Easton

“Wherever temptation is, you will cross the line. It’s natural for you to. You still have feelings for her after all this time.”

“My feelings for Scar never changed. I couldn’t have her, and I didn’t have a choice in letting her go.”

Liam sighed. “I get it. Believe me, I do. She’s an amazing woman. From the moment I saw her, I knew she was a fighter. The kind of woman I wanted by my side.”

“Look, whatever you’re going to do to punish me, get on with it. I’m not good with waiting for something to hit me in the face.”

Liam laughed. “You think I want to take you outside and beat you up?”

“Why not? It’s what I’d do if Scar was my woman.”

“But you see, she’s not your woman, and I’m not the kind of man who’ll take people out into the street and beat them up. I happen to have a higher regard and respect than that.”

Easton looked around the room, and Liam watched him. He was so broken inside. Did anyone see that? How nervous he was all the time. The guilt was like a marker on his skin, dragging him down, and completely consuming him until there was nothing left. Liam saw it, and he recognized it. This guy, he needed someone to love and to care for him. He just didn’t know how to go about asking anyone for that kind of help. Liam knew he and Scarlett could give this man the kind of love he was looking for.

He hadn’t ever seen such pain and suffering. Even Scarlett when she came into his life wasn’t like this. She could still smile, barely.

“I was thinking we could make a deal of some kind,” Liam said.

“A deal? Seriously? You want me to grab my friends and have a business decision at a time like this.”

“I didn’t say a business arrangement. Let’s refer to it as a more personal one. Something between you, me, and Scarlett.” Liam took a sip of his hot chocolate and saw he had intrigued Easton with his offer.

“A personal arrangement?” Easton asked.

“Yes. One where you don’t need a lawyer, just common sense.”

Easton stood up. “Wait a minute. Are you seriously considering sharing Scar with me?”

“I’m thinking of us each sharing each other. You won’t be allowed to disclose of our private information with anyone. I demand utmost privacy and discretion. Scarlett and Junior are my priority.”

“Wait a fucking minute, are you for real right now? Does Scarlett even know what you’re proposing, or does it not matter to you?”

Liam smirked. “How about you take some time to think about it and you leave Scarlett to me? I’m not promising this will be an overnight success, but she has feelings for you.”

“She hates me.”

“No, she wants to hate you, but she has many other feelings besides hate, of that, I can assure you.”

He released a breath, not really sure what to think in that moment. “I can take some time. You mean share her completely. She’d belong to both of us?”

Liam nodded. “Yes.”

“I’m going to need some time.”

“Take all the time you need.”

Chapter Ten

Monday morning

Easton sat behind his desk, not really seeing any of the work in front of him. All he could think about was Scarlett and Liam’s offer. He’d kissed her, and she hadn’t pulled away. Liam knew the truth, and yet, he didn’t kill him.

He didn’t know what the hell was going on inside his own freaking head right now.

“You’re missing me,” Carla said, suddenly appearing.

“I don’t have time for you.”

“Of course you do. It hasn’t slipped your mind that the weekends you spend with your new precious family, you forget all about me. What Liam offered you, you want, only you’re too chicken shit to take it.” Carla sat across his desk.

He rubbed at his eyes, feeling the beginnings of a headache.

“I need to tell a doctor I’ve been seeing things.”

“Why? It’s not like I’m real. You know I’m not real, and we both know I’m just your subconscious helping you make decisions. Especially the ones you find a little too scary. Like watching a certain guy get naked to go for a swim.”

“He was wearing boxers,” Easton said.

“Pretty much naked and you can’t deny how aroused you get looking at Scarlett with Liam. There is something going on there, and your denying it is only going to make everything worse, just saying.”

“I didn’t ask you for advice.”

“Who are you asking for advice?” Romeo asked, entering his office.

Carla disappeared.

“Nothing. It’s nothing. Just got a lot on my mind.”

“How are things going over the weekend? Do you still love being a dad?”

“Yes.”

“Seriously? You’ve been doing this for nearly a month now and all I’m going to get from you is a yes?”

“What else do you want from me?”

“I don’t know. Maybe a little excitement. Like, oh yay, I get to be all happy and thrilled and shit. You’ve got a son, and I don’t know, I expected more.”