by Kimi Flores
Bri’s rounded hazel eyes gaped at him. “What are you doing here?”
He shook his head, starting to speak, but several more flashes blinded him.
Dammit. She can be mad at me later. I need to get the hell away from these lunatics.
It didn’t matter how vulnerable he felt. Right now she was his lifeline. “Will you, um, walk with me inside? I…I can’t do this.” Oh shit, he was feeling lightheaded again. He was going to pass out if he stayed much longer. And that would be embarrassing as hell.
More limos were approaching, more cameras flashing.
She frowned, looking mildly concerned. “Can’t do what?”
Invading her personal space, he didn’t care how pathetic he sounded as he pleaded, “Please. Walk with me, and I’ll answer whatever questions you have.” Standing this close, he couldn’t help himself as he breathed her in. Their chests were touching, and he could feel her heart hammering against him.
She gulped and let out a weak, “Fine. Let’s go.” Bri looped her arm in his, pulling him up the pathway as reporters shouted out their questions.
“Josh, where have you been hiding all these years?”
He kept his gaze smartly glued to the ground as he took in shaky breaths.
“Tucker, who’s the brunette?”
Eyes on the ground. Eyes on the ground.
“Do you still blame yourself for Kai Brenson’s death?”
Just as he was through the large wrought iron gates, he froze.
Cut my heart open, why don’t you asshole?
Bri placed her delicate hand on his back, encouraging him to keep going. “It wasn’t your fault, Josh. Come on. Let’s get inside.” Josh sucked in a hard breath at her confirming words.
Oh shit! It’s her. She’s Bea.
Concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other, they made it through the open door and away from the predators in front. As soon as they were in the foyer of the large mansion, he quickly scanned the area for his brother when he found a group of friends standing before them in the open room. Friends who would understand.
As beautiful as Bri was, he couldn’t stand here while she looked at him with pity any longer. They both now knew what he’d done to her. He was practically shaking, desperate to get away. He’d been an absolute asshole to her in the past and didn’t deserve her help tonight.
Damn, I need to clear my head.
Snaking his shaky arm around her lower back, he pulled her toward his side, whispering in her ear, “I’m sorry I dragged you into that.”
His body froze at her reaction.
It was hard to tell because of his own quaking but he was pretty sure she just shivered then leaned into him.
As much as she wanted to hate him, Bri didn’t have the heart to show any of her bitchy instincts to Josh right now. He seemed so defenseless and he was shaking for goodness sake. Her heart swelled, and all she really wanted to do was give him a hug, tell him that everything was going to be alright.
And dammit, now my body is going haywire.
With a curious stare, he pulled away while keeping the palm of his hand on her lower back. The look in his eyes said that he felt her tremble and she melt into him when his breath had hit her neck. Bri blinked quickly, hoping he didn’t feel the need to ask about it.
Finally, his hand left her back, sliding down her arm until it was squeezing her hand. “Thank you for your help, Bri.”
Please don’t notice the goose bumps. “Mmhmm.” She gave him a small, tight smile.
“I’m gonna go over to my friends before your brother kills me with his glare.” He pointed his chin toward the cupcake display where Stefen stood with his arms crossed, narrowing his eyes at them.
Bri just shook her head. There was a much better reason for Stefen to kill this guy, but he would never find out about that.
Josh squeezed her hand one more time before walking away, and her stomach did that crazy flippy thing as she watched him go. No matter how she felt about the way he’d treated her in the past, she couldn’t deny that she was still drawn to him. It was as though her body instinctively remembered him and seemed to be on high alert when he was around.
You are being ridiculous, Bri. Stop it. Even if he did remember you, he already threw you away once.
Holding her head higher, she blew out a breath and made her way into the elaborately decorated ballroom where the main party was being held. Wow, these Hollywood people really know how to put on a party.
Throughout her life, Bri had been to many parties and always enjoyed checking out décor details. Black cloth-covered round tables lined the walls, each with a handful of chairs tucked under them. Large screens hung from the ceiling, probably to show clips from the movie. Although the lighting wasn’t very bright, she could see the art deco design of the marble floor.
She picked up a drink from a model-looking waiter roaming around with a tray. She gave him a once-over, noticing the stark contract between his green eyes and midnight black hair, and the seductive look in his stare when he passed her a napkin said that he knew she’d noticed.
I guess it’s true what they say—waiters in L.A. are all models or actors.
As she walked away, she sipped from the champagne glass and took in the room, finding Josh and his group of friends tucked off to the side. Nervously, she reached around the back of her neck, sweeping her hair over her shoulder and draping it in front of her chest when she noticed—
Is that…Paul with Josh? Oh crap!
Spinning around to escape, she found an old friend standing in front of her. Alison.
Her college roommate pulled her into a hug, holding on tight. “As soon as you moved your hair, I knew it was you. I’d recognize that tattoo anywhere.”
After everything happened with Josh, Alison had convinced her to get the tattoo, assuring Bri there was someone out there for her and all she had to do was search for him. It was out of pure desperation that Bri wanted to believe her. Because of that, she now had two intertwined hearts permanently inked on her shoulder, mocking her every day and reminding her of her mistake. There wasn’t anyone out there that would accept her, just like her mother promised so many times.
Alison pulled away beaming. “You look amazing, Bea.”
Man, I haven’t heard that nickname in years. “Thanks,” she answered timidly.
Alison touched a strand of Bri’s hair. “Is that your original color? I never got to see it like this. You had so many different shades in college.”
Bri offered a tight smile, not really wanting to delve into that part of her past right now. “Yep, this is it.” She recalled all the different colors and styles she went through trying to be someone she thought others would accept. Now that she was older and a bit wiser, she stopped trying to please everyone else and went back to her original appearance.
“What have you been up to?” Alison’s grin lit the room, completely unaware of the mini storm brewing inside of Bri.
“Mostly traveling. You?” Bri knew she was being short with her answers, but she was fighting off a panic attack. As much as she loved Alison, she needed to get away. Bri’s eyes darted one more time over to the group of guys. They still hadn’t seemed to notice her.
Alison smirked. “You remember Paul, right?”
Uh, yeah. That’s why I’m freaking out right now.
Alison’s college boyfriend and Bri’s friend, Paul was still over there, talking to Josh. He knew everything that went down that night.
Bri tried to convince herself to snap out of it, as she turned her back to the group of guys. She hadn’t seen Alison in years and wanted to catch up. “Of course. He used to drag us around with him everywhere.” Bri took a sip of her drink as she fought the urge to turn and look again.
Alison sighed. “After graduation, we moved to L.A. where he grew up.” Suddenly, she held up her hand, showing off a huge engagement ring. “It took a few years, but he finally popped the question and we’re getting married!” she shrieke
d.
Bri grabbed Alison’s hand, pulling it closer so she could see the ring. “Congratulations!”
Alison brought it to her chest, grinning from ear to ear. “Ohmigosh! Bea, this is perfect timing. I know we haven’t seen each other in years, but there must be a reason we ran into each other. Will you please come to my wedding?”
Bri didn’t have a chance to think, she just responded. “I would love to. Are you sure there’s enough time to include me?”
Alison waved her off. “Plenty of time. Really. It’s a fancy place on Catalina Island, but the wedding itself is fairly simple. What do you say?”
Bri grinned. “I would be honored.”
“By the way. I couldn’t help notice you walking in with Josh.” Alison smirked. “I had no idea you guys got together again. I can’t believe he didn’t reconnect us.”
Bri held up her palm, waving her hand from side to side. “Oh, no no no. We’re not together. We just ran into each other recently.” And he still doesn’t even remember me.
Tilting her head to the side, Alison pursed her lips. “That’s weird. He hasn’t said anything. He knows we were roommates, doesn’t he?”
Bri lowered her eyes, suddenly interested in her gorgeous designer heels and that beautiful marble floor. “Um, no I don’t think he does.”
“How is that possible?” Alison probed. “Paul and I are the ones who introduced you two back in New York.”
Bri bit her bottom lip, begging with her eyes. “Alison, would you mind not bringing up New York in front of him?”
Confused, Alison looked over to where Josh stood with the other guys, then back to Bri. “Why?” Abruptly, her mouth fell open. “No way! He doesn’t remember, does he?”
For the last several months, Bri had been dealing with the pain of him acting as though he had no clue who she was. And for some reason, standing here with an old friend who had been there at the time, and knew what had taken place was even more humiliating than just dealing with it on her own.
All she could do was nod.
Alison placed her hands on Bri’s arms. “Oh shit, Bea. I’m so sorry. He’s been through hell, though, remember? And you know how much he drank back then. I know how he treated you, but he’s a different guy now.”
“I know what he’s been through, believe me.” Bri shifted her feet, leaning on one leg. She rolled her eyes. “How do you think I ended up in his bed in the first place? I thought we’d made a connection when he opened up to me, but you and I know it meant nothing. I meant nothing.”
Alison rubbed Bri’s arm. “I’m sorry, Bea. I remember how bad that sucked. He beats himself up all the time for the mistakes he’s made in the past.” She seemed unsure if she should continue. “He even moved all the way out to Santa Ynez to get away from everything and lives all by himself on a huge ranch.”
“Yeah, I know. My sister-in-law over there,” Bri pointed to Leah who was wrapped in her husband’s arms, “is a florist and works with Josh’s uncle on the vineyard. I started helping her out and we’ve unfortunately run into him a few times out there.”
Alison’s eyes went wide in the direction where Bri pointed. “Oh dayem, Stefen looks good. I haven’t seen him since we were freshman and he ignored me.” She laughed nervously.
Bri chuckled. That’s because I threatened him to stay away from my friends.
“Do you live in that area too?” Alison asked.
Bri shifted, giving a sideways glance to the group she hoped still hadn’t noticed her. “Yeah. Well, Santa Barbara. Caleb, Stefen, and I all live out there now.”
A wide grin broke out on Alison’s face, then she murmured something about Caleb as well.
Bri glanced up briefly at the ceiling trying hard not to roll her eyes. Story of my life. If I’m not running into a woman that was in love with my brother and cousin, then I’m avoiding the guys that were run off by them. When will I ever come out from under their shadow?
Snapping Bri out of her thoughts, Alison said, “I love Santa Barbara. We normally stop and eat there on our way out to see Josh’s ranch.” Her old friend’s eyes diverted toward the guys once more.
Curious, Bri took another peek. Her eyes scanned from guy to guy until they met up with Josh’s perceptive gaze.
Bri quickly turned back to Alison. “I’m going to let you go back to your fiancé, but please don’t bring me up to Paul or Josh. I really want to just move on.”
Alison smiled softly. “Okay, I won’t. But you have to give me your number so we can catch up.”
Bri grabbed her phone out of her purse, then looked up to see Alison peering past Bri’s shoulder, desperately shaking her head no.
She gave Bri a sympathetic look. “I’m so sorry, Bea. Paul didn’t see me until it was too late.”
“What?” Bri asked.
Alison glanced over Bri’s shoulder again. Curious, Bri turned her head, only to come face to face with Josh. Startled, she gasped.
He gave her a blank stare. “We need to talk.” He was so close, his breath tickled her face.
She blinked rapidly as she registered what was happening. He was standing stiffly behind her, but she couldn’t read his expression. Was he mad, hurt, confused?
I’m gonna be sick.
Cupping her elbow, he scanned the room and gently led her into what looked like a small study. As he closed the door behind him, he began to pace, running his hands through his short brown hair. Stopping in front of her, he leaned over and braced his palms on his knees.
He was staring at the ground, shaking his head. “I knew it was you. I was hoping I could figure things out before this, but then I saw you with Alison and knew I had to man up tonight.”
Dumbfounded, Bri stood there stoically, forcing herself not to cry.
He knew?
“I’ve spent all this time trying to convince myself you weren’t her. You look different, but deep down, I sensed it. You’re Bea.”
He stood up, his arms hanging loosely at his sides. “The other day when you finally looked at me, I felt like I’d been sucker punched in the gut. A lot’s changed, but those eyes...they had the same expression they did seven years ago.”
Bri didn’t know what she was supposed to do or say, so she stood in front of him. Silent. She’d never expected to have this conversation with him.
He went on, his eyes begging. “I’m sure you hate me, and I can’t say I blame you, but can I please explain?”
Sucking in her bottom lip to keep it from quivering, she nodded once.
He huffed out a breath. “I never met a girl like you before. Even though we only hung out for a short while, and I was drunk most of that time, there was something about you. I felt like I could trust you. Actually, it was the first time I felt anything since before Kai died.”
He took a few tentative steps toward Bri, reaching for her hand and pulling her down next to him on the soft leather couch. He leaned his elbows on his knees and continued. “That night when we all went out, I opened up and shared some things that I hadn’t told anyone else.” He winced sheepishly. “At least, I didn’t think I had. Then I found out that a few of those things I told you ended up in the media. I was fuming, to say the least.”
“What? Josh I never said anything to anyone,” she promised. “You’ve got to believe me. I wouldn’t do that.” If she was shocked before, she was floored now.
He raised his hand in front him to stop her. “I know that. We found out later it was someone at the studio, but I didn’t know that when you walked into that club. I wanted to see you that night so I could tell you off and have the satisfaction of getting you kicked out.”
As if the scene was playing out in his mind, Josh shook his head and growled, “Then you came in wearing that damn outfit and I couldn’t think of anything else. You were so damn beautiful, I knew I had to have you and it kinda pissed me off seeing all the assholes around checking you out.”
This was news to her. All of it was making Bri’s head reel. “Then why did y
ou treat me the way you did afterward? I felt like a piece of trash, Josh. You were barely finished with me before you had the next girl in your room.”
He furrowed his eyebrows, as if confused. “What? What are you talking about? What girl?”
Unsuccessfully fighting her anger, Bri pushed off the couch and strode to the other side of the room. After all of this time, he was going to play dumb? Well, she was done with his shit.