“Fuck.” He lowered himself onto the bed and ran a hand through his hair. Had he really expected her to stick around after his rejection? He’d been deluding himself all day because he hadn’t wanted to consider the possibility that she’d move out without a word.
The hell of it was, he couldn’t blame her.
His cell rang, and he walked out of the empty bedroom and headed to the entryway, where he’d left the phone. A number he didn’t recognize flashed on the screen, and though he’d normally ignore it, something told him to answer.
“Hello?”
“Hey, asshole. Meet me at the club in thirty minutes. We need to talk.”
Beck closed his eyes and groaned. “Linc, do we really need to do this tonight?”
“I can’t think of a better time. See you then.”
Knowing he was going to get his ass handed to him, he debated not showing up but then decided enough time had passed. The least he could do was hear Linc out.
No matter what the other man had to say.
* * *
Beck walked into the club he’d last been at with Chloe, deliberately late. If Linc was going to rip him a new one, at least he’d know he couldn’t order him around and expect immediate compliance. Sometimes it was the little things that helped a man maintain power.
He arrived to find the other man sitting at a private table in the corner with a bottle of Macallan and two lowball glasses.
Beck lowered himself into the empty seat across from him. In silence, he poured himself a drink, glanced at Linc, who merely nodded. He tipped the bottle and watched the liquid rise, finished, and slid the glass across the table.
They each picked up a glass and took a long sip.
Linc studied him, rolling the glass between his palms. “I was drunk but it was no excuse. You were my closest friend and I betrayed you.”
Beck blinked. He’d expected to be slammed about how he’d treated Chloe, not receive what was as close to an apology as he was likely to get.
“I’m not saying this to excuse my behavior, but I have a rough memory of a woman crawling into bed with me saying, ‘I’m back.’ I thought it was Lacey, too drunk to process that it wasn’t.” Linc dipped his head, his regret more than clear.
“Shit.” Beck didn’t know what to say. He’d had no idea Jenna had pretended to be Linc’s girlfriend. His stomach churned at what Linc must have been feeling. If things had been the other way around, Linc would be in jail. There were words for women like Jenna. He shook his head.
After all these years, Beck wouldn’t just take the apology, he’d give Linc a little more than his understanding. “Jenna was a bitch. I watched her make her way up the food chain at school. You were a means to an end. She wanted more of my time and used you to try and get it. When I didn’t quit my job, she moved on.” Beck shrugged. “It wasn’t easy to get past back then. Later on, it always seemed too late. The anger and hatred between us festered over time and land deals.”
“Agreed. Now answer a question for me. Did you use my sister to get back at me?” Linc took another big gulp.
“Fuck no.” Beck raised his glass and paused. “Although that first morning, I can’t say I didn’t enjoy watching you lose your shit.”
Linc rolled his eyes and Beck couldn’t withhold a grin.
But his smirk disappeared when he thought of Chloe. Sliding his hand off the glass, he curled his hands into fists. “Nothing I did for your sister had anything to do with you.”
It had everything to do with the sad female in the wedding dress trying to pretend alcohol made everything okay. Then he’d seen the real woman who’d fallen apart upstairs in the hotel suite, and something about her called to him.
He often thought she reminded him of who his sister might have been. A strong woman surrounded by brothers, struggling to make her own way. But Whitney never had that chance. And he wasn’t going to open himself up to anyone, not even the beautiful, gutsy Chloe Kingston.
“Yeah, I know you didn’t use her,” Linc said.
That shocked him. But before he could speak, Linc continued.
“What I’m trying to say is, I came to understand you weren’t using her. At lunch, Chloe told me how much you supported her, encouraged her, and were there for her in a way I couldn’t be…” Linc ran his hand over his eyes, his frustration with himself showing. “I didn’t know what my sister needed. She kept her unhappiness hidden. I had no clue she found her job unfulfilling. And no matter how many people told her she was making a mistake with Owen, she wouldn’t admit she chose him for the wrong reasons.”
Dammit. Beck actually felt sorry for his old friend. He’d feel the same way if it were his sister and he’d missed all the signs of her distress. “It’s easier for an outsider to see things,” he said, actually attempting to make Linc feel better.
“Well, regardless, you got her to open up and made sure she followed her dreams. I’m grateful and it’s not easy to admit that to you.” Linc leaned forward in his chair. “But what I’m not happy with is the fact that she moved out of your apartment because you were a fucking asshole to her.”
“And there’s the jerk I know. Welcome back,” Beck muttered. But he couldn’t help but ask, “How is she?” He’d been thinking about her nonstop, hating himself for hurting her and frozen inside, unable to thaw and reach for what he really wanted.
“How do you think she is? But she’s tough. She’ll get over you,” Linc said oh so easily.
Ouch. The thought of Chloe moving on made him want to puke, but he forced himself to remember his reasons. “Look. You want what’s best for Chloe and so do I. The one thing we can agree on is that’s not me.” It couldn’t be him.
“As much as it galls me to admit this, you’re wrong,” Linc said. “She loves you and thinks you can make her happy. From what I’ve seen, she’s right.”
That Linc, of all people, was pushing him toward Chloe was a shock. Still, Beck shook his head, not wanting to delve into his past and his pain with anyone. But he owed it to Chloe to explain it to someone who could help her get through this.
He finished his drink for fortification and put the glass down on the table. “You know about my sister.”
Linc nodded. “And I know that’s why you’ve shut Chloe out. I just think you need to reconsider. You’re denying yourself happiness out of fear. I can tell you from experience, love is worth the risk.”
“Loss isn’t and that’s not something you’ve experienced yet. And I don’t wish that on anyone. Including you.” He refilled his glass.
“Well, at least I can say I tried.” Linc leaned back in his chair, a disgusted look on his face. “But you’re the same stubborn asshole you’ve always been,” Linc said but his smirk meant he wasn’t serious. He clearly didn’t like Beck’s choices but knew they were his to make.
Beck lifted his glass and treated Linc to the same grin. “Back at you, buddy,” he said and took another drink before sliding his chair back and heading home.
* * *
Chloe made it through the long weekend, in part because Xander stayed in the city instead of heading back to his beach house. He didn’t want to leave her alone, and she was grateful for the company. They hung out, binge watched television, ordered in pizza and ice cream, and just had a chill couple of days.