When Rivals Love (Bayshore Rivals 3)

What? I don’t understand.

“What are you talking about?” Banks asks the same confusion filling his face as mine.

“Last week, I went to talk to her to tell her to leave you alone. She told me that she’s not the one we need to worry about; that there were other people looking for Harlow, asking questions about her…”

“And why the hell didn’t you tell us any of this?” Oliver yells, his cheeks heating.

“Because I didn’t know if Tiffany was even telling the truth or if she was just trying to get to us. I didn’t want to worry you, Harlow.” Sullivan’s gaze drops to the floor, and I swear it feels like I can breathe again. At least now, I know he didn’t really want her. He was only doing it to protect me.

“I guess I worried you just as much by not telling you what I was doing,” he says, sounding completely defeated.

Before I know what is happening, Sullivan pushes the coffee table out of the way and is on his knees at my feet. His hands move up my legs, coming to rest on my hips, where he gives me a firm squeeze. Burying his face into my jean covered thighs, he inhales, and I do the same, moving my hand to his head, so I can thread my fingers through those long chocolate brown locks.

Suddenly my entire world realigns, and it’s like all the planets in my solar system are back in order and no longer on a course for collision.

“I’m so sorry, baby, so sorry…”

“It’s okay, but you could’ve told me. I would’ve understood.”

Sullivan lifts his head, a dimpled grin appearing on his lips, “But would you have? If I had told you what I was going to do, you would’ve freaked out and told me not to, and while it was hard as hell not to look at you or tell you what I knew. I needed to be strong if I wanted answers.”

Nibbling on my bottom lip, I nod my head, “You’re right. I wouldn’t have let you do it because we’re a team, and we’re supposed to do this all together. What if something happened to you? I thought…” I force air into my lungs, so I can say what I need to. “I was sure you were done with me.”

Sullivan stares at me in shock like he can’t believe I would think something like that. His blue orbs are bright, and brim with sadness, a sadness that I’m sure is reflecting back at him equally.

Turning to Oliver, I say, “Can I have a moment alone with him?”

Oliver nods his head, and then I turn to Banks. He looks at his brother with a mixed bag of emotions before speaking. “We’ll leave you guys alone for a little bit.” Banks narrows his eyes at Sullivan. “But if you make her cry again, I will personally rip one of your balls off and play golf with it.”

Oliver snorts and releases me to get up off the couch. “You don’t even play golf.”

Banks chuckles, “Yeah, I know, but that’s beside the point.”

Each of them, press a kiss to my forehead before disappearing out of the room, leaving Sullivan and me completely alone.

“Why would you think I was done with you?” he asks.

I shrug, “I’m used to people who I thought loved me, turning their back on me. I didn’t want to think the worst, but it’s hard when I’ve been disappointed so many times. My own parents got tired of me, so it’s hard to believe that you guys wouldn’t.”

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t think about it that way. I would never be tired of you, and as for your parents… well, there is seriously something wrong with them, so you can’t use them as an example.

“Honestly, Harlow, the last few days were horrible for me. I was so wrapped up in finding out what was going on, so I can protect you, that I thought it was better to keep my distance. But I didn’t think me distancing myself from you was going to be a big deal for you.”

“Why would you think that? I was miserable the last few days.”

“Well, I thought, since you still had Banks and Oliver, you wouldn’t be alone, and you wouldn’t miss me much.”

“Sullivan, that’s not how this works. I need you; I need all three of you, and I love you. When you are not here, I don’t feel complete, it’s like a part of me is missing. Promise me you won’t do this again.”

“I promise you, I won’t do anything like this again, and I will never be tired of you.”

“Good,” I say, leaning down and kissing the top of his head. “’Cause I will never be tired of you either. Now can you please tell me what Tiffany said that has you so worried about me?”