Ruthless Rival

Danielle laughs.

Briar too.

Liam shoots his girlfriend a look that's heavy on the I know you want to talk about my dick.

He is obnoxious. I can see why he and Simon struggle.

But there's something about it. This playfulness aimed directly at his oldest brother. This is for Simon's benefit.

"We are," I say. "We're seeing each other. There's nothing exciting about it."

Adam is right. None of them hide their surprise, him included.

He and Danielle are kind of like Liam and Briar. Exactly the same, yet completely different.

They're both well-dressed in a way that doesn't call extra attention—a simple charcoal suit for him, a black wrap dress for her.

They have the same thoughtful aura.

But she's animated and artistic.

He's stoic and scientific.

He has pale skin, short hair, and deep blue eyes.

She has light brown skin, long wavy hair, and warm eyes. Not just the flecks of amber. The expression too.

They're both gorgeous. Even with his scars. Or maybe even more.

There were a lot of rumors at the time of the accident, but I never paid much attention. I only know Adam disappeared for months.

The first time I saw him after he lost his brother, he was with Danielle, and he was happy, the way he is now.

Free.

He spent months locked from the world, grieving. And he emerged free of the pain he was carrying.

Simon hasn't done that.

What was it he said?

He survived because it was the only choice he had.

But was it that simple?

He's still hurting.

All that pain is going to catch up with him eventually.

The same as mine.

Liam interrupts my train of thought. "You're not just fucking?"

Briar's face turns red. "Why are you asking her?"

"She said they're 'seeing' each other. I want to clarify the terms," he says.

Simon's eyes meet mine.

They ask for something, but I don't know what it is.

Does he want more?

Or does he want me to understand there isn't going to be more?

I swallow hard. "We're dating."

"It's serious?" he asks.

Briar puts her hand over his mouth. "Sorry. The only way to shut him up is a gag."

"Do you know from experience?" Simon asks.

Her blush deepens.

Simon raises a brow, but I'm not sure if it's maybe it's true what they say about executives. Or I'd like if you gagged me by sitting on my face. Or—

I'm kind of stuck at sitting on his face.

"She knows," Liam muffles.

Briar releases her hand.

"We do all sorts of freaky shit," Liam says. "But nice try on changing the subject."

"I think you volunteered that information," Opal says.

Danielle motions sorta.

"You all want to know," Liam says. "You're dying to know." He turns to me. "What kind of stuff is Simon into? Biting? Bondage? Humiliation? Feet?"

"Feet?" Danielle asks. "That's… specific."

"Maybe I know something," he says.

"When have you ever known anything?" Briar asks.

He nods true. Snaps right back to me. "How much of a freak is he? One to Rick James?"

"Where does that scale end?" I ask.

"At Rick James," he says.

"Who's at the other end?"

"Oh, that's good. No one's ever asked." Liam taps his chin. "Gonna have to think on that one." He looks to Simon. "Smart woman. She's a keeper."

"And willing to put up with you," Opal says. "She must really like him."

"That is a big sacrifice," Briar agrees.

"You too, baby? That hurts," he says.

"Maybe you'll find a way to make it up to me," she teases.

"Maybe I will," he says.

"Weren't you complaining she's the rude one," Opal says. "Shouldn't she be… gross. Never mind."

Briar laughs.

Danielle too. She mouths sorry, they're crazy.

They are.

But it's sweet. Surprising.

Simon's family loves him.

It's warm enough to fill the restaurant.

After a few more rounds of refining Liam's Super Freak scale, we order dinner.

Opal and Liam fight for control of the conversation. She tries to move it away from sex. He tries to move it back.

Eventually, she wins, changes the subject to the show.

We talk about the opera. We finish dinner, walk to the venue across the street, greet Lee, Harrison, and Preston (thankfully, my parents are busy tonight. I don't have to discuss my sex life with them).

The lights flicker, warning us the show is about to start.

We head to our expensive, semi-secluded seats.

Liam steps in front of us. Leads us to the top balcony. "This one is yours. Just the two of you."

"There are ten of us," Simon says.

"And, damn, I forget we were using Preston's tickets, so I went ahead and bought this." He motions to the balcony. To the curtains at the side, blocking it from view of the other balconies. "Enjoy the privacy."

Simon shoots him a really look.

Liam nods back really. He pulls his older brother into a hug. Whisper-talks, "Make me proud, kid."

"I'm older than you," Simon whispers back.

"Less experienced in this area."

"Which area is that?"

"I'll leave it up to you to decide." He pulls back. Shoots his brother a wink. "You have two and a half hours of privacy. Use them wisely."