Certified Disaster (Beautiful Mess Book 2)

by Preston, Jennifer

  “Okay. I guess I’ll see you later. Have fun on your date,” Seb teased as he hugged her goodbye.

  “It’s not a date,” she grumbled, but pulled back smiling. “See you in a couple hours, okay?” She hugged Claire.

  “Just don’t keep me waiting too long. We have way too much to catch up on.” Claire gave her a small smile as she slipped out the door.

  Bri rushed to finish getting ready, and ran out to meet Daymon.

  Chapter 25

  Cole was smiling at a couple of girls checking him out from across the room, when he saw her walk in.

  He hated to admit it, but Bri looked hot. Like, really hot. She was wearing a short, navy blue and white polka dot dress, that dipped to a low v in the front, showing off just hint of that glorious cleavage. Her red belt emphasized her small waist, and her hair hung down her back in those loose waves he used to love to run his fingers through.

  Derailing that train of thought, he took a deep breath. He couldn’t let himself get caught up in the past like that. No matter how good she looked, those memories were best left buried.

  He noticed that his wasn’t the only attention Bri had drawn when she entered. Every guy around her was subtly checking her out, including her date.

  Cole’s brows drew together angrily, as Daymon smiled down at Bri and led her through the room. It looked like Bri was continuing her ploy to spite him, dating his friends to get back at him and hurt him. Not that he and Daymon were even close to being friends. In fact, Cole really couldn’t stand the guy. He’d known Daymon had a thing for Bri ever since she first showed up to model for him, and now it looked like Daymon had finally gotten what he’d wanted.

  As if sensing his eyes on her, Bri turned and looked at him. Her expression remained blank and unaffected, but a small blush crept up her cheeks as she looked him over. Cole glanced down at his clothes, worried he’d missed a button or something, but everything seemed to be in place. He then realized he was wearing one of Bri’s favorite shirts with his tie and charcoal trousers; a royal blue striped dress shirt that she’d always said made his eyes look like sapphires. It seemed Miss Unaffected wasn’t exactly as stoic as she let on. He gave her his cocky smirk, and her eyes narrowed at him angrily before she turned her attention to whatever it was Daymon was whispering in her ear.

  Cole’s smirk vanished, and his own eyes narrowed as Daymon led Bri around the various student displays, and to the back of the room. They quickly moved out of his line of sight, and when they didn’t return a few minutes later, he let his jealousy and curiosity get the better of him. His own display forgotten, he set off after them. There was no way he was going to let Daymon steal his girl while he stood there and watched.

  Okay, so Bri wasn’t his girl anymore. He knew that. But he’d be damned if he was going to let her be Daymon’s.

  He wandered back to where the grad students had their work displayed, and assumed that Daymon had taken Bri back here to try and impress her. Finally finding Daymon’s display, Cole came to an abrupt halt.

  Bri was staring back at him from the wall. But it wasn’t the Bri he was used to seeing. This Bri was a goddess, in every sense of the word. He sucked in an involuntary breath as he took her in.

  The painting was titled Venus Descending, and he could tell that Daymon had used The Birth of Venus by Botticelli as his inspiration. Reluctantly, Cole had to admit that Daymon had outdone himself with this piece.

  Bri, or Venus, was rising out of the water half naked, the sky and clouds shining in glory behind her. Her auburn hair blazed around her and hung in waves over her bare chest. Thankfully, it covered everything important. A translucent skirt, which appeared to be the ocean itself, was fastened low on her hips, leaving her legs bare as she stepped out of the sea and onto the beach. But it was the look on her face that sent Cole into what he swore was a minor case of cardiac arrest.

  The alluring tilt of her full lips, the sultry look in her eyes, the confident, regal tilt of her chin… He was about to have a crisis right there. Coupled with her mind boggling curves, the goddess emanated sexiness and desire, but also complete and knowing confidence in her ability to trap any man who crossed her path. She was absolutely glorious.

  Unbidden, all those memories he’d been repressing came rushing back to him. He could remember, acutely, what it felt like to hold that glorious body, to feel all that soft skin pressed against him, the sound of her voice whispering his name…

  Shaking his head, he quickly shut those thoughts down.

  When he could think coherently again, Cole’s attention was drawn the other painting in the piece. He’d been so stunned and captivated that he hadn’t even noticed there were two of them.

  This one was titled Venus Ascending. Taking it in, Cole’s mouth literally dropped. It was sunset, the sky a brilliant yellow-orange, and a fully nude Venus was descending back into the sea. Her hair was twisted up loosely, which left nothing to detract from the graceful lines of her back, and her perfect rear end. As she stepped into the sea, Venus threw a satisfied smirk over her shoulder. She’d had her fun toying with the hearts of the mortals on earth, and was now ready to return to the realm of the gods. But the playful, wicked gleam in her eye promised that she would be back, and mankind had better watch out.

  For a full five minutes, Cole could do nothing but stare.

  Indignation, anger, and a deep rooted jealousy, set in as he finally came back to his senses. He couldn’t believe Bri had done this, and with Daymon, of all people. Even though she wasn’t his anymore, he didn’t want her flaunting herself for everyone to see. And the fact that she’d flaunted for Daymon was worse than anything. Unable to stand it any longer, he stormed away.

  He took a few minutes to calm himself down. Needing to keep himself from dwelling on the paintings of Bri across the room, he returned to his own painting that had been accepted. He kept his mind occupied as best he could by talking with everyone who came by to see it.

  It was a painting of one of the few memories he had of his mom from when he was little. A young Lynette sat in a rocking chair, holding a much younger Cole in her arms, reading him a story. The two were looking at each other, laughing together at something in the story, and while he may have embellished the emotion a bit, the love shining in both of their eyes was unmistakable.

  Cole had done it as a surprise for his mom, and was planning on giving it to her as a gift. He had told her what a big deal the student art show was, and she had promised that she would be there. He couldn’t wait for her to see it.

  An hour and a half later, Lynette still hadn’t shown up. The show was closing in fifteen minutes, and Cole was finally having to accept the fact that she wasn’t coming. He stood, and moved to the window behind his display, trying to tamp down his anger and disappointment. He’d told her what a big deal this was. She knew how important it was to him that she be there. But, his mom hadn’t come. Clenching his jaw, he glared out into the darkness. This night couldn’t get any worse.

  “Hi, Cole,” a soft voice said behind him.

  Inwardly cringing at her timing, Cole smoothed his features and turned to face her.

  “Bri,” he nodded curtly, his eyes narrowing. What was she doing here? Was she here to gloat or something? If she was, he wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction. “So, you and Daymon now, huh?” he smirked. “You sure are making your way through my inner circle, aren’t you. Who’s next? Are you going to fly out and hook up with Devon?”

  Her eyes widened with hurt, and Cole felt a flare of satisfaction. But then her anger came rising up, fury burning in her eyes like a phoenix.

  “First of all, you are a heartless, selfish bastard for saying that,” Bri seethed. “And if you ever insinuate something like that again, I’ll knock you freaking head off. Second of all, I am not dating, or doing anything with Daymon. We are here together as friends, not that it’s any of your business anyway. And lastly, I am not, nor do I have any intention of “making my way through your inner circl
e”. My love life no longer revolves around you, so get the eff over yourself.”

  “Yeah, right. Like I’m supposed to believe you and Daymon aren’t shacking up after the paintings he did of you.”

  “You’ve seen them?” A satisfied gleam shone in her eyes. “Good. But just because I posed for him doesn’t mean we’re dating.”

  “Dating, screwing… Whatever you want to call it.”

  She shot him a withering glare, full of venom, and he saw her hands clench.

  “I am not sleeping with Daymon,” she ground out between her teeth, trying to keep from drawing attention. “There isn’t anything going on between us, and I really resent your implication otherwise.”

  “Come on, Bri,” he hissed back. “He’s seen you naked. You can’t tell me he isn’t trying to get some… If he hasn’t already.” He looked at her with disgust. He wasn’t quite sure why he felt the need to goad her like this, but he was beyond angry and hurt, and he felt an overwhelming desire to hurt her.

  Something shattered in Bri’s eyes, and her face fell. Whatever she had felt for him died in that moment, and he watched it happen. He felt a pang of guilt and remorse, but his anger had taken control, and he refused to back down.

  “Well, you’ve seen me naked, and you obviously aren’t trying to get some. So it’s not so far-fetched after all.” She looked at him with cold contempt. “Do you know why I even came over here? I came over because I’ve been watching you tonight, and you have been alone. All night long. On a night you should be celebrating, surrounded by your family, you are alone. And I actually felt bad for you. Even as angry as I am, I couldn’t stand to see you all alone. That’s why I’m here. I shouldn’t have bothered. You’re not even worth my time.”

  “I don’t need your pity, Bri,” he huffed, humiliated that she would feel sorry for him.

  “No, I can’t imagine you do. Where’s Jillian tonight?” she smiled nastily. “This seems like the sort of thing your girlfriend should show up to. You two are attached at the lips whenever there are cameras around. But no,” she glanced around, “I don’t see any cameras here tonight. Pity. I guess being here wasn’t worth her time, was it?

  “And what about your mom?” She stepped closer, taunting him. “Where is she, Cole? Where is your mom, who wants so badly to be a part of your life again? You’ve been waiting for her all night, and she didn’t show up. Why? Have you asked yourself that yet? Have you figured out the answer?”

  He ground his teeth together, refusing to answer.

  “Maybe the reason she’s not here is because, like Jillian, there was nothing for her to gain by being here. She’s been at every press conference and interview; she’s been to your games and tournaments. But why won’t she come to something that is obviously so important to you? Because this art show doesn’t forward her agenda at all. She doesn’t care about your art show, because all she really cares about is you getting into the NBA, so that she can get some money out of you. That’s all you are to her, Cole. Dollar bills.”

  “You shut your lying mouth,” he growled, stepping into her intimidatingly. His anger was roiling beneath the surface, and he was just barely keeping it contained.

  “You can deny it all you want.” She stood her ground, not cowering under the force of his gaze. “But one day you’ll see that I’m right, that I’ve always been right. The people you’ve chosen to surround yourself with don’t give a damn about you. They only care about themselves, and what they can get out of you. And then, when you’ve served your purpose, they’ll leave you behind and not even look back. And when that day comes, I won’t be around to say I told you so.”

  She stepped back away from him.

  “Do yourself a favor, Cole. Don’t let Lynette anywhere near your money. I know she had this idea about being your manager or assistant or something. But please, for your own sake, don’t give her that much control over you. Trust your dad. Jimmy has always put you first; he’s always done what he thought was best for you. He’ll give you good advice, and he’ll tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. I hope for your sake that you’ll listen to me on this, but I know you probably won’t. Good luck, Cole. You’re going to need it.”

  Unable to respond, Cole watched as Bri turned and walked away.

  Through the haze and density of his anger, he felt his hardened heart crack and disintegrate under the pressure. Deep down he knew that this was the end of him; that he would never recover from the hatred in Bri’s eyes as she walked out of his life. But the stubborn part of him refused to admit she had affected him at all, and instead buried all those painful emotions under the anger and betrayal that were so much easier to feel.

  He walked back over and stood in front of his painting. As he stared at the manufactured emotion on his mom’s face, he was horrified to find that there was a part of him that knew Bri was right: about his mom, about his life, about everything.

  Finally giving release to his anger, he pulled back and punched a hole through the middle of the painting. Without another glance, he turned and stormed out of the building.

  As Cole wearily climbed the stairs to his room, he was startled to see two figures lounging outside his door. When he got close enough to see who was waiting for him, his mouth dropped in shock.

  “Seb?” He couldn’t believe it. Seb was the last person he expected to find outside his door. Apprehension started gnawing at him as he wondered what would bring Seb clear across the country to see him. “What are you doing here? And with Matt?” Cole’s expression darkened as he eyed his two former best friends.

  Matt gave him a sarcastic wave and crossed his arms. He looked pissed. Seb didn’t look too happy, either. Great. This was just what he needed. Two people he really didn’t want to see, let alone talk to, were camped out in front of his door, and it looked like they both had an agenda. Well, lucky them, Cole was already in a foul mood. He looked forward to talking out some of his aggression on these two pricks who deserved it.

  “We need to talk.” Seb’s voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of anger in it. “I was waiting for you, and ran into Matt here. We got to talking, and it turns out that we have a lot in common.”

  “Yeah, you both slept with my girlfriend.” Cole glared at each of them.

  “No, that’s what you think happened,” Matt piped in. “And you have refused to let either of us explain the truth. So, we decided that we’re taking that option away from you.”

  “That’s right. We’re going inside, and your dumb ass is going to listen to everything we have to say.” Seb stepped up to Cole, Matt flanking him.

  “And if I refuse?” Cole eyed Seb dangerously.

  “Then we’ll have to work out our differences in other, more confrontational ways. Believe me,” Seb growled, “I’m really hoping you choose option number two. I’ve been dying to kick your ass all day.”

  The cold look in Seb’s eyes froze Cole’s retort on his tongue. Seb was serious. The two of them hadn’t fought often, but the few times they did had been vicious and bloody.

  “Fine,” Cole relented with a huff. Hoping to get this stupid thing over with as quickly as possible, he unlocked the door. Seb and Matt pushed past him and stormed inside. “Make yourselves at home,” he sneered sarcastically, sitting on the couch and kicking his feet up like nothing at all was wrong. “So, what’s got your panties in a bunch?”

  “First,” Seb took the lead, ignoring his sarcasm. “Your treatment of Bri is appalling. I don’t care what you think happened, that doesn’t give you the right to be so cruel.”

  “I haven’t…”

  “Yes,” Matt cut him off. “You have. You’ve been mean, and vindictive, and gone out of your way to hurt her. You’re angry at all of us, but you’ve been taking it all out on her, and she doesn’t deserve any of it.”

  “Of course you would stick up for her. You’ve always…”

  “Okay, that’s it,” Seb yelled, glaring at him. “You are no longer allowed to speak.
You are going to sit there and listen, and if you even so much as open your mouth, I’m going to punch you in the face. I don’t know who this person is you’ve decided to become, and I have no idea why you’d even want to be such a heartless little prick, but I don’t like it. So you’re going to keep your rude, uninformed comments to yourself, and you’ll save yourself a couple of black eyes. Got it?”

  Even through his anger, Cole paused. He’d rarely seen easy-going Seb this worked up and angry. But Seb was furious, Cole could see it in his eyes. Seb would literally beat the crap out of him if Cole pushed him. For the first time that night, a hint of doubt began to creep into his heart. Nodding, he leaned back and crossed his arms.

  Maybe sensing Cole’s hesitation, Seb’s voice was softer when he began.

  “I know what you think happened between Bri and I. But I flew clear across the damn country to tell you that you’re wrong.”

  Seb proceeded to explain what had really happened, not sparing any details, even about their kiss.

  “Do you know what she said after she pushed me away?” Seb looked at him, but didn’t wait for an answer. “She said that there would never be anyone for her but you. Even though you had just treated her like shit, she still believed in you. Then she said that even if things were different, she and I would never happen because she would never come between you and me like that. She couldn’t live with herself if she caused a rift like that between us. That’s how much she loves you, you freaking idiot. And for you not to know that blows my mind.”

  “But,” Cole chanced speaking. “Even Claire could see what was going on. She sent me the picture she took of you two.”

  “Claire was wrong. She knows that now, and it’s killing her because she thinks that this is all her fault. She blames herself for what happened with you and Bri, because she jumped to conclusions and didn’t let us explain.” Seb eyed him meaningfully. “Call her, if you don’t believe me. She’ll tell you the truth.”