The Careless Boyfriend

by Erika Kelly

  “Hey, good news. I was able to move up our flight.”

  “What are you talking about?” That dimmed her mood.

  “Did some smooth talking with the airline to get us on a flight the day after tomorrow.”

  That would mean leaving Gray two days earlier. She’d counted on that time. “I don’t know that I can leave before Friday. I’ve got so much to do before then.”

  Robert bent his knees to look her in the eyes. “Three words. Bridal. Fashion. Week.”

  “I know, but…”

  “We have to fit the dresses to the models. And I know you want to be there while the florist sets up the space.”

  He’s right. “I do.” Besides, she and Gray were strong. They’d only be apart ten days. She let out a breath. “No, you’re right. This is good.” She was about to launch her career, and she was worried about spending two extra days with her boyfriend?

  The whole world is waiting to see this collection, Knox.

  Word had spread, so Luc would know about her show by now. Would he try to ruin it? I mean, for goodness’ sake, he called Calamity’s town hall.

  Okay, but really, what’s the worst he can do? She knew that answer. Claim ownership of her collection. Her word wouldn’t stand a chance against The House of Bellerose.

  “You can trust Amelia and Zach to take care of things here.”

  “Of course. No, it’s all good. Can you send me the booking information? I might try and see if Gray can come.”

  “What? No. He’s got a competition next week. Don’t do that to him. You know if you ask him, he’ll come. He needs to get in the zone.”

  “You’re right. I’m being selfish.”

  “These competitions are life-or-death, and you can’t perform when you’re distracted. It’s ten days. You do your thing, he’ll do his, and then you’ll be back together like I never happened.”

  * * *

  The night of her going-away party, Knox sat curled up in a chair, a glass of wine in her hand, as the flames from the fire pit cast an orange glow on the patio.

  The Bowie brothers stood talking to each other, Callie nestled in the shelter of Fin’s arms, and Delilah sitting on a low wall, one hand in Will’s back pocket. The crack of pool balls reminded her that Gray’s posse was inside, and that they’d become more than work associates to her.

  The fire crackled, wine warmed her blood, and the hum of conversation and laughter made her feel utterly content.

  Gray parted from his brothers and dropped into the chair beside her. He patted his lap. “Come here, beautiful.”

  She curled up on him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I’m going to miss you.”

  “We’ll talk every day.”

  “It’s not the same. Promise me we won’t drift apart.”

  “Are you kidding me?” He tipped her chin. “I first laid eyes on you in Mrs. Flint’s kindergarten class. I remember to this day the funny feeling I got just from looking at you. That night at dinner, I told my mom I was worried about my heart because I’d felt it flip over. My asshole brothers teased the shit out of me, so I never brought it up again. But, by the time I was ten, every time I saw you or talked to you or got anywhere near you, my heart got too big for my chest. I didn’t know what it meant. It was just a physical reaction to you. And then, when I was thirteen, you got out of the lake in your bikini and my dick went hard.”

  She grinned at him.

  “Yeah, real funny when you’re surrounded by little kids and parents and guys from school. But you came right over to me and sat down, blabbing away, and I couldn’t hear anything because my heart was thundering, and I thought I was going to die.” He shifted, holding her in both his big, powerful arms. “I finally figured it out.”

  “Figured what out?”

  “You’re my heart.”

  Her skin pebbled and went hot at the same time.

  “So, ten days or ten years…makes no difference,” he continued. “Nothing can ever change my feelings for you.” He kissed her, slow, sexy, and achingly sweet. Then, reaching for her hand, he pressed it to his chest. “Because you’re right here.”

  She flung her arms around his neck. “There’s nowhere else I want to be.” Her mouth turned toward his ear. “Ever.”

  And she’d do whatever it took to stay there.

  * * *

  The art gallery two blocks south of Houston Street was the coolest Knox had ever seen. With music blasting and the florist and his team setting up the English garden, she’d never felt closer to her dreams.

  Wishing Gray could be here, she pulled her phone out of her tote and shot a quick video of the scene and sent it to him.

  “What’re you doing?” Robert asked. “We don’t want anyone to see our set.”

  “It’s just for Gray.”

  “Cool. Just make sure he doesn’t show it to anybody. Then, again, he doesn’t know anyone in our world. You up for some good news?”

  “Always.”

  He showed her the screen of his phone. “Check it out.”

  It was an email. Subject: Knox Holliday Show. She skimmed, trying to get the gist. Someone was coming to her show. Who? Robert’s finger tapped the From box.

  Jack Abrams. Her body exploded with adrenaline. She read the message again. Just four words. Would like to attend. She whipped around to him. “You invited Jack Abrams?”

  “Babe, I invited everyone I was told mattered. He was top of the list.”

  “Yeah, but he’s not an influencer. How did you know about him?”

  “His name kept coming up.”

  “I can’t believe this.”

  He held her gaze. “This is it, Knox. Your ticket to couture. He’s going to see your dresses and lose his shit. He’s going to offer you a contract. You’re going to be a designer with Jack Abrams Couture.”

  “Thank you so much. I’m so happy.” Amidst the noise and chaos, the anxiety and nerves, she sank into the arms of the man who’d held such a huge part of her childhood.

  And who’d been the one to deliver her dream as an adult. Full circle.

  “You know I’d do anything to change what I put you through.”

  She tried to pull away, but he tightened his hold. She saw what he needed, and she gave it to him. “I know. I forgive you.” But he didn’t look in any way relieved. “You’ve made up for it, believe me.”

  “But I haven’t. Nothing can erase the hell I put you through. You were the best girlfriend ever. The best friend, and I treated you like shit. I just want you to know—not that it helps—but it was the drugs treating you like shit. It wasn’t me. If I were in my right mind, I would’ve listened to you. I would’ve stopped hanging out with those assholes. I would’ve stopped filling my body with poison.” He let out a huff of breath, color rising in his cheeks. “I would’ve been a better man for you.”

  She’d never seen him so overcome with emotion. He’d learned as a kid not to show any—his mom hadn’t been around, his dad couldn’t handle anything, and his nannies didn’t care. So, to see him experiencing real, deep, true remorse…it meant he’d really changed. She rubbed his arm. “We can’t change the past. It’s over and done. What we have is the present.” She pulled away and gestured to the room. “And this is what we’ve done together.”

  “We make an awesome team. You know, I’m not looking for us to get back together—I know you’re with Gray—but if there’s a place for me at Jack Abrams with you, I want it. Swear to God, Knox, I’ll bust my ass for you.”

  “I have a feeling Granger’s is going to hire you full-time, and that’s your legacy. That’s where you belong.”

  He shrugged. “But if it doesn’t work out that way, then think about hiring me, okay?”

  That wouldn’t happen. For many reasons, but mostly because of Gray. “One step at a time, right? Let’s hope they fall in love with my dresses.”

  “They will. Guarantee it.”

  Everything was in place.

  Now, all she needed was for Luc n
ot to undermine her.

  The four brothers stood in the empty expanse of living room, taking in all its…starkness. Gray breathed in the scent of fresh paint in the newly-built house.

  “Gotta say, there’s a lot of light.” Hands planted on his hips, Will glanced at the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the lap pool in the tiny backyard.

  The marble floor looked shiny as a frozen lake. What the hell were they doing here? Brodie would never go for a house like this. It did, though, make him wonder if Knox would ever live in the house he’d built. He had no idea what had possessed him to take her there. She had to have seen it in his eyes, what he wanted. He’d jumped the gun on that one.

  She’d texted him the good news about Jack Abrams coming to her show. If she got that contract—which she would—where would she set up shop? New York, most likely.

  Did he want to live in New York City? Not really, but he’d go. No idea what he’d do there, but it wasn’t like he’d break up with her. They could have houses in both places.

  “What happens in a hailstorm?” Fin drifted into the kitchen, all white and chalkboard gray. “What is all this?”

  Gray followed him in to find a platter of mini quiches, four wine goblets, and two bottles of red wine. “The real estate agent set this up?”

  “I guess so.” Brodie came in from the terrace.

  “Watch out,” Will called. “Or she’ll wind up as your future wife.”

  The guys burst out laughing, forcing Brodie to look up from his phone. “Huh?”

  “We came here for you,” Gray said. “You might want to get your head out of your ass and look around.”

  “You wanted me to look into three-D modeling.”

  “Not now,” Gray said. “We’re looking at houses.”

  “I thought Knox doesn’t want to do the digital platform,” Fin said.

  “She’ll change her mind.” Brodie tapped out a text. “I’ve reached out to some people. Got someone whose work I really like.”

  “So you’re not just a visionary,” Gray said. “You’re a psychic, too?”

  “Writing’s right there on the wall for anyone to see,” Brodie said. “It’s the future of her industry.”

  Gray knew it made sense, given the digital world they lived in, but Knox had a dream, and she’d stop at nothing to achieve it. He turned to his older brother. “You want to live in town?”

  “We’re just getting started,” Brodie said. “And she’s showing me what’s on the market in my price range.”

  Fin stood in front of the sink, looking out the window to the neighbor’s house. “You can’t walk around naked.” He glanced behind him. “Which eliminates a lot of fun activities.”

  “Ones that involve countertops,” Will said.

  “And walls,” Gray added.

  “And kitchen tables.” Will picked up a quiche and sniffed.

  “What’re you assholes talking about?” Brodie said.

  Fin gestured toward the living area. “The agent obviously wants you to buy this house.”

  “I told you she’s showing me lots of places.”

  “And does she set out quiches and wine in all of them?” Will asked.

  Brodie stared at the offending items, almost like he’d just found out a Russian spy had planted them to get intel on him. “No.” He slapped the quiche out of Will’s hand. “Let’s get out of here.”

  As they headed out, Gray took a picture of the food and the house and sent it to Knox. Brodie’s future home.

  While his brother locked up, the guys headed down the walkway to the sidewalk.

  Knox responded. No way. But those hors d’oeuvres look tasty.

  “Learned something new about you, brother.” Will clapped Brodie on the back. “Never knew you were a wine-sniffing—”

  “Quiche-eating—” Gray said.

  “Glass house dwelling—” Fin said.

  “Did you just say ‘dwelling’” Will let out a bark of laughter so loud, some tourists up the street turned to look.

  “You guys are assholes,” Brodie said with a grin. “I’m just looking.”

  They turned onto Main Street and walked right into Mrs. Granger and a group of her well-heeled friends.

  “Oh, hey.” Gray touched her shoulder and leaned in for a quick hug, sucking in a cloud of her expensive perfume. “I’m so glad I ran into you.” His brothers had continued across the street to the town green.

  A warm smile lit her face. “Gray. How nice to see you.” She gestured to her companions. “This is my team. We’ve just returned from Milan and have so much discuss. We hold our annual retreat here in Calamity.” She touched his arm. “I know I owe you a call. Can we catch up tomorrow?”

  He’d been trying to get confirmation from her about the show, and since he had her right here and now, he’d just go for it. “I just wanted to thank you for all you’re doing for Knox.”

  “I see it quite the other way. She’s going to bring customers into my store with her fabulous gowns.”

  “True, but I actually meant Bridal Fashion Week. She and Robert are there now.” The moment he said her son’s name her smile faltered. The punch of alarm had him pressing on. “He’s done a great job. Surprised us how he put everything together in three weeks. And it wouldn’t have happened without your support.”

  “I thought you said Knox’s dresses were ruined? That she’d lost her show? Isn’t that why I’m hosting the boutique?”

  Christ. If Granger’s wasn’t funding the week-long event, where was Robert getting the money? Where had he gotten the connections? “We were able to get at least one of each dress made, and Robert took care of everything else. It’s an expensive undertaking, and we appreciate that you believed in her enough to back it.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m confused. I’m not backing anything.”

  His pulse spiked, but he wouldn’t lose it yet. The Granger Collection was a big company. She might not know what the fashion show department—or whatever it was called—did. “No, but Granger’s is. The department that handles fashion shows.”

  “We don’t have a ‘department’ for that.” She gave an irritable smile to her team. “Can you excuse us, please? I’ll just be a moment.” She waited until they were heading into the restaurant. “Gray, dear, Robert doesn’t work for me.”

  “I know. He told us about your arrangement.”

  Confusion turned into annoyance. “What arrangement?”

  “That he’s doing contract work for you until he proves himself.”

  Releasing a weary breath, Mrs. Granger looked unspeakably sad. “I love my son, but he doesn’t work for me or my company. Not in any capacity. I don’t know what he told you, but I know nothing about fashion week, nor are we in any way supporting him. Not with finances or connections. I’m sorry if he misrepresented the situation to you.”

  Fucker. “Well, I guess it’s good I found out before the actual show. Thank you. Have a great retreat, Mrs. Granger.” Hopping off the curb, he had his phone out and the pad of his finger pressing on his pilot’s speed dial. Jogging across the street, he caught up with his brothers, who’d gathered around the truck.

  “Hello?” his pilot answered. “Gray?”

  “Yeah, Sarah, listen, how soon can you get me to New York City?”

  “Whenever you want. You buy my fealty,” she said. “When would you like to go?”

  “It’ll take me twenty minutes to get home and pack a bag. Another twenty to get to the airport.” Fin could handle getting together what he needed for New Zealand.

  “So much for that deep exfoliating mask I just put on. Let me check into it, and I’ll get back to you. But it shouldn’t be a problem to get out tonight.”

  “Great, thanks.” He swung open the door of his truck.

  “What’s going on?” Fin climbed into the passenger seat and reached for the seatbelt.

  “That fucker lied to us. Again. I knew it. I knew when I found him drinking in a bar in Idaho that something was wrong.�
�

  “We talking about Robert?” Brodie asked from the back.

  “What’d he do?” Will asked.

  “Told us he was a contract worker for his mom’s company. That they were backing the show.” He grimaced. “His mom said he doesn’t work with her in any capacity.”

  “Okay,” Brodie said. “But you and Knox have checked everything out. It’s all legit.”

  True. That brought his temper down a notch. “I have to tell her.”

  “You want me to drive?” Fin asked. “Pull over. You can call her right now.”

  “I’ll call her from the airport. I have to pack.”

  “What?” Fin said. “No. Gray, you can’t go there. We leave for New Zealand in four days.”

  He had no idea what Robert was up to, only that he had to find out for himself. “I know that. Soon as I check things out, I’ll fly there straight from New York.” He turned onto the highway.

  “Do you see why getting involved with Knox right now isn’t the best timing?” Brodie asked quietly.

  “There is no circumstance under which I wouldn’t be with her, do you understand? I’ve wanted Knox Holliday all my life, and there isn’t a damn thing—including a fucking medal—that will ever come before her.”

  * * *

  The moment the cab turned off Houston onto Broadway, traffic snarled. “This is good right here.” Gray fished four twenties out of his wallet and handed them to the driver. Hauling his duffle bag, he got out onto the street, jogged between idling cars, and hustled over to the row of art galleries.

  Without checking addresses, he knew which one hosted Knox’s show. A string of white lights framed a plate glass window, and passersby peered inside. Well-dressed people gathered outside the door, waiting to get in.

  This is everything she’s ever wanted.

  That fucker better not have screwed anything up.

  Avoiding the crowd, he hitched his bag onto his shoulder and headed down a narrow alleyway between two brick buildings. Knox would be in back, anyway, getting her models ready.