The Scotch Royals (Scotch 3)

“Great. Thanks.”

He came around the table and kissed me before he left. “See you later.”

It was the kind of quick embrace that existed between a husband and a wife, or between two partners who were used to saying goodbye for a short period of time every day. I liked how natural it felt. I liked the fact that I could picture myself doing it every single day.

But I also hated that fact too.

When he was gone, I called my brother.

“London?” Joseph immediately assumed it was me, knowing Crewe had no reason to call him ever again.

“Yep, it’s me. How’s it going?”

“Good. I’m guessing things are going well with you since I haven’t heard from you in nearly a month.” His voice was heavy with accusation, but not enough to make me feel guilty.

“Yeah, I’m happy.”

“Well, that’s good. I’m in London right now.”

“So you aren’t too far away.”

“But far enough that I wouldn’t be able to help you if you needed it,” he said. “You don’t need it, right?”

“No. He takes good care of me.”

“Good,” he said with a sigh. “I’m relieved. So, what’s your plan? You’re gonna stay there forever?”

“I was going to go back to school and get my own apartment…but I don’t think that’s going to happen anymore.”

“Are you pregnant?” he blurted.

“No.” I rolled my eyes. “My time with Crewe is limited. I want to enjoy it the best I can.”

“Why is it limited?”

I told him the story about Ariel.

“Man, she’s a freak. I hate that bitch. You should have let me take her.”

“Joseph,” I said coldly. “That’s not funny.”

“Wasn’t trying to be. But she’s a bitch, and you know it.”

“I do know it. But she’s important to Crewe.”

“Is he in love with her or something?”

“I sure hope not,” I said. “Since she’s gay.”

“She is?” he asked in surprise. “Oh. Well, I guess you don’t have to worry about that…”

“Yeah.”

“So, you’re really going to leave him when the time comes? I thought you loved this guy?”

“I do. I really do. That’s why it has to be this way.”

“Doesn’t make any sense to me.”

Joseph had never been in love, so he would never understand. “Even though my time with him will be short, it’s still worth it. I’d much rather spend a little amount of time with him than none at all. Life is short. Live in the moment.”

Joseph sighed over the line. “Whatever you say. Do you have a number where I can reach you?”

“Crewe is getting me a phone today.”

“Well, let me know when you have those digits.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll talk to you later. Bye.”

“Bye.”

He hung up, and I set the phone on the table. I was supposed to return it to Crewe, but I didn’t feel like getting up just yet. Telling the truth to another person made it feel more real, that I agreed to hurt both Crewe and myself at the end of the road. When I asked Crewe about marriage in the past, he didn’t have a real answer to give me. Maybe he never wanted to marry me.

But I knew he loved me.

As soon as Crewe walked through the door after work, he set a bag on the table and stripped his jacket off. “I got the stuff you asked for. Your driving exam is next week.”

“Damn, that was fast.”

“That’s what I pay my men for.” He unclasped his watch and slid it off his wrist. “And you know I’m fast too.” He winked then leaned down and kissed me where I sat on the couch.

“I do, actually.” I set my book on the table and rose to my feet so I could give him a hug. “So, I have a number and everything?”

“Expect a lot of inappropriate texts throughout the day.”

“Oh, I will.”

He grabbed the bag and pulled out the phone and a MacBook. “You’re set. I added the Wi-Fi information for you.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem.” He slid his arms around my waist and looked down at me. It was rare for him not to kiss me, but he seemed content with just a stare. He slightly swayed from side to side with me, almost as if we were slow dancing at a junior high dance.

“What is it?”

“Nothing,” he whispered. “I just like to look at you.”

“Good thing I like to look at you too.”

“Well, how can you not? I’m a very handsome man.” He smiled like he was teasing me.

“Very true.”

He pulled me tighter against his chest, his powerful physique feeling like concrete. “So, are you going to apply for classes with that laptop?”

“No. I just need something to do during the day while you’re at work.”

He gave me a quizzical expression. “Are you saying you won’t be taking classes again?”

“Probably not.”

He couldn’t hide the happiness on his face. He didn’t smile, but the joy was in his eyes. “Why is that?”

“I don’t know. Just not sure if I want to go to class while I’m here. Seems like a hassle.”