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Chapter Forty-Four

Storm

I walk toward the hotel door, pulling it open and smiling when I see who’s on the other side.

“Took you long enough,” I say, stepping out into the hall.

Dominic pulls me in for a hug, clapping me on the back.

“I told you I had shit to do,” he answers.

I check the door handle to make sure my hotel room is closed, and then we move down the hallway and onto the elevator.

“You’re sure Mikah doesn’t care about this?”

“I’m sure.” He rolls his eyes as he presses the button for the lobby.

“Don’t give me that attitude. I just want to make sure. Given our history…”

“If my husband can’t trust me with guys, then we shouldn’t be married.”

“I’d say this situation calls for a little doubt.”

Dominic glares at me. “If I wanted to fuck you, Storm, I’d just tell my husband, and he’d join me. Like last time.”

“Ah, but last time wasn’t because you wanted to fuck me . It was because you wanted to make him jealous so you could fuck him better.”

Dominic chuckles. “Goddamn, you’re right, and what a lovely fucking it was.”

The elevator doors open and we step into the lobby, then head to the front to grab a car to the bar across the island.

I’d wanted to stay at the hotel I’d stayed at when I was here last time, because I really liked it, but then decided being close to Dominic and Mikah would be good. They are the reason I came here, anyway. After freaking out two nights after I left Gabriel’s, I called Dominic in a panic. He told me to meet them on the island, since they were still here and didn’t have plans to go home anytime soon. Must be nice—I say that, but I could very well live my life the same way if I wanted to. In fact, maybe I should.

Only, I don’t want to. I fucking miss Gabriel and everything about the life we had. The house, the routine, the fucking breakfast. His nagging about my shoes bringing in dirt and shouting at me to get my clothes out of the dryer before they wrinkle. But missing him isn’t enough to go back there. He had his opportunity, and he made it clear I wasn’t what he wanted. It’s fine. I’ll get over it. It’s just going to take some time.

“So, why did you switch hotels?” I ask as we wait for the car to show up. According to my app, it’ll be here in ten minutes. There aren’t many drivers on the island, so it makes sense it would take a while to get a car. We could probably start walking and get there faster.

Dominic chuckles. “Didn’t really have a choice.”

“Meaning?”

“We got kicked out of the other one.”

I gape before huffing out a disbelieving laugh. “Do I want to know why?”

“Oh, I’m sure you already know.”

“Were you in the hall or just being too loud?”

“Elevator,” he says nonchalantly.

“Ridiculous,” I mutter.

Dominic nudges me with his elbow. “You’re just jealous.”

Yeah, maybe I am.

The car shows up and we get in. Twenty minutes later, we’re having our first drink, gearing up for a very long night.

“Okay,” Dominic says. “Truth or dare.”

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I ask, reaching for my beer.

Dom grins at me, showing off his straight white teeth. Guy is handsome as hell, I’ll give him that. He’s got a killer body with dark hair and bright eyes. And he’s so charming. I can totally see how Mikah went from hating him to being completely in love with him.

“Just trying to have fun.”

“By playing a game teenagers play, so they have a chance to make out with their crushes?”

“You wanna just make out?” He waggles his brows.

“God, why did I agree to come here?”

He laughs, then says, “Fine. I’ll be serious.”

“Doubtful,” I mutter before taking another mouthful. But when I put the glass down, I see that he is serious.

“What’s going on, Storm? Why are you even here?”

“Oh, so we’re getting serious serious.”

He raises a brow, and I lose my smile. I huff out an annoyed sound, taking another drink, if only to get more time.

“You know why I’m here.”

“Not really, no. You said your mom died.”

“She did.”

“But when I asked how, you didn’t give me an answer. Also, people don’t usually go on vacations when their parent dies, Storm.”

“This isn’t a vacation. It’s…”

“A way to get your mind off your life? Yeah, I know all about that. Mikah did it to me. Nearly killed me, I think.”

Dom picks up his drink. “So tell me what’s going on, so I can spare you and your boyfriend the pain.”

“He isn’t my boyfriend.”

“Maybe not, but he will be.”

I shake my head, flagging down the waiter when I see him walk by.

“Can we get two shots of whiskey, please?”

“And another round of beers,” Dominic adds.

“Of course,” he says with a smile. “I’ll be right back with that.”

After staring at me for too long, Dom says, “Well?”

“I need alcohol if I’m going to talk about this.”

He holds his hands up. “Fine.”

I’ve just taken my third shot when I get the balls to speak about all this.

“Where do you want me to start?” I ask, holding Dominic’s gaze.

“Your mother,” he says.

With a heavy sigh, I get into it. I tell him why I moved to Seattle. The stroke. Her house. Life support. All of it.

“Fucking hell, Storm,” he says, jerking his hand up for the waiter. “Better make these beers some whiskeys.”

“Tequila shots!” I call out when he takes off.

“Damn, you’re really trying to get fucked up tonight, aren’t you?” he says around a laugh. Once we have our new drinks, he gives me a look and I know the joking is gone again. “Thank you for telling me. I’m glad you’re here, and you’re always welcome to spend time with me and Mikah. I’m sorry you’re going through this. Losing a parent isn’t easy…”

Dominic lost his mother when he was a teenager, so he gets it. I’ve known that about him for a while now. It’s not something he hides.

“No, it’s not.” I sip my whiskey, hoping like hell this mix of alcohol doesn’t make me sick.

“But I know this isn’t really why you’re here. This,” he gestures around us, “has nothing to do with your mother, Storm.”

I nod in agreement. He’s right.

“Yeah…”

“So, spill.”

Where do I begin…