Forever Blake (Once Upon a Player Book 3) by Elena Matthews (free books to read .TXT) 📗

Kimberley and a filled-up condom on the floor. I’ve regretted it ever since…she was the one who got away.”

“How do you explain the broken hand?”

“Oh, it was a very ugly breakup, and when she couldn’t forgive me, I got drunk and punched my hand against a brick wall.”

I let out a long breath. “Jesus, that’s intense.”

“That isn’t everything. We were, um, also married.”

My eyes almost shoot out of their sockets. “Wait, what?”

“I know, it’s crazy. Back then, I was a hopeless romantic. At the time, she was all I could see. Nothing I wouldn’t do for her.”

“Well, except maybe keep it in your pants.” The words are out before I can even stop them.

“Blake, that isn’t funny.”

“Oh, I know it isn’t, but, Jesus, you were married.” I let out a humorless laugh. “Like, shit. You didn’t just cheat on your girlfriend; she was your wife. Also, what the fuck, man? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was going to tell you during that summer, but obviously, that didn’t happen, and when I did come home, I couldn’t bear speaking to anyone. Hell, it took me months of therapy to actually get over her.”

“Do Mom and Dad know?”

“Who else do you think paid for the divorce fees? I barely had five hundred bucks to my name.”

I snort. “Jesus. I bet Mom wanted to kill you.”

“I thought she was going to.”

I shake my head, struggling to digest everything he told me in the past few minutes. “Just when I think I know all there is to know about you, you blow my mind with one hell of a skeleton in your closet. Shit, I’m going to have to give her a huge raise to keep her as my assistant. Do you know how hard it is to find an assistant who can think exactly how you think? It’s impossible. She’s one of a kind.”

“I’d apologize, but how was I supposed to know that she’d be your assistant fifteen years later? I can’t believe she has been your assistant for two years without even connecting the dots.”

“It’s such a small world. I’m really pissed you didn’t tell me, but I get it. I remember how dark it was for you back then.”

“You have every right to be pissed. I’m sorry. I should have told you. I had fifteen years.”

“Don’t worry about it; it’s all in the past.” I shrug, accepting his apology. “Though if I had known who she was, I could have at least given you a heads-up two years ago instead of you two meeting again like that.”

“So, she’s married, huh?”

I nod.

“Good. I’m glad. She deserves to be happy.”

“You seem like you still have a soft spot for her, even after all these years.”

“I hurt her badly, so it’s not surprising.” He lets out a sigh. “She’s just as stunning as I remember.” Suddenly, he begins to put me under his scrutiny, as if a thought just popped into his head. “Please tell me you haven’t slept with her.”

“You’re kidding me, right? She’s my assistant,” I balk.

“Yeah, but you’re you, and she’s fucking gorgeous.”

“No, I haven’t slept with her. I don’t mix work with pleasure.”

Cocking a brow, he says, “I beg to differ.” He chuckles, punching my knee with his fist.

“Whatever. At least I didn’t become a divorcé before I even had my first legal drink,” I smart off.

“At least I haven’t slept with half the women in Texas,” he shoots back, cracking his neck, as if he means business.

“You want to go right now, big brother? Because I will kick your ass,” I threaten.

He chortles at that and stands, towering over me. “You think you can kick my ass?”

I stand, matching his height. “I did when we were younger.”

“Do you want me to give you a head start like I used to do when we were kids?” he boasts.

“Of course not,” I bluff. “Oh, look, Kimberley’s heading straight for you.”

He takes the bait and whips his head behind him. I take advantage of his distraction and run in the direction of the pool.

I’m halfway there when I hear him yell behind me, “I’m going to kick your ass, Blake!”

I reach the edge of the pool when he puts me into a headlock, and we both fall into the pool, where we proceed to wrestle with each other, laughing hysterically.

Once the sunshine has faded and warm darkness envelops us, we all gather on the lawn to watch the impressive fireworks display. My eyes instinctively search out Ever. It doesn’t take me long to spot her standing on her own, gazing up at the fireworks with a look of awe in her eyes, her mouth formed into an O. Desperate to experience this moment with her, I discreetly edge my way out of the crowd, away from my family, and I make my way over to her. She seems to be so lost in the spell of the glittery lights exploding against the dark, starry night that she doesn’t notice my presence, standing right behind her. It isn’t until I speak against her ear that her body begins to hum with electricity, the static between us so palpable.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a display so magnificent.”

She looks back at me, her eyes glistening with colors from the reflection of the fireworks. She really does look gorgeous with her sun-kissed skin and naturally curly blonde locks flowing down her back.

She smiles. “Yeah, I’ve always loved fireworks, ever since I was a kid.”

“I was actually talking about you,” I whisper into her ear before standing beside her.

“You’re quite the charmer, aren’t you?”

“Always.” I grin, focusing my attention on her while her eyes continue taking in the sky display. “You know, today hasn’t been as bad as I thought it would be.”

“How so?” she asks.

“My family has distracted me enough, so I wouldn’t jump your bones.”

“Oh, really? Then, explain why every time I looked at you, you were staring straight back at me.”

“I only said it hasn’t been as bad, not that I