Chapter 63

Dammit. He was trying too hard to render that “hot as fuck” melding of mouths into something inconsequential. But it needed to be said. To ensure she didn’t guess his secret and to remind himself that she wasn’t his. That she was here in this club for his brother, the one she truly desired. Her response to his kiss could be chalked up to shock, to playing the game. He was the liar here. Better he remember that and avoid any fanciful, foolish thoughts of “what if.” But at least they had their friendship. No way in hell would he fuck that up.

“Let’s go see if it worked. You ready?” He arched an eyebrow.

Her intense scrutiny didn’t waver from his face, and it unnerved him. Worried him.

Finally, she glanced away, and he almost groaned with relief.

“Actually, I’m going to head to the bathroom. I’ll be back.”

“I’ll go with you—”

“No.” She shook her head. “I’m okay, and I need a minute.”

She didn’t wait for his agreement, but walked away, leaving him to stare after her. After a few moments, he pivoted and strode back to the bar, where Stoner still waited.

“Hey, Nick. Everything okay?” his brother asked, his gaze flicking in the direction Michelle disappeared.

Okay? Hell no. Everything was most definitely not okay. But Nick smiled, hoping the darkness of the club hid how forced it felt. “Yeah, Michelle just had to use the restroom.”

“Good, just checking.” Stoner nodded, then slid his hands into his pants pockets and leaned against the bar’s edge. “It’s not my business, so feel free to tell me to mind it, but —” he hiked his chin up “—I thought you and Michelle were just friends.”

“We are.” He shrugged a shoulder and caught the bartender’s eye. Only after he ordered a whiskey and felt the liquid burn as it slid over his tongue and down his throat did he continue answering his brother. “If you’re referring to what you saw out there, that was nothing serious.” And the lies kept coming. Right. It wasn’t nothing. It was everything. “Michelle and I are friends.”

“If you’re sure. It looked like...”

“I’m sure.” He took another sip of his drink, his grip on the glass nearly threatening to shatter it. “Why are you asking?” He knew damn well why Stoner was asking.

Stoner studied him, then shook his head, a smile quirking a corner of his mouth. “I just want to make sure I’m not stepping on any toes. She’s...” Stoner blew out a breath. “Fuck, she’s gorgeous.”

Nick knocked back the rest of the whiskey to prevent himself from saying anything immediately. “Yes, she is,” he said, voice smooth, even. “But, no, you aren’t stepping on any toes. Michelle is single.”

“You sure you don’t mind?”

Bitterness tinged with sorrow bloomed in his chest. “It’s Michelle’s decision, not mine. But, no, I’m good.”

Stoner's smile broadened, and he clapped Nick on the shoulder. “That’s great. Thanks, Nick.”

“No problem.”

Right. No problem. Michelle would finally have the man she wanted. And he'd continue to do well at his job and with his new position at the office. It was all he needed.

____________

“Something is going on with Nick, Candace and I need you,” Michelle told her sister on the phone the next day, obviously still in a panic about what happened between her and Nick the previous night.

“Well, hello to you too,” Candace replied sarcastically, although she couldn’t help but wonder what Michelle had done now. Last she heard about the drama, her sister was going out with the two brothers, but that was only because Nick's brother had invited her. Had she ruined things with Nick? Just the way she had ruined things with Nolan?

Gosh, she didn't want to think about Nolan, but it was starting to look like McKenna women just didn't do well with relationships.

“Candace? Candace, are you there?” Michelle’s voice cut into her thoughts.

“Yes I'm here,” she replied, “What happened with Nick?”

In minutes, Michelle explained the drama between the two brothers, Nick's weird attitude, and then down to the kiss. It was shocking, but Michelle couldn't deny that that kiss with Nick had been one of the most thrilling she'd ever had. Filled with so much emotion… Intense —but also in a way that scared her.

“Wow,” said Candace when Michelle was finally done.

“Wow? That's what you have to say?” Michelle sounded freaked out, “For years you've given me unsolicited advice when it came to my relationships with men, and now that I actually need you, wow is all I get?”

Candace sighed, “You know, I've come to understand that I'm not such an expert when it comes to relationships so I guess I've been humbled,” she admitted, “What did his brother say?”

“I have no idea. He saw us kissing but I didn't stay long enough after it happened to find out what he thought about it. I left,”

“Alone?”

“No. Nick drove me home, but the silence in the car was deafening. I practically ran into the house when he dropped me off. Oh Candace,” Michelle groaned, “What have I done? I can't loose Nick,”

“You won't… As long as you guys talk and figure out what's going on and where you stand,”

There was a pause, then Michelle said, “You mean like you talked to Nolan?”

Oh it was times like these that made her want to pull out her sister's hair, Candace thought painfully, but then again… Michelle was right, and honestly she didn't think she was in any position to give anyone advice, but the comment still hurt.

“You came to me for advice,” said Candace, “So why am I getting tortured right now,”

“I'm sorry,” said Michelle remosefully, “I guess in some ways we're both like Mom. She's coming to Rosehill next week you know, and honestly I think you'd love having her around if you give her a chance. And maybe after you're convinced that she can be trusted to look after Gran and Grandad, you can come back to Quinley.”

Wouldn't she love that, Candace’s thought painfully. Weeks ago she'd have been thrilled about this, but now? What else did she have left in Quinley? Their home. Her sister. Nolan….?

As if she could read her thoughts, Michelle asked, “So have you talked to Nolan yet?”

“What do you think?” said Candace in response. She'd stopped trying when she finally admitted to herself that he never wanted to speak to her again. All her calls and texts had been left unanswered, and she wasn’t going to make a fool of herself anymore. All she was left with now was the memory of him and the short time they'd spent together . One she'd never forget, but it had to be enough. “Have you talked to him?”