Highlander Ever After

Meeting the Competition

Sully

I knew that one day the family was going to start pressuring us to get married and carry on the Mackenzie name. I just thought Gregor would be smarter than that.

Of course, his track record of late proves I was stupid to believe that. We both received the call around the time Alexei was laid to rest.

Our parents told us to come to the family manor so they could discuss our future. I declined and told them I had made my own money years ago and I was happy not following their rules.

Gregor was always the golden boy. I thought when he moved out on his own and started doing handyman work, he was saying screw you to the trust fund. I found out later that he was still using Mom and Dad’s money to survive.

They flipped their lid when they found out about Claire, and nearly went ballistic when they learned about Anna and the baby. They wanted us to marry a Catholic, born and bred Scottish girl.

My phone started ringing and I scowled at the number. I was waiting for Alexei’s cousin Cassius to let me know he had landed.

Why did Baba need to bring another guy into the mix? I ran my hands down my jeans and stretched. I caught the barista watching me and winked at him. He blushed and went back to working on orders.

My phone pinged and it was Cassius letting me know he was on the ground and getting his baggage. I wondered if he was going to end up sweeping Anna off her feet. If he was cute, I was willing to be the meat in their sandwich.

I had hoped Jer and Daniel would have asked me to join them. I also haven’t told Anna that I was bisexual. She would probably think I was disgusting. Although her best friend was gay, there is a chance she won’t be repulsed by me.

I told my parents that I liked men and women. They tried to call a priest for an exorcist. My phone rang again and I felt my stomach drop.

“What do you want Gregor?” I told my brother and he was somewhat receptive of my desire to be with men and women. He did not fully approve though; my parents still had him under their thumb. He was the heir and always would be.

Gregor would do nothing to disappoint his parents. Even if that meant hurting the woman he supposedly loved. Now he was dating his grief counselor, from what I understood. She was from New York City, a transplant to Scotland like Anna.

“You must be Sullivan Mackezine.” My head shot up at the sound of my name being called, my heart stopped momentarily and I started grinning. Well, if this gorgeous creature was Cassius I might make a play for him myself.

He was over six feet, had a square jaw that was covered in stubble and dimples, his hair was dirty blonde and spiked up, and he also had the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen. He was wearing a simple black turtleneck and tight black jeans.

He crossed his arms and it just pulled his shirt tighter across his muscled chest.

“You look like Rob Lowe.” I slapped a hand over my mouth and he chuckled, shaking his head.

“I get that a lot. Cassius Nikolaev pleased to meet you.” I shook his hand and I could have sworn I felt a tingle run up my arm.

Oh, Anna and Jer were going to love him. Someone was calling my name and I stared down at my phone scowling. I forgot all about Gregor.

“Excuse me, my brother summons me.” Cassius shook his head, smiling and I melted when I saw those dimples again. He was adorable.

“Would you like a coffee? I am quite jet lagged and need some caffeine.” I nodded and told him black with sugar. I liked my coffee sweet and dark like my soul.

“Who was that Sully?” Should I tell him the truth or should I just let his boring imagination fill in the blanks? I could have a lot of fun with this, but I don’t have the energy to bother with him right now.

“Baba brought over a cousin of Alexei’s. I think she is trying to set him up with Anna. I have to say he is very hot.”

“Are ye trying to make me jealous?” I snorted as if he cared enough to be jealous.

“I am just letting you know Gregor. You missed out on something because you decided to let Mommy and Daddy tell you what to do.” He sighed and I was ready to hang up on him.

“Why are you calling me Gregor?”

“Mom wanted ye to come to lunch this weekend.”

“I think I am going to decline the offer but you can send them my warmest regards. They don’t care if I am there or not anyway.”

“Ye know that isna true Sully.”

“Did you even tell Anna about your trust fund?” The silence spoke volumes.

“Have ye told her?”

“I don’t have to, Gregor; I’m not receiving the trust fund and have never received money from our parents. If she asks, I will tell her. I will not burden her with the drama that is our mother and father.” I spat the words out because using the term parents to describe them was using the phrase loosely.

“Why are ye like this, Sully?”

“I’m the Blacksheep of the family. I am OK with that.” Cassius walked over and he frowned at my face.

“Is your brother giving you a hard time?” I nodded my head and he took the phone from my hand.

“Hello Gregor Mackenzie. This is Cassius Nikolaev. I have heard so much about you and let me say it is a pleasure that I am not meeting you. I wouldn’t bother coming back into Annabelle’s life because, between your brother and I, she will be too busy to even think about you loser.” He hit end and I stared at him.

“Too much?” He was grinning and his eyes were twinkling.

“Nope, just enough. I think you and I are going to be best friends.” He slung his arm around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze.

“I think we just became best friends. From one black sheep to the other.” He winked at me and handed me the coffee.

I watched as he went toward the exit and I knew that we were going to have a lot of fun together. I’m not even mad that Anna may like him better than me, I liked him better than me.