Let's Play A Dirty Ass Game, Mr. CEO

Chapter 52: GOING CRAZY

TRISTAN

I sat on the balcony a while longer, after the call ended, a smile tugging on the corners of my lips the entire time.

It was just so fun to tease Laura. It also made my cock hard, the way her breathing slowed over the phone, the way her voice took a slightly husky edge.

Fucking sensational.

I took a long swig from the bottle of scotch and looked out to the city skyline, taking in the glittering lights and beauty. For a split second, I thought about taking a shot and sending it to Laura.

Then I was quickly jarred back to reality. When did I start caring about things like that?

The door behind me swung open, and Madison thick colognes announced her presence.

"Are you avoiding me now?"

"This is my house, Madison. Why would I avoid you?"

"Maybe because you didn’t like my tone and the threat about going to my father."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Tone, huh?"

"It’s nothing to sulk about." She stalked over and sank into the space next to me. My jaw tightened, my vision blurring as it burned into the lights in the distance.

"So, listen, about my bridal dress..."

She paused, probably waiting for some kind of encouragement. But I wasn’t willing to engage her. Ignoring her seemed like the less stressful option.

"Tristan, about my bridal dress." She paused again. Then she dropped the bombshell. "Your highly esteemed partner will be designing it." She clapped her hands gleefully. "What do you think? Isn’t that exciting?"

My jaw dropped, and I finally turned my gaze on her face. Slowly, dangerously. "Who will be doing what?"

She blinked innocently, sending a whiplash of fury through me. "Laura Hayes, of course. Phoenix, if you prefer that."

My eyes rolled back in my head and my veins throbbed. "Why her? Is there a particular reason?"

"What other reason but for my dress, Tristan? You think I’m trying to ruin your partnership, poison her mind and send her scurrying off?"

She laughed, and the sound pushed me to slam the bottle against the wall beneath my knee.

Madison gasped and jumped back. "Tristan! What do you think you’re doing?"

Blood trickled down my fingers but I barely felt any pain as I glared at her. "You know," I began in a surprisingly calm, controlled voice, "I really hope for your sake that this is all about the dress. Because if it’s anything else, you’ll be seeing a side of me you’ve never quite met."

Then I turned on my heels and stormed off the rooftop in blind rage. The euphoria from talking to Laura earlier had been soured by Madison’s presence, especially when she opened her mouth and said words that sounded untrustworthy.

As soon as I walked in my bedroom, I made a beeline for the bathroom and pushed my bleeding hand under a running tap. I stared at my reflection for a long moment, searching for the man who used to be thick-skinned and gave zero fucks.

Instead, who I saw was the broken boy from my childhood who had to endure all his mother’s bullshit, alone. The boy who felt everything too strongly, more than he wanted to, or had any choice over. The pain, the anger, the guilt, the resentment. The yearn for affection.

To be truly seen by someone, and loved by them. Beyond the good looks, the money and the power.

I scoffed in disgust. I was getting weak. I had to buckle up and tighten my emotions.

A few moments of contemplation later, I hit the dial button on Harlan’s contact.

"Hey, man. Think you could spare a couple hours?"

"What’s going on?"

"I think I’m going crazy."

°°°

Harlan and I met up in the most private bar in the city, minutes after we spoke on the phone.

I was already seated at the dim, quiet spot, five minutes in, sipping a glass of bourbon, when Harlan walked in wearing a plain black T-shirt with hurriedly done buttons.

He cast his gaze around until they landed on me. I thought I saw his eyes soften with what seemed like relief, before he strode over.

"What’s up?"

"You heard me on the phone. I’m going crazy." We bumped fists and he relaxed into his seat.

"Crazy in what sense?" He watched my face for a moment, then he burst into a soft laughter. "Let me guess. Woman troubles."

I shook my head in exhaustion and helplessness. "How can you tell?"

"It’s written everywhere on your face, Tristan. I was just too preoccupied to see it earlier." He lifted his hand and waved for the bartender. "Something strong, if you’ve got it!"

"Sure! Coming right up!"

Harlan turned to me again. "So, wanna talk about this woman?"

I grabbed my glass and swallowed the bourbon in one gulp. As it burned down my gut, the memory of that one night five years ago, flared in my mind.

"Five years ago, I met this...girl. She was naive, but pretty as hell. She had the kind of ass you lose sleep over."

Harlan laughed, nodding in agreement. As if he knew who I was talking about. "What happened with her?"

I shrugged, sloughing forward in my lightheaded state. "Nothing. We fucked and it ended. Then something happened, and I never saw her again."

"Hmm." Harlan rubbed his jaw. "So, why are you still fixated on her?"

"I don’t know." My jaw ticked. "It’s like she’s done something to me. Then she reappears like that one bright star that’s been missing from my life."

Harlan laughed. "Dude, you sound like a lovesick fucker."

"Love?" I chuckled, licking my lips. "We both know I’m not capable of loving anyone."

"That’s a lie you feed yourself to feel better. But we’re not talking about that today. Let’s talk women."

"It’s just one woman consuming my senses, Harlan. One."

I was almost tempted to spill the object of my insanity to my once best friend. But I was still sober enough to know that he might not take it well.

Harlan frowned. "Man, I almost forgot. What about your fiancée? Maeve or..?"

"Madison Steele is not that woman," I snapped. "But you knew that as well."

Harlan’s drink arrived and while the bartender poured it, he watched me steadily, like he was trying to read past my eyes and know what’s on my mind.

"I think I can relate."

I slid him a glare. "Relate to what?"

"Losing one’s mind over a woman."

"Really."

"Yeah, because you see..." he leaned forward, his eyes gleaming in a strange light, "I have someone too."