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“How did the trip out to Utah go?” Craig asked.
I wrapped my hands as I got ready to beat the shit out of the bag in front of me. “It was good.”
“Yeah? Then why do you look like you want to kill something?”
“Because Alec gave me an ultimatum.”
He sucked in a breath. “He’s still alive, right? Because I’m pretty sure Cap was going for a no violence policy on the trip. Shit, he’s gonna be pissed if he has to bury another body.”
I shook my head. “He’s still alive. I didn’t make it through months of therapy with him only to kill him on the way home.”
“So, what was the ultimatum about?”
“He wants me to stop seeing and talking to Jamie.”
“JFK Jr.? Why?”
I shot him a look. Sometimes Craig could be really dense.
“Oh, shit. Did you sleep with him?” He stalked past me, heading for the door. “I’m gonna kill that fucker.”
“I didn’t sleep with him,” I shouted after him.
He turned back to me, looking at me warily. “Alec wouldn’t be so pigheaded for nothing, so what happened?”
“I kissed him,” I huffed out. “I thought about sleeping with him.”
“And Alec knows this?” I glared at him, and he laughed. “You’re so fucking lucky that your little boyfriend is still alive. Alec’s showing some real restraint right now.”
“He’s showing restraint? He’s the one that fucked another woman. I’ve allowed him to hold me every fucking night like the therapist suggested and I haven’t once cut off his balls. I think I’m doing a really fucking good job of showing restraint.”
“And we all applaud that. You’re a rockstar. But seriously, Alec is territorial on the best of days and you actually admitted that you wanted to fuck him?”
“Well, I didn’t. Besides, Jamie stopped me from taking it even further, even though he wanted me. If anything, Alec should be buying him a drink.”
“Right, right, right,” he nodded. “Definitely, he should buy a drink for the man that has been trying to get in your pants since the first time we met him.”
“He has not.”
“Oh, come on, Florrie. That man has always wanted you. He’s just too much of a gentleman to make a move when you’re taken. But make no mistake, if he sees an opening, he’s coming after you.”
“Please, I haven’t talked to him more than twice since I’ve been home, and that was only because he wanted to know if I was okay.”
“Look, Florrie, what it comes down to is who you want in your life more. You have a chance to rebuild with Alec and take back what you had. But shit happened with Jamie, and whether you want to admit it or not, he poses a threat to Alec. And there’s no way he’s going to take that leap with you if you stay in contact with JFK Jr. You need to decide who you want more in your life. And if the answer doesn’t immediately come, then you have deeper issues than I can help you with.”
I sighed, letting out a breath. “You’re right.”
He scrunched his face and leaned in closer. “You chose Alec, right?”
“Yes,” I said irritatedly.
“Good. I just had to check. I mean, I thought my speech was killer and all, but I could have made a misstep. It’s been known to happen.”
“You don’t say.”
He shrugged. “Once or twice.” He pulled me in for a hug. “You’re making the right choice, Nightingale.”
I groaned and shoved him away. “Please tell me that’s not sticking.”
“I kind of like it. It’s sweet and shit.”
“I’m nowhere near sweet and shit.”
“Well, maybe you’re the fallen version of the nightingale. It works, and whether you like it or not, you don’t get to choose your nickname. Just look at Tacos. That man will never be anything other than that.”
“If I killed you, no one would ever think to call me that again,” I threatened.
“Sure,” he snorted. “I’d like to see you try.”
“You think I can’t kick your ass?”
“Oh, I know you can, but I have the upper hand here.”
“Yeah? And what’s that?”
He jerked his head toward the door where Cap and Knight stood. “Witnesses.”
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I took a deep breath and dialed Jamie’s number. I hated that I was having to give up his friendship, but I understood what Craig was saying. He was right, I had to choose, and as long as I was hanging onto my friendship with Jamie, it was like I was keeping him there as backup or something. This was the way it had to be.
“It’s about time you called me. I’ve been worried out here in my mansion that you were dead or something.”
“You know I’m indestructible,” I laughed.
“Well, I hope so, but since you don’t call and you don’t write, how could I really be sure?”
“Well, I think from now on, you’re just going to have to assume that I am alive and well in the world.”
It was silent on the other end of the line and I bit my lip to keep from saying something stupid right now. It felt so wrong to drop him like this.
“I take it that you’re getting back together with your guard dog.”
“We’re working on it.”
“And he doesn’t like you talking to me.”
I kicked my shoe at the ground. Trying to figure out how to explain it. “He doesn’t trust you, and…and I told him what happened when I was there.
