Wheels of Fire

No one—no matter how hard they try—will ever tear us apart.

Chapter Forty

Mallory

“You’re going to that photo shoot tomorrow,” Chaser says later as I’m falling asleep.

His words are jolt of caffeine that pushes me upright. “No. I’m not.”

He sits up and clicks the lamp on. “Yes. And I’m going with you.”

“Why? To confront him?”

“I can’t let him get away with what he did, Mallory. You know that. Tell me exactly how it happened this time,” he demands.

I swallow hard. The pain and guilt almost make it impossible to say the words. I feel so stupid as I go over the events in my head. But I finally convey enough of the story to satisfy Chaser but not push him into hunting Andrew down and killing him.

“What a fucking asshole.”

“I’m not trying to make an excuse. I really don’t think he’s dealing with the breakup well. He didn’t seem like himself.”

“Did he hurt you?”

“No.” I duck my head. “Not really.”

“Mallory,” he warns.

“He hurt my feelings, okay? But I handled it. The whole thing was so bizarre and crazy,” I lift my chin, “but I handled it.”

“Hurt your feelings, how?”

Oh boy. This is never going to end. “When I told him not to kiss me, that we were just friends, he made it clear he didn’t consider me a friend and that he only wanted to fuck me.”

Chaser growls low in his throat. “That fucking card makes more sense now.”

“Yes.” I shrug. “He really didn’t seem to see the harm. He told me how Pamela and Kyle hooked up and he took her back—”

“Fuck.” Chaser runs his fingers through his hair. “A long time ago, he kept pressing me about whether or not I’d be mad if you fucked a director or something for a part. Kept trying to tell me it was just sex and no big deal.”

“Yes! That’s what he said. ‘It’s just sex.’” I glance down and scratch my nails over the comforter. “He sort of said something similar to what you said. How could I marry you without ever being with anyone else? I think that’s why it hurt so much when you said it.”

“I’m sorry.” He rests his hand over mine and squeezes. “Why does he even know—”

“Pamela. So much for girl talk.” I roll my eyes.

He chuckles and tugs me closer.

“Oh, Jacob must’ve told him how um, loud, I am too, because—”

“Jesus Christ,” he groans. “Why do we know so many obnoxious assholes?”

“Am I really that loud?” My lips twitch. “You know, since you’re vastly more experienced than I am and all.”

“Mal—” He stops and glances over at me. “I can’t believe you’re making a joke about this.”

“Would you rather I cry?”

“Never.” His expression turns more serious. “I can’t joke about it. You’re my whole life. Nothing that happened before we met matters or compares.”

“Chaser.” How do I respond to such a sweet sentiment? Void of words, I sigh and cuddle closer, resting my head on his chest. He wraps his arms around me and I soak up his warmth.

“For the record, I love all the little noises you make.” He strokes his fingers over my shoulder. “I’m the one who makes you lose control. Forget where you are. It’s a huge rush. Excellent for my already giant ego.”

I bury my face against his chest, shaking with laughter. “You’re nuts.” I pull back and slap my hand over my mouth. “Oh my God.”

He raises an eyebrow. “What?”

“I told Andrew he might be in love with you. I think he actually considered the idea.”

“You, what?”

I give him the general gist of that part of our conversation. Chaser doesn’t seem to find it as funny as I do.

“Mallory, I want to give you all the experiences you desire but I couldn’t watch another man touch you and not beat him to death. Seriously.” He stops for a second and stares at the ceiling. “Nope. Couldn’t even do it with another female.”

“I thought that was every guy’s fantasy?”

“Maybe,” his fists clench, “but even thinking about it is pissing me off.”

“Besides hurting my feelings, I was really angry that he betrayed you that way, Chaser.”

“I’m not as shocked as I should be. He’s not wired right.”

“So we agree, no photoshoot? I’m not even calling him to say I’m not coming. Cindy can tell him.”

“No, we’re going.”

“We? No. This is…there will be other models there. A photographer. Cindy…You can’t.”

He rolls his lip. “Then he shouldn’t mind if I tag along. You said it yourself, Andrew and I are friends. It won’t seem weird.”

“He’s going to ask why you’re home when you’re supposed to be in Vancouver.”

“Yeah, interesting timing, huh? He just had to photograph those shirts while he knows I’m tied up in Vancouver.”

Damn, why hadn’t I looked at it the same way? “I’m such an idiot. He said the shirts just came in and I believed him.”

“You’re not an idiot. You’re a good person who doesn’t immediately assume others are being dishonest. But yeah, I bet he thought he’d talk you into bed and you’d spend the weekend with him.” He’s quiet for a second, considering his words. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I have a feeling when you show up tomorrow, no one else will be there.”

“I doubt that.”

“We’ll see.”

“No, he’s really excited about the shirts.” But even as I protest, I have a feeling Chaser’s right.

Chapter Forty-One

Chaser

Irritation that Mallory talked me out of bringing my gun with me this morning still ripples down my spine as she parks her car in Andrew’s driveway.

We step out of the car and start walking up to the front door.

“Huh. Would you look at that?” I stop and do a slow exaggerated scan of the area. “We must be early. Not another vehicle in sight.”

“Smug’s an ugly color on you, Chaser,” she scolds.

I sweep my hand in front of me. “I’ll let you go in first.”

“Great,” she mutters, hesitating with her raised fist, about to knock. “You promise you’re not going to kill him?”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Why is that not comforting?” she grumbles as she raps her knuckles against the wood.

“Mallory!” Andrew’s goofy fucking voice reaches me in my tucked-out-of-view spot. “I didn’t think you were coming after…well, you know.” Is that a note of shame I detect in his voice? Doubtful.

“I wasn’t planning to,” she admits.

“Did you get the flowers?”

“Oh, yes.” She draws out the word with dramatic flair. “Biggest part of my night.”

“Look, I really am sorry. I’m so happy you’re here.”

I bet you are. Knowing Andrew, he probably assumes Mallory showing up today means she’s ready to hop into his bed. Just the thought is enough to propel me out of the shadows.

The happy expression slides off Andrew’s face as I step into view.

I flash a cocky motherfuckin’ grin at him. “How ya doin’, friend?”

“Chaser, what’re you doing here?” His gaze pings between Mallory and me for a few beats. “When did you get home?”

“Last night.”

“We had an eventful reunion,” Mallory adds, leaving it to up to Andrew to interpret anyway he wants.

I’m still thoroughly pissed that this asshole’s actions prompted such an ugly fight between Mallory and me. But at the same time, it was the push we needed to air out a few things I’d

been avoiding.

Andrew opens the door wider, motioning me to come in. I limp my way across the threshold—those fucking painkillers have not been as effective as I’d anticipated. But I sure as fuck wasn’t bringing that cane with me.

“What’s up, bro?” The nervous wobble in Andrew’s voice almost makes me laugh. “You limping?”

“Cut up my foot. I’m fine.”

“Why aren’t you in Vancouver? Mark usually keeps that leash tight when you’re in the studio.”

“Yeah, I bet you were counting on that.”

Mallory may have talked me out of blowing Andrew’s brains out, but I never agreed not to be a dick.

“Where is everyone else?” Mallory asks, covering up the awkward silence.

Funny thing about Andrew—he’s honest to a fault. Something I once appreciated about him.

He’s also a terrible liar.

His shoulders jerk and his arms twitch. “Fucking flakes canceled on me. That’s cool, though. Glad you’re here, Chaser. You mind throwing on a few T’s for me?”

“Sure thing.” I glare at him, and he has the decency to look away. “Anything for my friend.”

“Cindy’s not here either?” Mallory persists.

“Well, I, uh, when everyone else said they weren’t coming…” he gestures wildly in Mallory’s direction, “…and I assumed you weren’t coming, I called her and canceled.”

“Oh.” Mallory’s gaze darts to me. I try to stop the told-you-so grin from forming but fail miserably. She rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

I jerk my thumb toward the kitchen. “You mind if I grab a glass of water?”

“Yeah, sure. Go ahead.” Andrew waves his hands in the air. “Whatever you need.”

My foot’s throbbing from all the activity. I’m dying to pop another pill. Plus, I’m curious. What will Andrew say to Mallory if I leave them alone together for a few seconds?

How much rope does he need to hang himself?

Mallory

Andrew watches Chaser limp into the kitchen.

As soon as the swinging door stops moving, he turns to me. “Did you tell him?” he whispers in a low, urgent voice. “What I said? Jesus fuck, what are you trying to do to me?”