Before Lucky (Forever Love #2.5)(22)
Author: J.S. Cooper

“It was good seeing you, Lucky. Have a good evening.” I pulled away from her quickly, and uncertainly. It wasn’t meant to feel this deep. I had wanted to get to know her better so I could work her out of my system. I didn’t want to feel closer to her. I walked away from her quickly, and in a daze. I needed to go and think, and I needed a drink. All I had wanted was to get Lucky to this party, but now I was wondering if it had been a bigger mistake.

I grabbed a beer, and watched as Leeza dragged Lucky up the stairs. I was about to go and follow them when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Angelique, and pasted a smile on my face.

“Hey,” I gave her a kiss on the cheek, and she kissed me on the lips in her old familiar way.

“Zane, I didn’t know you were coming tonight.” She pouted as she pressed against me, her beautiful face showing me how happy she was to see me.

“I wasn’t sure I was coming.”

“You haven’t even returned many of my calls.” Her fingers traced down my chest. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve been busy, Angelique.”

“Too busy for me?”

“I’m sorry.” I sighed and tried to take a step back. I looked back to the stairs and tried to think of a way to get away from her.

“I’ve been thinking about Noah a lot recently.” Her eyes welled up with tears, and I paused and gave her a hug.

“I know you miss him.” I held her to me close, this time not as her ex-lover, but as the brother of her ex-boyfriend.

“I just wish I would have known how much he loved me.”

“It wasn’t your fault.” I stroked her hair. “We both loved him. He wasn’t in his right mind that night.”

“I just wish this wouldn’t come between us.” She pushed herself against me and whispered against my lips. “I want us to…”

“Angelique, no.” I pulled away from her with a sigh. I didn’t want to have this conversation with her again. “I’m sorry.” I said softer this time. “I need to go upstairs.”

“Let me come with you. Evan and Braydon are upstairs with some of the gang.”

“Braydon’s here?” I felt my body go cold.

“Of course he’s here.” Angelique gave me an odd look, and grabbed my hand, and pulled me towards the stairs. “Let’s go and see what they’re up to.” I followed her up the stairs slowly, and bit my lip. I prayed that Leeza hadn’t taken Lucky to the room with Evan and Braydon. That was the last thing I needed to happen.

“Hey, y’all. We’re here.” Angelique sauntered into the room, giggling, and I followed behind her slowly.

“What’s up, Angelique?” Evan whistled at her, and she giggled again.

“Nada. Zane and I want to get this party started.” She ran over to him, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. I stood there in the doorway with a beer in my hand, and a worried feeling in my heart.

“Yo, bro, what up?” Evan jumped up and fist-bumped me, while nodding his head slightly to the corner with a grin. I knew he was trying to tell me Lucky was here. He couldn’t contain the joy on his face, now that he thought I was going to hook him up with some big role via my dad.

“Not much. What’s happening, Evan?” I didn’t smile, and I avoided looking over in the corner.

“Come on, Zane.” Angelique grabbed my arm and pulled me into the room. I looked over and saw Lucky sitting on a couch with Braydon, who had his arm around her possessively. I wanted to go over and hit him across the face, but instead I just stared at Lucky, willing her to look at me.

“Braydon Eagle, you sly dog.” Angelique ran over to the couch and placed herself on Braydon’s lap. “I didn’t know you were here.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Hi, Angelique.” He smiled and rolled his eyes, while avoiding looking at me.

“Why didn’t you call me back? I wanted you to come pregame with us.” Angelique whined at him, and I stood there watching Lucky as she sat there looking uncomfortable.

“I’m here now.”

“Didn’t you miss me?” Angelique pouted and ran her finger across his cheek.

“Angelique, you’re making Lucky uncomfortable.” Braydon pushed her off of his lap, and Angelique looked at him in shock.

“I’m okay.” Lucky attempted a smile, but Angelique flicked her hair and walked over to me.

“Zane, Braydon’s being rude.” She made a sad face.

“I’m sure he is.” I stared at Braydon hard, and placed an arm around her shoulder.

“Yes, he was,” she pouted. “Do something about it.”

“Don’t worry, I’m trying to,” I mumbled under my breath and turned to look at Lucky. I hoped she wasn’t falling under his spell. I frowned as I realized that my plan was going horribly. Not only was I not getting to spend quality time with her, but she was now cozied up to the man I hated most in the world.

“Do you two know each other?” Braydon looked back and forth at us with an odd tone in his voice.

“No,” I said at the same time that Lucky said, “Yes.” I sighed as I saw the hurt feelings on her face, but I didn’t want Braydon to know I knew Lucky. I didn’t want him to try and go after her, because of her connection to me. I knew Lucky was upset, because she gave me a hurt look before turning away from me. I wanted to grab her arm, and beg her to just give me time, and some understanding.

“Hello, Braydon.” My voice was brusque as I acknowledged Braydon.

“Zane.” Braydon nodded, and he gave me a slightly worried look.

“Zane. Let’s go in the hot tub. Braydon, why don’t you join us?” Angelique interrupted us, and ran her hands through her hair.

“I’m having a conversation, Angelique.” Braydon spoke to Angelique, but he looked at me.

“I’m sure she won’t mind.” Angelique’s voice sounded sharp as she looked at Lucky dismissively. I felt a surge of anger as I saw Braydon grab hold of Lucky’s hand, and noticed she didn’t pull away.

“Angelique, why don’t you and Zane go?” Braydon looked at me with a smirk.

“Don’t want me to interrupt your conversation with Lucky?” My voice was harsh as I stared at him.

“What do you care?” Braydon gave him a challenging look.

“I don’t.” My voice was sharp and I took a deep breath. I could not allow Braydon to see how much this situation was affecting me.