She spared my pain.
And she protected herself from it too.
It was the best thing for both of us—but it still hurt like hell.
I sat on the couch in the living room with a bottle of aged scotch in front of me. It was a gift I’d received when we bought out a smaller chain of hotels so we could use their property to build our resorts. It was aged a hundred years—and so fucking smooth.
The elevator doors opened, and Coen walked inside. “Damn…I can tell you had a bad day.”
“Something like that. What happened with you?”
“The judge ruled the prenup is valid.”
I tried to grin, but I just couldn’t. It wasn’t possible. There was too much booze and depression in my veins. “Good. That bitch got what was coming to her.”
Coen took the bottle out of my hands as he looked down at me in pity. “That’s enough for the night, man. I’m guessing that means Monroe left?”
“Yep…left without saying goodbye.”
“Only because it was too hard for her.”
I glared at my brother. “When I walked through the door, she was disappointed I wasn’t you.”
“Only because I understand exactly what she’s going through.”
“It’s not the same at all. I’m not Simone.”
“But we both loved someone who didn’t love us back,” he snapped. “And that shit hurts.”
“She loves me? She said that to you?”
“Not in those words. But, come on. You know it’s true.” He took a drink straight out of the bottle before he tightened the cap on the top. “You gave her a townhouse, and she threw a fit. Would a woman do that if she didn’t love you? Anyone else would have taken the key with a ridiculous grin.”
Even when she left, she still didn’t want the place. She still wanted to stay here—with me.
“So, what now? Back to cherry popping?” He sat in the other armchair.
“No…those days are over.”
“Good. Because if Simone figured it out, someone else might.”
“That’s not why I’m retiring.”
“Then why?” He rested the bottle on his thigh, his fingers wrapped around the neck.
“It just doesn’t feel right anymore.”
“Then, what’s your plan? Are you going to start dating? Because there’s a perfectly perfect woman who already wants you.” He indicated to the elevator, the last place she stood before she left my life forever.
“Not dating. Just fucking.”
He sighed before he popped the lid and took a drink. “Simone broke my heart, and the last thing I want to do is fuck someone. She’s a dumb bitch and I don’t owe her anything, but I’m just not in that headspace. I’m telling you, when you screw someone, Monroe is going to be in your head the entire time.”
Probably.
“You really want to be sitting here drinking your sorrows away?” he asked incredulously. “Or you could fix your sorrows right now.”
“Just drop it, alright?” I didn’t want to be told I was making a mistake. I knew what I was capable of, and I would never be capable of giving that woman what she deserved. “So, did you sign the divorce papers? Is it official?”
“No. She stormed out after the judge made his ruling.”
“Drama queen.”
“I haven’t heard from her since. But I did get my place back.”
“She got out?”
He nodded. “She must have gotten her own place because she gave me her key.”
“Good. But I would have enjoyed you calling the cops on her.”
“Yeah, I would have too. But I was thinking of staying here a little longer…”
“Why?” I asked, seeing no reason for him to share a penthouse with his brother.
He shrugged. “We’re both in a dark place right now. Maybe we should be together, not apart.”
“I’m not a pussy, and neither are you.”
“Just an idea. But if you really want me to leave, I will.”
My brother was about to get divorced, and I’d just lost a woman I already missed. Being together reminded me of the old times, when he would come over all the time and watch the game. We used to pick up women together, double date, and even share women. Having him around wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. “No…you should stay.”
12
Monroe
I was in worse shape than the last time he left.
And that was saying something because I was much better off this time around.
My debt was gone, I had a good job, and now I didn’t have to pay rent at all. I owned a piece of property that had to be worth over five million dollars. It was big, beautiful, and it was so close to work, even a storm wouldn’t make me take a cab.
I had it all.
But I felt like I had nothing at all.
The electricity had been turned on, so I had lights, running water, and heat. Winter was approaching, along with the freezing temperatures and chilly nights. All I had was an air mattress on the floor in front of the fireplace, but it still felt like a palace. With hardwood floors, high ceilings, and more space than I could possibly need, it was definitely a dream home. It could easily fit a family of four.