More Than Everything (Family 3)

Charlie jerked his gaze over to me the second Adan called him baby. It was strange to hear, both because my boyfriend was using the term to refer to another man and also because someone else was calling Charlie “baby.” But the other man was Charlie, and the someone else was Adan, and somehow that made it all right.

“I go by both,” he said. “It doesn’t matter.”

Adan took a couple of steps toward him. “It matters to us.” He took another step. “You matter to us.”

The expression that took over Charlie’s face right then was completely foreign. It was a horrible combination of bitterness, anger, and resignation. “Cut the shit, Adan. I haven’t mattered to you in a long time.” He coughed out a brittle laugh. “Hell, I probably never mattered to you.”

Adan winced, and I could see pain flash in his eyes.

“Charlie, that’s not true.” I started walking over to him. “He cares about—”

“Scott, don’t.” Charlie threw his hand up. “I get that you’re with him now, and I have no idea what he told you about our relationship and, really, it’s none of my business, but you weren’t there, so don’t assume he cared.” He glared at Adan. “He didn’t care about anything but getting his rocks off.” Charlie hadn’t moved far from the door, so it took no time for him to turn the handle and swing it open. “Thanks for watching the kids tonight. I know it was awkward. Don’t worry, it won’t happen again. Vegas is a big city, and I promise to stay out of your way.”

Adan still hadn’t said a word or moved an inch since Charlie’s angry remark, but he looked devastated. It was completely unlike Adan, who was normally unflappable and not particularly sensitive or emotional, so I found the reaction very disconcerting.

Knowing it was up to me to make inroads with Charlie, I said, “You’re right, seeing each other after all these years caught us off guard, but, Charlie, please, we don’t want you to stay away from us. We still care about you. Both of us. We—”

“Get out.” His expression was icy.

“Don’t do this,” I begged.

“You’re good at that, remember?” he said snidely. “You’re good at walking away from someone like they don’t even matter, good at walking away from all your promises. Get out of here, Scott, and take your boyfriend with you.”

I didn’t recognize this vicious, rabid version of the happy, loving boy I’d known. Had I done that? Had I hurt him so badly that this was what he’d become? I wanted to cry, wanted to beg for forgiveness, wanted to punch myself in the face.

“Charlie, please, we—”

“Leave!” he shouted, and then he darted his gaze toward the hallway leading to the children’s bedrooms, took a deep breath, and in a calmer, lower voice, said, “Get out of my house. Get out of my life. Both of you. Get. Out.”

Chapter 15

INTRODUCTION

Charlie (“Chase”) Rhodes

THAT reunion wasn’t exactly sunshine and roses, I know, but, really, can you blame me? I was still neck-deep in pain over my sister’s death, still trying to learn how to be a parent, still adjusting to living in a new city and starting a new job, and, let’s be honest, I was still in love with both Scott and Adan, even though I knew it was weak and stupid and pointless.

Holding myself together after seeing either of them would have been hard. Managing to keep the tears at bay when I was faced with both of them at the same time was a small miracle. Keeping myself upright when I realized they were a couple should have qualified me for some sort of lifetime achievement award. But keeping calm while Adan “All I Ever Wanted Was a Fuck” Navarro spewed lies and Scott “Now You See Him, Now You Don’t” Boone claimed he wanted to be part of my life was more than I could handle.

So I lost my temper, raised my voice, and played the part of the bitter ex who can’t move on with his life. It wasn’t my proudest moment. It would have been much more fulfilling to look great, have a super hot, super smart, super nice boyfriend to throw in their faces, and come across as blasé over their unexpected and unwelcome appearance. But you know what? Fuck it. One out of three isn’t bad, and no matter what they did to fuck with my heart and my head and my spirit, I still looked damn good.

It’s better to look good than to feel good, right? I was pretty sure I’d seen that on a mug or a bumper sticker or a T-shirt at some point, so it must be true.

And even if it isn’t true, I was in the best shape of my life and my tight pants and sleeveless shirt weren’t doing anything to hide it. Adan, on the other hand, looked like maybe he had put on some weight. Of course, it just served to make him look more masculine, just made me think about how much I enjoyed being covered by that wide, strong body. And that made me want to strangle myself because it was insane to still be lusting after a man I hated. Well, loved and hated. Hated that I loved.