Breaking through the Bond (Espen Jetties #2)

16. King

16

KING

Who knew going to a charity event would cause heartburn? I downed a few chewable tablets I found in the medicine cabinet that tasted like chalk, hoping they’d soothe my stomach. Too bad I didn’t have something for my nerves. No way was I drinking much tonight. I wanted to be on top of things for Jamie’s sake. This wasn’t going to be easy for him. Being with me as my date was going to put attention on him. More than he ever wanted before.

My suit was on point, and I looked damn good, if I did say so myself. That didn’t get rid of the anxiety coursing through my system. Anxiety I rarely felt for any reason.

I opened the door to my bedroom at the exact same time Hayes did. My eyes went wide at how good he looked. He’d always been hot, but in that suit with his hair styled back, it was bringing feelings to the surface I long ago buried.

Maybe it was the mood that had settled between us. This weird tension and a ton of sadness I didn’t know what to do about. All I knew was I had to find a way to keep both Jamie and Hayes in my life.

I swallowed hard, my eyes making their way back to his face. “You look good.”

He tugged at his tie, which was a mermaid print in shades of fuchsia, pink, and purple. It was whimsical and brought out the fun side of Hayes that he sometimes kept hidden for not many to see. “You do too. The teal works.” He looked me over from head to toe. When he got back to my face, there was something in his eyes. Something I’d never seen there before.

No, it couldn’t be what I thought it was. Hayes didn’t find me attractive. Sure, he’d said I was good-looking when I was fishing for a compliment, but he didn’t look at me with interest.

Shit. This wasn’t happening. That was not what I saw. I was making it up. It was the anxiety talking.

We both stepped into the hallway at the same time. I ducked my head and smiled, feeling a blush rise up. I didn’t do it often, but the heat engulfed my cheeks and the back of my neck.

Hayes put his hand on my arm. “King?”

“Sorry, go ahead. I forgot something. I’ll be right out.”

I went back into my room, needing a minute to calm down. What was happening? I couldn’t think about Hayes that way. That was locked up a while ago when I knew nothing would ever happen between us. I moved on. I had Jamie. Gorgeous, perfect, absolutely right for me Jamie.

Shaking my arms out, I went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. I was the same King I’d always been. Dark auburn hair. Hazel eyes. A cocky smirk when I decided to put on the charm. But the King staring back at me in the mirror was unsure. Worried about multiple things.

Would Jamie be okay tonight?

Would the pressure of being with me be too much?

Would he call it quits and leave?

What was going on with Hayes?

Did I see something in his eyes or was my head screwing with me?

I had no answers and no faith because my ass never stepped inside a church. I’d burn up the second my feet went through the front door if I tried. I’d never needed it before but found myself asking anyone who was listening to my silent pleas for a little bit of help and guidance. Not that I thought I’d get an answer.

Then the doorbell rang, and I thought that was as good of a sign as I was going to get. All my questions would have to wait. I’d figure it out like I always did.

Sure, keep lying to yourself.

I walked down the hall in time to see Hayes welcome Jamie into our home and close the door. My feet froze before I alerted them to my presence. I watched them for a moment. The way they smiled at each other. Hayes didn’t have that sadness like he did when he was in front of me. He was open with Jamie. He even reached forward to lay his hand on Jamie’s arm.

“You ready for tonight?” Hayes asked.

“As ready as I’m gonna be.”

“Cameras are going to be there. They’re going to photograph you with King.”

“It’s fine. I knew this would happen eventually.”

“If you need anything or someone just to pull you out of there for a moment, let me know”

“Thanks, Hayes. I appreciate that.”

“King is one of the best men I know. You make him happy, Jamie. I see it every time he talks about you. Take care of him, yeah?”

“I absolutely will. I hope you know that I don’t want us being a couple to get in the way of your friendship.”

What were these two trying to do to me? My eyes got all misty and I had to blink tears back.

“I know. I’m just trying to figure out where I fit in, if at all. But that’s not for you to worry about.”

“Hayes…”

I sucked in a long breath and let it out. This moment got too heavy, and we needed to leave or we were going to be late.

With a loud clap of my hands, my eyes cleared, and I walked toward them with a smile on my face like I’d heard nothing either of them said. “Who’s ready to have some fun?” Leaning in, I smacked a kiss on Jamie’s cheek and avoided looking at Hayes because if I did, I was going to break.

I heard Hayes grab his keys. I opened the door behind Jamie, keeping my smile firmly in place, then flipped the lights off.

When we got downstairs, there was a car waiting for us. A limo to be precise. Hayes offered to go separately, but that was ridiculous considering we lived together and were going to the same place.

Inside the car, Jamie sat at my side, his body a warm, comforting presence. His hand threaded with mine. I was falling for him. That much was evident. But it felt like my heart was being torn in two when I looked across the way and saw Hayes with that sad look on his face as he gazed out the window, watching the city go by.

The gala was being held at one of the bigger hotels in the city. They had a massive ballroom I’d been in before.

Jamie leaned over and pressed a kiss to my cheek. My insides melted. I gave his hand a squeeze and smiled. For the first time tonight, I got a good look at him. I’d been so caught up in his conversation with Hayes that I didn’t take him in.

The suit fit him perfectly. I wondered if he had it tailored. It was a shade darker than mine. They complemented each other. His hair was neatly styled, his white button-down crisp without a single wrinkle. And then I remembered what I forgot at the condo.

“Fuck,” I groaned low.

“What?” Jamie asked. I could feel Hayes’s eyes on me as well.

“I got you a boutonnière.”

Jamie smiled. “You did?”

“Yeah, it was all festive and shit. Matched the theme of the gala.”

“Aren’t you sweet.”

“Except I didn’t give it to you and now it’s going to rot in my fridge until I throw it out. A constant reminder of how I forgot to give it to you.”

He pressed a quick kiss to my lips. “Thank you. Even if you did forget about it.”

I dropped my head back on the seat and groaned again. I couldn’t even do this right.

“When we get to the hotel, I’ll grab a car back home and get it,” Hayes said, causing my head to snap up so I could focus on him.

“What? You can’t do that,” I told him.

“It’s important to you, King. It’s fine.”

“Hayes, I appreciate the gesture, but if you do that you’re going to be very late,” Jamie said.

He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.”

I stretched my leg out and kicked his foot. “Stop being difficult. You’re sweet for wanting to go back but Jamie’s right. We need to show up on time. Kasper will be there as well as Coach and others in management, some of the team. We can’t be late.”

“Fine.” He went back to gazing out the window.

Jamie gave me a concerned look but all I could do was shrug. Hayes was one of those people who felt everything so deeply. He processed things internally. Didn’t talk about it until he was ready or a little tipsy. But when he let you in, you felt special because he didn’t offer that vulnerability to just anyone.

The conversation died a quick death at that point. The rest of the drive was in silence, which did wonders for the thoughts swirling around my head and my still present heartburn.

The car finally pulled up in front of the hotel. Our door opened and I was grateful for the lungful of fresh air I got when I stepped outside. At least now I’d have something to do. Something to keep my mind off whatever was going on in my personal life. All things gala would keep me busy.

Then the fear was back because when the three of us were out of the limo, the cameras were flashing.

How bad would it look if I just stuffed Jamie back in the car and had the driver hightail it out of here?

Jamie’s hand slid into mine, lacing our fingers together. I looked over at him and saw a small smile. It was hesitant, I didn’t miss it, but he was happy to be here with me. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe Jamie wouldn’t dump my ass at the end of the night.

Hayes walked ahead of us with an easy gait. One that spoke of years in front of the media. At least this time he didn’t have to sit for an interview.

I smiled and gave a few waves as we walked inside, Jamie right next to me. Once we were away from everyone, I pulled him to the side.

“Are you okay?”

He nodded. “Yeah, King. Don’t worry.”

I scoffed. “Like that’s going to happen.” I rubbed the center of my chest. Damn heartburn.

“Let’s focus on having a good night together. Dinner. Maybe some dancing.” He waggled his eyebrows.

I couldn’t help but grin. “I don’t think they’re going to dip the lights down and let the bass thump through the room. Our kind of dancing won’t be welcome here.”

Jamie stepped in close, so our bodies touched from groin to chest. “Maybe not, but I can still let my mind wander.” He leaned in, his breath against my ear. “I know what every inch of you tastes like. How I’m going to taste you again later.”

A small tremor went through me. “Jesus, Jamie.” I had to reach down to push my dick to the side, grateful my suit jacket covered the fact that it wanted to join the party.

He placed a quick kiss below my ear then stepped back. “Ready?”

“Yeah, whatever,” I grumbled. “Don’t be surprised if I drag you into the bathroom at some point so I can get rid of this hard-on.”

“No teasing.”

“This is not a tease. It’s a promise.”

Jamie tugged me forward. We followed signs to the ballroom. The first thing I noticed was the media presence. The organizers of tonight’s event permitted them inside. It didn’t matter to me, but I worried about Jamie.

The room was decked out for the theme. I thought it might come off gaudy, but it screamed elegance. The lighting was done in various shades of blue. Around the stage, it looked like waterfalls hanging from the ceiling, but were probably tiny pieces of glass or crystal. The walls danced with bubbles like they were rising to the surface of the water, a slow movement. Every now and then a fish swam by.

Each table had crystal glassware with settings for eight. The centerpieces were intricate arrangements of coral with sprays of flowers mixed in giving it a delicate appearance. People were gathered at their tables and scattered throughout. It was a lot to take in, but I smiled at seeing it.

When I peered over at Jamie, I found him watching me.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” I asked.

“It is, but it doesn’t compare to you.”