Perfect Bastard (by Mary D. Sant) novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32: And What If It Wasn’t Enough?

ETHAN

“El?” Will said, surprised.

Shit. I closed my eyes, trying to keep calm. This couldn’t get any worse.

I turned around to face a pale Miss Brown.

“Will?” she cleared her throat before stepping closer. “Hi! What are you guys doing here?” she said, trying to sound casual.

Too late, Brown.

Will turned back to me.

“Was it her?” he asked in disbelief.

I sighed. Since when did I have to explain my sex life to my friends?

“She what?” Ellie asked.

“I’m not an idiot, El. I know what you two were doing in there,” Will said, and I saw her grow even paler, probably panicking.

She looked at me,

searching for some kind of help.

“That’s none of your business, Will. We’re adults, and we can handle this,” I said finally.

But Miss Brown seemed even more pissed off. What did she expect? That I’d lie? Will wasn’t stupid.

“Don’t worry, Will. This was a mistake. One that won’t happen again. I have to go,” she said, not even looking at me before turning her back and walking

away.

“Fuck, Morgan! Did it have to be her?”

“That’s none of your business, Will. This is just between me and her. Stay out of it.”

“You’re completely wrong about that. She’s my family.”

“Don’t worry, it’s not like I’m gonna marry her.”

“That’s exactly the problem. You can’t give her what she wants.”

“What?”

“I know you just need someone to stick your dick into. And I’ve known El long enough to know she wants more than that. I thought you were over this

idea.”

“Fuck! Didn’t you hear her? It’s just sex.”

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4:36 pm P P P P

Chapter 32: And What If It Wasn’t Enough?

“What does that mean? That you plan to keep doing this?”

“Shit! As if my brother nagging me wasn’t enough, now you’re gonna be on my ass too?”

“Unlike Bennett, I’ll break your face if you dare hurt her.”

“And I thought you were my friend.”

“I am your friend, but that woman is my wife’s best friend and part of our family. So if you do anything to hurt her, I’ll have to kick your ass–even as your friend. Do you understand that?”

“Come on, Will. What do you think I’m gonna do? You know me well enough to know I don’t play games.”

“She deserves someone who loves her and takes care of her.”

“Are you kidding me?”

Why the hell does everyone think they know what she wants?

“I know what you’ve been through, and I know you have your own traumas, but I’ve seen her suffer enough. And you know exactly what that’s like. So if you don’t really want her, leave her alone.”

“I don’t think any of you should be getting involved in this,” I said before turning my back on him and walking away.

Will followed me back to the table, sitting down before I did.

I wondered if I should just leave without having coffee. That would be better than listening to him nag me while I ate.

“Are we gonna have coffee in peace, or are you gonna keep pestering me?” I asked, still standing.

“Sit down,” he ordered, making me think he’d let it go.

So I sat.

“Why are you doing this?”

“You’re really going to keep this up?”

“I’ve been your friend for a long time, haven’t I?”

“Yeah, and that doesn’t explain why you’re so worried about her.”

“You don’t want to hurt her, I know that. I know you well enough to know you’d never do it on purpose. But if you keep this going, it might happen- because it will be out of your control.”

“I think you didn’t hear the part where we both said it’s just sex. And I didn’t force her into this. If you must know, she was the one who came to my apartment. So maybe she doesn’t need your protection as much as you think. I think she’s a grown woman, Will, and she can take care of herself.”

“Yeah, and you’re just some poor, innocent guy in all this, who did absolutely nothing to make it happen.”

“I wanted her, and she wanted me. So it happened. I don’t know why you and my brother keep insisting this is more than what it really is.”

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Chapter 32: And What If It Wasn’t Enough?

“Are you telling me it won’t happen again?”

I couldn’t answer. I wasn’t going to lie and say I didn’t want her again.

“See?” He shook his head. “If this wasn’t the first time, how long have you been hiding it?”

“We’re not hiding anything. Since when do I have to tell you guys who I’m fucking?”

“Since that woman is Ellie.”

“For fuck’s sake! It was only the second time. Satisfied?”

“If you’ve already gotten what you wanted, then leave her alone. It shouldn’t be that hard.”

“And what if it wasn’t enough?”

Why the hell did I say that out loud?

“Don’t do this. You don’t like her, and she’s not like Jess and Emma.”

Hearing him mention their names made my blood boil. Why the hell did he think he could talk about that like he understood?

“This is none of your business, Will. You’re starting to piss me off, acting like you’re her father. Do me a favor and stay out of it–she can make her own

damn decisions.” I stood up and headed for the exit.

I wasn’t going to sit there listening to Will tell me who I should or shouldn’t get involved with. I could make my own damn decisions, and nd this wasn’t

anyone’s business but mine and Miss Brown’s.

1

All morning, I channeled my frustration into work. I was pissed at Will, and I didn’t even want to think about Miss Brown. She was causing me more trouble

than I ever imagined she could.

To avoid running into Will at lunchtime, I ordered Italian food. I was eating in my office when my brother knocked on the door.

Maybe staying for lunch hadn’t been the best idea.

I put my food down on the desk as he walked in.

Bracing myself, I closed my eyes and leaned back in my chair, letting out a long sigh. I knew exactly why he was here, but I asked anyway.

“Is there a problem?”

“Good to see you too, little brother.”

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