Any Given Sunday (5 page)

chores, attended five classes per semester at the university while working part-time at the bar. It wasn’t unusual for Sean to be out of their apartment six or seven days a week, only stopping in for showers and sleep.

After graduation, Chad had expected Sean to settle down, but then he took on the

part-time job at the construction company and his days were still filled with constant movement.

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A niggling worry crept in about what—or who—Sean was trying to outrun. Chad

pushed the idea aside. He wasn’t going there…not even in his own thoughts. “I think

you’re overanalyzing, doctor.” His lighthearted tease had the desired effect and Lauren dropped the subject.

“You guys are making some awesome progress down here. It’s really starting to

look like an apartment,” Lauren said, walking around and surveying their work.

Chad scoffed. “That’s funny. Sean and I were just bitching about how much we still

have left to do.”

“Oh no. I don’t think it will take you much longer. Have you decided what color

you’re painting the walls? What pictures to hang? Where the furniture goes?”

Chad laughed. “I think I’ll leave that to you. I don’t mind building the wall, but

God help me if I know what to put on it once it’s there.”

Lauren snickered. “Well then, I know just the thing. We’ll start with a pale rose

color in here.” She gestured around her as she spoke. “This is the bedroom, right?”

He nodded and restrained a grin at her teasing. “Rose? Really? I was thinking

purple or maybe a rainbow design.”

“Oh wow. That would rock. Then we can get a floral bedspread and a lot of throw

pillows.”

He put his hands on his hips and pretended to take her seriously. “Throw pillows

are a definite. Maybe scatter a bunch of scented candles around.”

“Yes,” she said, laughing. “I have some lilac-scented ones that are to die for.”

He shook his head. “Not lilac. Coconut.”

She looked at him strangely but shrugged and said, “Okay, coconut.

“We’ll put a giant mirror over your bed here,” she continued. Lauren took a step

closer to him, pointing to the wall he’d just finished building between what would

eventually be his bedroom and the living area. She tripped on the hammer he’d

carelessly left on the floor. Reaching out, he caught her before she could do a faceplant on rough wooden floorboards.

Helping her catch her balance with his hands on her middle, he tried to ignore how

close she was, the narrowness of her waist.

“Shit. Thanks,” she said, looking at him, her face inches from his. “Damn

clumsiness.”

He shook his head, not able to make himself release his hold on her. “I shouldn’t

have left the hammer there. You could’ve hurt yourself.”

“That’s okay.” Her words suddenly sounded breathless and Chad imagined her

speaking with the same tone as he pushed his cock into her tight, wet warmth.

He closed his eyes, savoring the image, unsure exactly when he’d leaned closer. His

lips glanced against hers and his eyes flew open. Lauren’s face was a perfect

combination of surprise and naked desire. He grasped onto the desire aspect and

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deepened his kiss. He held her tighter, opening his mouth to brush his tongue against hers. He’d been dying to taste her for years and she was just as sweet as he’d imagined.

For the briefest of moments she returned his kiss and Chad realized she truly was

the woman of his heart. Then she pushed away, her face flushed, her breathing labored.

She shook her head and he realized he was the biggest fool on earth.

“No.”

“I’m sorry,” he said quickly.

She placed her fingers on her lips and Chad wished he could turn back time.

Rewind the last two minutes to take the look of despair out of her beautiful green eyes.

“I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Why did you?” she asked.

He grinned sadly at her question. Lauren was a born psychologist. She was

probably freaking out about him kissing her, but rather than run or rail, she hit him with the twenty-dollar question.

“I don’t know.” It was a cop-out and a lie. He knew why. He studied her face and

realized she knew too.

Footsteps on the stairs had them moving farther apart. Sean juggled three glasses

filled with ice and soda, oblivious to the charged atmosphere in the basement. He put the drinks next to the sandwiches and pulled a small level and some pliers out of his back pocket. “Remind me to unpack all the shit still in boxes in the garage. Took me

ages to find a damn pair of pliers. Oh, and we only have Diet Dr. Pepper left in the

fridge. We’re gonna have to run to the store,” Sean complained.

Lauren smiled. Chad marveled at how easily she managed to find her composure.

“I love Diet Dr. Pepper. I was just telling Chad how impressed I am with how much

you’ve done today. The place is really starting to come together.”

“Yeah,” Sean said easily. “I think it’s gonna turn out cool. Just a bitch trying to get it done in bits and pieces. I need to take a week off from work and just go after it. When’s your fall break, Chad? I was thinking I’d ask for some time then. We could knock a

shitload of this off in a week.”

Chad nodded. “My next break is the week of Thanksgiving. We’ll tackle it then.”

“Cool. I’ll talk to Tris and see what we can work out on the schedule for the pub.”

Sean grabbed a sandwich and started eating. He’d just swallowed the first bite when his cell phone rang. “Speak of the devil,” he said, glancing at the phone.

As Sean answered the phone and started talking to his brother, Chad could hear his

friend making plans to head over to Tristan’s house to watch the football game later.

Lauren turned to look at him. “Don’t go to Tristan’s house. We’ll talk later,” she

whispered, and Chad watched her climb the stairs.

Fuck. Later. What did that mean? Knowing Lauren, it wouldn’t be good.

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* * * * *

Chad sprawled out on his bed, tossing the book he’d been unsuccessfully reading

onto the mattress next to him. He’d turned down Sean’s invite to watch the game,

claiming he had a headache. Rubbing his brow, he realized that wasn’t too far away

from the truth. He’d stressed over the kiss he’d shared with Lauren until he thought his head was about to explode. He’d started to seek her out several times throughout the

afternoon, but he couldn’t figure out what the hell to say.

He’d already apologized, though he suspected she didn’t know exactly what he

was sorry about. He wasn’t regretting the kiss. He’d wanted to taste her lips for far too long. But he hadn’t wanted to hurt her or Sean, and with his impulsive action, he knew he had.

He closed his eyes, his mind drifting back to the morning when Lauren and Sean

had told him about the changed dynamic of their relationship.

His parents had been in town visiting and he’d planned to spend the night at Lily’s

place. However, the idea of spending the night on her lumpy couch when his

comfortable bed was just a few miles away seemed stupid, so he’d said his goodbyes

and headed home…

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As he walked into the apartment, he heard voices drifting down the hallway from

Sean’s room. Curious, he walked toward the sounds, only realizing as he stood outside the door that Sean was having sex with someone. He grinned and rolled his eyes. Sean

was obviously bringing his A game if the woman’s cries were anything to judge by. He

chuckled and started to walk to his room—then he recognized Lauren’s voice.

Stunned, he stood in the empty hallway until he heard Sean and Lauren climaxing.

His cock twitched. Feeling like the world’s biggest pervert, he quickly walked away,

shutting himself up in his room and praying all night he’d misunderstood, misheard.

He knew he hadn’t.

The next morning as he poured a cup of coffee, Sean and Lauren walked into the

kitchen together.

“Hey,” Sean said rather sheepishly.

Chad nodded. “Hey.”

Lauren looked uncomfortable, though adorable in Sean’s T-shirt and sweatpants.

“Thought you were out for the night,” she said.

He shrugged. “Change of plans.”

“Listen, man…” Sean started.

Chad held up his hand. He couldn’t remain in this room, couldn’t have this

conversation. “I got it, Sean. Figured it out all by myself. Congratulations. You two make an awesome couple.”

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Any Given Sunday

Lauren frowned slightly, clearly uncertain of his sincerity. “You really think so?”

He nodded and eyed the exit. At the moment, both of his friends were blocking it.

“Been a long time coming.”

While Lauren breathed an obvious sigh of relief and smiled at him, Sean didn’t

appear to accept his words as easily. “You’re sure you’re okay with this?” he asked.

Chad snorted, wondering where he was finding the ability to lie so well. “Me? Why

the hell wouldn’t I be? It’s great. Terrific. Listen, I gotta head back to Lily’s. One of the conditions of my coming home last night was a promise I’d be back in time for

breakfast. I’m supposed to be helping her entertain my folks.”

Sean smiled and walked toward him. Chad knew his friend was coming to give him

a friendly pat on the arm, but if Sean touched him, he’d fall apart. He skirted around Sean rapidly, lightly bumping into Lauren in his haste to escape the kitchen.

So much for his Academy Award-winning performance. He’d tipped his hand.

Given himself away.

“Chad,” Sean started, but Chad had cleared the doorway. Freedom was within his

grasp.

“Catch you two later,” he said, grabbing his car keys and opening the front door.

“Dammit, Chad…” Sean called.

Chad turned to see his best friend standing right behind him. A quick glance over

Sean’s shoulder proved Lauren hadn’t followed him. She had remained in the kitchen.

“What?”

Sean looked worried. “Are you really okay with this?”

Chad scowled. “What if I wasn’t, Sean? What if I said I fucking hated this? What

would you do?”

Sean didn’t reply. He didn’t have to. Chad could see the utter devastation in his

best friend’s face at the thought of having to choose between their friendship and his new girlfriend.

Chad couldn’t stand the look, couldn’t let his best friend hurt. “I don’t hate it. You surprised me, that’s all. Give me a few days to get used to the idea.”

Sean studied his face and Chad fought hard to keep it impassive.

“I love her,” Sean whispered.

So do I.

Chad didn’t speak the words. Instead, he placed a friendly hand on Sean’s shoulder

and spoke the words written on his heart. “I’m happy for you.” He was. Sean was a

great guy and he deserved a loving, beautiful woman like Lauren. “But I’m telling you right now, if you ask one of your brothers to be best man at your wedding instead of

me, I’m kicking your ass.”

Sean laughed and the tension passed. “That position has been yours since

kindergarten, man. No worries.”

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“Great.” Chad forced a smile then nodded toward the kitchen. “Sounds like you

two worked up a bit of an appetite last night. You better go feed the girl.”

Sean laughed. “I will. You coming home later?”

Chad shook his head. He needed time away from here. The family get-together he’d

been happy to escape last night was suddenly looking pretty good. “Naw. I don’t think Lily’s gonna let me out of another night of bonding with our parents. Besides, I’m not in the mood to listen to you and Lauren go at it like fucking rabbits.”

Sean grinned and Chad braced himself for his friend’s bragging. Hell, he’d invited

it with his stupid rabbit comment, had let Sean think he’d be able to stomach listening to him talk about sleeping with Lauren. He was surprised by Sean’s words.

“Thanks,” Sean said quietly.

Chad blinked twice, saw the sincerity in his friend’s face. He nodded. “Bye, Sean.”

Sean lifted his hand. “Later.”

Chad walked out and considered their parting remarks. Chad felt as if he was

saying goodbye to his best friend, as well as Lauren. Things were changing. Nothing

would ever be the same again.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chad rubbed his eyes wearily as he considered how much had changed—and how

much had stayed the same—since that morning. He was still in love with his best

friend’s girl and there still wasn’t anything he wouldn’t sacrifice to ensure Sean’s

happiness.

“Hey.” Lauren’s voice sounded in the doorway.

He pushed to a sitting position. He wasn’t surprised she’d come to him. While he

was acting like a coward, Lauren was nothing if not forthright. She would never beat

around the bush if she thought there was an issue that needed to be resolved.

“Hey,” he echoed.

She didn’t move to come into his bedroom and he tried to fight off his annoyance at

that fact. He didn’t blame her for keeping her distance, but it still hurt.

“I’m not mad,” she said quickly.

He frowned at her comment. He’d never thought she was. “I know. I’m glad. I

meant what I said earlier, Lauren. I’m sorry I kissed you. I was out of line. I’d never try to fuck up what you and Sean have. Just sort of lost my head there for a minute.”

She took a couple steps into the room, nodding. “You weren’t the only one, but it

can’t happen again. I’m in love with Sean.”

His heart broke at her admission even though he’d known that truth for years. “I

know.”

“I want to tell him about the kiss.”