“Oh, Cate, it’s a crazy story. If I tell you, will you swear not to tell anyone? Even Drew or Benny?”
Her fingers clamp around my arm. “What the hell happened?”
“Promise me first.”
“Yes, I promise.” She squeezes me harder.
“Ow!”
She eases up, and I rub my arm. “Sorry about that.”
“Okay, so I went to Kenneth’s this morning to have a talk about us. I just wasn’t feeling it, you know?” I didn’t dare tell her about Brandon. That would remain a secret for now.
“Does this have anything to do with when you asked me about how I knew when I met Drew?”
At least I have the decency to look sheepish. “Yeah.”
“So go on.”
“Right. So I get there, and well, it’s sort of hard to explain. But I caught him with someone else.”
Cate’s hands fly to her mouth, covering it. “Oh my God. He was screwing around on you. Kenneth? I can’t believe it. You caught him with another woman?”
“Not exactly.”
Her hands drop, and she screws up her mouth, trying to figure this out.
“I don’t understand. You just said he was with someone else.”
“That’s right.”
“But if—” The pieces of the puzzle tumble into place. “Oh dear God. Oh sweet Jesus. Kenneth? With another man? No fucking way! I don’t believe it!”
“Way and you’d better believe it because I have pictures.”
She shakes me so hard my teeth rattle. “You took pictures!” Her voice is so loud I think my eardrums just shattered.
“Cate, can you lower the decibels a bit?” I rub my ears.
“Shit. Sorry, but this is epic. I mean, you have pictures of Kenneth with another man.”
“You bet I do. But it’s bad for Kenneth.”
Cate’s eyes turn into golf balls. “Bad? It’s catastrophic. He’s not going to have his fancy wedding he kept gushing about.”
I lightly hit her arm. “No, not just that. It’s not epic because he’s worried his father is going to disown him, and I feel bad for him. Honestly, I’d pretty much decided we weren’t meant to be together before this anyway,” I say.
Her face looks pained. “Poor Kenneth. Putting on the show just for the old senator and his wife. I can so see that, too. I feel bad for Kenneth now, too. And he is such a great guy. Hey, you wouldn’t consider marrying him—”
“Cate! Are you crazy? I can’t even believe you said that! I want the total picture, like you have.”
“Right, right. Sorry, don’t know what got into me. A mercy marriage, I guess.”
“I know, but there’s no mercy in me for that.”
“Let me see them.”
“What?”
“The pictures,” she says.
“I can’t. It’s too personal. And it would be a betrayal of Kenneth, you know.”
“But he betrayed you.”
“I know, but for some weird reason, I don’t really blame him. And he gave me my out, if I’m honest.”
“So, now what?” She wants to know.
“I’m a free agent again. Looking for love.”
“I hope not in all the wrong places.”
“Maybe not. Maybe so. Who knows? But can you hear my mom when I tell her? And I can’t possibly tell her the truth. She’s going to go into a state of deep depression. ”
“Jenna, my girl, ain’t a damn thing you can do about it, unless you want to share that photo with them, and then you’ll give her a heart attack for sure.”
Suddenly, Cate laughs and then howls. It’s a knee-slapping, bent-over-at-the-waist kind of laugh.
“What the hell is so funny?” I ask.
“Oh my God,” she wheezes. “I wish I would’ve been a fly on the wall when you walked into that room and caught them. I bet it was priceless.”
Now I start to laugh as I remember the whole scene. “You wouldn’t believe it if I told you.”
“Try me.”
When I describe the scene to her, we both end up practically lying on the floor, kicking our feet in the air.
Then Cate says, “I think I just peed my pants.”
After she takes a half shower and I lend her some clean panties, Cate heads for Drew’s parents’ house, where they are staying.
It’s then I decide to pay a visit to my favorite mechanic. Maybe I can conjure up an issue with my car. Better yet, why don’t I get brave and ask him out to lunch? I know he’ll say no, but I can tell him I have something I need to discuss with him.
I dress up, not fancy, but in nice jeans and a cute top, and head that way, making sure I feel confident in myself. The parking lot is crowded, as usual, because Brandon runs a great business. When I walk in, his employee, She Who Hates Me, is standing there. Daggers shoot from her eyes, but then she gives me a huge smile, which is unusual.
“Hey, is Brandon in?” I ask.
“He sure is.” She grins. “He’s in his office. You can go on back. You remember where it is, right?”
“Oh, sure.” This is weird, but I head on back anyway. The blinds are closed, which is what he does when he has a lot of work to do. Since I want to surprise him, I decide to forgo the knock.
Pushing the door open, I get my second surprise of the day. A redhead has her arms coiled around his neck, and from what I can see in the short amount of time I’m there, it looks like her tongue is crammed down his throat as well. Guess this just isn’t my day. My gasp of surprise doesn’t go unnoticed. I quickly turn and race away, only to hear him calling my name.
But I don’t stop. Not for a million dollars would I do that. Dana chuckles as I pass her, and then I figure out why she was so damn nice. She knew I’d get an eyeful. I get to my car and pull the handle, but damn, my hand slips. It finally opens just as he reaches me and grabs my arm.
“Wait. Jenna, stop.”
I shake off his arm and say, “I have to go.”
“Please, let me explain.”
“Oh, I think I’ve gotten enough of an explanation. My eyes are pretty good at detecting things, and what I saw gave me everything I need.” I drop into the driver’s seat as he stands by helplessly. The redhead runs out the door, headed in our direction.
“Christ,” he mumbles. “What a fucked-up day.”
“You can say that again,” I say as I back out of my parking space.
Seventeen
Brandon
“Is everything okay?” Lexa asks. “That wasn’t your girlfriend, was it?”
Scrubbing a hand over my face, I say, “No. Not exactly.”
“Are you sure? She looked pissed.”
I’m really not in the mood for this conversation. “She’s engaged. That’s how sure I am. Anyway, let me see if we can get that part for your car. Like I said before, it’s not going to be cheap. You might be better taking it to a dealer.”
Her red 2010 Alpha Romeo Spider may have been out of warranty, but dealers would have access to parts.
“And like I told you before, my father would kill me. Even though I’m out of state, he would much prefer I deal with an independent shop than one associated with a dealer. It’s not like there are a million luxury car dealers. And you come highly recommended. Imagine my surprise to find you’re the owner so well regarded.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
She’s not shy. I give her that. “Well deserved.”
Her lips pucker together and come out wet and kissable, only my dick doesn’t come out of hibernation.
“Why don’t I get the paperwork started, and I can call you when I get the part in?”
“There is something else.”
A fingernail that matches the paint of her car scrapes over my cheek until I turn to face her.
“What’s that?” I ask, stepping back.
“You know I’m in town for business. Daddy’s interested in opening shop here. My job is to scope out the competition. And I think finding you can add to our bus
iness plan.”
The fact that Jenna’s engaged hasn’t registered in my heart. Even though I don’t want this woman for sex, or anything for that matter, business is business. Listening never hurt anyone. Not listening, on the other hand, can be ruinous, especially if she makes a similar offer to my competition. Not having heard what she has to say could be very bad.
“And how’s that?”
“Let’s just say, Daddy’s been looking to partner with the right person for a venture that’s right up your alley.”
“Not going to say more?”
“Have dinner with me?”
I might not know a lot about women, seeing I haven’t had very many relationships, but I’m not blind to when a woman is interested as if she wears a neon blinking sign saying as much.
“As I told you before, I’m not interested.”
“Yeah, I get it. I may not like it, but I get it. That engaged woman holds all the cards.”
“She doesn’t,” I deny.
“Doesn’t she, though? But again, I’m not desperate. There are plenty of other men in town I can play with. Your loss. However, this business idea can be your gain.”
My life is in order, and I can take care of my family. Still, before I was forced into this life, I had dreams. She could hold the key to opening doors for me. It isn’t like I had much to do tonight besides go home and want a woman I can’t have.
“How about drinks?” I offer.
“Fine, drinks work.”
She heads for her car. “The paperwork?” I call to her.
“Bring it tonight. Text me where you want to meet since you know this town better than me.”
Her car is drivable. The part that needs replacing still works. It’s just worn and on its last leg of life. Heading back, I find Dana in the doorway with a huge grin on her face.
“What the fuck, Dana?”
Her face is smug, and she damn well knows I’m talking about how she sent Jenna to find me.
She shrugs, trying to look the picture of innocence. “She was looking for you.”
“And you wanted her to think something was going on with Lexa and me. Real mature.”
I scoot by her, making sure I don’t touch her, which pisses her off. Good.
“You’re too good for both those prissy bitches.”
“But I’m good enough for you.”
Glaring at her, part of me wishes she were a guy, so I could punch some sense into her and we could be done with this. But she’s not a guy. So I have to sit and take it.
“Maybe, better than those two. They don’t know you.”
“Obviously, you don’t either,” I grit out. Finally, she backs down and looks away. “If you can’t deal with the fact that you and I are through, you’re going to have to find another job. And if you want to sue me for sexual harassment or whatever else you can dream up, do your worst.”
Turning away from her, I make for the small back office and slam the door shut. I have no idea if she’ll be there when I emerge, but for the first time ever, I don’t care. I was honest with her from the beginning. And she fucking said she was okay with it. Slamming my fist on the desk, I sit at my chair, knowing I have a whole lot of hours I need to put in to get today’s work done. There is no way I should work on anyone’s car at the moment, not with the mood I’m in.
It takes forever to find inventory online. I pick up the phone to place a call to a parts store on James Island to confirm they have the part I need in stock, when my phone rings in my hand.
“Hey.”
“Brandon, honey. How are you?”
I love my mother, but today isn’t the day for her shit.
“I’m good, Mom. How about you?”
“Great,” she says with false cheer. “Look, I hate to bother you, but I’m in a jam.”
I can already hear the sounds of an old-time cash register as the till opens again and again, my money blowing out with a breeze.
“How much do you need?” I say, feeling tired and defeated.
“You know you’re the greatest son.”
“Don’t forget Braedon.”
“I could never. He’s my heart,” she says.
And what I am, your bank? But I say nothing. I listen to her latest tale of woe and transfer the money on my phone app. I got her an account with my name on it so I could easily give her money without the hassle of going to the bank.
Just as I hang up, the phone buzzes again.
“Ears burning,” I say to my little brother.
“No, why’d you say that?”
Braedon has made his opinions on the Bank of Brandon who bleeds money to dear old Mom. So I keep the call to myself.
“No reason. What do you need?”
He’s got something on his mind because he doesn’t question me further.
“I wondered when you were coming home?”
Closing my eyes, I can anticipate his next request. “Not sure, why?”
“Well, I thought about inviting a few friends over.”
Great. A few means a party. He’s young, in college. Get a grip, I tell myself. He’s living the life you didn’t. Don’t begrudge him that.
“Yeah, okay, I’ll figure something out.” And stay away, I don’t add. “But don’t destroy the house.”
His relief is audible.
“You’re the fucking best.”
Of course, I am, I think as the call ends. It’s the second time I’ve heard that today. And suddenly, I feel very claustrophobic. I have to get out of my office, and fast. Standing, I’m not sure what I’ll find. Will Dana have left destruction in the wake of her departure? Or is she still around? And what do I hope for?
Eighteen
Jenna
After I leave Brandon’s, I start wondering, what next? I really need a girls’ night out or something. This has been a shit day. So I grab my phone and call my brother.
“Hey, sis, what’s up?” he answers.
“Do you and Sam have plans tonight?”
“No, why?”
“Can I borrow your wife?”
He laughs. “She’s her own person, Jenna. You’ll have to ask her that. But what’s going on?”
“Oh, God, Ben. It’s been a rough day.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Kenneth and I are over,” I say, but I rush to add, “But don’t mention this to Mom and Dad. They don’t know yet.”
“Shit.”
“Exactly.”
“I don’t have to tell you what Mom’s going to say, do I?” he asks.
“Uh, that would be a big no.”
Ben is quiet for a long moment. Then he asks, “Will you tell me what happened?”
I give him a brief rundown, but quickly add, “Just know I’m not broken-hearted.”
Ben sighs into the phone, and it makes a whistling sound. “I need to ask you something. Does this have anything to do with the guy that has those tats?”
“Not a thing. Now, may I talk with Sam, please?”
His wife gets on the phone, and we plan to meet at seven. Then I call Cate back, and she’s up for a girls’ night out, too. Nice. I’m on my way to forget-this-all-happened-ville. But am I? Because the man who I really want to see, the one with the tats who Ben mentioned, occupies a large part of my brain. And I’m afraid that forgetting this all happened isn’t what I want to do, because it gives me my out. What I want to do is look into his gorgeous pale blue eyes while he fucks me silly.
All afternoon I worry about what I’m going to tell my parents. And I have to tell them something soon because my mother wants to plan the wedding and go dress shopping already. Tomorrow at Sunday dinner! Yes, that’s when I’ll tell them. Ben and Sam will be there for moral support. I’ll spring it on them during the fried chicken and mashed potatoes. How can they possibly get angry with me when munching on a mouthful of that scrumptious stuff? Right, Jenna. Mom will probably choke, and then you’ll have to administer the Heimlich maneuver.
When I get to Drew’s pare
nts’ house to pick up Cate, I’m a wreck. Drew walks Cate to the car, and when he sees me, he winks. “I heard what happened.” His chuckle doesn’t make me feel better, especially since Cate pinky swore.
Cate jumps in to add as though she’s read my mind, “I had to tell him, Jenna. Husbands don’t count on pinky swears.”
Groaning, I say, “Oh, God. Don’t say a word to anyone. I don’t even know how I’m going to tell my parents.”
Drew’s expression reflects his surprise. “They don’t know?”
My stomach twists like a knotted rope. “No,” I whine. “I’m afraid of what my mom will say.”
“You sound like you’re twelve,” Drew chides.
“Tell him, Cate.”
Cate nods. “You have no idea, Drew. This was probably going to be more Jenna’s mom’s wedding than anyone’s.”
Drew rubs his chin thoughtfully. “She didn’t seem that way to me.”
“She is,” I tell him.
“The next time you decide to get married, maybe you should elope,” he suggests.
“Oh, my, God!” Cate practically screams.
“What?” Drew asks.
“Her mom would keel over dead. She can’t do that. This is Julia’s only daughter and her chance to show her off.”
Drew only shrugs. “This stuff is way too complicated for me.” He glances at Cate. “When you and I got married, we didn’t have to worry about this stuff.”
“Well, we had other things to consider,” Cate says.
“Yes, but it didn’t seem this complicated.”
Tired of this conversation, I say, “Come on, Cate. Tell lover boy goodbye. We need to meet Sam. Remember?”
“Right. Bye, honey. I won’t be too late.”
“I know. You’ll be yawning before too long,” Drew remarks.
“If that’s the case, you’ll be catching an Uber home,” I say.
“That’s okay. I’d rather not disturb your girls’ night out.” She climbs into the car after a long kiss with her man, and we head downtown.
Sam is walking toward the door from the other direction when we arrive. We all hug, and she asks how I’m doing.
One Wrong Choice (A Cruel and Beautiful Book Book 3) Page 12