by Hart, Cary
“Well, it’s either one of two things: alcohol and Austin don’t mix, or you really do want to kiss him.”
“I don’t want to kiss Austin!” I shout.
“Then why ask me?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug.
“If you don’t want to really kiss Austin, then this is an open-and-closed matter. A non-issue,” CJ reaffirms.
“You’re absolutely right,” I agree.
“I hate to cut this day short, but this is as far as I go.” CJ signals a taxi. “I don’t want to be late.”
“Well, break a leg, or in this case, a finger!” I shout as she opens the door and flips me off.
“Hey! I do have a question,” she hollers as she climbs in.
“Yeah?”
“How did dream Austin kiss?” Her lips curl into a small smile as she closes the door and the taxi pulls off.
It was absolutely the best kiss ever.
CHAPTER 19
AUSTIN
I can’t believe I’m sitting here, on the sofa, waiting for Clover to get ready so we can ride together for the final installment of this Unlucky in Love dating round shit. I’m actually flipping through the channels as if I’m interested in this shit when I can’t stop thinking about that stupid fucking kiss…and the dream that followed.
This is why friends shouldn’t kiss.
This is exactly why I shouldn’t have let her move in.
This is why…fuck if I know, but whatever it is, I shouldn’t have done it, because I’m sure it contributed in some way or form.
If this wasn’t the fourth and final date, I wouldn’t go. But fuck if it’s not that first contestant from the speed-dating round Clover can’t stop talking about. Nick Reed—model, trainer, entrepreneur, a fucking thorn in my side.
I don’t know what it is, but something about the bastard sets me off. Maybe it’s the way he looked at her, or the way he kissed her hand. Hell, maybe it’s because he’s been texting back and forth with Owen, trying to get inside information on Clover to make sure their date is perfect.
I tossed the fucking yellow flag, but Owen overrode the call and said this is perfectly normal in this business. His call to detail will only enhance our ratings and guarantee Clover the perfect date. What could go wrong?
I’ll tell you—everything!
“Hey, Austin?” Clover calls out from her bedroom.
“Yeah?”
“Can you come here for a moment?”
“Sure thing.”
You got this.
I shake the stress out, squeeze my eyes shut, plaster a smile on my face, and casually take my time walking to her room. Maybe she’ll forget what she even wanted by the time I get there.
“Hey, Austin, are you com—?” Clover shouts as she swings open the door, not realizing I’m standing right in front of it. “Oh!” she shrieks and jumps back. “You startled me.” Clover takes a minute to catch her breath before her eyes go wide and grabs ahold of my shirt. “Get in here now.”
“What’s the nine-one-one?” I cross my arms as Clover stands in front of the mirror in her little pale pink robe holding two dresses.
“Which one?” She holds up a tiny navy-blue dress that looks like it will barely cover her ass, and then a soft pink one that resembles the dress from date one, but this one has long sleeves and is shorter.
“Do either of them cover your ass?” I walk over to her and hold them both up.
“Of course they do.” She snags the pink one from my hands. “I just don’t know which one screams, ‘I want to get lucky, but date me too,’ you know?”
Blowing out a deep breath, I try to gather my thoughts—something I’ve been doing a lot of lately.
“Listen, Clo. I’m not sure if those two things ever really go together,” I admit, as if I’m breaking some kind of top-secret bro-code rule. “If you have sex on the first date, nine times out of ten, the guy isn’t going to call, let alone date you. And if he does, it’s just to hook up again.”
“And why is that, huh?” Clover pops out her hip.
“Hey.” I hold up my hands and the little blue dress hanging from my finger. “I don’t make the rules. I just follow them.”
She gasps and turns back around. “Get out. I don’t need your help.”
“Come on. Don’t be this way,” I beg.
I honestly wasn’t trying to be a dick. The facts are the facts, and the truth of it is men are assholes. Plain and fucking simple.
“Austin, I know you’re trying to be helpful, but you have been acting really weird lately, and tonight, I just needed you not to be.” She raises her eyes, meeting mine through the reflection standing in front of us both and I can see the hurt that I put there and damn if I don’t want to make that look go away.
“You’re right.” Taking a step closer, I wrap my arm around her and hold up the dress. “This one will be perfect.”
“Really?” She angles her head, watching me.
“Really.” I nod. “The color will make your eyes pop. It’s short so your legs will constantly be on display, and the dip…well, how about we ignore that.”
“Perfect. Pink it is.” Her lips curl into a small smile. “Thanks, Austin. I’ll be ready soon.”
I narrow my eyes, running a hand through my hair. “Am I missing something? I thought I just said blue?”
“You did, and I decided on pink.” Clover begins messing with her hair, ignoring I’m still here, waiting for her to change her mind.
“You can’t.” I find myself saying the words for all the wrong reasons.
“Why not?” She spins around while slicking a pink gloss over her lips.
Because pink…is mine.
The dress.
The lingerie.
Her lips.
But it’s not—it will never be.
I have no words, no excuses…none that will matter.
“Well?” Clover stands in front of me, arms crossed, toe tapping. “I’m waiting.”
“You know what? It’s absolutely perfect.” I give her a weak smile. “I’m sure your date will be very pleased.”
“Aw! Thanks, Austin.”
“No problem.” I nod and head out the door.
I can’t do this. I can’t stand on the sideline and let this happen.
“Oh, hey.” I pop my head back in.
“What’s up?” Clover doesn’t even bother to look up as she continues fussing with her hair.
“Owen just texted,” I lie. “He needs me come to the station early.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. I’ll send Thomas back for you in,” I glance down at my watch, “about an hour. Will that work?”
“Sure. I’ll be ready.” Clover twists around, flashing me one hell of a smile.
The problem? It’s not for me. It’s for the man she’s excited about seeing in an hour.
“Hey, man.” I peek my head into Owen’s office. “If Clover asks, you needed me to come in early.”
“Uh-uh. Nope!” Owen stands and walks over to me. “You are not going to bring me in on your lying ways.” He slaps me on the shoulder as he pushes by.
“Come on. It’s nothing really.” I spin around and follow him down the hallway.
“Sure it isn’t.” He keeps going.
“Living with her is impossible!” Which is kind of true. “Clothes and makeup are everywhere,” I plead—a total lie. Clover is a neat freak. Even Kramer picks up his own toys.
“Think of it as a trial run for when you are ready to settle down.” He turns around and walks backward for a second. “Your future wife will thank you for that.” He pivots back around and keeps going. “By the way, Nick will be here early. He wants to discuss a few things.”
“What in the hell does he want now?”
“I don’t know.” He throws his hands up in the air. “Maybe to get us both on a fitness regimen or something. That guy likes to talk shop.” He holds up the bottled protein shake in his hand. “This shit isn’t half bad, and I’ve
been hitting the gym before coming to work.”
“I don’t like him,” I blurt out.
“You,” he spins around as soon as we hit the lobby, “just don’t want Clover to be happy.”
“Not true, man.” I rub my hands over my face. “It’s just these guys—”
“What are you getting at?”
I throw my finger at the Hotline Hookup/Hot Wire Radio sign. “We failed her.”
“We didn’t fail Clover. This is what she wanted. You heard her.” Owen waves a hand over his head. “Hell, they all did.”
“That!” I jab my finger at Owen. “Is the point I’m trying to make. She just got out of a relationship! She was confused! That outburst wasn’t for the world to hear…it was for me.”
“She could have said no.”
“Come on, you really didn’t give her a choice.”
“That’s not fair.”
“No!” I shout, not giving a fuck who’s standing around. “What’s not fair is building her up only for these dates to tear her down.”
“Buddy.” Owen takes a step closer and clasps my shoulder. “I think you’re too close to this situation and not giving your friend enough credit.” He nods once. “You good? Because Nick should be here any moment.”
I let out a deep breath. “Owen…”
Owen waves and walks off, and I’m left standing here wondering how in the hell I’m going to fix this.
I have to fix this.
“Austin, I have someone I want you to meet.” Owen walks over with Nick Reed.
“Dr. Feelgood.” Nick lets my name roll off his tongue and offers his hand with a slimy, up-to-no-good smirk plastered on his face. “I’m a huge fan.”
I bet you are.
“Sweet. It’s good to finally meet you.”
No, really, it’s not.
I clasp his hand, gripping it a little tighter than necessary to show Nick he doesn’t want to fuck with me. It’s basically a cleaner version of whose dick is bigger.
I win.
Nick was about to say something when Owen’s phone starts to ring. “Well, shit.” He holds up his cell. “I have to take this. Give me ten.” Owen then turns and rounds the corner, leaving me here to make small talk with this chump.
“So, Nick? Owen says—”
“He’s talked to you?” Nick immediately cuts in. “I mean, if it’s something you’re interested in, I have some ideas.” Nick pulls out an envelope from his back pocket and hands it over to me. “I brought this just in case.”
I glance at Nick sideways, trying to figure out his angle. Looking between him and the envelope, I decide to open it.
What is Owen up to?
“You’ve discussed this with Owen?” I unfold the paper.
“Yeah. He said it wasn’t a good idea to approach you about it until after the final round.” He nods at the proposal I’m holding.
A fucking business plan.
Blowing out a deep breath, I roll my tongue, fighting off the words I want to throw at this goon.
“What’s the matter?” Nick begins to shuffle his feet. “Did I…?” His voice raises an octave, losing his cockiness from before. “I mean, we can make any adjustments you deem fit.”
I hold up the paper and carefully stuff it back in the envelope buying me some time to cool off.
“I’ve also been working on my radio voice.” Nick deepens his voice, slowly enunciating each word. “Mr. Muscles here, ready to answer all your fitness questions—”
“Just stop,” I interrupt this fool before he makes an even bigger ass out of himself.
“Okay. I’ve got it. It needs some work, but what about the concept?” Nick slides his hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels. “Genius, right?”
Slapping the envelope repeatedly against my palm, I examine this bastard in front of me. It’s all making sense now.
“Why did you sign up for Unlucky in Love?” I ask the simple question that requires an easy answer.
Nick’s head flips around as if I just asked him to recite the periodic table.
“Okay…” My lips curl up and I shake my head. “It’s not that hard. Did you sign up for Clover or a little self-promotion?”
“Um…uh…”
I take a step closer to this prick who probably has a good twenty pounds of muscle on me. But I don’t give a fuck. I’m one step away from shoving my fucking fist down his goddamn throat.
“I’m losing my patience, Nick.” I stand in front of this asshole who probably is shitting bricks right about now.
“Come on, Austin.” He gives me a tight smile. “Of course, I came here for Clover. Look at her.” He waves a hand over to the cutout standing a few feet away.
“This proves otherwise.” I slap the envelope in his hands.
“Okay.” He exhales. “Maybe it was a little bit of both?”
And there it is.
“Is everything okay over here?” Owen walks up, and I hold up a hand.
“Not now, man.”
“Go on, Nick. Explain.”
“Come on,” Nick argues. “This is no different than The Bachelor. Those guys who are artists, actors, models, or whatever—they are there to further their careers.”
“Nick, this isn’t the fucking Bachelor.”
“I thought you talked to him?” Nick turns to Owen, sidestepping me.
“Oh shit!” Owen rolls his head back. “Niiick, buddy. I told you to wait. This wasn’t the time.” Owen sighs.
“And you…” I spin around to face Owen, “you didn’t say a fucking word?”
“I didn’t think it would go anywhere. I thought he was coming today to talk to you about a contest.” Owen holds up his hands, but this fucker is just as guilty.
“He wrote a fucking business plan. First, a spotlight on Hotline Hookup, then his own show—Fit-Bits with Mr. Muscle.” I laugh out. “Come on now.”
“That’s a great name. Don’t you think?” Nick smirks. “Get it? Fit Bits? Fitness chat?” Owen and I both stare at this moron for a minute. “What?”
“I’ll deal with you in a minute.”
“Owen, you knew he was chasing his dream and you didn’t boot him from the fucking show.” I’m in Owen’s face.
“I didn’t know until after Clover chose him,” Owen defends, as if that is some kind of excuse.
“Then why didn’t you tell her?”
“Because he seemed interested.” Owen drags out the sentence, trying to make his point.
“She—deserved—to—know.”
“Austin,” Owen slaps my shoulder, “you’re too close to this, bud.”
I’m not sure what happens in this moment, but everything comes crashing down at once. Nick, Owen, the show, the dates…Clover. It’s become too much.
“I think everyone here,” I whirl my finger in the air, seething at the situation surrounding me, “forgot who’s in charge.” I smack Owen’s shoulder. “Hotline Hookup is my show. I made it.” I jab my thumb to my chest. “Me! My face is on the billboards and buses. It’s my voice the girls swoon over and guys trust. I’m Dr. Feelgood, and you are just my fucking producer. Do you understand?”
“Fuck you, Austin.” Owen walks off.
“No! Fuck you, Owen!” I holler after him. “You don’t get to gamble with my best friend’s heart to boost ratings!”
Owen spins around. “And you don’t get to hold her back because you are afraid of letting her go. Grow up. She has.”
“Sooo…does that mean the date is off?” Nick picks the wrong fucking moment to speak up.
Closing my eyes, I try to gather my emotions, but everything from Clover moving in to the kiss to the dream is catching up with me.
I’m doing this to protect Clover. Or maybe myself…
“Nick, I’m going to give you two seconds to fucking walk away, man.” I stand still, my back turned.
“Come on, I didn’t mean….”
I spin around. “Get the fuck out now! You’re done.”
&nbs
p; “You know what? You sure in hell are taking this a little too far for some chick who basically said she wanted to get laid.”
Who the fuck does he think he is? It takes everything in me not to knock this guy’s lights out, but if I do—if I lay one fucking hand on this bastard—he could be the one running Hotline Hookup and I’ll get a one-way ticket to the unemployment line.
“Your two seconds are up.” My voice is flat and worn out from this back and forth.
“Fine. I don’t need you or your show anyway.” Nick spins around and heads for the door just as Clover walks in.
Fuck my life.
CHAPTER 20
CLOVER
I feel beautiful, excited, and extremely nervous. More so than the last three dates. There is something about this one, like maybe he’s…the one. It felt like we had a real connection.
Nick Reed, contestant number one, and my date number four. My very own Mr. Perfect. I can’t help but wonder if there is such a thing as I push through the glass door.
A feeling comes over me. It’s not fear or dread, but almost panic as I see Nick and Austin talking in what seems like a heated conversation. My best friend and date are obviously butting heads.
Oh my God.
“Austin, no,” I whisper as he steps closer to Nick. “Please don’t.” My pleas go unheard.
I could have sworn I came to a complete stop, except the click-clack of my heels against the marble floor says otherwise.
Nick spins around and heads straight for me, head down.
“Nick?” I call out. “Is everything—okay?”
The sound of my voice breaks his concentration. “Clover.” Nick skids to a stop as he glances back at Austin, who now has his back turned to us. “Um—I don’t know how to say this…”
I reach up and rub his arm. “It’s okay. I know this whole ordeal is a little stressful with all the rules and tweets, but I promise, it’s not that bad,” I try to reassure him.
“It’s not that.” Nick rubs a thumb across his jaw before it lands against the beautiful lips I hope are on me later.
“Well, something is on your mind.” I reach out to ease his worry and take his hand in mine.