That Secret Crush (Getting Lucky #3)(73)

That’s what I’m afraid of. I don’t want her to move the fuck on. Because I sure as hell won’t be able to.

Then again, everything Eric has said has been completely, painfully true.

I’m not the most levelheaded in the family, and even though I don’t want to admit it, I can see myself distracting Eve, pulling her away from her tasks to help soothe whatever bullshit my head is putting me through. That’s what these last few weeks have been, so why would that change all of a sudden?

When my dad approached me about the restaurant, I shut down immediately, leaving her in the dark, taking off without saying goodbye. And when I got back, I snapped at her on the dock when she was just making sure I was okay. My problem was a blip in the road in the grand scheme of things, but I almost lost Eve over a blip. That night, when I went to her apartment, I thought she was going to break up with me, but somehow I managed to find the most forgiving woman on the planet.

And when I blew up at her after she and Eric announced they were going to be a part of Knight and Port, I managed to not only insult her but also put our entire relationship on the line after just another blip.

What happens when things don’t go right in the restaurant? When I lose my shit again? Is she going to be just as forgiving? Should I even let her be? How many times can I really dick her around until I should let her go?

At this point, I think I’m pushing my luck.

“Fuck,” I breathe out, my hand pushing through my hair. “Fuck.”

“Do the right thing, Reid. Don’t fuck us over like I did.”

My mind races, wrestling with the possibilities.

My heart nearly breaks my rib cage with how hard it’s pounding.

And an overwhelming sense of dread washes over me as I realize I don’t really have a choice in the matter.

The stakes are so much higher now. It isn’t like Bar 79 when Eric and I lost everything; there are more people involved, more hearts on the line.

Not only is this a second chance for me, a chance to find pride in myself again, but this is also a second chance for Eric, an opportunity for Eve she deserves more than anything, and lastly, a long-overdue dream of my dad’s coming true.

This isn’t just about me; this is about everyone around me. My siblings, my mom, Eve, Eric, the town . . .

I need this to be a success.

I need this to be more than just an average restaurant in town.

I need this to be a complete win, an empire, something that is passed on from generation to generation.

Which brings me to the hardest decision of my life.

I love her. I know deep in the marrow of my bones that Eve is the very match to my broken soul, and I would give anything to make her happy, even if it means taking a step back so, for once in her life, she can put herself first and accomplish what she’s been working so hard to achieve. I can’t fuck this up, no matter how much losing Eve is going to break me. I refuse to let anyone down ever again.

Eric starts to leave, but before he makes it through the door, I call out, “Don’t be home tonight after her shift.”

“Thank you,” he says without turning around. And with that, he takes off.

When the door shuts, I crumble to my couch and press my head into my hands. End it. Two words that are going to change my entire life, and not for the better.





CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR





EVE


As I wrap my coat around me—guarding against Maine’s early-spring cold—and make my way to my apartment, all I can think about is how I wish I could be wrapped up in Reid’s arms right about now, lying in bed together while watching some kind of mindless show, his hands playing with my hair, my hands stroking his bare chest.

Instead, I have to go back to my apartment, to my brother, who is not going to cuddle with me and push his hand through my hair—not that I would want him to. Why I thought it was a good idea to have him stay at my place is beyond me, but it’s apparently a good form of torture given his incessant need to take up all the space in my living room with his bags and recipe books and notes. He’s messy, loud, and constantly trying to talk my ear off about all the new ideas that keep coming to him. I love the guy, but sometimes it’s nice to watch a show without hearing about the latest searing technique he’s learned.

The wind blows my hair off my shoulder, and I pull my coat a little tighter as I crest the small hill that leads from the Inn to my apartment. I make quick work of the distance, not wanting to hang out in the dark by myself for too long. It’s a small town, but there are still creeps. There always are.

Head tilted down, I’m almost at my apartment when I glance up and spot Reid’s truck—and then Reid, leaning against the hood, arms crossed, staring me down.

What the hell is he doing here? I scan the parking lot; Eric’s car isn’t here, which means he isn’t either, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be coming home soon.

“Reid, what are you doing here?” I say, hurrying over to him.

Not quite looking me in the eye, he says, “I need to talk to you.”

“Here? Now? Eric could be home any moment.”

“He’s with Brig. They’re out for a bit.”

“Okay.” I study him, the droop in his shoulders, the tension in his neck, the uneasiness vibrating off of him. Something’s wrong. “What happened?” I press my hand to his arm. “Is everything okay?”