Discomfort rolled in his gut. “That’s not true.”


“Yes, it is. And I’m fine with it now. I love Reed. I’m happy with Reed. But when I saw you and Brett together, I felt…I don’t know, like I was lacking or something. I always knew there was something wrong with our relationship—you knew it too—but I figured it was both our faults. No chemistry or passion or whatever you want to call it.” Darcy sighed. “But it was so obvious you felt passion for Brett. Like, an obscene amount of passion.”

His stomach continued to churn, this time with white-hot regret that spiraled upward and tightened his throat. He’d felt passion, all right. Passion and excitement and love, damn it. He still did.

“So I started wondering if maybe I was the reason we didn’t work out,” she confessed. “And then I got mad and self-conscious and embarrassed, and I took it out on Brett. I’m so sorry, AJ. I really am. It was a dick move.”

A laugh managed to escape his aching throat. “You were pretty damn rude,” he agreed.

“I know,” she wailed. “And I feel horrible about it. I finally got the nerve to ask Reed to bug you for Brett’s number so I could apologize to her personally, but then he told me you two had broken up.” She hesitated. “Why did you end it? Any idiot could see you guys were crazy about each other.”

AJ swallowed. “I messed up.”

It was all he said, and all he was willing to say. He was genuinely touched that Darcy had come to apologize, but he wasn’t ready to tell her why Brett had broken things off. Any explanation he’d give required a shit ton of history he wasn’t interested in sharing, not even with Darcy, who was one of the greatest listeners he’d ever met.

“Then fix it,” she said bluntly.

He gnawed on the inside of his cheek. “That’s easier said than done.”

“Love is never easy, AJ. You have to work for it, fight for it. If you don’t, then it’ll just slip away, and you’ll be left feeling miserable and alone.”

Yup. Miserable and alone was precisely what he’d been feeling since Brett had walked out of his life.

Darcy approached the desk, bending down to plant a light kiss on his forehead. “I love you, you know. You’re the best man I’ve ever known, AJ, and I want you to be happy.”

“I know.” He swallowed again. “I love you, too, Darce.”

A knock on the half-open door sent both their heads swiveling toward it.

And talk about another surprise—AJ’s parents were standing in the doorway.

His jaw fell open when he spotted them. His folks had never visited him at the club before. Hadn’t stepped foot in Sin since AJ and his friends had bought it, and before today, showed zero interest in doing so.

“What are you guys doing here?” he demanded, unable to mask his shock.

Or his anger. Nope, couldn’t hide that, either. He hadn’t spoken to them since Sunday afternoon, despite his mother’s numerous phone calls and text messages. In the end, he’d shot off a curt text saying he wasn’t ready to talk, but he’d let her know when that changed, and he hadn’t heard from her since.

As his parents took a hesitant step inside, AJ was wholly aware of Darcy standing at his side. He suddenly wondered if his folks had overheard the tail end of the conversation, the I-love-yous that had been exchanged, the tender kiss to his forehead.

If they had, they didn’t comment on it, and AJ noted in bewilderment that his mother didn’t greet Darcy with the same overjoyed expression she’d worn in the past.

“Darcy.” Her tone was oddly reserved. “You look wonderful, sweetie.”

“So do you.” With a genuine smile, Darcy walked over to hug both his parents. “You look so much better from the last time I saw you,” she told AJ’s mother. “Are you feeling okay?”

“I feel great.” Karen’s gaze strayed to her son. “Physically, anyway.”

AJ’s dad cleared his throat. “Would you mind giving us a moment alone with Adam?” he asked Darcy.

“No problem.” She squeezed Karen’s arm before heading for the door. “We’ll catch up another time.”

The moment Darcy was gone, AJ warily got to his feet and looked at his parents, waiting for them to speak.

“Darcy looks happy,” his mother remarked.

“She is.” His tone hardened. “She and Reed are good for each other.”

“It shows,” she said with a nod. “I suppose we should have them over for dinner the next time you and Brett come by.”

He let out a humorless laugh. “I don’t think that’s going to happen any time soon, Mom. Brett dumped me.”

Lines of concern formed around her mouth. “Oh. Oh, no. Why would she do that?”

Disbelief spiraled through him. “Why the hell do you think?”