so bad yourself, abs of steel.”

  I snort as I hear the nickname she’s given me. I took my shirt off one night after a few beers and she started calling me that. She doesn’t use it all the time, but when she does, it never fails to make me grin. Whatever the reason and whatever the motivation – I’ll take it. If we’re deep enough into our relationship to have nicknames, it’s a damn good sign.

  “A pair of khakis and a polo doesn’t compare to what you’re packin’ babe, but at least we’ll make a good showing.”

  I turn around, grabbing my essentials off the dresser. Sunglasses, cell phone, wallet. She makes a sound in her throat, one I’ve only heard once or twice. The sound sends a shot straight down my spine to my crotch.

  “If you could see your ass in those khakis, abs of steel? You’d know that you do a little better than just cleaning up.”

  My eyebrows raise to my fucking hairline as I hear the words coming out of her mouth. I can count on one hand the number of times Violet’s let something like this slip. Most of the time we’re completely and totally platonic, by mutual choice. There’s no way I want to push her, and rejection doesn’t sit well with me.

  Presenting her with my elbow as she slips into some shoes, I hold what I really want to say in, and instead joke with her. “Let’s go make all these coupled up people jealous by how hot we are.”

  She giggles, a sound I haven’t heard much of from her either. Another sound I love. “Let’s do it.”

  * * *

  The drinks are flowing, the laughter is loud, and we’re having a great time with our friends. We’ve even been graced by some music royalty.

  “Can you believe that Reaper and Harmony are here?” Violet whispers to me as she glances up to where Holden sits next to his cousin. Together, you can definitely see the family resemblance.

  “No.” I laugh as I shake my head, taking a drink of my beer. “Last thing I expected, to be honest with you. I knew they were related, but I didn’t think they’d come to a random wedding in Alabama.”

  Holden gets up from his seat, heading over to the bar. In the next few minutes, he’s back with a tray of shots, handing them out amongst all of us, before sitting another full bottle down. “If we’re gonna enjoy our vacation, let’s enjoy our vacation. Sorry, Caleb.” He gives him a grin as the rest of us hold our shot glasses up. “I’m obviously not the best man here, but I feel like I have a vested interest in everybody at this table. Some of you are family to me.” He tips the glass to Reaper and Harmony. “Others of you are family by my choice.” He tips his glass to the rest of us. “Many times the family by choice is closer to me than my real family, because of all the shit we go through together. Which is why I want to do this here.”

  I’m unsure what Holden’s going to say. When he has a few drinks in him, he becomes a sappy bastard. The elder statesmen of the group he truly is, if you will. He waits until he’s got everyone’s attention.

  “This group of guys here are my brothers. We’ve been through a little bit of everything together, personally and professionally. You’ve all grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years. We’ve welcomed girlfriends, wives, kids, and new friendships” – he sends Violet and me a glance – “into the fold. All of these changes have made us better men, better officers, and more compassionate people. I’m fucking honored to be able to share in the step Renegade and Whitney are taking tomorrow. The same way I’m really excited to tell Tank and Blaze congratulations on an engagement that happened this afternoon when none of us were around. Fucker.” He points at Tank.

  “I didn’t want anyone to ruin it.” Tank laughs, as Blaze shows everyone her ring.

  “I’m almost as proud of Caleb for getting a full ride to the University of Alabama as if I were his dad.” He tips the glass to Menace and Caleb, who sit next to each other.

  The table goes wild, because none of us knew this before right now. The kid has been through a fuck ton, and for him to be able to do this for himself and his dad is amazing. I watch as Menace pulls his son in with a huge arm, dropping a kiss on his forehead. That may seem weird to some people, but for these two – it’s been them against the world since Caleb was a small child. If anyone can be proud of his son, it’s Menace.

  “And Ace,” Holden continues. “My fuckin’ crazy-ass daredevil. I bet y’all didn’t know he’s taking the exam to become a member of the water rescue squad – on top of what he’s already doing. That job isn’t as glamorous as this one, and when you’re called to help the hours are shit, but it takes a talented person to do it. They’ll be lucky to share you with us when you make it.”

  “If I make it.” I blush at the attention. Becoming a member is hard, and it’s not a guarantee I’ll make it.

  “When you make it,” he presses on.

  “What about you, boss?” Menace raises his glass to our leader. “What do you have to celebrate?”

  Havoc’s gaze softens as he glances down to his wife. He and Leighton started in the weirdest of ways, but there’s no denying how much these two love each other.

  “I do have a little announcement to make.” He pulls Leighton up next to him.

  Their smiles are contagious, enough to light the beach around us if the tiki torches go out. I wonder what they’re going to announce.

  “Leigh and I have are so excited to tell you all that Stella isn’t going to be the only baby in this place for very much longer.”

  “We weren’t going to tell anyone yet.” Leighton tilts her head back, giggling. “We were gonna wait.”

  The table erupts in excited cheers, including Havoc’s cousin, as Reaper jumps up, giving him a huge hug. “You’re gonna love it.” He pats him on the back. “Kids are fun, and if you have a boy, I have all kinds of shit you can take.”

  If I remember correctly Reaper and Harmony have two boys. The offer Reaper just gave him highlights why I love the people I share my life with. They go out of their way to help each other, even when they don’t have to. Like when someone finds
out they’re having a baby. Holy fucking shit. Havoc and Leigh are having a kid.

  I sit back, watching as the people I care most about in the world congratulate each other. My head pounds with the want and need to be happy for everyone at the table. But my heart, fuck my heart aches because everyone else had personal accomplishments while mine is a professional goal. I’m still in this holding pattern with Violet, not sure of when it’ll end. As we all salute and take a shot, I grab the bottle that Holden brought to the table, refilling the glasses as I try to remember that everybody’s on their own timeframe. Just because my brothers have found their forevers, doesn’t mean I have to be in a hurry to do so. It doesn’t mean there’s not hope for Violet and me.

  But none of that helps the loneliness I feel in my bones, or the want I feel in my groin, or the need I feel to have her wrapped in my arms. And with those thoughts twirling in my head – I pound back another shot.

  * * *

  “Anthony, you gotta help me get you in there.”

  I hear Violet, but it’s almost as if her voice is coming from far, far away.

  How much did I have to drink? My tongue is heavy, vision is hazy, and even I know I’m not walking in a straight line. “Sorry,” I apologize as I try to keep my shit together long enough to help her open the door and push me inside.

  “Don’t be sorry,” she groans under my weight. “You were having a good time, celebrating your friend’s good news.”

  As we get in the room, I’m burning up. Reaching behind me, I fist my shirt and yank it over my head. “No, let me tell you what’s fucked up.” I fumble with the buttons on my khaki’s before I push them down my hips, leaving me in boxers and my shoes. Fuck, my shoes. Plopping down on the bed, I go to work on them, cursing the fact I didn’t wear flip flops.

  “What’s fucked up?” Violet takes my shoes and helps me untie them.

  “The whole time I was supposed to be happy for my friends, I was thinking about how pissed off I am at myself.”

  “Why are you pissed off?” she asks as she gets my shoes off and pulls my pants the rest of the way down.