Page 69 of Never To Suffer (The Hollywoodland #4)

He means well, but the thought of the situation has me tensing up.

I should be able to relate to Ethan, but so much of the relationship with Steve no longer exists in my head.

I’m left with mysteries and questions, like how did we treated each other before the accident?

Were we happy, did we bicker, were we sappy?

Did I tease him, treat him poorly, make him laugh at jokes I don’t remember?

Hell, he had to remind me of what we used to do together in bed while desperately trying to ignite that flame again.

Instead, one of us would end up on the couch, muffling sobs with the cushions.

Only the chaos and unhappiness that came after remains.

The door opens again and a shorter guy, probably just under six feet, steps into the bar. He’s got wild, shaggy hair he’s trying to tame with a backward baseball cap. I side eye Jamie, who nods, telling me what I already know. Steve’s husband—the guy who took my place after I bailed.

“Skylar, this is Ethan.” Coop introduces us as Ethan walks up to greet the group.

We shake, like people do, but I’m sure he’s doing the same thing I am—picturing each other with Steve.

We both let out a chuckle. The pair of us are like night and day.

I’m tall, tan, thin but muscular, with long brown hair.

Ethan’s short, built like a pale Irish brick, with sandy hair.

I’m betting we have more in common personality wise, though.

Steve has a type. Steve and Dani both have the same type—broken, but still fighting.

“I’ve heard Steve’s back to his old self again,” I break the ice and offer him a smile. “Dani says we have you to thank for that. That’s enough for me.”

“Thanks to you, apparently. The guys tell me you kind of helped shape a better Steve longer before I came along.”

“Oh, come on, what could be better than this?!” Steve strides up, kissing Ethan hard before turning around and freezing.

It takes a minute before his smile grows into laughter.

He holds his arms out and I nod, knowing it’s better to get this over with now.

Steve’s a hugger, and he claps me on the back at first, which makes the following hug a little too butch for either of us, before softening around me.

“I missed you, Skylar. You didn’t have to go so damn far away, you know. ”

“I did. You needed me to go, too. We both had to navigate the world without each other before we could try it in each other’s way.”

“Always the one with the words.” Steve takes a step back. “God, you’re still gorgeous, no offense, Sweets. I see you didn’t quit working out, eh?”

“Ah, yeah. Did a lot of running, I guess. I’ve picked up the weights again once I got back here.”

“What gym? Isn’t mine, so isn’t the best.”

“Mine, fucker!” Coop yells out, handing a beer over to Steve. “Better than yours, because it’s private!”

“Sneaky bastards,” Steve flashes a suspicious glance toward Jamie.

“I didn’t know. Don’t look at me like that. Shit, I didn’t even know he was back in town!” Jamie adds, throwing his arms up as he drops to a stool.

“Dude, you’ve been a hermit for two months. Like, you ghosted Coop and I, and I think the only person you see is Alexis,” Steve points out, narrowing his eyes. “You better be seeing her, anyhow.”

“I didn’t ghost you! And yes, of course I see my wife.

Every night, when she comes to check on me and distracts me, so I won’t work through till morning.

” He winks and tips the bottle he’s holding back.

He nudges Dani with his elbow before he leans in and talks to her with voices so quiet, I can’t make out what they’re saying. I’m happy she’s talking to anyone.

“So, the bitch came back. Again. Oh, and Elle, too.” Steve jokes. “But also, does anyone else get the vibe she’s luring us all in for some evil trap?”

“How can she have anything planned when she’s in jail?” Ethan asks.

“Because she’s not only the wicked bitch of the west, she’s THE wicked bitch.

She’s got hidden assets and connections, crazy mad computer skills, and money with a capital M.

Like Mommy. Cause that’s who’s holding onto her money while she’s locked up.

” Steve laughs at himself, but Ethan and I both groan and shake our heads.

“Oh, come on, Sweets! That one was good!”

“In no world, Pumpkin. In absolutely no world,” Ethan teases. I am going to like him.

We spend the next hour playing the guessing game Elle wants us to play, trying to get ahead of her and knowing we’re already three steps behind.

We talk about not going, but we’ll go. This could be the key to keeping her locked up, since right now they only have her on some lower level charges since that’s all they could make stick.

After a while, we’re all tired of giving Elle Petrov any more of our time or energy.

At least for today. As that conversation winds down, another one comes up.

“No, I don’t want to talk about it! If I did, I’d talk to Theo, the shrink in this relationship!”

“Theo’s the one breaking Xander’s back, though.” Steve points out in a way only Steve can. “You can’t ask him. That would be messed up. Like hey, my boyfriend, also your boyfriend, is mad at me. Could you talk to him while you shove your dick in his mouth?”

“Eww, Steve! God, you suck.”

“I do, but so does Xander.” Steve cracks back, getting an eye roll from Ethan. “What? Just saying.”

“It doesn’t even matter since he’s been in Paris, anyhow. At least he’s trying to fix his relationship with his family.” Dani scoffs. “What does he even tell her about the three of us?”

“He told her about us, and it sounds like it went well.” I answer her. “I thought I’d wait for you and Xander before we get the full rundown.”

Her shoulders slump and she mumbles, pushing away from the table. “I’ll meet you outside. I don’t want to drink anymore.”

“Shit, I didn’t mean to piss her off,” Steve says, slouching his shoulders.

“She’s in her own head,” Chase answers, nudging Jamie. “Come on, Jimmy Jam, we got this.”