Wright Kind of Love, page 6
Jordan shrugged and held his hands up. “Just playing nice.”
“Y’all are rich,” Bailey said. “Get some sleep, sis. Text if you need anything.”
“Will do.”
Then, I was leaning on Chase’s arm, and he walked me out to his car. I’d driven in with Bailey. So, it was lucky that I didn’t have to abandon my little Kia.
Once I was in the passenger seat, I said, “I think you just won my brothers over.”
He shot me a disbelieving look. “I don’t think I’d go that far.”
“Nah, Jordan shook your hand.”
“It doesn’t matter. All I care about is how you are feeling.” His hand came to my face. “It was fucking terrifying watching you drop like that.”
I touched his hand. “I’m fine. I’m sure it was nothing.”
“It was not nothing. It was horrible, and I never want to see you hurt again.”
He leaned in like he was going to kiss me.
I balked and reared back. “I just threw up.”
“And?”
“And I am disgusting.”
He shot me a bemused look. “Harley, you are never disgusting to me.”
“My breath is gross. You don’t want to—”
But then his lips were on mine, and he kissed me so long and hard that I thought maybe I was going to black out again.
“I do want to,” he said when he pulled back. “I always want to.”
My heart fluttered at his words. He’d just careened across a soccer pitch, thrown his best friend out of the way, and stood up for me in front of my brothers. Now, he was taking care of me and being so fucking sweet. And I thought I was going to die of happiness. Even with the concussion.
“Careful,” he teased. “I know that look.”
“What look?” I asked, my voice going breathy.
“That is the look you give me right before you do something devious.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Usually, you proceed to fuck my brains out.”
“Well, who can blame me?”
He laughed. “Like I said, careful. You have to rest. You heard Annie—no wild activity.”
“Fine. We can be all saint-like and missionary about it. Nothing wild at all.”
He sputtered on another laugh. “The way that mind works.”
He revved the engine and pulled away from the fields.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“Oh no, it’s a fucking wonderful thing. Hottest thing about you.”
“Better than me in my Harley Quinn outfit?” I teased.
He choked. “I refuse to speculate. You might have to show it to me again so I can decide.”
I giggled, but that made my head hurt. So, I decided Annie was probably right and I should have a chill weekend. Even if the thought of cosplaying Harley Quinn and getting fucked in pigtails was pretty enticing. Unfortunately, it was not exactly reasonable in my current condition.
We made it back to Chase’s house, and he helped me inside, putting me on the couch and getting ice for my head.
“You look cute in a baseball cap,” I said when Chase handed me two Tylenol and a water to help with my headache. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in one.”
He pulled it off and flipped it around, putting it backward on his head. “Yeah, I used to wear them a lot and then gave up the habit.”
“Mmm.” I gestured for him to come closer. “It’s even hotter backward.”
He chuckled. “You are trying to get me in trouble.”
“Do you have gray sweatpants too?”
“I don’t even want to know, do I?”
My eyes drifted to the crotch of his pants and back up to his eyes. Then, I winked.
He shook his head. “You’re objectifying me. I am a strong, independent man, Harley Wright. I am more than just my body.”
I couldn’t keep from laughing that time. He’d heard me say something similar one too many times if he was quoting it back at me.
“My bad. I will think of something other than having your cock inside of me.”
He dropped onto the couch next to me and slanted our lips together. “Please don’t.”
I moaned against him as I reached for his pants, and a wave of dizziness overtook me. He pushed me gently backward on the sofa.
“Rest. We have time for that later.”
“Not fair.”
“You’re going to make yourself throw up,” he reminded me. “Again.”
I sighed and settled back into the couch. “So, did you ever hear from your mom about lunch or whatever?”
He scratched his neck and looked guilty. “Um…about that.”
“What happened?”
“Well, I decided to tell her about you because I figured she’d had enough surprises from my dad.”
“Okay,” I drawled.
“And she was okay with it.”
“Good,” I said, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“But Ashleigh was at her house and overheard.”
I winced and reeled back from that. We’d planned to tell Ashleigh, of course, but she was complicated. Chase had given me a full pros and cons list about when to tell Ashleigh. Personally, I didn’t care, but he did, and I just wanted to do whatever would be the easiest. I hadn’t expected this.
“And she’s not okay with it?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I mean, she freaked out. Screamed at the top of her lungs. But Mom convinced her not to tell my dad since I said that I wanted to.”
“Which is good.”
“She seemed very…nice about it.”
“Nice is also good.”
“I don’t know,” he said again.
I laughed and touched my aching head. “Just spit it out. What’s bothering you? You afraid your sister won’t like me? I mean, isn’t that par for the course?”
“She invited you to a girls’ weekend actually.”
“A girls’ weekend?” I asked in surprise.
“Yeah, a spa day and drinks. It’s a whole thing. She does them regularly with her friends.”
I had been prepared for Ashleigh to dislike me. I hadn’t been prepared for her to invite me to parties and shit. Did she want to get to know me? Or did she want to sniff out information? I’d heard enough about her from Julian to know she was treacherous. I just didn’t know where this fell into place.
“Should I go?”
“Do you want to go?” he asked.
“I mean, I could use a spa day if that’s what you’re asking, but is she being sincere?”
“I really wish I knew the answer to that. I never quite know where Ashleigh falls. And you don’t have to go if you’re worried about it.”
“I’m not worried. I can handle myself,” I insisted. “I just want to make sure I’m coming into this on the right footing.”
“I don’t want you to handle yourself. You know what?” he said with a headshake, coming to his feet. “I’ll just tell her no.”
“Wait, I didn’t say no.”
“She’s probably going to try to do something stupid. Her friends are all catty. I don’t know if you’d like any of them.”
“Hold up.” I held my hand out. “I can handle a spa day with other girls. I want to get to know your sister, too. I’m sure she’s not as bad as everyone makes her out to be. Maybe she just needs a real friend.”
“That is very sweet,” he said with a frown. “But I’m not sure it’s reality with Ashleigh.”
I laughed. “How bad can it be?”
“That I do not want the answer to.”
“Well, I don’t have to go if you don’t want me to get to know your sister. But I don’t think she’s going to just leave us alone if I say no,” I reasoned.
I watched him contemplate that answer. I had memorized all the lines of his face. And even just being in his house for the last week had been enough for me to begin to learn that every movement he made had a story to tell. He was debating now whether or not it was worth it to deal with Ashleigh now or later.
“Fine. Fine,” he said, giving in. “I’ll tell her you’ll go. But if you need to bail, I can come get you at any time.”
“I’ll be fine,” I said on a laugh. “Honestly, you act like she’s going to cut me in my sleep.”
“No, she’s never that direct,” he muttered.
“Chase, get down here and kiss me and stop worrying about your sister. It’ll be fine.”
He dropped back onto the couch and brought our lips together again, but I could feel wariness in him. I hoped that he was wrong and Ashleigh was just dramatic. I’d dealt with girls like her back home and in college. Nothing I couldn’t handle.
9
Harley
“Drinks tonight?” Courtney called over to me as I stepped out of my office for the day.
I laughed and shook my head. “Can’t tonight. I have a thing with Chase’s sister.”
Courtney wheeled over to where I was standing. “Ohhh,” she said, “family time.”
“Not exactly. We’re going to some spa in the middle of nowhere. That’s actually why I’m cutting out a little early. I have to drive out there.”
“Oh my God, are you talking about The Retreat?”
“Yes,” I said.
She directed her wheelchair down the hallway toward the elevator with me. “I heard it’s fucking magical. Also a fortune but amazing.”
“Well, I guess it’s good to know that it’s real.”
It was hard to admit that I’d been worried his sister was going to send me on a wild goose chase. Chase had spooked me enough about his sister to think that she’d do it. Julian had only made it worse when I asked him about his ex-girlfriend. But apparently, I’d just let them get in my head.
Thankfully, Courtney was bringing me back down to reality.
We’d clicked the first day that I stepped foot into Wright Construction. She was a bubbly ball of light and only a few years older than me. Destined for upper management as far as I was concerned.
“Well, next time,” Courtney said. “I’m so glad you decided to take this job, Harley. You’re such an asset to the team. I hope you know that.”
I flushed with approval at those words. “Thanks, girl. The feeling is absolutely mutual.”
I waved good-bye once we got out to the parking lot, a little skip in my step. See, I’d made the right choice. I was doing the right thing. At least that part of my life seemed to be on track despite the clusterfuck it had caused personally. Plus, I got to be with Chase.
If only I didn’t have this spa day planned. Why had I agreed to this again?
I got behind the wheel of my Kia, turned David Bowie on full blast, and headed out into the middle of nowhere.
The spa appeared on the horizon like an apparition. It was surrounded on all sides by a sea of scrubby grass and quintessential Lubbock tumbleweeds. Just a large mosaic-dotted building in a long, flat line of nothing. I parked out front, amid the BMWs, Mercedes, and Range Rovers.
I could barely stop my jaw from unhinging at the sight of the interior. The lobby was three stories high with tinkling water coming down a waterfall against one wall. The place was otherwise minimalist and pure white on every surface with a view of the arid climate beyond.
“Welcome to The Retreat on the Permian Basin. Can I help you?”
“Yes, I’m here for a group spa day. It’s reserved under Ashleigh Sinclair.”
“Oh, yes. Ashleigh is one of our most dedicated clients. And your name is?”
“Harley. Harley Wright.”
“Excellent. You’re on the guest list.”
The woman got my shoe and robe size and then directed me through the maze of a building to a changing area. I stripped down to nothing but the robe and comfortable rubber shoes. It took me longer than I’d thought because I was struck by the row upon row of glass paned showers, a blow-dry bar, a shaving bar, a full circle of mirrors with everything from hair products to makeup to perfumes and beyond.
The woman was waiting for me when I finally came back out. She showed me the rows of saunas and jetted hot tubs before directing me to a personal quiet room for Ashleigh’s party.
I took a deep breath and then went inside. Ashleigh was on a circular lounge chair in the dimly lit room, seated at the center of all of her adoring friends, as if she were a queen on her throne. Every unfamiliar person in that room had to be eight to ten years older than me. And when I was with Chase, I never felt like that mattered, but in that moment, I felt…young.
I didn’t like it.
I was saved from having to make some grand entrance by someone I did recognize.
“Harley!”
“Elsie,” I said in surprise.
Kai’s wife and I had met at the Cosmere show a few years ago, and Chase and I had gone out to dinner with them last week. She was wonderfully down-to-earth and made my heart stop racing almost immediately. I would be fine. Why had I even been worried?
“I’m so glad you made it!”
“Me too.”
“Oh, Harley!” Ashleigh said with a little giggle at the end. “Welcome to The Retreat. This is my home away from home.”
“It’s nice,” I said truthfully.
It was nicer than anywhere I’d ever been before. In fact, it was pretty out of my tax bracket. I might be a Wright with a trust fund, but I didn’t fucking touch the thing. Money from Owen was off-limits. Not unless I was desperate—and a spa day did not count.
“Everyone, this is Harley Wright.” She gestured to me. “Harley, these are all my best friends.”
She listed off a dozen names in quick succession, and I wasn’t sure I was going to remember anyone but Elsie. But I smile and waved.
“Nice to meet all of you,” I said.
“Harley is dating Chase, and so we have to be extra nice to her. My big brother’s new girlfriend deserves only the best.” She raised a mimosa in my honor.
My cheeks heated at the words. I couldn’t quite tell if she was being nice or making fun of me. Julian had said she had that way about her, but still, it was disarming to witness it firsthand.
“Thanks,” I said with a smile.
“Do you want a drink?” one of the minions asked.
The second girl touched the first’s arm. “Wait, are you old enough to drink?”
Someone snickered behind a hand.
Oh, lovely.
“Yep. Old enough to drink,” I said with a forced smile.
“We weren’t sure. You look like such a baby,” the first said.
“Good genes,” I quipped.
“I mean, obviously,” Ashleigh said. “Those Wrights and their eternal youth.”
Again, was that a compliment? Or did she hate us as much as my family hated hers?
“We’re lucky like that,” I said, trying for nonchalance.
“Luck,” another girl said with a laugh. “Or the money from a Fortune 500.”
A girl flattened a finger down her nose. “Whoever did yours was incredible.”
“Agreed. Oh my God, I was just going to say the same,” another girl said. “You’ll have to give us your surgeon’s name. Are they here in Lubbock or back where you’re from? Where is that again?”
“Seattle,” Ashleigh filled in.
“Surgeon?” I asked in confusion.
“Y’all,” Elsie said with an eye roll. She met my uncertain look. “They want to fix their botched nose jobs.”
A gasp came from the girls.
“I didn’t say ours were botched!”
“I’ll give you the name,” I said even though I’d never had a nose job myself. “If you need the help.”
Ashleigh laughed as if the chaos was where she thrived. “Oh, I like you. I see why brother dearest likes you, too.”
Elsie huffed next to me. “Ashleigh.”
“She’s fine, Els. Don’t hover like my mother.” Ashleigh winked at me. “We’re just having fun, aren’t we?”
“Sure,” I said because what else could I say?
Elsie looked uncertainly between us. “Come on. You can sit with me.”
I took a seat next to her on a chaise and accepted a mimosa. My hands were a little shaky as I took a sip of the champagne. I could stand up to much more formidable foes, but I felt that same little girl shit I’d felt growing up when the cool girls looked down on me. Turned out, people in high school didn’t like when you were confident. Correction: people anywhere.
I was only seated a minute before the door opened and names were called. I jumped from my seat and followed the masseuse for my first of many treatments. Ashleigh had scheduled a massage and facial for every girl. Plus professional hair and makeup before we went out. There were optional add-ons that I was sure many of the girls were getting, but I wasn’t sure I needed a body scrub or a manicure or red-light therapy. Or at least my wallet said I didn’t.
I had to hand it to Ashleigh though. There was a reason this place cost a fortune. It was easily the best massage I had ever had in my life. I left the table feeling dizzy with the release of tension. My hips in particular holding all the tension from the new ice skates I’d purchased to use on the Tech ice. Not to mention my ankles. Ankles were not meant for new skates.
My facial was rejuvenating and mildly painful as the girl chemically peeled my face off. By the end, I looked like a glazed doughnut. Somehow in the best way. Yes, I was only twenty-two, but my skin glowed like it never had before. Apparently, it was the perfect base for the makeup artist, who declined my request for dark and smoky and heavy eyeliner for the softest, most natural look that I’d ever worn with the only concession being the winged liner. Combine that with the perfect blowout, and I somehow looked older. Also like I fit in with these other girls. It was disconcerting, to say the least.
When I finally made it back to the private room, there was only one other girl there. I didn’t recognize her from when I’d first gotten here.
“Hey, is this still for Ashleigh?”
“Oh, yes, come in. I’ve been alone for ages. My fault for getting here early,” she said with a laugh. “I absolutely need girl time. Sit. Sit.” She patted her oversize chaise.
I crossed the room, wariness in my shoulders that the masseuse had just worked out. Was this girl like all the others? I’d handled myself just fine, but I didn’t know if I needed to have my guard up.
