Leather & Lace

Chapter 13

It was the weekend and Lacey wanted to do something fun. She’s been so busy between work and her family’s drama that she just wanted to unwind. She called Izzy to see if she wanted to go out and get some drinks, but she didn’t answer. She hasn’t heard from Brett since she left him at the bar. She called Eric and he agreed to meet up with her. She knew she'd been avoiding the topic of making everything official between them, but she needed to tell him that she wasn’t ready, but it was far from the truth. She was ready. But it wasn’t with Eric. Her heart wanted Brett and now that isn’t really an option since she’s representing him in his divorce case. She can’t risk her job for him. She could lose everything she’s worked for if it were ever exposed.

As she drove to meet him at the bar, she decided she was going to end while it was still early in their situationship. She didn’t want to call it a relationship. When she got there, she expected him to be alone. Heart raced when she saw him, the man that covered every thought in her brain, the man that haunted her in her dreams, the man that was forbidden, but just like Eve, she wanted to bite. Just a little taste of life with him. Damn you Brett! She cursed internally. You just can’t make this easier for me.

Eric smiled as he stood to hug her. “Hey, glad you can make it.” Lacey sat next to him and Brett sat on the opposite side. She couldn’t help but to look in his direction. His shoulders were dropped as he held a bottle of beer in one hand.

“Hey, Lace.” His calm, soothing voice made her heart jump as he said her name. She didn’t miss the frown that was Eric’s face.

“Hey, how are you doing?” She tried to brush off the way toes curled at the nickname.

“I’m good and I was able to get that paperwork for you.” He smiled as he looked at her.

“Thank you. Just bring it to my office on Monday.”

“Do you want a drink?” Eric asked as he placed his hand around her shoulders.

“Yes, please. Something strong.” Lacey definitely didn’t expect him to be here. She was going to talk to Eric and try to end things but Brett being here made that a little more complicated. She didn’t want Eric to feel embarrassed. Eric ordered her drink and gave it to her.

“So, how did your family dinner go?” He asked.

“Not good, but I don’t want to talk about my family drama tonight.”

“Well, what do you want to do, Lacey?” Brett asked. There was that tone again. Like he was giving her all of the control just like the few nights they were together.The seductiveness behind it made her want to scream. I want to f**k you! But she knew that was not happening.

“I want to have fun and let loose.” Brett smiled as he took a swig of his beer. He was proud that she was able to voice what she wanted.

“Okay, let’s have fun then,” Eric said. They ordered more drinks and downed them. Ironically, Lacey found herself having fun. She dragged Eric to the dance floor, but her eyes remained on Brett the whole time. Brett watched lost in a trance as she danced on his friend. He knew by looking at her that she wanted it to be him. Oh f**k this….He finished his drink and went to join them on the floor. She swayed her hips as Eric held her from behind and Brett had her in the front. They were not worried about anyone. She knew she was drunk, but she didn’t expect Brett to have his hands all over her right in front of Eric. She figured it wouldn’t be any harm since they were just dancing. Eric didn’t seem to mind, but he did notice the look in Brett’s eyes. He noticed how Brett was looking at Lacey as if she's the most precious thing in the world. Or maybe he was really drunk.

Lacey felt like she should have been very lucky. She was dancing with two hot guys. She missed Brett’s hands all over her and each part he touched only aroused her more. Eric's hands were gentle as he caressed her hips towards him. It was like both men were making their claim on her. This was way too much even for her? Her heart was racing and her vision became spotty.

“Something’s wrong,” she said with a slurred speech.

“Lacey?” Brett frowned as her eyes rolled to the back of her head. “s**t,” he cursed as her body collapsed. He quickly picked her up and with Eric whose eyes were filled with worry.

“Call for help!” He yelled at Eric. Eric quickly dialed for the police. People began to surround them.

“Lacey, open your eyes,” Brett pleaded. He checked for her pulse and her heart was beating too fast. “Come on Lace, open those pretty eyes.”

“Brett, they're on the way.” Eric frowned with confusion as he watched how his friend held her in his arms. The worry that was on Brett’s face made Eric wonder if Lacey is more than a divorce lawyer for Brett. He wanted to question his friend, but he knew it wasn’t the right time. The paramedics arrived and took Lacey to the hospital with Eric and Brett following behind them.

They waited so long before anyone was able to tell them what happened. Brett paced the hallway, his mind was thinking of the worst. He replayed all of the things that happened tonight. He didn’t see anything that would cause her to collapse so abruptly. The police questioned both men and told them that they would keep in touch.

About two hours passed and neither of them were updated on Lacey’s condition. Brett was getting even more agitated.

“Would you calm down? She’s going to be fine,” Eric said with a tired voice.

“How do you know that!” He shouted. “We’ve been here for hours with no update.”

Eric narrowed his eyes. “You could just go home and I’ll call you with an update.”

“There’s no way I’m leaving her.” He stared intently at Eric.

“Why not? She’s just your divorce lawyer.” Eric and Brett were both standing face to face with their fist balled.

“She’s more than that,” Brett clenched his jaw before he walked away. He needed to be the bigger person. Not for him, but for Lacey.

“What the hell does that mean? She's more than that?” He roughly turned Brett towards him.

“Nothing, I don’t want to argue with you.” Brett tried to walk away again, but Eric wasn’t going to let it go.

“Ohh,” he laughed. “It makes sense now. You’re in love with her. When you said she was beautiful, smart, and rare, it bothered a little bit, but now I see why.”

Brett didn’t say anything because it was true. He didn’t want to admit it himself, but he indeed fell in love with Lacey Anderson.

“That explains the funny acting looks you gave her during dinner. The way you treated Shondra that night. You said she wasn’t good enough for me because you wanted her for yourself!” Eric was panting. “I knew her first.”

Brett shook his head. “No, you didn’t. I knew Lacey way before you introduced her.”

Eric was shaking his head. “No, that’s not right. She would’ve told me.”

“It’s the truth, Eric. Lacey and I have a history.”

“What kind of history? A s****l one?”

Brett remained quiet and Eric got his answer, but it wasn’t enough. He needed to hear Brett admit it.

“Answer my question, you piece of shit.”

“Yes! We had a s****l relationship! But she broke it off when she found out I was married. Look I should’ve told y-“ Eric’s fist connected with Brett’s jaw. It caught him off guard but once he realized what happened, he was about to hit him back when the doctor appeared.

“Hey, you two cut this out!” Both men were panting looking at each other with so much rage.

“I want to update you on Lacey’s condition, but if you two want to keep fighting, I will have security escort you out!” The stern look that the doctor gave them made both of them straighten their backs.

“How’s Lacey?” Brett asked.

“Lacey is asleep. The cause of her collapse was from a huge dose of methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, which is also known as Molly. That, mixed with alcohol caused her heart rate to increase rapidly. The nurses have given her IV fluids to pump out those drugs.”

“When can we see her?” Eric asked. He was mad that they both lied to him, but he wouldn’t feel right walking away from her. Not like this.

“You can see her as long as you both don’t act a fool. I’ve contacted her family and I’m sure they’re on their way. Her room is right up the hall to the right.” The doctor gave them one more look before shaking his head and walking away.

Moments later they were sitting in her room very quiet. Lacey laid there sleeping and Brett watched as her breathing was more stable. Her heart rate would occasionally rise, but it wasn’t as high as before.

Eric stood watching her. He was so conflicted. He really liked Lacey and didn’t understand why she didn’t tell him about Brett. He knew nothing was official between him and Lacey, but he really wanted to try. He knew that when she woke up, he wanted to make it official with her.

For now, he needed to leave. He could stand being around Brett right now. The betrayal hurt him beyond what he expected. He leaned down and kissed Lacey’s cheek before walking out.