Unworthy (The Worthy Series Book 1) Read online

  He swallowed. Her speech, even given in the roar of the Heat arena, was amplified so it felt as if every person in the place heard and was now judging him to be an uncaring asshole. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m a lucky bastard to have my whole family alive and living near me. For all the bitching I do about having them in my business, I know that I’m blessed.”

  She gaped at him, obviously not expecting him to have so easily capitulated.

  “I’ve been an asshole, because I gave up on Danny. Back in high school, he was my family and then when I started I.D. Productions and Danny started to get more and more messed up, it was easier to let him go than to fight for him.” He grasped her chin in her hand and maneuvered her so she was looking at him. “But Danny was my family. You’re my focus now.”

  She wrapped her arms around her body and he wanted to pull her close to offer comfort, but he gave her space. “Is the situation that bad?” Her gaze was on their laps. The Heat scored or did something great and the fans erupted around them, but he only had eyes and ears for Cat.

  “I’m not going to lie to you,” he said. “Your brother owes money to a lot of not very nice people.”

  “And now that’s spilling over to you.” Her lips pulled down unhappily. “I’m sorry.”

  He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, as he couldn’t reach her lips because her neck was bent in submission. “You don’t apologize. This is not on you. This is all on your brother.”

  She looked up and met his gaze. “You’re right, but there’s something I have to tell you.”

  “Is this where you tell me that you do know where Danny is?”

  She bit her lip and nodded.

  “Shit, Cat.”

  “He’s crashing at my house. In my room.”

  “Is that why you called to cancel on me yesterday morning?”

  Another nod.

  “Amy came home from Okto on Friday night to Danny waiting on the back patio. Scared the crap out of her, but luckily she remembered him from high school.”

  For a second that distracted him. “Amy went to our high school?”

  “Yes. She was in my grade, but she left after ninth grade. That’s probably why you don’t remember her. You were a senior.”

  He dug through his memory banks for a second and then stopped. Amy’s secondary schooling was not the point here. “Let’s get back to your brother. Your roommate got home late Friday night and your brother was waiting there. What did she do?”

  “She let him sleep in my bed since she knew I wouldn’t be back that night.”

  “That was nice of her. Stupid, but nice.”

  “She knew him, and knew he’s my brother,” Cat said, defending her roommate.

  “How long?”

  “Huh?”

  “How long does Danny say he’s staying?”

  “He says a few nights. Amy is staying with him tonight since she didn’t want him alone in the house.”

  Cat lost her bearings as she was suddenly picked up and placed on her feet. Ian stood in front of her with a strong hand on her arm, tugging her out of the row, then up the stairs. “Ian, what are you doing? It’s only the third quarter.”

  “We’re leaving. I’m not leaving your brother alone with your roommate.”

  He took the steps two at a time and she hustled to keep up. “Ian, slow down.”

  He paused on the step, but only to turn around and ask, “What was your plan, Cat? Were you going to fake a headache at the end of our date? Claim exhaustion? That you had to work early the next morning? Oh wait, that wouldn’t work since I’m your boss.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Maybe I’m an asshole for making assumptions, but I thought that after Friday, tonight would end the same way. With you in my bed.”

  His words were loud enough that curious spectators on either side of the aisle were treated to their very private conversation. Without answering, Cat pushed past him and out of the main arena and into the concourse where only a few fans wandered to the bathroom or a snack bar.

  He caught up and grabbed her elbow. “How long were you going to lie to me?”

  Tears came unbidden. She was exhausted and had been for so long. It felt as if her life had been one long lie—mainly to herself—that everything was fine. It was why she’d been resistant to having a romantic relationship, because then she’d be forced to confront the truth that everything was not all right. Her brother had a problem. Her brother was a problem.

  But he was still her brother, and for him she’d tell any lie or go to any length to help and protect him. Even if it meant she’d have to lose Ian. At that thought, the tears flowed faster.

  His angry expression softened when he saw her tears. “Catherine, sweetheart. Don’t cry. We’ll figure this out.”

  She allowed him to pull her into his arms. “How?” she cried against his chest. “Danny needs me. I won’t give up on him.”

  He held her and let her cry for a long minute. “Then don’t,” he finally said. “You look after Danny, and I’ll look after you. Deal?”

  She raised a watery gaze at him. “Deal.”

  “You look familiar.”

  Amy froze in front of the kitchen countertop where she’d been putting together a healthy salad for dinner. Her unwanted houseguest had found his way from Cat’s darkened bedroom to the kitchen where he leaned against the doorjamb in the entryway.

  “Have we met before?”

  Amy turned back to dicing an avocado she’d picked up at the local farmer’s market yesterday. “You mean other than Friday night when you waited on my patio like a thief?”

  He chuckled slightly which turned into a hacking cough. When he could talk again, he said, “Sorry about that. My sister told me she’d moved to a new house. She forgot to mention she had a roommate.”

  “It’s okay. You can buy me a new pair of panties ‘cause I might’ve wet mine.”

  He snorted and shuffled a little further into the kitchen. “Speaking of my sister, where is she?”

  Amy looked at him sharply. She’d witnessed Cat telling Danny she was going to the Heat game not once, but twice tonight. Did he really not remember? Just how much of an addict was he?

  “She told me, didn’t she?”

  She nodded, turning back to the salad and dumping in the avocado, then liberally pouring dressing over the greens. She picked up her bowl to head to the tiny, round white table across from the island. Because it felt churlish to eat in front of him without sharing, she held up the bowl. “Want some?”

  He shook his head and held a hand over his stomach. “Can’t. I could use a drink. Any soda?”

  “There’s Diet Coke in the fridge. Grab a bottle.”

  “Thanks.”

  Instead of grabbing his bottle and heading back to Cat’s room, Danny came and slouched into the chair opposite her.

  Her fork froze halfway to her mouth. “Cat’s at the Heat game. With Ian.”

  He blinked at her. “Ian? Ian who? Lawrence?”

  She nodded around the bite of salad and worried she made a faux pas. She got the sense Cat was close with her brother, at least they’d been close in high school, but maybe she didn’t talk about her dating life. “I’m sorry if that was news to you.”

  He shrugged and took a deep gulp of his Coke. “I’m not exactly in Cat’s life these days. Or Ian’s,” he muttered.

  “I’m sorry. I know you were close.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “You didn’t answer my question before.”

  “Which question?” She knew what he meant. He recognized her from high school, but she really, really didn’t want to remind him that he knew her in high school. Cat had no idea, and she knew Danny didn’t know, but he’d played a large role in why she’d fled their high school after ninth grade.

  “I know you from somewhere.” His gaze was penetrating, but his body wasn’t still. His leg bounced and his hand shook holding the clear bottle.

  “I went to your high schoo
l for my freshman year.”

  “That’s how you know Ian and I were close.”

  It wasn’t a question, but she answered anyway. “Yes.”

  His head cocked to one side and his eyes narrowed. “I don’t remember you ever being at my house with Cat.”

  “I never was. We weren’t exactly friends in high school. I hung with a different group.” She shoved a large mouthful of salad in her mouth to stop her from oversharing any other bad memories from her freshman year, but Danny shrugged off the information that she’d been in the unpopular group in high school. She hadn’t spelled it out, but it was implied and obvious that if your sister was one of the queen bees, then someone who wasn’t her friend would’ve been the opposite. Like Amy had been.

  Danny took a few more gulps of his soda and then turned a pale greyish color and rushed from the room. Amy stared at the doorway where he’d exited and wondered if she should follow to make sure he was okay.

  When she’d agreed to stay home tonight, it was more in the vein of making sure Cat’s brother didn’t steal her possessions, not to make sure he was in healthy shape. She was no nurse and after being the primary caregiver for her mother, she had no desire to take on the role for a virtual stranger.

  She took another bite of her salad but found it had gone tasteless. Shoving it forward, she rose and took a few steps toward Cat’s room, turned back, then turned around again and made it all the way to her roommate’s bathroom door.

  Awful retching sounds emerged from under the crack between the door and floor. Amy gave a hesitant knock. “Danny? You okay?”

  Another retch.

  “It’s Amy.” Duh. God, she was such an awkward moron whenever brought into contact with anything and anyone who reminded her of her awkward teen years. Danny Ross was the epitome of reminders. “Can I get you some water? A towel?”

  A flush, a moan, and then, “I’m okay. Just a stomach bug. Go away. Wouldn’t want you to catch it,” he said, and even with a door between them, Amy could hear how much effort the words took to form on his tongue.

  Was he in that much denial about his addiction or did he think his symptoms were an actual virus? She stared at the door, wishing she had x-ray vision, telling herself she should back away, but something deep inside wouldn’t let her. It was amusing that she was accusing Danny of denial, because the truth was that she was in some serious denial.

  She’d recognized Danny within seconds of spotting him on her back patio. Yes, he’d frightened her but not because she’d thought he was a robber or there with mal intent. It was because all the feelings she’d had for him as a fifteen-year-old came rushing back. He’d had the power to hurt her so badly because she’d given him her untried heart as a stupid lovesick teenager.

  Danny had been a senior and they’d had a photography class together. He’d been taking it to fulfill his art requirement, and she was there because art class was the only place she felt confident and strong in school. Hence, she was placed in class with mostly upperclassmen, not that she ever spoke to them. No, she huddled in the back of the room, taking picture after picture of the kids in the class. Mostly Danny. Okay, all Danny. Until… Nope, not going there.

  “Okay. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything,” she said through the wood, then did the smart thing and fled.

  Cat huddled with Amy on the couch watching her boyfriend having an intense discussion with her brother. They’d arrived home from the Heat game to find Danny passed out in her bed and Amy watching TV on the couch in the living room with Baroness von Fancy on her lap demanding petting.

  “Go sit with Amy,” Ian directed, then headed into her room to bodily drag her brother outside. She guessed that Ian hated seeing any man in her bed, even her brother. She also felt as if maybe she should intervene because the conversation looked intense, but it felt so damn nice to have someone else handling Danny for once, so she curled into a ball on the couch, one eye on the television, and another on her boyfriend and brother.

  Amy reached over to squeeze her knee. “It’s going to be okay.”

  Cat curled her arms around her shins. “Will it? Because some days I only see this ending one way. With Danny overdosing.”

  “Don’t say that.” Amy looked upset at the thought. “Has he ever been to rehab?”

  She shrugged and fiddled with her necklace, her mother’s engagement ring on a chain. If she were a better sister, she would’ve pawned the jewelry a long time ago, but it was the last memento of her mother. “He checked himself in once. The problem is that the really good facilities cost a lot of money. Money we don’t have. So…” She gave another shrug.

  “Have you thought about asking…” Amy gave a pointed look outside at Ian.

  “No. Absolutely not. I bet he’d give the money, but that’d be the end of our relationship.”

  “But they were best friends once.”

  “No.” Cat’s tone spoke of the finality of the topic.

  “You have a new job now. That should help, right?” Amy asked.

  “Things are a little more comfortable, but I was in such a deep hole, it’ll take a while to dig out.”

  “Well, I meant what I said about needing help at the store.”

  Cat looked at her, uncertain of how to frame her question without sounding like a bitch. “Amy, I don’t know how to say it, so I apologize if this comes out wrong…”

  “Spit it out.” Amy laughed and put her bare feet up on the modern wood coffee table. “I think I know where you’re going.”

  Cat found a small smile. “Amy, it’s a big and tall store, and I’m…petite. Like stupidly small. Won’t I be the wrong saleswoman?”

  Amy turned to her with a bright fervor burning in her gaze. “Actually, something you said gave me an idea.”

  “What?” Cat forgot for a moment to look outside to see how the conversation between Danny and Ian was going.

  “You said you had trouble finding clothes that fit.”

  “I did. I do.”

  “What if instead of simply keeping my mom’s shop as is, I reimagine it. I’m thinking about a shop that offers fashion forward clothing to women of all sizes from super petite to super large.”

  Cat felt her eyes widen. “I—”

  Amy interrupted before she could say how much she loved the idea. “I’d design a lot of the clothes,” Amy said rapidly in almost a whisper as if she expected Cat to hate that idea.

  “I love that even more,” she practically squealed.

  “I have a degree in design so it’s not as if I don’t know what I’m doing.”

  “It’s brilliant,” Cat reassured her. “I can’t wait to work there. Hell, I can’t wait to shop there.”

  Amy looked at her seriously with a penetrating gaze. “Really? You’re not just saying that because I’m your roommate.”

  Cat heard Amy’s vulnerability in her question. “No. I would tell you the truth. I think it’s exactly the store South Miami needs.” At that moment, Ian reentered the house followed by Danny. The contrast between the two men was striking. Ian looked to be in his prime. Tall, tan and strong.

  Danny looked ill, gaunt and years older than Ian despite Ian being six months older. Cat only had eyes for her boyfriend, but she couldn’t help but notice that Amy only had eyes for Danny.

  “Everything okay?” Cat addressed the question to her brother.

  He gave her a wan smile. “All good, Cabbage Patch. Ian’s going to help me out and get me someplace to stay.”

  Joy filled Cat until she felt like leaping off the couch and wrapping her arms around Ian. Since there was nothing holding her back, she followed her instincts and jumped to embrace Ian who held her against his body but remained rigid as if he didn’t want to kiss her hard in front of her brother.

  “It’ll all be good, Cat. Promise.” His lips brushed the crown of her head and then he set her to the side and started to head for the front door. Danny followed. She stepped after them, about to make an offer to help him pack, but t
hen she remembered Danny had arrived with literally the clothes on his back and nothing more.

  “Where are you going?” she asked.

  “Hotel,” Ian answered. “Not telling you where in case anyone asks. You won’t have to lie because you won’t know the answer.”

  Before she could respond, both men were out the door and headed to Ian’s Maserati parked down the driveway. Cat turned back to Amy whose lifted eyebrows probably mimicked her own expression.

  Three hours later, Ian was pulling back into Cat’s driveway. Tonight had not gone at all the way he’d planned. If he’d had his way, he would’ve been sleeping in his bed already, Cat curled, sexually satisfied in his arms. But instead he’d left the Heat game, gone to confront his former best friend, and had extracted promises he knew would be broken. Danny was too fucked up. He needed more than a week in the hotel that Ian had covered. He needed a serious professional drug treatment with a detox for his withdrawal. Until that happened, they were in a holding pattern.

  He’d texted Cat not to wait up, and he’d been halfway home when he’d decided he didn’t want to sleep without her tonight, so he’d made a swift Dixie Highway exit and found himself pulling into her driveway.

  He’d left the sliding glass door to the patio open and he hoped neither Cat nor Amy had had the presence of mind to lock it or he’d have to call and wake her up.

  Luckily, the door was still unlocked and it was the work of a minute to quietly let himself in the house, lock it after him, and make his way to Cat’s bed.

  She lay curled under the covers, one thin arm folded under the pillow. He stripped and slipped under the covers without waking her. “Hey, baby,” he said, wrapping his arms around her, and pretended not to notice how right it felt to have her body against his at bedtime. She was a habit he’d never want to break. It was painful to think that he could’ve had years of this but instead had thrown it away.