#Poser

by Cambria Hebert

  Trent choked on the coffee he was sipping, and everyone laughed.

  “Man crush,” Drew intoned.

  “Bromance?” I tried and looked between him and Trent.

  “B would know all about bromance,” Trent cracked.

  Romeo and B both gave him the finger.

  Drew guffawed. “I admit it’s cool hanging with someone who likes cars as much as I do.”

  Even though it was super fun to tease him about their fast friendship, I had a feeling I knew the real reason Drew stayed with us so long.

  “Did you and Dad get into it over Thanksgiving?” I asked.

  My parents were great. I loved them, and my family was super close. My childhood was nothing but amazing, but I wasn’t the oldest son. I wasn’t expected to swallow my own passions so I could follow in my father’s footsteps and become a computer genius.

  Drew set down his fork. “We never get into it. You know that. But he certainly wasn’t subtle about how disappointed he was that I hadn’t picked a company to start working my ass off for.”

  He’d been hiding at our house and using me as an excuse. I hadn’t been a very good sister as of late.

  Beside me, B spoke up. “I know something about having a father you feel like you gotta see when you look in the mirror.”

  Everyone looked at him, frankly surprised he was openly talking about it.

  “Take it from me, man. Hiding won’t solve the problem. From what I know, your Dad is a good man. He’s always been good to you guys. Just tell him you don’t want to sit behind a computer. Tell him you want to drive, not just as a hobby.”

  “How’d you know I want to drive?” Surprise made Drew’s voice high.

  “I listen when you talk, man. I just don’t act like it.”

  I gave my brother a beaming smile. Braeden wasn’t nearly as bad as he thought.

  Drew’s passion was and would always be cars. He’d been racing them as an amateur since he got his license. Our dad didn’t think it was a lucrative enough career path, and my mother was naturally afraid he was going to kill himself.

  I worried about that too, but I never said so. I couldn’t. He always looked the most at peace when he was behind the wheel.

  “He’s good,” Trent spoke up. “Smoked my Mustang.”

  “You two have been racing?” I asked, my eyes bulging. I had no idea Trent was so interested in cars. I always just saw him as a football player and a frat boy.

  Trent shrugged. “Just messing around.”

  “Maryland has a team,” Romeo said. “Ron Gamble owns it.”

  “Who’s Ron Gamble?” Drew asked.

  All the guys at the table groaned.

  “He’s the richest man in the entire state. He owns the Knights. He owns everything,” I said.

  “And y’all know him?”

  “Rome’s his golden boy,” Braeden said.

  Romeo didn’t disagree; he just shook his head. Then he said, “I could find out if there’s any spots open.”

  “Are you shitting me?” Drew said, completely abandoning his food.

  I smiled and little butterflies took flight in my stomach. I never really thought about having Drew here in Maryland full-time. I loved the thought. Our family was growing.

  “I’m not promising shit,” Romeo warned. “I’m not as in with Ron as B thinks.”

  “Liar,” Braeden said around a cough.

  Romeo ignored him. “And you’d have to prove yourself, but I could maybe make a call.”

  At that moment, a couple girls came up to the table with papers in their hand. They stared at Romeo with stars in their eyes and a blush on their cheeks.

  “Can we have your autograph?”

  Romeo tossed down his fork and leaned back. He gave them a million-dollar smile and turned his blue eyes on them. “Sure.”

  I was pretty sure one of them swooned.

  Rimmel barely even glanced up, like she was used to this. Like people approaching him was a regular occurrence.

  After he signed the papers and posed for a quick selfie, the girls went back to their table.

  I leaned across toward Rimmel. “Pretty soon you’re gonna need a full-time stylist.”

  She groaned.

  Romeo heard and draped an arm across her shoulder. “Hell no, she won’t. She don’t need to change ‘cause people know who I am. I don’t give a rat’s ass what people think. My girl is hot.”

  Rimmel smiled at him but then glanced at me. I knew what that meant. It meant even though everyone at this table liked the way she looked, she still might have to start dressing it up a little. We might not like it, but as the #BuzzBoss regularly pointed out, status did mean something.

  And I knew Rimmel. She’d never do anything to bring down Romeo’s image.

  “Maybe I could stick around,” Drew said cautiously.

  I clapped and leaned over to hug him.

  “I can find a place, maybe get a job…”

  “You already got a place,” Braeden said. He glanced at Romeo, who nodded and said, “Rent’s pretty cheap.”

  Drew glanced at Braeden sharply. “You’d want me to move in, even after I nailed you in the face?”

  Braeden grunted. “I nailed you back.”

  Drew felt his jaw where there was still a large purple bruise. “I guess you aren’t so bad after all. My sister could do worse.”

  “Andrew,” I warned. That wasn’t a compliment. Geez.

  “It’s cool, baby. Long as he accepts I ain’t going nowhere.”

  Drew leaned in and whispered in my ear. “No hope for you and this one?” He motioned at Trent.

  I glared at him.

  He laughed. “I’m kidding. B’s cool.”

  I still didn’t stop glaring. “No more bonehead comments like that. And you gotta talk to Dad,” I told him. “You can’t use me as an excuse.”

  After a moment, he nodded. “I will.”

  “Good,” Romeo said. “It’s settled. We’ll talk later.”

  Drew nodded.

  Breakfast was light the rest of the morning. We hung at the table long after the plates were cleared away. I liked hanging out with these guys. I felt like this was where I belonged; these people were my family.

  After a while, Romeo sighed. “Drive me to the airport, baby?”

  Rimmel made a face but then nodded.

  “You’re leaving?” I asked.

  “Back to the grind.” He sighed. “But I got tickets for everyone for some upcoming home games, and I’ll be back for Christmas.”

  Braeden stood. “You put yourself out to come here, bro. Thank you.”

  “It’s not a hardship to be home.”

  “Still. You drove in yesterday and now have to fly back.”

  He grimaced. “Riding in that death machine—”

  “Hey!” Rimmel objected.

  Romeo winced and said, “I mean nice car. It wasn’t too fun, but it’s a quick flight back. I’m gonna drive the Hellcat back after Christmas. I miss my car.”

  “Want me to drive you to the airport?” Braeden asked.

  “Nah, gives me some extra time with Rim. But hey, call my dad. He has something he wants to talk to you about.”

  “No shit?” Braeden said, excited.

  Romeo smiled so wide I saw all his teeth. “It’s not a contract, but it’s definite talk. I think this spring it’s gonna be on. Keep playing hard, Hulk.”

  “Wait, what?” I said, getting up. What did he mean?

  Romeo turned to me. “Might have to share your boy here with the Knights next season.”

  My mouth dropped open and released a squeal. Half the diner looked at me. “Are you serious?”

  Braeden turned to me, excitement on his face. “What do you think, Blondie? Think you can handle dating a pro football player?”

  I threw myself at him. Like full-on body tackle. It didn’t even knock the wind out of him. “I’m so happy for you,” I whispered in his ear. “I’m so proud of you.”

  He chu
ckled. “It’s just talk right now. We’ll see.”

  I glanced at Romeo over B’s shoulder, and he winked.

  I knew it was going to happen.

  Braeden and Romeo would be back together on the field.

  It was perfect.

  After I released Braeden, I went for Romeo and hugged him hard without hesitation. He and I had grown closer over the past year since he and Rimmel had started dating. Our relationship hadn’t been the easy kind like B and Rimmel knew.

  But it was no less real.

  It seemed whatever wall was left between us came crumbling down last night when he was there to comfort me. Maybe I’d been intimidated all this time by his larger-than-life rep. By his alpha status. But Braeden was just as much an alpha as Romeo.

  And like Romeo pointed out, he and I were a lot more similar than either of us realized.

  “Thank you, Romeo,” I whispered.

  He kissed my forehead and then left with Rimmel.

  When the three guys and me were out in the parking lot, Braeden turned to Trent. “Would you mind dropping them at the house? There’s somewhere I gotta be.”

  It was the first I heard of this. “I’ll go with you,” I told him.

  “It’s just boring stuff, babe. Gonna go talk to Rome’s dad. Don’t you have to work soon?” he asked.

  “It’s just inventory,” I muttered, sorry I said I’d go. The boutique closed early tonight because it was Sunday, which made it a perfect time to inventory and pick out new clothes for the next season. I usually didn’t help with it, but since I’d called in sick so much lately, I offered to help so Monica wouldn’t fire me.

  “I’ll try and make it home before you go in. If I don’t, I’ll be there tonight to walk you to your car.”

  Over my head, he glanced at Drew. An unspoken conversation seemed to happen in rapid time.

  “I’ll be there.” Drew promised.

  Ugh. They were arranging for me to not be at home alone. Like a babysitting crew. Even as my head rejected the idea, my gut whispered it was for the best. I wasn’t ready to be alone yet. Not after last night.

  Not after I was sure I saw Zach.

  Chapter Fifty

  Braeden

  Going to see Anthony was just an excuse.

  An excuse for where I was really going.

  But I wasn’t no liar. So I did swing by Rome’s childhood home, and I did talk to his dad. The Knights really were interested. I guess seeing me throwing the ball around with Rome had piqued Ron Gamble’s interest.

  He looked up my stats. This season’s were most impressive because I’d been playing with a chip on my shoulder and an axe to grind. When Gamble asked Romeo about career goals and if I might be interested in a spot on the team, he directed him toward Robert, knowing his dad would want to handle all my contracts.

  Rome got a good deal. Anthony really watched out for him. And even though I wasn’t Anthony’s son by blood, I knew I was like family to him and he’d take care of my career better than any agent could.

  Right now he was just fielding interest, and from what I learned, Tony was also schmoozing Gamble pretty slickly. As in he was making sure the team stayed interested and kept the lines of communication open.

  There was no offer on the table; it wasn’t even the right time of year for that. Anthony seemed to think it was all in due time, so he had me sign some basic crap on the record stating he was within rights to help negotiate any kind of deal that might arise. And since he’d become familiar with the Knights and their entire club, he told me exactly what I needed to do in order to keep impressing them, starting with showing up at as many Knights games as I could and sitting with Rim. He wanted me to be seen with Romeo out in Knights territory. Basically, he wanted me to start a buzz.

  It seemed the media was this family’s best friend, and the more public support and popularity we gained, the more bargaining power Anthony would have. It was all so political and had nothing really to do with the game.

  But I had to play it to get on the field.

  And man, I really wanted to play with Romeo again.

  Not only that, but this was my future we were talking about. The future that up until this point had been pretty unknown. I’d always believed Romeo would make it to the NFL, but I never thought I would. Not that I didn’t want it. I did. I really fucking did. I just never wanted to let myself dream too big. The letdown would be too steep.

  I wasn’t ego-filled enough that I thought the only reason they were interested was solely based on my playing. I was a damn good player and I knew I’d be able to bring it on an NFL level, but the interest started with Romeo.

  I wouldn’t even be surprised if Romeo hadn’t put a little pressure on Gamble once he asked about me.

  I wasn’t mad about it. Rome got my foot in the door; it was up to me to do the rest.

  This was a dream job, and it would give me a chance to do what I loved and make a shit ton of money while I did it. I could buy my mom a new house. Some fancy place she never thought she’d have.

  I could take care of Ivy, make sure she never had to worry about money ever again. I knew she didn’t care about that, not really. After all, if she did, she never would have started dating me to begin with. But on a purely intrinsic level, knowing I could take care of her financially satisfied me.

  Yeah, I was going for this. I was letting myself want it.

  Turns out wanting stuff for yourself and having the balls to really reach for that shit made life a lot more exciting than just coasting along and “having fun.”

  After I left Rome’s old place, I didn’t go straight home.

  Hells no.

  It was a goddamned miracle Ivy forgave me. When I looked in her eyes this morning, I really saw the forgiveness too. I thanked every single star I ever saw in the midnight sky for that too. I knew things between her and me were going to be okay. I knew we’d come out on the other side even stronger and closer than before.

  But.

  (There’s always a but, isn’t there?)

  Right next to the love and forgiveness in her beautiful eyes, I saw something else. Pain. Darkness. Fear.

  And for that, I was still pissed.

  Pissed that someone as beautiful and bright as her would be forced to endure such shit. That she would now have a permanent scar inside her from the atrocities Zach put her through.

  And those panties. The red fucking panties that just happened to “show up” in our bedroom. Someone put those fuckers there. Someone came into our house, into her safe place, and totally jolted her existence by forcing her to remember.

  I would never forgive the person who did that to her.

  Never.

  I knew who it was too.

  Missy.

  AKA #BuzzBoss.

  AKA Bitch I wished I’d never met.

  I drove straight to Cypress Hall from Romeo’s neighborhood. I didn’t know what room she was in, but I’d find out in two seconds flat.

  I might not use it much anymore, but the charm that used to get panties dropping was still beneath my exterior. I parked the truck in the back of the lot and slowly strolled up to the sidewalk. Girls were all around, talking, texting, and laughing.

  I smiled at all of them. Flirted with a few. I knew a lot of the faces and understood mine wasn’t so unfamiliar either. When I got up to the door, a group of girls was coming out, and I put on my best roguish grin.

  “Ladies,” I called.

  “Braeden,” the one in the center of the group said. “Surprised to see you here.”

  “You know I love the ladies.” If Ivy heard me now, she’d totally kick my ass.

  “Thought you were taken?” she purred, coming a little closer. I tried to hold her stare while still making sure the door hadn’t closed behind them. One of her minions was still in the doorway. “Or is all the speculation on the Buzzfeed true?” She made a pouty face. “Are you single again?”

  Ah, yes. I’d seen the notifications. Missy was busy tryin
g to make everyone think Ivy and me were a match made in hell.

  I spread my arms and grinned. “You know me. Nothing but a mystery.”

  “That’s not really an answer,” one of the other girls replied.

  “Tell ya what,” I drawled, dropping my voice and stepping up to the girl who asked me the question. She was all right, with honey-brown hair and brown eyes.

  She definitely wasn’t Ivy.

  “The second I’m back on the market, you’ll be the one I look for.”

  Her glossy pink lips pulled up into a catlike smile. Girls were such bitches. Made me wonder how they hell any of them survived high school.

  “I’d like that.” She dragged a finger down the center of my chest.

  I literally had to force myself not to step back.

  My how times had changed.

  “See ya later, thirteen,” she said in a breathy stupid voice.

  “Ladies.” I watched them all start walking away before I lunged for the door as it was almost completely shut and pulled it open.

  Inside the building, I saw a couple girls walking down the hall. With a quick smile and a single question, I knew where Missy was. I jogged up the stairs and knocked on her door.

  Seconds later, her face appeared.

  Her gray eyes widened when she saw it was me. She moved to slam the door directly in my face, but I was faster, slapping my palm on the wood and pressing back open.

  “What do you want?” she glared.

  “We need to talk.”

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Ivy

  I love clothes.

  I loathe counting them.

  I mean, seriously, there can never be too many tops, jeans, skirts… whatever. But when you work in a boutique, doing inventory is a necessity. And since it was so close to Christmas and the New Year, that meant clearing out the old and getting ready for the new.

  I, for one, was ready for a new year. I couldn’t say this year had been a bad one, because it brought me Braeden. I hated the rape and wished fervently it never happened, but I didn’t regret the things we’d been through as a couple because they made us stronger, so strong I was very confident we’d be able to get through anything else life threw our way.