Fail to Love by Maci Dillon

 

Three Words Left Unsaid

 

“I love her, and it is the beginning of everything.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

 

 

SEAN

 

“She really has you by the balls, man, doesn’t she?” Miles laughed, tossing the cap of his beer bottle into the bin. I ignored him long enough to sink the eight ball in the corner pocket.

“It’s not like that, man. She’s just… she is fucking amazing. I’d do anything for her.”

“Yeah, I’m getting that.” Miles smiled, shaking my hand.

“You’re in love with her,” JJ added his two cents worth from over at the bar.

Miles raised his eyebrows in my direction.

I hadn’t said the words yet out loud to myself or to Raven. I didn’t remember ever saying those three words to anyone. Not even my mom. It wasn’t the environment I was raised in.

I chugged back my beer and avoided the statement from JJ and the question in Miles’ eyes.

“Well, so you know… I love her. What woman inspires their man to have mates over for a night of football, beer, and pizza?”

“Hey, the pizza was all my idea!” I joked.

The doorbell buzzed. “Let me.” Miles raced toward the door like a kid hosting a birthday party. He and Kassidy seemed to hit it off on New Year’s, but I forgot to tell the poor bastard she was out of the country.

“Hey,” JJ yelled. “Did Sean tell you? Gina and her hubby are coming too?” It halted him in his tracks.

Miles and Gina had a thing back in the day, but she called it off after they finally slept together. We never let him live it down, and he hated us for it. For Miles, Gina would always be his one that got away.

“Fuck you, JJ.”

I made my way to the door as Miles retreated in search of another beer.

Glancing back, I saw the boys wrestling by the pool table. “Take it outside, boys, we don’t want to scare off the rest of the visitors with your shenanigans this early in the afternoon.” It was the first round of the National Rugby League and a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with friends.

Laughter rang out over the pre-game commentary as they moved to the entertainment area. It was great to have the boys here. I should do it more often, but when I opened the door, I was met with the real reason we were all getting together today.

Raven loves Rugby and she can knock back a beer as good as any guy.

Raven and Miah waited with snacks, beer, and bourbon cradled in their hands.

“Babe, finally. You made it.” I greeted her with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “And Miah, you didn’t bring Dimitri with you?” I couldn’t resist ribbing her a little about her crush on Raven’s older brother.

Raven shook her head, and Miah scowled. “He might swing by later,” she answered. Of course, he was invited, and I had no doubt he’d show up. He’s not my biggest fan, but he’s open to getting to know me now that his sister and I are serious about each other. Plus, he has a thing for Miah, which pisses Raven off, though it’s cute seeing her all up in her brother’s face about it.

Taking their drinks to lighten their load, I welcomed them in.

“I need to get you a key,” I whispered to Raven as Miah walked through the door.

“Does that mean I get a car space too?”

I laughed. “Anything for you, Raven.”

“Hold the door!” A woman, who could only be my sweet cousin, Gina, yelled as the door began to close. I looked up the driveway to find her racing toward the house empty-handed and her husband, Daryl, trailing behind with their cooler full of goodies for the afternoon.

“Gina, glad you could make it,” I greeted as I let her in. “How about I give the old man a hand?” Gina laughed, slapping a kiss on my cheek, and Daryl sneered at us both.

“You’ll do no such thing. This old boy is fit as fuck.” We both cracked up. Daryl is fifteen years older than Gina, and it’s always been a bit of a friendly joke to tease the old boy. Daryl takes it like a champ.

As we all entered, I was about to do the introductions, but Gina beat me to it. “So, which one of you lucky bitches is screwing my favorite cousin?”

Miah pointed her finger at Raven. “That would be her.”

“Hi, Raven,” Gina shrieked, diving in for a bone-crushing hug. I’m lightning quick to save Raven from her death grip and make the rest of the introductions.

“Ladies, this is my cousin, Gina, proud owner of Brisbane’s elite BDSM club and the best interior decorator I know,” I announced.

I glanced at Raven, who refused to make eye contact with me. She had no idea I’d found Gina’s card in her apartment. There’s no doubt in my mind all that talk last week about visiting a club had everything to do with the card and nothing at all to do with her interests.

Miah, however, couldn’t hide her excitement and took Gina by the arm.

Outside, the introductions continued, and the drinking kicked up a notch. Miah easily stepped into the role of entertaining JJ, and Miles was bummed his blonde bombshell wasn’t here. I took the opportunity to rave about my girl to Gina, who had heard everything there was to hear, anyway.

“I’ve heard so much about you, Raven, I have no idea how you’ve managed to tame this one, but I’m so thrilled to see him finally happy and settling down.”

Raven choked back her beer, her cheeks slightly flushed. “Settling down, huh?” She smiled up at me to see I looked mildly embarrassed.

“You’ll have to forgive Gina. She has no filter and often very little class.”

Gina playfully thumped me on the shoulder, and the banter continued, “Has Sean told you he’s a silent owner of the club? You should come by and check it out one night, Raven.”

Raven glanced at me, questions evident in her eyes.

“Really?” Raven answered, a magnificent smile hiding her obvious irritation. “I had no idea. I’d love to swing by some time.”

“Very silent owner,” I reiterated.

Gina rolled her eyes at me. “Yeah, I know. Not your thing.”

“Another drink, anyone?” I shouted, needing an excuse to disappear for a moment. Gina wasn’t willing to let this go yet, though.

“Can you believe he didn’t even show up for the grand opening of the place? I don’t think he’s even been there since we settled on the purchase of the building.”

“Oh, that silent, huh?” Raven said.

Gina laughed.

“I’m weirdly happy to hear that. Sean has invested in some land on the Gold Coast, enabling me to build my own childcare center. Together with Will, who you’ll meet shortly when he and Chloe arrive, have both agreed to be silent partners.”

“I can vouch for him. He’s the most silent of silent partners I’ve ever encountered.”