Page 22 of Nothing to Beat (Nothing to… #13)

“I SHOULD’VE ASKED…” she said, drawing her attention away from LA passing beyond the car window. “Was Zairn mad we left New York?”

“I don’t know,” Roxie replied. “I didn’t ask him.”

“You couldn’t tell by talking to him?”

“Casanova knows to expect the unexpected from me. He likes it when I let loose,” Roxie said, adjusting her angle until her whole body aimed her way.

The position matched the expectation on the beauty’s brow.

“And since we’re asking questions, do you want to tell us where you disappeared to last night? ”

“I didn’t disappear last night, I… I went out this morning to get my head straight.”

“Uh huh. Out where?”

“Nowhere specific, just wandering.”

“You weren’t wearing shoes… or pants.” Yeah, and there was the flaw in her plan.

She’d only been wearing the tee-shirt Roxie provided for her to sleep in.

No idea who it belonged to, but she’d guess the owner was male.

What a great idea, Porter, so much for Roxie accepting a non-answer.

“You don’t answer to anyone, honey, but this is a safe space, right here.

We won’t report back to your guy, no matter what. ”

Is that what Roxie thought? That she’d been out looking for action?

Roxie’s foot sprang out to catch Tripp on the shin even though the rest of her didn’t move.

“What? Ow,” Tripp said, barely lowering his phone. No way that subtle kick was hard enough to hurt. “I don’t promise silence, it comes as standard. But you’re crazy if you think she let any other guy touch her.”

“You may have a vested interest in believing your brother gets the prize,” Roxie said, addressing the man still typing into his phone. “Around here we keep our options open. And if someone wants to take a different path, we support them, without judgment.”

That was almost funny.

“He’s a Breckenridge,” Sequoia said, beaming in pride and amusement. “They’re taught support not judgment before they can walk.” Roxie sighed and sank against the backrest. “You’re right. I wasn’t walking. I can’t tell you where I was, but it wasn’t a betrayal. Breck would support me.”

If she ever told him.

“Support not judgment,” Tripp muttered then groaned and raised his phone before dropping his hand to his lap. “If we’re in a three-way cellphone situation, the least you two could do is provide a charger.”

“Blame Z for that, he’s always hiding them from me. Don’t worry, youngster, the world can do without us for a while.”

“I’m older than you,” Tripp said.

“Yet not quite ripe. You still have some growing to do, honey.”

His swagger bloomed. “I grow and show, honey.”

Sheesh, her eyes rolled. Who was he trying to impress?

Roxie hunkered her head lower. “It’s exciting being disconnected from the world, a little scary, exhilarating.”

“Yeah, for you. You live for giving your guy a heart attack every once in a while,” Tripp said, shaking the phone at Roxie. “Some of us have lives to run.”

“Oh, you are not on there boosting your portfolio or making time-sensitive corporate choices. You’re lining up tonight’s pussy.”

He sniffed. “I’m getting withdrawal.”

“You’re not the only one,” Roxie said and their eyes met.

Both shivered and spoke together, “Never.”

LA offered hope and confusion, this trip was supposed to level her life. What if she failed? What if she couldn’t—it didn’t matter, she had to try.

“I got them to bring things to the hotel,” Roxie said. “Clothes from the plane, Lilya’s place—or wherever. Point is, everything we need will be waiting for us.”

“Thank you,” she said. “You didn’t have to come with me, I would’ve figured this out…”

“Tripp and I love an adventure.”

“Yeah, but you’re getting married and—”

“Jane’s taking care of all that. Details.”

Would she be so glib about her own wedding?

Yeah, right, like that would happen any time soon.

A woman like Roxie, popular, in the public eye, people wanted to see it, they wanted the spectacle of ice sculptures and swans and all the trimmings.

Except what she’d learned about the woman spoke to her sincerity.

That frivolity was expected by the masses, and Roxie would give the crowd what they wanted.

Even if it was her best friend organizing the whole thing.

“Are you nervous?”

“About what?” Roxie asked, completely relaxed. “Going to the hotel? I’ve been here before. In fact, if you’re in the mood for a little nostalgia, Zairn and I met in this hotel.”

“You did?”

“Yeah,” Roxie said and the glimpse of a secret smile endeared her even further. “A long time ago.”

“How long ago?”

“A year, year and a half. Something like that.” Roxie sighed. “Sometimes it’s like we met yesterday…” The woman’s eyes narrowed. “But I can’t remember not being in love with him.”

“Which is funny, ‘cause you couldn’t stand the guy when you met,” Tripp added. “Must’ve been sexual tension.”

“Uh, no, not sexual tension, he was rude.” Roxie didn’t equivocate. “He came storming in there like—no way would I put up with that. Everyone else might let him get away with it. Not me. I did nothing wrong and he had no right to talk to me like he did.”

“You gave it back though.”

“I stood my ground, still do if the occasion calls for it.”

“Ah, come on, admit it, you just do it to turn him on.”

“Hey…” Roxie muttered, eyes slinking to their corners. “It’s not the kinkiest thing he’s asked me to do.”

And as the day flashed past outside, she saw the woman in a different light. “You suit him. Zairn. He’s always been looking for something,” she said. “I didn’t know it, but… you suit him.”

“He was looking for something; I didn’t know I was looking.” On an exhale, Roxie conceded. “If it wasn’t for him getting it, us, so early, we wouldn’t have made it at all.”

She clarified her earlier question. “Are you nervous about getting married?”

“Married?” Roxie was certain. “Never think about it, to be honest. Z and I do events together all the time. This is no different, not really. It means a lot to Jane, I’m excited to see her happy.”

“But the dress, the crowd—”

“There’s a prize at the end,” Roxie said. “That’s more than we usually get. We’ve never cared too much about the wedding part, we care about the marriage. We’re good at that; we like being good at things. Let’s us be smug.”

“It’ll be a sight to see,” Tripp said. “Big fanfare. Pulling out all the stops. Real theater.”

And he was a guy with options.

“Who are you taking as your date, Tripp?” she asked him. “Did you get a plus-twelve? A plus-twenty?”

“Can’t play favorites. I’m going stag, but I can get you in,” Tripp teased, making her smile. “I know a guy.”

“Yeah, your brother.” Roxie seemed concerned. “You’re not coming with Breck? Asshole. We’ll uninvite him and you can take his place, Sequoia. There it’s done. If he shows up, he’ll be tossed out on his ass.”

“Be warned.” Tripp feigned solemnity. “You’ll have to go through security to get in there, Seq.”

“Don’t worry about that. Wait until you see Roux’s dress. Every man in the building will be distracted.” Roxie’s lips circled. “Whoa, mama, there’s a definite chance of fireworks.”

“She didn’t get to make fireworks at her own wedding, so she’s commandeering yours?” Tripp did his insight into women thing again. “Nice.”

“Hey, she’s welcome to it. Only spotlight I need is my Casanova’s. Of course…” One of Roxie’s shoulders rose an inch, “Jane may not say the same thing.”

The last thing she wanted to do was cause upset. “Breck and I haven’t talked about your wedding. Don’t uninvite him.”

Tripp had the answer. “Guarantee he assumes you’re going with him.”

She shrugged. “Probably.”

“He wouldn’t take anyone else.”

No, he wouldn’t. Until meeting Roxie, and having this whole experience, she hadn’t thought about the hyped wedding, or if she wanted to go.

Tripp was right though, she and Breck did automatically assume the other would be their plus-one, if required.

Damn, she’d have to get a dress in case he presented the prospect last minute.

“Okay, he can come, but as your plus-one.” Satisfied, Roxie’s lips curled. “Problem solved.”

“New York will be empty that weekend,” Tripp added. “Think there’ll be looting?”

“I already said details are Jane’s purview. But don’t worry, I’m sure your harem will be suitably distraught.”

“No different from any other day they’re without me.” What a dork. “I’m surprised everyone will fit in LA. Are we renting out soundstages? Offering complimentary silk sleeping bags and scented eye masks?”

What would be the point of scenting an eye mask?

“More details,” Roxie said, her hand sweeping away the concept. “Think less about me and more about you. I’m betting you don’t have a room reserved anywhere. Where will you sleep, Breckenridge?”

“Ah…” In typical Tripp fashion, he wasn’t fussed. “It’ll work itself out.”

“Always land on your feet, don’t you, boy.” And that was one of the things she loved about Tripp, everyone loved about him, worrying just wasn’t in his nature. “Someone’s bound to be brokenhearted, right?”

“Hey, now, I don’t only hit the easy prey. I wait for it to come to me. I have to be available, in case an emergency arises.”

They laughed. “Won’t be the only thing arising, I’ll bet.” Roxie smoothed her skirt. “Your mom will be there, don’t forget that.”

“Ah, the old ones leave early, plenty of time late into the night for the real party.”

Weddings. When with Breck, she thought about it. Hell, whether they were officially together or not, she’d often considered how their nuptials might go.

Breck wouldn’t have much of an opinion, he’d like whatever she liked because color schemes and flower arrangements weren’t high on his priority list. In the past, at least. Maybe now he was unemployed and unoccupied, he’d want the distraction.

Ha, what a giggle, could she really see him getting particular over place cards and chair silks? No. Was there such a thing as a groomzilla?

Shit, and she was doing it again. Again . There wouldn’t be a wedding, not any time soon. Assumptions like that, imaginings, daydreams, they were how she ended up hurting herself, pining for an uncertain future. And why they got caught up in each other, forgetting that others existed.

“Are you having the reception at Crimson?” she asked to get back to the point.

Roxie’s wedding. Not her wedding.

“Drinks reception before and after at the hotel, and they’re catering for us.” Roxie inhaled. “I think, anyway. But, yeah, Crimson into the night. It’s great to pre-own a gargantuan space.”

“Not much different to every other day of the week.” Tripp slid lower in his seat. “Cam coming?”

“I think he’s already in town. Some project, something. Miss him?”

“He’s the only one of the Colliers I understand.”

Roxie’s burst of laughter startled her. “You understand Cam Collier? You? Give me a break. You’d combust in three seconds flat if you made the commitment he did.”

“Does he know we’re in town?” she asked, struck by a glimmer of panic. “Does Cam know?”

“Because if Cam knows, Caspian knows.” Yes, the two Collier brothers probably talked to each other. Tripp translated, taking her thought to its conclusion. “And Caspian will talk to Breck.”

“Breck doesn’t know we’re in LA?” Roxie asked. “If he wants to show up, he can. Doesn’t mean he’ll be allowed to see you if you don’t want him to see you.”

“It’s not that, it’s…”

“Caspian Collier is one of Breck’s best friends. They talk, probably every day,” Tripp explained. Yes, thank you. “So if we need something fixing…”

“Talking about understanding Colliers. Caspian’s one of the few people in the world I don’t understand.” Roxie folded her arms. “He’s so… impervious.”

Tripp added. “He has a one-track mind.”

“So do you,” both she and Roxie said together.

“Yeah, but my track is fun and interesting, his track is more… corporate. Way less fun.”

“Heavy is the head…” she muttered.

Caspian was the eldest of the three Collier brothers. Knox was the middle child, and the only one currently involved with a partner, as far as she knew. Cam was the youngest, yet the most real of the siblings.

“Knox lives a life not too different from yours,” Roxie said to Tripp. “Zipping around all over the place.”

“Yeah, he lived like that before Jane. Now when he zips, it’s in her wake.”

That truth warmed Roxie’s smile again. “Why do you think I allow him to be with my incredible best friend? If he didn’t value how amazing and addictive she is, and prove it time and again, we would never have let him get so close to her.

Jane’s precious, a gem of a human being. She deserves more than the world.”

“Rox Out is protective of her girls,” Tripp explained.

Yes, she’d heard as much. “Loyalty is a valuable commodity.”

“It’s nice to meet a person who appreciates that.” Roxie straightened as the car rolled to a stop. “Time to settle in.”