Bare (Just This Once 2)

I rest my head in my hands. “It was that or I had to tell her about Rory.”

“So you were a fucking coward?”

My head shoots up, rage coursing through my veins. “Coward? I’m the coward? That’s rich coming from you, Dylan.”

“Don’t bring up my past, Griffin.” He slams his hand on my desk. “I was a high school kid who didn’t give a shit about the consequences of my actions. Eden was collateral damage. She’s moved on. I have too. It’s over.”

I want to push back and ask him why he only fucks women who bear a striking resemblance to Eden. He’s as stuck in his twisted past as I am in mine.

“You have a chance at something here, Griffin.” He moves back in the chair. “Rory would want you to be happy. You know that. I know it.”

Rory will forever be stuck in the same moment in time in my mind because of me.

It is all because of me.

“I made my choice.” I fist my hands together on my desk. “Piper will move on. I will too. It’s how it needs to be.”

“You’re telling me you’re good with her meeting someone else? You have no problem with her fucking another man? Falling in love with him? That’s all good for you?”

Every single word grates on my last nerve.

The thought of Piper with another man is more than I can bear.

I want her. Fuck I want a future with her but I can’t. I don’t get that. It’s my price to pay.

“I made me choice,” I repeat.

“What about her choice?” He stands and slams his hands on the top of my desk. “Why don’t you let her make the choice for herself? Give her some credit, Griffin. The woman might love you as much as you love her.”

“I didn’t say I loved her, Dylan.”

He huffs out a laugh. “You didn’t have to.”

***

“Did you set Marco up?” Morgan Tresoni waltzes into my office, unannounced.

I should fucking fire Joyce.

“No. I can’t take any credit for that. Your soon to be ex-husband dug his own grave. He’s the one who couldn’t keep his hands off other people’s stuff.”

“He told me you almost killed him.” She stands in front of my desk. “Is that true?”

“Almost is the operative word, Morgan. He’s still a living, breathing piece of shit.”

She laughs. “You’ve got that right.”

“Did you come all the way down here to talk about Marco?” I stand. “You’re almost free of him. The divorce will be finalized within the month.”

“Good.” She waves her left hand in the air. “I have a little something I need your help with.”

I can’t keep track of her engagement rings. “That’s not the ring Marco gave you, is it?”

“No.” She rolls her eyes. “This one is from Marty. You’re going to love him, Griffin. He owns a hedge fund and a yacht.”

I reach down to pick up a pad of paper and a pen. “One pre-nup coming up.”

“You’re the best, Griffin. You totally get how this marriage thing works.”