Beautiful Redemption (The Maddox Brothers #2)(61)
Author: Jamie McGuire

“It might help you to forget if you didn’t live with him,” I said.

“He won’t sign the divorce papers, and if I move out, I lose the condo.”

“So?”

“I lived there first!”

“Move in with me,” I said.

“Really?” she asked, her eyes softening. “You would do that for me?”

“Yes. What a nightmare. And besides, it would be nice to share the bills. I could buy a car, and until then, ride with you to work.”

“I appreciate that,” Val said, tilting her head to the side. “I really do, but I’m not losing the condo. It’s mine, and his ass is moving, not me.”

“Why don’t you want to ride to work with me anymore?” Thomas slurred.

It was the first time he’d spoken in hours, and the sound of his voice surprised me as if he’d just shown up.

“I do,” I said. “I just meant that if Val moved in, it would be a good trade.”

His shirtsleeves were rolled almost to his elbows, and his tie was loose and hanging haphazardly from his neck. He’d had so much to drink that his eyes were half closed.

“What’s wrong with riding with me?”

“You’re moving in with Liis?” Marks asked, leaning backward to look at Val.

“No,” Val said.

“Why not?” Marks asked. “She offered, and you said no? Why would you say no?”

“Because it’s my condo, and I’m not giving it to Charlie!”

Marks opened his mouth to speak.

Before he could say anything, Thomas leaned closer to me. “You’re too good for my carpool now?”

I rolled my eyes. “No.” I looked to Val. “Who is Charlie?”

“Sawyer,” she sneered.

“Oh, I think you are,” Thomas said. “I think you think you’re too good for a lot of things.”

“Okay,” I snipped, my voice dripping with sarcasm. I used to do that to my mother, and it had driven her absolutely insane. She would cuss at me in Japanese, which she never, ever did, unless it was in response to that single two-syllable word. In her eyes, nothing was more disrespectful. “Just get drunk, Thomas, so we can take you home, and Marks can tuck you in.”

“It’s Agent Maddox to you.”

“Fine. I’ll call you that when you’re not slobbering drunk.”

“You forget you brought me here,” he said before taking a gulp.

Val and Marks traded glances.

“Would you like another drink?” I asked Thomas.

He looked offended. “No. It’s time for us to go home.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You mean, it’s time for you to go home.”

“So, everything you said this weekend was bullshit?” he asked.

“No, I recall being very truthful.”

His nose wrinkled. “You came home with me the last time we had drinks here together.”

Marks winced. “Hey, Thomas, maybe we should—”

“No, you came home with me,” I said, trying very hard not to get defensive.

“What does that even mean?” Thomas asked. “Speak English!”

“I’m speaking English. I just don’t speak drunk,” I said.

The disgusted look on his face only grew more severe. “That’s not even funny.” He looked at Marks. “She’s not even funny. And that’s bad because I’m drunk,” he said, pointing at himself. “I think everything’s funny.”

Anthony held up his hand, a blue rag hanging from it. “I don’t mean to poke the bear, but I’ve got one nerve left, and Maddox is dry-humping it. So, could you all move it along?”

Thomas threw back his head and laughed, and then he pointed at Anthony. “Now, that’s funny!”

I touched Thomas’s arm. “He’s right. C’mon. I’ll walk you to your condo.”

“No!” he said, pulling his arm away.

I held out my hands. “Do you want me to walk you or not?”

“I’m asking my girlfriend to come home with me!”

Val’s mouth fell open, and Marks’s eyes bounced between Thomas and me.

I slightly shook my head. “Thomas, we’re back in San Diego. The assignment is over.”

“So, that’s it then?” He stood up, weaving.

Marks stood with him, readying his hands to catch Thomas if he fell.

I stood up, too, motioning to Anthony that we needed the check. He had already printed it out, so he grabbed it from beside the register and placed it on the counter.

I scribbled my name and reached for Thomas’s arm. “Okay, let’s go.”

Thomas pulled his arm away. “You’re dumping me, remember?”

“Fine. Can Marks walk you?” I asked.

Thomas pointed at me. “No!” He chuckled, reached for Marks’s shoulder, and they walked toward the door.

I blew my hair from my face.

“I want to hear more about this weekend,” Val said. “But I’ll let it go this time.”

We joined the boys on the sidewalk, and then we watched as Marks struggled to keep Thomas walking in a straight line. The four of us took the elevator to the sixth floor, and Val and I watched as Marks fished Thomas’s keys out of his pocket and opened his door.

“Okay, buddy. Tell the girls good night.”

“Wait.” Thomas grabbed the doorjamb while Marks pulled at his middle from inside the condo. “Wait!”

Marks released him, and Thomas nearly fell forward. I reached for him and helped him to stand upright.

“You promised you’d stay with me,” he said. The misery in his eyes was unbearable.

I glanced at Val, who was quickly shaking her head, before I turned back to Thomas.

“Thomas…” I began. Then, I looked to Val and Marks. “I’ve got him. You guys should head home.”

“You sure?” Marks asked.

I nodded, and after a few glances over her shoulder, Val took the elevator with Marks to the lobby.

Thomas hugged me, desperately pulling on me. “I’ll sleep on the floor. I just feel like a piece of shit. My whole family hates me, and they should. They should.”

“C’mon,” I said, walking him inside. I kicked the door shut, reached back to lock the bolt, and then helped Thomas to his bed.

He fell onto his back and covered his eyes with his hands. “The room is spinning.”

“Put your foot on the floor. That helps.”