3.

MIA

PRESENT

"Let me just say Walter was amazing."

I emptied a glass of juice down my throat, catching my best friend free fall on the couch next to me. Quite the dramatics.

Dad and Gianna return on Sunday, twenty-four more hours of peace, excluding my best friend over here.

"Who's Walter again?"

I croaked, my throat remaining dry even after three cups. "The sexy bartender. Ugh."

She shook her head. "Photographic memory my ass."

"Where did you run off to? I missed a few of your calls, I was too busy..."

"Don't consider finishing that sentence, please. For my mental health."

She bit her lips, giggling with my legs hanging off the couch.

"But seriously, I got worried."

I reached for another glass as the words formed in my head.

"Oh, I was nowhere. Just a few rooms down and having my boyfriend's possible brother's face buried between my legs, screaming, begging for more then running out like a coward this morning before I could confirm if they're related. Possibly since I have no intention of knowing. Ignorance is bliss."

"Mia?"

I blinked. "Huh?" Yeah, not saying that.

"Did you hear me?"

My ringtone saved the day and a caller ID followed shortly. Nick.

From bad to worse. I hadn't returned his calls. After I ran out, hailed a cab and got here. My purse was untouched, I tossed everything on the bed, threw the clothes in the laundry basket, and lay in the shower for a while.

I didn't cry. I sat there, hands wrapped around myself waiting for the guilt to come, tears to fall. Nothing. I bathed for hours with the shower running, but that was it.

I regretted it. Just not enough to cry. I cheated but felt nothing. Completely numb.

"Just answer. He could fill your front porch with roses if you don't. God knows worse has been done."

I shudder and imagine that playing out. The stakes are high. Hell no.

"Nick."

I murmur, putting the phone over my ear. His shudder goes through me. A sigh of relief at the sound of my voice.

"Baby."

He coos. Familiar. Sadly, I don't get to feel irritated.

"Baby I am so sorry. Luke was celebrating and I completely forgot. It's no excuse but I don't want you to think something else happened. I would never. I'll make it up to you. I missed you. I love you. Just you."

Luke was his best friend, his second in everything for the team. They went to a celebratory party for God knows what forgot about our plans, and didn't even think to invite me.

Luke puts up with me for Nick. If he had his way, I would not be the first choice.

I can't give a recount of my night if it ends with me cheating. If only that made us even. My jaw locked as a sob escaped my lips. He's guilty and I cheated.

Maya glared at me, misinterpreting my emotions. I felt guilty. Not needy for him. This was different. I genuinely would not think twice about staying mad at him, but I can't.

Not when I did something horrible. Brother or not, I cheated. Nick didn't deserve that.

"I love you too," I whispered. Maya grumbled loud enough for him to hear. I squeezed my eyes and sighed.

I wish I could explain the facts, why I can't make a big deal about this fight, but Maya can't know. She's my best friend and knows every dirty little secret I keep, just not this one.

This stays in the closet, hidden behind every other thing. The only person that can screw this up is Logan. I never get to see him ever again and he remains a mistake of my past, someone who happened to share the same last name as my boyfriend. Last night never happened.

*****

Nick wanted to arrange another dinner to make up for the one he missed. Here I am, getting dressed up again, in a different gown. Jewelry, makeup. Anything that separates today from the day before.

I trailed to my basket, holding up the gown and sniffing its essence. Bad move. My nostrils are invaded with him and I shove it back in, shaking my head.

"I'll burn it when I get back," I concluded as a text from Nick popped up. He was outside.

"Okay. You can do this."

Self-assurance and I was out the door.

***

"You look beautiful baby, absolutely stunning."

My smile appeared freely, Nick's hand meeting my back as he led me into the car.

"Thank you."

I mouthed before he shut the door.

The Cactus Club Cafe was a dinner downtown. Nick had a reservation near the window and the menu set before we arrived. He's working overtime.

My heart bled for him. Guilt was eating at me. He couldn't take the truth. We've been together for so long, I'm afraid that It'll ruin him. Our families are too close. I can't.

"Nick. I forgive you."

Name a bigger hypocrite.

"No baby, I have to make it up to you. I feel horrible. Completely distraught."

"The more we talk about it, the harder it is to move past. I'm fine."

I'm a bad person.

"Okay, if that's what you want. Then I'll do it. I picked out the menu, but we can order something else."

His smile was charming, and I returned it as best I could.

***

"Before I drive you home, there's someone I'd like you to meet. He's upstairs, should be down any second now."

The color in my face drained. No. No. No.

This is it. Upstairs? Family member? The brother? My dirty secret? Fuck me.

"Hi, you must be Mia."

I held my breath. This was it. I'll get caught. Logan Jackson. His brother.

Wait. That voice wasn't familiar. I opened my eyes to the man in front of me.

"Are you okay?"

Nick asks with concern laced in his tone. I kept my eyes shut for no apparent reason. Clearing my throat, I stretched my hand out.

"I'm Mia."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Johnathan Stone. A family friend and Business partner. You're all this boy talks about sometimes and I had to meet you. I can see the obsession."

We all laughed at the joke. Nick more than both of us. My laugh was completely fake. Maybe he knows somehow and this is all a ruse to drown me in guilt and then get a confession.

What if Logan already told all of them?

"Mia? Are you okay?"

Come clean now. He'll understand. He has to. We were broken up. Not a break or space. Broken up. But his brother?

Fuck.

"I'm just tired. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Stone."

I cleared my throat and kneaded my hands with Nick's.

"Pleasure's all mine. I'll be seeing you around."

Nick walked him to the door and I went around the mansion. I've been here more times than I can count. Spent nights with Nick. The family portrait in the living room did not include an older brother. He could not have appeared out of thin air. Right?

"Let's go upstairs. Get you tucked in."

Nick reappeared, circling my waist as his lips pressed against the crook of my neck.

"I love you."

He repeated then moved to my lips instead. It's all in my head. No one has to know.

"I love you too."

I let him lead me up the stairs to the room at the end. His room.

His hands roamed freely to my zipper, taking off the gown and hastily unclipping my bra.

As I said, not much foreplay play is needed with him. Sex was good. I haven't had many complaints until the last night. The shallow realization crept as we reached the bed.

I enjoyed being with Logan. That made everything much worse.

****

SUNDAY

Nick's parents had returned before I left for mine. They roped me into breakfast.

Dad's car was in the driveway when I approached the door. "Here we go."

I masked my face with a smile and then crossed the door. I heard the giggles from the kitchen.

"Hey, Dad. Gianna."

Dad got out of the oven, spreading his arms as he hugged me. Gianna pecked my cheeks and I smiled.

"I spent the night at Nick and ended up having breakfast."

"Of course. I'm making pancakes just in case. Then I have to run to the office. I have a new intern coming tomorrow. I want to make sure everything is in place."

I bobbed my head, grabbing an apple.

"Did you have fun over the weekend?"

"Yeah. I guess so" I answered, offering a small smile to her.

"I'll be upstairs."

I exited the kitchen, heaving a sigh of relief.

My father works in the hospital as a psychologist at Life Beyond Care hence the trips. Gianna, my stepmother was his intern as well. They remarried a year after my mom left. That's a story I do not wish to go into. Answers I'd rather not find. I've accepted how things turned out. It could have been worse, but with Gianna, she treats me well and makes my father happy.

Nothing more to ask for.

"Also, there may be a hickey at the corner of your neck. Your father didn't see."

Her tone hushed, my face crimson red. I bolted to my room, standing in front of the mirror.

It wasn't from Nick. I knew that. It was a mark from Logan. I didn't even know. At the base of my neck, behind me, almost at my back.

"Fuck."

I'll get a towel and start compressing.

*****