“I was. Until you got to the part about my brother. That’s just gross, Karen.” I glare at her. “How many times do I have to tell you?”
“Oh, right. Though I think your brother just ran scared. I think he just doesn’t want to admit his feelings for me.”
“He’s dating someone else. Anyway, I don’t want to talk about it. It’s awkward enough.” I’m beginning to think fixing them up was a mistake.
Evvie, one of my co-workers, pokes her head into my office and says, “The big guy is chomping at the bit for your numbers, Jenna.”
“Thanks, Evvie. I’ll be right there.”
After she’s gone, Karen asks with a sneer, “Don’t your people ever knock?” This is an unpleasant side of her she’s not shown to me before. Note to file: ask Ben about nasty Karen.
“Karen, Evvie isn’t my people. She’s a co-worker, and she just did me a favor. I need to get back to work.”
“Whatever. Anyway, your brother really needs to get his shit straight over that friend of his that died.”
What?
“Pump those brakes, girl. He went through a really tough time.”
“Yeah, but the past is the past. Besides that, he refused to go with me to visit my aunt who’s sick with cancer. How rude is that?”
Okay, I’m ready to bitch slap this chick. “It’s not rude. He can’t deal. I think it’s best if you leave now. I have work to do.”
“Right. Me, too.”
She swings her hips double time as she leaves. Jeez, what the hell was I thinking? Ben needs to get rid of her.
As the sales and marketing manager in charge of banquets at Charleston Spaces, it’s my job to report our upcoming events in our weekly meeting. My presentation goes well. We handle all kinds of events from corporate functions to weddings and anniversary parties to garden club luncheons. After the meeting, I ask my boss for a five-minute discussion, where once again, I beg for some help. He doesn’t think we need it. When I tell him things will start slipping through the cracks because we are taking on more work than we can handle, he slaps me on the back, and I nearly fly across the room. “You can handle it, Jenna. It’s why I hired you.”
Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I’m not talented enough to be in two places at one time. That’s what I want to tell him, but I chicken out. I also want to bash him upside the head and call him an asshole, but I chicken out on that one, too.
Later that night, I call Cate. It’s been a few days since I’ve spoken to her. After a couple of rings, she answers, and I scream, “Catie Bear! How’s my girl?”
“Deaf. How’re you?”
“Ugh, you don’t want to know.”
“What?” she yells.
“I said, you don’t want to know,” and I yell it really loud. When I hear her giggling, I know something’s up. “Have you been drinking?”
“Not tonight.”
“Okay. That infers that you were drinking last night. Tell me about it.”
She explains that a group from her office went to this bar, and they even sang karaoke.
“Oh, my. You did drink a lot.”
“Not as much as Mandy. We finished up this job we were working on, and everyone was celebrating.”
“Cate, this is awesome. This is exactly what you need. But I do have an issue with it.”
“What?” Her voice has gotten super serious.
“You’ve traded me in for a new bestie. I’m jealous.” I hold in my laugh.
“Aww, Jenna. You know I’ll never trade you in. You’re like that old beater truck my grandpa used to have.”
“What? An old beater truck?”
She giggles like a crazy woman. “Yeah, it was so old, any key would start it. That’s you, Jenna. Any key can crank you up.”
“Oh, my God. You make me sound like a hooker.”
“Yes! You’re my hooker, and you’re a looker. But when he tooker, he couldn’t fucker!” she raps out a tune.
It’s so bad I have to laugh. “Oh, my God. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were drunk. Don’t give up that accounting job. You suck as a rapper. I see no hip-hop hit in your future.”
“No worries on that. But, yeah, I’m baaaaaad.”
“Now you sound like a goat. Don’t tell me you’ve got a goat in your apartment.”
She snort-laughs. “Oh, hell to the no on that. There’s barely enough room for me in here. A goat wouldn’t fit. Which brings me to this point. When are you coming to visit?”
“I will. I promise.” But I’ve been saying that for the last few months.
“You should. It’s such an awesome city.” Is she trying to convince herself or me?
“Catie Bear, you sound good.”
“Yeah. I’m getting there.”
“I’m gonna jump off of here. And get Louise some action, would you?”
“Um, yeah. Okay.” She snickers, but it almost sounds like she’s keeping something from me. If I had more time, I’d badger her about it until she gives it up.
The week at work is a crazy train, with not much time for any thought of social activities. But on Thursday morning, I get a text from Brandon, asking if I want to join him that day for lunch.
I text him back, letting him know I’m in. When I get to the shop, that chick who works there tells me to wait for him in his office. And I mean she really doesn’t like me. I think she actually growls at me when I walk by. I wonder if she has fangs. I take a seat, and in a few minutes, he joins me.
“Hey,” I say as he walks in.
“Sorry, I couldn’t meet you anywhere. But it’s kind of hard to leave.”
I flap my hand, saying, “Not a problem.”
“I hope you like Tex-Mex. I ordered from this place nearby, which has amazing food. They even make their own tortillas.”
“No way.” I’m already salivating.
“Do you like tamales?” he asks. “Because these are damn good.”
“Yeah, I think so.” He puts one on a plate, along with some other items, and hands it to me. Then he gives me a fork, knife, and napkin. I wait for him as he gets our drinks.
When I bite into the tamale, after peeling the corn husk away, I’m awarded with a mouthwatering bite of deliciousness. “Oh, my, God,” I say with my mouth full. And my mother would slap me upside the head for doing that, too. “This is out of this world.”
Brandon sits back and watches me eat. After a minute, I smack his arm, telling him his food is getting cold.
“Totally worth it watching you eat. You make everything look better.”
“Jeez, maybe I should make one of those hamburger commercials,” I say as a joke.
“You definitely should. Their stock would go through the roof.” He’s serious.
“Brandon, I was kidding.”
“Jenna, I’m not.”
We eye each other, and then cowardly, I focus on my food and continue eating. No use wasting such an incredible meal. And somehow we get on the subject of Cate. I tell him about our phone conversation, and he seems genuinely happy that she’s going out and having fun. And that leads me to my little discussion I had earlier in the week with Karen and what she said about my brother.
“Have you talked to him about it?”
“Um, no. Talking to Ben about the death of his best friend is something I don’t routinely bring up, unless he does. The thing is, his life is on a downward spiral, and I don’t know if talking to him will make it worse or not.”
Brandon rubs his chin and leans forward. “If it were me, I’d want to know.”
“Even if your life was a mess?”
“Especially if my life was a mess.” He checks the time and says, “I’m sorry. We are backed up today. I’ve got to get back to work.”
On an impulse, I say, “Would you like to grab dinner tomorrow night?”
It takes him a second before he answers. “Yeah, sure.”
He smiles and walks me out. Before I leave, I promise to text him the next day. I know it was a bad i
dea because all day Friday, it’s all I can think about. I screw up several orders for events, and Evvie has to straighten them out. She gives me a difficult time, and she’s not the best person to have on her bad side. By the time Friday ends, I’m ready to kick down the door and get the hell out. Brandon is what I need. He always seems to know exactly what to say to even out the rough seas. He gives great advice, and I love having him around to bounce my issues off of. I texted him earlier and asked him to meet me at a place downtown called Fanny’s, which is an awesome bar but also serves great food as well.
He’s waiting for me when I arrive. Life always seems to throw a rotten egg at things, because as soon as our drinks are delivered, my phone goes off. I ignore it at first, but when it does it two more times, I answer, thinking it might be an emergency.
“Jenna, where are you?”
“Kenny? I’m out to dinner.”
“Didn’t you get my email?” he asks.
“What email?”
“I’m in Charleston, on my way to your place. I emailed you earlier to let you know.”
“Uh, no. How nice. When will you be there?”
“In about fifteen minutes. Can’t wait to see you.”
“Oh. Well, I won’t be there for another hour or so. I’ll see you there when I’m done.”
“Fine. Take your time,” comes his response.
Regret etches Brandon’s eyes, along with things that go unnamed. “I’m sorry about that,” I tell him.
“About what?”
“That was Kenneth,” I say. His lips purse. “He’s in town.”
“And he wants to see you?”
I nod. “But we can finish dinner.”
He stands to leave, but I say, “Wait, don’t go.”
“No, I don’t have much of an appetite. And it’s probably best this way.” He tosses some bills onto the table before he’s out the door, leaving me to feel like a total shit.
Not bothering to eat my dinner either, I grab my things and go home to wait on Kenneth. Rubbing my hands together, I chide myself for being anxious at all. What do I have to be nervous about? I haven’t done anything wrong by going to dinner with Brandon. So why do I feel like I have?
The doorbell rings and I exhale a deep breath. I can do this. Plastering a huge smile on my face, I open the door with great flourish.
“Hey, you,” I say in greeting.
Six feet and dressed in a suit not off the rack, Kenneth is jaw-droppingly handsome. Since we don’t see each other every day, I get a stunned little jolt and stand there stupidly before he walks in with arms extended. Getting out of my stupor, I step into his embrace and enjoy his scent. I hope I don’t sound like a dog sniffing out a bone. He nuzzles the top of my head and says, “God, you’re a sight. I’ve missed you so much.”
Pulling back, I study that perfect face with the chiseled features of a Roman god, and I ask myself why would any woman want a different man?
“I’m missed you too,” I say.
From his behind his back he produces a bundle of flowers. “These are for you.”
The bouquet is primarily filled with pink roses and white lilies.
“They’re gorgeous.”
I take them from his hand and quickly make my way into the kitchen to find a suitable vase. As I fill one with water, Kenneth studies me or rather I feel his eyes burning a hole in my back. Get your shit together, Jenna. After I get them situated, I turn to finally face him and place them to the side on the counter.
“So,” he begins, “I hoped to take you to dinner tonight, but it sounds like someone else had that privilege.”
Guilt assaults me like a battering ram. “I’m sorry, but actually, my plans changed and I didn’t eat.”
“Nothing for you to be sorry for. I’m the one who isn’t around much, and I feel really bad about that. I’m glad you have someone to hang out with.”
“Really?” I ask in disbelief, because if he knew how much I’d salivated over another man he may not think me guiltless. Then again, I am a full-blooded woman. What’s wrong with me appreciating a good-looking man as long as I don’t act on it, right?
“Yeah, of course. I’m surprised you put up with me. We hardly get to see each other these days. I count myself lucky to still have you.”
“It was just a friend,” I say, feeling like I have to explain myself. Okay, a friend was a stretch. I just met the man. “Someone helped me out with my car, so I traded dinner for the help.”
“Sounds like a good deal. Is everything okay with your car?”
I nod. “Yes, it’s all fixed.”
Maybe I answered to quickly, but he asks on a laugh, “Should I be worried this friend will steal all your attention away from me?”
I move forward and take his hand in earnest with the counter separating us. “Of course not.”
He lifts mine and kisses my fingers. “Good. Besides, I trust you, completely.”
And though I’ve done nothing to break that trust, I can’t seem to talk and stammer out my next words. “Are you hungry? We can go out.”
Being the incredible sweet guy he is, he tries to find a way to accommodate us both.
“Are you sure? I’m sure I can find something in your refrigerator.”
Finally relaxing, I give him a megawatt grin. “Right. I could whip you up some frozen peas, a Lean Cuisine, some Kraft Mac ’n Cheese, or,” and I save the best for last, “my personal favorite, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. ” I waggle my brows.
He laughs because he knows cooking is not my thing. “Okay, okay.” His grin is priceless as he tries not to contain his chuckle. “We could order in?”
We settle on Thai food. While we wait for it to arrive, I curl up next to him on the couch remembering all the reasons why I care about this man. He’s kind, considerate, he spoils me, and he doesn’t mind my lack of cooking skills. Or he pretends that he doesn’t.
“How’s work? Whenever we talk, you sound like you’re swamped,” he asks.
Comfortable, I find my footing and begin to explain how my work day went. “What?”
“You’re so beautiful.” I wave his hand away. “Such beauty locked away in an office seems like a waste. I can’t wait for the day you let me take you away from that life.”
As much as I tense, because he’s talked about me not working endlessly, I smile at his pretty words as his head dips lower to meet mine for what will be the beginning of a searing kiss.
SIX
BRANDON
The woman at my back hops off my bike before I do. I have to wonder as I’m doing it why Jenna’s car is parked in front of my house. I turn to the woman and tell her to give me a minute. She bobs her head, blonde hair dancing as she does, and I notice something. There’s not even a hint of jealousy on her face. So I turn away and make my way to the car.
Partly pissed off and partly intrigued, I haven’t quite decided how to play this when I reach her.
“Jenna, what are you doing here?”
My tone is even and flat, not betraying the emotions that roil inside of me.
She hasn’t yet met my eyes. Instead, her gaze is fixed in the direction of the woman I left waiting. Finally, she faces me and sputters out a response.
“Sorry,” she splutters while shaking her head as if clearing it. “Yes, that’s it. I’m sorry about earlier. I wanted to apologize. However, it doesn’t seem like now is a good time.”
I think about the last words we exchanged. With a hand on the roof of her car, I lean down a little. “No, it’s not.”
Swallowing first, then she licks her lips. “I should be going.”
Never one to date many women, I’ve never been so intrigued by one. Jenna’s created a need in me I thought long since forgotten. After a few weeks of hanging out in close proximity of her, I have an itch I can’t scratch. Cue in the woman I’ve brought home. A distraction, someone to take the edge off.
“All you have to do is say the word, and I’ll take her back where I found her.�
�
There is no need to explain; she knows I mean for her to ditch the boyfriend.
“Brandon…”
I stand straight and tap the top of her car. “You ought to get home then. Text me to let me know you got there safe.”
“But—you’re busy.”
“I need to know you’re okay. At least give me that.”
She nods and fires up her car. I step back and watch her disappear into the night. Then I take the woman I’d tagged for the night into my house.
Days later, nothing seems to be going right. My wrench clatters to the floor as I curse the sun, moon, and stars.
“Brandon.”
Dread creeps up my spine as my mother’s voice shatters my solitude. I’d sent Dana and Jeff to grab lunch because I’d wanted some peace.
“Yeah, Mom.”
The click of her heels heads in my direction. She squats to see into the pit where I stand.
“Cursing? I taught you better than that.”
So she’d heard that. I refrain from telling her I’m an adult because she’s made arguments that I’ll always be her son enough times before.
Instead, I change the subject. “What’s going on?”
Mom only comes around when she needs something.
“Is it true you’re letting your brother have a party at your house?”
“Don’t answer that,” Braedon chimes in.
Two sets of eyes now stare at me. I hadn’t heard his approach. I grab a grimy towel to wipe off my hands before exiting the hole.
“Mom,” I say when it’s my turn to look down at the tiny woman who’d seemed larger than life when I was growing up. “He’s going to college soon. You’re going to have to let him go sooner than later.”
It doesn’t matter that I’m taller than she is. She still commands as she’s done all my life.
“Later would be better. A party? You know what kind of nonsense happens at these parties. You never threw a party, and you turned out fine.”
Fine? I’d rebelled the first chance I got, and she knew this, too, as her eyes fall on my ink.
“I’ll be there to monitor it and make sure things don’t get out of hand.”
Of course, this is a lie. I don’t plan to be there. But now that I’ve said it, I have to at least partially make good on the statement.
The Cruel and Beautiful Series Boxset Page 80