Chapter 25 - Grovel

**Devon**

My head was pounding. My body ached. And my mouth tasted like ass. Early morning light coming through the window pierced my eyes when I tired to open them. I rolled over, away from the window and found a bottle of water and some aspirin which I gratefully took. I wasn’t even in my own room. What the fuck did I do last night?

Oh shit.

I sat up quickly and it made my head swim and my stomach queasy. I sat on the edge of the bed and got my bearings. I tried to remember everything, but wait … I met with Lavinia, and I so wanted to fuck her. Did I fuck her? She was so pretty, dressed up just for me.

I put my head in my hands. I was still in the same clothes from last night. No. I didn’t, she walked away, and I ordered another beer, and then another before I switched to hard liquor. Why did I do that? Oh yeah. Guilt.

I should have told Serena what I was doing. She’s going to be so mad when she finds out. How did I get in Garretts room? I got an uber home. I’ll have to get someone to take me back for my car. The bartender took my keys when I got up to leave. The doorman downstairs helped me to the elevator. I remember swaying and not being able to walk in a straight line. It took ages to get the keycard out of my pocket to open the apartment door.

I saw Baby Girl and Garrett in bed and I wanted to join them, but I woke her up and then ….

I told her. I told Serena about the date and the guilt that I felt and … yep. She was mad. I remember her yelling at me and then – I must have passed out. I don’t remember anything else until waking up just now.

I groaned and the sound hurt my head. I needed a shower. I stood up unsteadily and walked into the hall. I could hear voices down the hall, but I couldn’t make out the words. Was that Paul’s voice? He wasn’t supposed to be home until later, unless … they called him and now he’s in the doghouse too. Fuck me.

I couldn’t face her. Not yet. I made it to my room and undressed. I dropped my clothes where they landed and didn’t even attempt to pick them up. I’d fall over if I did. A hot shower made me feel slightly more human and the aspirin was starting to take effect. I drank some more water and went to my room to grab some clothes. I needed to go out there and let her yell at me so I could apologize. I needed her forgiveness.

Paul was sitting on my bed when I walked back into my room. I could see by the look on his face that it was bad.

“Bro, how bad is it?” I asked.

“I don’t know how to fix it,” he said dejectedly.

I went to my dresser and got some clothes. Just sweats and a t-shirt. I wasn’t going to work today. By the looks of Paul, he wasn’t going either. He looked how I felt. Like utter crap.

“Caught an earlier flight?” I asked because he wasn’t supposed to be here until later.

“Yeah, Garrett called me when you got home and passed out in his bed. You said enough to Serena that she knew about the date but not why. So, I explained everything and then chartered a flight. You know I hate doing that, it’s so wasteful, but not when your girl is hurt and pissed off by your actions. I got in about ninety minutes ago. I stopped at the jewelry store, paid them to open early, of course. Want to see it?” He asked. His eyes gleamed.

He stood and took a ring box from his pocket. He pulled open the lid and I could have wept. It was fucking perfect. We were going to have to work for it, but I needed to see this ring on her pretty finger.

“So how do we get her to forgive us? We kept secrets and lied to her.”

I sat on the bed next to him and waited to see if he had any bright ideas.

“I booked the charter flight to take us to the mountain cabin. We haven’t been there in a while. We need some peace and quiet. A calming background to grovel in.” Paul said.

I nodded. What could it hurt? We’d already fucked the fuck up. It couldn’t be any worse.

“We’re flying out this afternoon. Pack a bag for two days. We have to be back by Friday, hopefully engaged to our girl,” he told me.

I sighed. Yeah. Hope. It was killing me that we hurt her.

“I guess I better go out there and face her, then,” I mumbled.

“Good luck,” he said. I was going to need it.

I heard her in the dining room before I saw her. Her sweet voice was low and subdued. That was out fault.

I rounded the corner, and she stopped speaking. Her eyes narrowed and I realized what a fucking dumbass move it was to keep things from her. It was killing me that I hurt her. An angry Serena was no fun at all. My heart pinched.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for keeping things from you and lying about where I went last night. We were going to tell you the whole story when Paul got back today. We wanted more information before we told you that our dad is pissed about our four-way relationship. We don’t know why he even cares. But he has something planned for this weekend and we wanted to be prepared. We didn’t want you to worry.” I spit out.

Sorry was such a weak word. She didn’t change her expression. She was so mad I could see how the emotion pinched her features.

“Garrett was showing me pictures of your girlfriend, Lavinia. She’s very beautiful, isn’t she? Did your dick get hard when she sat beside you? Did you touch her? Did you want to fuck her and forget all about me, Devon?” she said bitterly.

I walked further into the room. I had to tell her the truth.

“Lavinia is not my girlfriend and hasn’t been in a long time. She’s kind of a bitch to tell you the truth. She was dressed to the nines, even though I told her I only wanted to talk. She wanted more. I told her about you. She knows I’m not interested in her. The old me probably would have fucked her, yeah, she’s pretty. But she’s not you. I got the information I needed, then she went on her way. I should have told you everything. I do feel guilty and ashamed that I went behind your back. I guess that’s why I got drunk.”

I moved forward and stared directly into her eyes, holding her gaze.