Twist of Fate (22 page)

“Why are you standing out here and not in there, drinking?” Lucas’s voice draws me away from my thoughts.

“I just needed a minute,” I say as I play with my phone, pretending to look busy, not wanting to give up the real reason.

“Um, okay?” Lucas’s eyebrows are arched and we stand there in an awkward silence for a minute. God, why won’t this fucking thing go down? Fucking Lilly, that’s why. She’s got that long lasting effect on me.

“Do you need help with that?” Declan breaks the silence, pointing the bulge in my pants. Lucas bursts out in laughter and Declan joins in.

“I’m good, but thanks for the kind gesture,” I answer sarcastically, readjusting myself in my jeans.

“Oh, come on, I was playing around. Besides, if you must know, I prefer the backdoor entry, if you know what I mean,” he’s wiggling his eyebrows and Lucas is laughing even harder now.

“Easy for you assholes to sit back and laugh. You have Kim, and you,” I punch Declan in the shoulder, “have
two
people to take care of you from what I hear.”

“Well, get rid of that so we can go drink already,” Lucas waves his hand in a hurrying gesture.

“I’ve been trying! It’s Lilly she messes with my head and my body,” waving my hand near my dick.

“Just do what I do. Think of your grandma,” Declan says gagging.

“Or try having your kid bust through the door right as you’re about to blow your load. Now
that
is a mood killer,” Lucas suggests and I immediately feel my problem go away.

We head inside the bar and I’m still a little confused as to why Declan is here. He is a nice guy, don’t get me wrong, but he has never expressed any interest of hanging out with Lucas or myself. I head to the bar and Lucas suggests grabbing a table. We never sit at a table when we go out, no matter how many of us there are. There is something up, and I’m not sure what it is, but I don’t want to be blindsided.

“What gives?” I question as everyone takes a seat.

“What do you mean?” Lucas doesn’t look up from the beer menu. Another sign that something’s up.

“We never sit at a table and for as long as I’ve known you, you’ve always ordered the same drink. And you,” pointing to Declan, “you never expressed any interest in hanging out with us before, so what gives? And don’t try to insult my intelligence either. What the hell are we really doing here?”

“I would say sorry I’m late, but I would actually have to feel sorry and I don’t. Especially since what I was doing was important,” Megan says, coming up from behind me and taking the empty seat next to me. “What’s a girl gotta do to get a drink around here?”

“Not me,” Declan says as he turns his attention to me. “And what’s wrong with me wanting to spend some time with the guys?” He’s waving over a waitress.

“You don’t hang with the guys,” Megan chimes in, only proving my point that something’s up.

“Okay, can someone fill me in on what we’re really doing here?” Before I can get an answer, the waitress is at our table taking drink orders. Lucas makes a point to order something different this time, and I laugh and shake my head at him. He gives me his ‘take that’ look and flips me off. Classic Lucas. Megan and Declan start bullshitting and Lucas is listening to their conversation intently, completely ignoring me.

“Okay, if no one is going to talk, I’m leaving. I have better things I could be doing than trying to figure out what all three of you are up to,” I say as I start to get out of my seat.

“Like what? Playing with yourself?” Declan jokes.

“Sit down, Silas. You’re going to want to hear what we have to say. And Declan, quit being so crude all the time.” Megan’s getting sassy and he sticks his tongue out at her.

“Look, Lilly is going to
kill
Declan and I for telling you this. But, we both discussed it and feel you need to know.” She’s glancing over at Declan and she looks a little nervous. I’ve never seen her look nervous. Fierce, yes. That’s practically a permanent fixture on her.

“What is it exactly that I need to know?” Fear rushes through me at the thought that there could be something seriously wrong with Lilly or Ezra, especially if she’s breaking some girl code bullshit. The waitress walks by the table and I stop her, ordering a whiskey. I have a feeling I’m going to need something a little stronger for this. When she leaves, I continue, “If it’s going to ruin your friendship, don’t tell me.”

“Even if it’s about you?” Lucas chimes in.

“Yes, even if it’s about me. Lilly made it clear she wants nothing to do with me. I don’t think she would take kindly to you sharing stuff with me. Especially since she wants nothing to do with me. As much as I want to know what’s going on in her life, just hearing her name crushes me.”

“What if she was moving to Australia? Wouldn’t you want to know that?” Lucas is getting a little irritated with me and I know he’s tired of hearing me complain about my current situation.

“Well, she would have to tell me if she was moving. Ezra, remember?” I pick up my whiskey, drinking it and suddenly realizing that she wouldn’t have to tell me. I have no official parental rights. My stomach drops at the thought. Erza and Lilly could disappear from my life once again. Clearing my throat to not show my panic, I continue, “Plus, if she moved I would follow her. Wherever my son goes, I go.” I place my glass down and wring my hands under the table. They are sweaty from the nerves.

“Okay, enough of this shit,” Megan says as she slaps her palm on the table.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Silas?” Before I can answer her back, she starts up again. “You have this amazing woman who gave you a son and you just let her walk away? God, for a detective, you are one dumb ass motherfucker,” She smacks me hard on my forehead.

“What do you want me to do, Megan? I told her I wasn’t walking away and I was going to fight for her. She told me she didn’t want me to.”

“And I don’t want to marry Adam Levine. Geez … you can’t be that dense,” I just stare at her. “Of course she wants you to fight for her, she just won’t ask you to. She had no reason to push you away, except that you scare her. I remember when she came home from the first time you guys met. You should have seen the fire that got lit under her ass when she wrote those books. I knew there was more to the night than she was leading on at first. She was always dazed off in a dreamy state and when she would write, I would have to pry her away from her laptop. She’s had this idea of you for so long. You
are
her Miles. That whole series came about because of your one night together. Think about it, Lilly has never been in a serious relationship, she has no idea what she’s doing. Add in reconnecting, not only with your muse, but the father of your child -- it’s a bit overwhelming. Then throw Kristin being pregnant into the mix. It’s a wonder how she kept her anxiety under control. She’s scared, Silas, scared of the unknown and it overwhelmed her. She will never tell you that,” Megan explains.

As Megan is talking, everything is making more sense to me. I knew what she was saying was bullshit, but I just couldn’t put it together. I should have seen it from the beginning. She hid everything so well, I would have never known this was weighing on her so much.

“But now, because you’re an idiot, it might be too late.” She’s smiling as she admits the last part.

“What do you mean he’s too late?” Declan asks before I can.

“She finally gave into Joe’s bugging and is going out with Brett. She called me on my way here and told me.”

“I have to go,” getting up, I rush toward the exit.

“Where are you going?” Declan yells out.

“I know what I need to do. Megan, I’ll call you. I’m going to need your help on this,” I inform her.

“Is there anything I can do?” Lucas’s support is all the help I need.

“Sit there, look pretty and pretend to like the beer you’re drinking,” I say, knowing he hasn’t touched it since the first sip. He flips me off and I’m out the door.

Chapter 33

Lilly

Every day at work this week, Joe has been bringing up this guy, Brett. He wants me to go out with him and try to move on, since I’m hell bent on not making things work romantically with Silas. Joe and Laura basically tore me a new one when I told them what happened. They both said I am an idiot for pushing him away. Maybe I am, but what’s done is done and there’s no taking back what I said. Every morning Joe is constantly asking me the same question. ‘Can I set something up with Brett?’ And every time, my answer is no. Until yesterday. He said if I don’t go out, he’s going to give Declan a three-week vacation next month. He’s fighting dirty and he has me where he knows I can’t say no. I have a book signing every weekend next month. Without Declan’s help, I’ll be swamped and behind on my work. So reluctantly, I agree.

Getting ready, I’m not quite sure I know what to wear. I’m trying to keep an open mind about this get together. I refuse to call it a date. I’m not ready to date, and no matter how many times I tell everyone that, they don’t seem to care. I know they think they are helping, but it isn’t. The only positive thing I’ve gotten out of this is a new idea for a story. Who knew sitting in an airport I would find a muse that fills me with inspiration left and right? Sighing, I just grab the first thing I can reach in my closet, which is a simple sundress. I throw it over my head and throw on a pair of wedges. Looking in the mirror, you can tell I didn’t put much effort into my outfit but I couldn’t care less. I’m not going out to find my next boyfriend. The doorbell rings and Megan lets herself in, announcing she’s here. I told her if I had to go out with Brett, she was coming. She had suggested we go to the festival in the park they have every summer. Local vendors come out and set up stands to sell their merchandise, and local bands play to entertain the crowds.

“Hey.” Megan walks into my room.

“Hey, yourself. Let me just grab my bag and we can go.” I walk back to the closet to switch out my purse.

“You’re wearing that?” Pointing to my dress, her eyebrows are creased in and her lips pursed. She’s clearly insulted by my outfit, but I’m not sure why.

“Yes, what’s wrong with it?” I look to make sure it doesn’t have any stains or tears that I might have missed.

“You’re meeting this guy for the first time. First impressions are everything. You have to blow him away.” She starts digging through my closet. “Here wear this one.” She hands me a long black maxi dress. The front top is a v-cut top and the back of the dress has one of those low backdrops to it. Reluctantly, I take the dress from her and put it on. “Much better. Now let’s go see what all the fuss is about over this guy.”

On the ride over to the park, I send Brett a text letting him know we are on our way and where we should meet him. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. I’m a mess and I’m already sweating. I turn the air conditioning up in the car and place my hand on my bouncing knee that won’t stop.

“God, you would think you’re about to lose your virginity over there,” Megan says as she laughs.

“It’s easy for you to laugh. You’re not the one going on a blind date. I don’t know anything about this guy. I don’t even know what he looks like.” Knowing how horribly wrong blind dates go, I imagine the worst.

“I do. Joe showed me a picture so I would be able to spot him easier. And let me tell you, he’s fucking hot!” She’s fanning herself with her hand and has a big ass smile on her face.

“What the hell? Why would he show you a picture of him and not me?”

“Because, we all know you would find something wrong with him before even meeting, since he’s not the golden boy.” She’s got a point.

We pull up to the park, and as I suspected, parking is a bitch. There are no empty spots on the streets, so we go around to a building and park in their lot. Megan gets out her phone and sends a message and puts her phone away.

“Who are you texting?”

“Joe, he wanted to make sure you showed up.” We walk to the park entrance and head over to where I told Brett I would meet him. Megan nudges my shoulder and says, “Oh! There he is. Is he sexy or what?” She’s so excited, you would think this date is for her. I get a good look before we reach him, and I have to agree with her. He is definitely easy on the eyes. The sun is shining on his shaggy brown hair, perfect for running your hands through. I idly wonder what it smells like. Stopping myself from the daydream I am starting, I notice his ripped body through the fitted white t-shirt that he is wearing. My heart beats wildly in my chest. Why didn’t I let Joe set me up with him a long time ago? The way his muscles move and flex begins a butterfly effect in my stomach and I’m thankful Megan made me change my outfit.

“Hey, I’m Lilly,” I say as I hold out my hand.

“Brett. It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve been hearing a lot about you from Joe,” he says as he wraps his hand around mine, shaking it.

“Good things, I hope.” I’m blushing and this surprises me. Knowing Joe, I could only imagine what he told him.

“I think it’s a rule only to tell good things about family members,” he jokes.

Megan clears her throat, and for a second I forgot she was there. “This is my friend, Megan. I hope you don’t mind her tagging along.”

“Not at all, nice to meet you,” he shakes her hand. “Can I get some drinks for you ladies?”

“Yes, I’ll take an Angry Orchard, please.”

“I’ll take the same.” Brett heads off as Megan looks at me and her tongue might as well be hanging out of her mouth as she drools over him. “Okay, you can’t tell me he isn’t one hundred percent fuckable. I would happily lick that body from head to toe.”

“Megan!” I yell.

“What? All I’m saying is if you don’t want him, I’ll take him. I knew he was good looking, but damn, his picture does not do him justice.” Just as I’m about to answer her, Brett is back with our drinks. We take our drinks and walk over to the large crowd by the stage. Whoever’s on stage is singing John Mayer’s Your Body Is A Wonderland, and I love this song. There’s something so sexual about it. This person’s voice is so seducing, and he is executing this song almost better than John Mayer himself.