Filthy English (27 page)

“WHAT THE BLOODY
hell is eating at you, bro? You’re not even looking at my hands,” Declan said. For the third time, I’d been distracted and had failed to shield a side-kick to the chest he’d given, ending with me flat on my arse on the sparring mat.

I shook it off and stood. Put my fists up. “Nothing. Come on, try again, knobhead. Let’s see how far you get.” I’d been here for an hour, helping him getting some training in. I wasn’t good enough for him—not by a long shot—but his regular partner was on vacation and Declan was, well, driven. Missing a day of sparring was not an option so he took the next best thing. Me.

He slipped his gloves off. “Nope, we’re done. Come on, let’s head to the kitchen and get some lunch.”

“Cool,” is what I said, but internally I wasn’t sure I could stomach anything. My gut swirled from last night and everything Remi had confessed.

We slipped through the back entrance of the packed gym, down a narrow hall, and entered their apartment.

Elizabeth met us in the kitchen and handed us both a cold glass of water. “How’s the roommate situation coming?” she asked as we pulled stuff out of the fridge to make sandwiches.

“Peachy.”

She paused, sending me an odd look. “Oh.”

“What does that mean?” I said.

“It’s just, she’s a pretty girl, and you’re a guy, and maybe I’m wrong, but I thought there was a tiny bit of tension between you.” She smiled and handed me a bag of chips for my sandwich. “Or maybe that was just the frat thing going on between you and her fiancé.”

“He slept with her in London,” Declan murmured. “Fake-married her too.”

Her mouth gaped as she popped Declan on the head. “And you’re just now telling me! What’s wrong with you?”

“Bollocks, I’m sorry it slipped my mind. We came home and
we got busy
and then
the shower
and I guess I forgot . . .” He took a swig of water. “A man can’t think straight around you, love.”

“Mmmm. I guess so.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek while his arm snaked around her waist hungrily and pulled her in closer.

I looked down at my sandwich. I mean, I was happy for them—always had been—but today . . .

After lunch, they convinced me to head to Cadillac’s that night and I agreed, realizing I needed a dose of fun after my tough week. I headed to the house around five to shower and get dressed. Remi’s car was gone, and I figured she’d taken Malcolm back home for the week. I parked on the street instead of the driveway, thinking it was safer for her if she had the parking closer to the house.

By six, I’d showered, shaved, and changed into jeans and a black Vital Rejects shirt Spider had given me in London. I spent a while around the house, mostly waiting to see if she came in, but she never did. I considered calling her and inviting her out, but in the end, I didn’t.

I just didn’t know where we stood.

At seven I headed to Cadillac’s. It was a college hangout, and I figured it would be packed with all the students here over the weekend.

I walked through the door at Cadillac’s—only the regulars weren’t there.

“Surprise!” came the shouts from a room full of people.

I nearly fell arse over tit onto the marble floor. Grins and shouts met me as people crowded around me to slap me on the back and congratulate me on the house.

Everyone was here. Axel and some of the brothers, a collection of little sisters, Declan and Elizabeth, my father and step-mum, several other girls I knew from Whitman, and Spider—my eyes tracked back to him as he made his way over to me, wearing a baseball hat, black skinny jeans, and his gray leather jacket.

Declan wrapped a big arm around my shoulder. “Dude. Spider arranged this. He wanted to do a little thank-you for taking care of him this summer. By the way, everyone brought a housewarming gift. It’s a Dax festival in here.” He grinned.

Spider had reached us.

“Dude. What the hell?” I checked him out. He chuckled, eyes clear. Focused. “You did this? I don’t know what to say—and that’s not normal for me.”

He shrugged. “You never left my side all summer, and you and Declan are the closest thing to real family I have . . . and bloody hell, I wanted to see you before I start touring.” He pulled a thick envelope out of his pocket. “And . . . I never got a chance to give you this.”

I opened it. Looked back at him. “I can’t take this money. I lost this bet, plus I gave you your quid already.”

“It’s not about the winning—okay maybe a little, but why not? Consider it a housewarming gift and now you have more capital to invest wherever you want.” He plucked at his leather jacket. “Plus, you’ll hurt my little feelings if you give it back.”

“Damn. Thank you, man.” I gave him a quick side-hug. It was too much, but I could see how much it meant to him.

His eyes shifted to the door.

I followed his gaze and saw Lulu, Remi, and Hartford walk through the door. Jealousy lit me up like lightning, my temper spiking. I cursed under my breath and looked away from them.

“You good, mate?” Spider asked, checking out Hartford with critical eyes. His lip curled. “That’s the boyfriend?”

“Fiancé,” I muttered.

He arched a brow. “Want me to kick his skinny arse? Wanna bet if I can?”

I laughed. God, I’d missed him. “You’re a nutter.”

“Sod off,” he said with a rueful grin. He pulled a small box out of his pocket. “Now, let’s talk about this.”

“What? No more gifts, okay?”

He shook his head. “It’s for Remi.”

My mouth parted, the pieces coming together. “You found it?”

The day after her bracelet had been stolen, I’d called every single pawnshop in London and the surrounding towns looking for her bracelet. I hadn’t gotten a hit, but it hadn’t stopped me from checking in with them until I’d left London.

He stuffed it in my hands. “Dude. You left strict instructions for me to call
every single day
. I did. Hell, it gave me something to do with myself. One of the pawnshops called back yesterday. They even fixed the broken clasp. I should have told you, but I wanted to surprise you . . .” He paused. “You okay? You look funny.”

“No, I just know how much she loves it.” I opened the package and there it was—her bracelet, amid a wad of tissue.

I looked back up at him. “She needs this. Thank you.”

“You’re the one who thought of it. I’ll catch you in a bit.” I nodded and he brushed past me to head toward an enthusiastically waving Lulu.

Someone pushed a beer in my hands, and I made the rounds to say hi to everyone. I talked to my father and step-mum first, since I assumed this wasn’t quite their high-society scene and they’d want to get out before it got too late. They congratulated me, and my father looked pleased although he asked me a hundred questions about whether I was ready for classes to begin, if I had purchased my books, and on and on.

An hour later, after a few toasts had been had, I ended up on a stool chatting with Axel and Alexandria. I’d had a few drinks, and my buzz was making me antsy rather than relaxed.

“Any plans after this?” she asked, sending me a flirtatious grin.

Did I?

That depended on Remi. I wanted to talk to her more—without Hartford in my face—but she hadn’t left his side.

I flicked my eyes over to see them holding hands at the end of the bar. She towered over the other girls, looking gorgeous in some kind of green dress, her hair swinging against her neck.

I tried to catch her eye, but she never looked in my direction, her eyes seeming to avoid mine. It was intentional, I assumed, feeling my anger rise again. She was the girl who needed control, and I was screwing with it.

Hartford watched me though, his eyes narrowed as he caught me staring at Remi. Fuck him. I didn’t care. I smiled at him and raised my glass.
You might have her now, Omega, but who knows about tomorrow . . .

He gave me a haughty smile and leaned down to kiss Remi on the head. My fists clenched. Douche. I wanted to rip into him . . .

“Hello? Dax?” Alexandria asked.

I moved my eyes off Remi. “What?”

She giggled, pink lips sucking on her straw. “I was saying that Bettina and I are going to the Tau house later—but I don’t want to go if you aren’t there.”

I slid a finger down her arm. “Maybe you can come to my place.”

It was obvious Remi was with Hartford, so what was I waiting on?

A short time later, I saw from my peripheral vision that they’d joined the circle at our end of the bar.

Don’t bloody look at her.

God, I hated seeing them together.

Most of all, I wanted a reaction out of her when she was near me.

Something.
Anything.

I mean, how could she walk around with him and pretend like we didn’t just have a big fucking moment last night?

She ordered a drink and the bartender set it on the bar next to me. Reaching to the bar, her arm brushed mine.

I flinched.

“Excuse me, sorry.” She blinked rapidly, her face frozen.

I smirked. “Touch me anytime,
angel
.”

She’d been turning back to Hartford who was in a conversation with someone, but pivoted around to face me, a glare in her eyes.

“Oops. Bad habit.” I grinned and turned to the blonde next to me. “Remi, do you remember . . .” I stopped.
What was her name?
Shit. I’d known it a minute ago.

“Alexandria,” Remi said dryly.

I leaned over, took
Alexandria’s
hand and kissed it. “Sorry. Too many drinks already, but I promise it won’t happen later.”

She giggled, and I leaned over and kissed her full on the lips, my tongue slipping inside hers. She moaned and just when her hands were snaking around my neck, I pulled back, glancing at Remi.

That was all for you,
my eyes said.

You’re a bastard,
hers said.

I bit my bottom lip, my gaze raking over her dress, lingering on her legs. My eyes lifted and met hers. I cocked an eyebrow.
If you say the word, I’d kiss you instead,
my face said.

Her face flamed, and her hands shook.

But I was past caring if she was hurt by a girl
I
was with.
She was killing me.

A side of me wanted to pick at the wounds I knew we both had, because goddamn, I just wanted
something
from her instead of the girl who wanted to pretend we were barely even acquaintances.

No way in hell was I going back to the game we’d been playing.

I refused. REFUSED.

We
would
acknowledge we had a shitty past and only then would we move the fuck on.

I put my hand in my pocket and found the napkin I’d put there earlier. Standing up, I said, “If you ladies will excuse me, I have to visit the loo.”

In the press of people, I had to slide by Remi, and when my hand brushed hers, I pressed the napkin in hers. “This is yours, angel. Contract is null and void. The next time you fall in someone’s lap, remember . . .
you can’t just be friends
.”

Without a backward look, I stalked off toward the narrow hall that led to the restrooms. I went inside. It was a large room, but empty. Thank God. I needed to compose myself.

I kicked it shut with my foot and leaned against the concrete wall. I rubbed my face.

Spur-of-the-moment shit always get you in trouble, Dax.

And sure enough, Trouble walked in just like I’d wanted her to, blue eyes flashing fire.

We were about to collide at full force.

She marched toward me, legs swishing in her green dress. Her face was white, her lipstick a bright red. God, I wanted those lips.

I kept my eyes low and heavy. Waiting.

Halting in front of me, she threw the napkin in my face. It fluttered to the floor, showing me the large
X
I’d scrawled over it. “This meant something to me—even if it didn’t to you.”

I tossed my head back and laughed. “What? Like a sentimental value? It’s meaningless, Remi. We don’t need a contract to tell us we can’t
ever
kiss each other. You’re with
him
, and I’m going to screw that blonde tonight.”

Her throat moved. “Stop.”

“You stop. Stop getting in my head. Stop making me want something I can’t have. Stop looking at me like you want me. Stop breaking my heart about the baby . . .” My head pounded and I pressed on it.