Reilly's Wildcard (Blackwater)

River stopped in the middle of the room and pointed a finger at him. “What’s this about Jeanette spending the night at your place?”

“Huh?” Reilly rubbed a hand over his jaw. “What are you talking about?”

“She told me she went to see you that night she walked in on me with Holly,” he gritted out.

Ah, so that was what had him in a lather. “Yeah, so? Why would you care if Jeanette stayed with me?”

“This is Jeanette we’re talking about. She’s my best friend, and I don’t want you taking advantage of her, damn it. Besides, you’re with Lucy, and you have twins on the way.”

Reilly passed a hand over his face. “Christ, River,” he grumbled, “when are you going to get a clue?”

“Don’t start with me. Just answer the damn question. Are you and Jeanette…” River’s face went pale as his words trailed off.

“Of course not, dumbass. Jeanette cried buckets that night because of you. She stayed the night because I didn’t want her driving home after she’d had a few beers.” He shrugged. “You know how she is. One beer and she’s tipsy.”

“Whatever, but she doesn’t need to go running to you every friggin’ time she doesn’t get what she wants.” A look of pain crossed over his face as he said, “She could’ve talked to me.”

“Oh yeah, that would’ve been fun. You, Jeanette, and the naked and stacked Holly. A real good time for Jeanette.” He cursed. “She cares about you and if you’d stop being so damn bullheaded you’d realize you care about her too.”

“As a friend, nothing more,” he replied, his voice louder with his anger. “There can’t be anything more between us, and you know it.”

“Because she’s too good for you,” Reilly said, knowing River as well as he knew himself. He waved that statement away. “Yeah, I’ve heard the speech a time or two. It was bullshit then, and it’s bullshit now.”

River glared at him. “And you’re the expert on love these days? You got a woman knocked up. Excuse me if I don’t take your advice.”

Reilly stood so fast the chair fell backward. “You know, I think I’ve been about as patient as I can be with you.”

“Don’t like when someone interferes with your love life, huh?”

“River, you’re pushing me. Let it go.”

“I have to admit, Lucy is a pretty little thing. I can see the appeal. But you’re about as ready to be a daddy as I am. Who are you kidding with this?”

Reilly sighed. This wasn’t going to end well; he could feel it in his bones. So much for his good mood.

“It’s now or never, girlfriend. If you don’t tell him this instant, you may never work up the courage,” Lucy coaxed her reflection in the mirror. The pep talk wasn’t really working though. Her nerves were frazzled, and she fairly trembled with emotions.

She was in love with Reilly, which was slightly terrifying. But the man had a right to know, didn’t he? Maybe he’d say the words back, and she’d be able to breathe again.

Lucy tugged on the hem of her oversized baby-blue shirt and gave herself one last look in the rearview mirror. “God, I’m huge.” She groaned aloud. Did all pregnant women having twins get this big? Maybe she was having triplets. “No, don’t go there,” she warned herself as terror stole through her. Motherhood was daunting enough. She didn’t need to start thinking about it in terms of threes. She squared her shoulders, left the car and headed into the restaurant. She’d wanted to surprise Reilly and take him to lunch. She could tell him how she felt over a plate of pasta, and he’d reciprocate. At least, that was how it went in her head.

She heard raised voices as she drew closer to the office. It sounded as if Reilly and River were going a round. She was about to make her presence known, but Reilly’s bitter words froze her blood, and she went utterly still.

“Lucy is my problem, and I’ll deal with it,” he gritted out as he came around the side of the desk to confront River head-on. “Sure as hell I don’t need you coming in here and adding your two cents.”

“Problem?” She clutched her stomach as pain tore through her. Tears sprang to her eyes at his callous remark. She’d stupidly thought he cared. “Is that how you see me?”

He took a step toward her. “Lucy?”

She held up a hand. “And here I actually thought you were beginning to care.” She shook her head. “I’m such a fool.”

Lucy turned and ran out the door. Reilly and River both called her name, but the sound of her heart shattering blocked out all other noise. The only thing she could think to do was escape.

Reilly caught up to her just as she reached the front door of the restaurant. “Lucy, stop, please.”

“Why?” she asked as a sharp pain shot through her abdomen. It was fleeting, so she chalked it up to stress.

“I do care about you,” Reilly said. “I didn’t mean what I said in there. I swear it.”