Page 94 of Devious Love

He throws his hands in the air, full of fake bluster. “I am your best friend. Me. I should’ve been the first to know.” But his frown lacks any real animosity. “I don’t like your secretive side, Watson.”

I lift one shoulder. “I don’t have any more secrets.”

“Yeah, now that the world knows about Mia.” He laughs darkly. “If you’d told me about her sooner, I could’ve covered for you with Matt, you know.”

I snort. “What? You want to be our guard dog?”

His lips curl up in a wicked smile. “She didn’t mind when I was watching.”

I fold my arms over my chest. “Watch it. I don’t like to share.”

“Sharing is caring, my friend, and you’re missing out on a lot of fun.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Does that mean you finally found two girls for a threesome?” His face lights up in a silly smile. Roughing a hand over my jaw, I shake my head. “Are you planning to see them again?”

“If they’re down for it again, I wouldn’t say no. It was the best sex of my life.”

Realizing we’re dancing into territory I’d probably rather stay out of, I clear my throat. “Dad hooked us up with an old friend of his. He’s got a Harley and is looking for custom work. Looks like we’ve got our first client.”

“Fuck, man. I can’t wait. But…” His good humor fades. “What are we going to do about design options? We’re nowhere near ready to hire someone to work on them exclusively.”

I grin, my chest expanding. “Mia did some mock-ups for us. They’re pretty badass actually.”

He scoffs. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope.” I pull my phone from my pocket and navigate to my photos. “She’s got mad skills.”

“Let me see.” Miles sidles up beside me, looking over my shoulder as I flip through the images. There’s a decent selection already, including designs for Harleys and Hondas, some classic, some modern, all unique and beautiful.

He whistles. “Damn, man. She’s good.”

“Hell yeah, she is.”

“Do you see her often? Seems like you’re always here.”

That single question is enough to tank my mood. Disappointment stirring in my gut, I pocket my phone. When I look up, Miles is watching me, all his playfulness from a moment ago gone.

“Not as much as I want to,” I admit.

“Because of her mom?”

“Uh-huh.”

With a loud exhale, he claps my back. “Sorry, man. I can’t believe she’s that relentless.”

Frustration mixes with longing, making my chest ache. “You have no idea.”

Silence settles between us, thick and sticky.

I want to fucking scream. Maybe I should’ve seen it coming. Monica has always treated Mia unfairly, but I didn’t expect her to be such a roadblock. How the hell does my dad put up with her?

What pisses me off the most is that all her anger is focused on Mia rather than me. I can take any shit Monica throws my way.I’m used to pushing back when people try to shut me down. But it’s not my life Monica is out to destroy—it’s Mia’s. It always has been. Even when they were kids she favored Matt, leaving Mia with crumbs.

With our relationship thrown into the mix, Monica has gotten so much worse.

Placing my hands on top of my head, I stare at the wall ahead of me. It would be easier if Mia weren’t so stubborn. She’s confident and bold, and she has this desire to prove her haters wrong, especially when the person hating on her is her mother. Matt has tried talking to them both, my dad too, but it’s like talking to a wall. They push and push, both so sure of themselves. I’m proud that Mia is fighting for us, but she’s burning out. This shit is hard on her.

I can’t help but think one day, she’ll wake up and realize this isn’t worth the energy.