The Heart Series: Complete Boxed Set

by King, C. M

  Chapter Two

  “Elijah, is that you?” Brianne asked, her voice breaking the deadly silence as I walked through the front door.

  “Yep, were you expecting anyone else fabulous to enter the building?” I smiled at my own brand of humour. I always was good with the witty one-liners. I was quite the pro when it came to it.

  “Well, Bradley Cooper would be better,” she retorted.

  The cheek!

  But she did have a point, the things I could do to Bradley Cooper. I could feel my body stirring just at the thought.

  Her smile dropped the moment I walked through into the lounge. My face already becoming more swollen, even talking hurt, not that that it would ever stop me.

  “Fuck, Elijah, what happened to your face?”

  “Oh you know walked into another damn door.” My eyes quickly dropped from hers before she caught me out on one of my lies. They were the biggest giveaway.

  “More likely a fist. God, that looks nasty. Here, let me grab some ice.” She headed into the kitchen to put an ice pack together. I slid off my jacket, quickly hanging it up, and tossed my bag onto the chair. I winced sitting down, feeling the pain surge through my jaw as I tried to move it.

  “Stop it, you’ll make it worse. Here put that against it, it will help to bring the swelling down. Do I even need to ask who it was?” She pursed her lips waiting for a reply.

  “I told you it was a door,” I protested, but I knew it was to no avail.

  She rolled her eyes at my lame attempt to lie. “And I’m a monkey’s uncle. I swear I will chop that boy’s bollocks off and wear them as earrings next time I see him.”

  “Eww, thanks for the disgusting visual,” I added sarcastically. I really didn’t need that thought in my head right now.

  “I mean it, Elijah, if he so much as touches a hair on your head again, I will have him.” I was certain she would. God, I loved my feisty cousin. She was like a lioness protecting her pack, no one could hold her back when one of her own had been attacked.

  “B, you can’t fight all my battles. I know you think you can, but this one I’ve got to handle myself.” I frowned at my own words, I was trying to be strong, but even I knew they held no conviction.

  “Hey, come on, how about we have a Sex and the City marathon? I can make Cosmos, and we can dress up.” B grinned and her eyes flashed with excitement as she headed into the kitchen, she knew my Sex and the City weakness; I loved that show. I’d seen it about a million times but each episode it just got better.

  “I swear you know me too well, lady, but I want to be Carrie so I get to wear the fabulous hat and corsage neck piece.” I stressed, following close behind.

  I was Carrie to a tee, I lived for fashion.

  “Fine, but how come I end up being Samantha?” She pouted, pulling out the glasses and bottles as she began to make the cocktails for us both.

  I laughed. “If the shoe fits, honey.”

  “Hey, I can’t help it if guys are immune to me. I have that vibe they just can’t resist,” she protested.

  I scoffed at her reply.

  Oh purlease.

  “Yeah, it’s called opening those legs.”

  “Elijah,” Brianne barked.

  I rolled my eyes at her over the top response. “What? You know it’s true.”

  “Well, a girl has to do a little sampling before she finds the right guy.”

  I snorted at her reply. “Yes, Samantha, you keep telling yourself that.” She was such a tart, and she knew it.

  “It’s not like you’re innocent here,” Brianne fumed, enraged by my comments.

  Oh hell no.

  “Listen, B, I can count on one hand how many guys I’ve been with, but you’d need a phone directory.”

  “Cheeky bitch,” she retorted.

  “Miaow, have I touched a nerve?”

  I had definitely touched a nerve.

  “Well there’s no way you’re being Carrie now, I’m going to make you Charlotte for being so judgemental,” she huffed, striding back into the other room with both drinks in hand and I scowled. I was no Charlotte.

  “But Carrie wears the fabulous clothes, she’s a risk taker. Charlotte is so straight, and I’m not exactly like that, sweetie. Carrie is more my vibe, pretty please? After today I need to wear the hat,” I protested walking back through, sticking out my lip for dramatic effect.

  “Only if you quit being so judgey, no more talk about my legs always being opened.”

  “Consider the subject closed. See what I did there?” I winked for added effect.

  She stuck out her tongue in retaliation. “Ha bloody ha, now if you’re finished dissecting my sex life, please feel free to hit the play button.”

  “Yes, madam.” I saluted, grabbing the remote, eager to start.

  “And hand me my Cosmo.”

  “What did your last slave die of?” I scowled. She was so damn lazy.

  “He lost his life for answering back.”

  I rolled my eyes at her remark but relented and hit play. We could carry on like this all night, and I had a Sex and the City marathon I needed to get through.

  * * *

  “What do you think of Big?” I asked, my eyes never leaving the screen. I’d always had a thing for him, wondering if he lived up to his name.

  “Heck, I’d do him.” Brianne laughed. Tell me something I didn’t already know.

  “Well I kind of like him. He’s a little old fashioned, he’s mysterious but in a good way, and he’s intriguing. I’m always happy when he makes an appearance.”

  “So is Carrie.” She snorted.

  “Well that’s because she loves him. I want that too, to fall hard and deep.” I frowned at my own words. Would I ever find a love like that?

  “Oh you’ll find it, I’m sure. Me, I’m still trying them out for size.”

  I paused the show, turning to face her. “What like Goldicocks?”

  She grinned widely. “Oh, you bitch, but I’ve got to give you a high five for that one.”

  “And I will accept that high five and raise you a fist bump,” I retorted, holding out my hand to begin.

  “God, we are so lame.” Brianne rolled her eyes and I smiled.

  “Who cares? I love you, B, you are my bitchy ray of sunshine.”

  Her eyes narrowed at my remark. “Oh you’re going to make me cry.”

  “Oh purlease ice queens can’t cry.” There was more chance of a pig flying by the window than Brianne shedding a tear.

  “Oh I’ll just leave it to you drama queens.”

  “Touché.” I grinned. I loved her bitchy retorts.

  “Fist bump for the smart reply.” She raised her fist for me to meet with mine; she always did like some sort of praise when she managed to outwit me. After bumping, she bowed.

  “Why, thank you.”

  Seriously?

  “I think you’re overmilking it now.” She really was.

  Her eyes met with mine. “Well I’ve got to celebrate these rare moments. I have to take good of them when the opportunity arises.”

  “Okay, B, I’ll let you have your moment, but first get me a refill. I need it to numb the pain.” I winced as another pain shot through me. God, I was in agony, but I was more scared of the fish lip I’d be sporting, I could feel it swelling by the minute.

  “How is the face?” she asked frowning, staring intently.

  “Hurts like a bitch, but I’ll be fine.”

  “Do you need more ice?” She moved to go grab some, but I needed way more than ice to escape the pain.

  “No, just alcohol.” I just wanted to forget, for a moment not to have justify my sexuality, it was their problem not mine. I guess those small-minded people would always take issue with how others led their lives, but I was not about to be dictated by a bunch of homophobes how I should live mine.

  “Here you go.” B handed me the glass with a smile. I couldn’t help but grin back as I felt the alcohol begin to take full effect. This was what I neede
d, what I yearned—the escapism, the freedom, the ability for a short time just to forget.

  Chapter Three

  “How about this one?” B asked holding up a hideous dress. I was surprised we were even related, her taste in fashion left a lot to be desired but this one was just nasty, I was seriously questioning whether was she actually blind.

  “B, please, you are killing me, if you want to look fabulous at this party tonight then this dress is not the answer. Put it back on the rail. Come on, we need to head somewhere that is less hooker chic.”

  “God, Elijah, you are such a bitch.” She scowled and pouted at the same time, giving her the fish lips look that seemed to be all the craze.

  “I wear my bitch tag well.” I stuck my tongue out and grabbed her by the arm, we were off somewhere more dignified where the majority of the fabric wasn’t 99% nylon and could go up in flames within seconds of striking a match.

  Two streets up I found the perfect boutique, it had a mixture of new and retro dresses. Within seconds, I found a sexy little number for B. It was black and showed off just a hint of her ample chest but highlighted her long legs to perfection, even she was impressed, and this girl normally took hours of convincing.

  “Hmm, I like the dress, but it could be a little lower in the chest—” she mused, smoothing down the material attempting to push up her breasts.

  “Seriously a lady only reveals so much skin, either boobs or legs.” Did she not know the basic rules of fashion? But then again this was B.

  “What if I want both?”

  Oh sweet lord, always wanting more, some things never change.

  “Please, B, have a little class for once, you don’t have to have those boobs out every freaking day.” They were more on display than bloody Big Ben. I was tired of averting my eyes every time she moved.

  “I don’t—”

  What planet was she on? “Trust me, you do, I’m the one who has to look at them.”

  She scowled at my complaint. “Well, any other guy wouldn’t be complaining.”

  I had to take the more abrupt approach if I were ever to get her to see sense. “Don’t you want to find Prince Charming? Well, you’re not going to if the guys eyes are super glued to your chest!”

  “I like the attention they give me,” she protested, staring at herself in the mirror pushing out her breasts, to emphasise them further.

  “I know you are an attention whore.” She really was, she craved it wherever she went. Unless all eyes were on her, she was not a happy bunny.

  “Takes one to know one,” she retorted, sticking out her tongue.

  “Purlease, at least I do it with class.” Which was not a word I would associate with B. I gave her the puppy dog eyes. I wanted her to try something new to take a step up from the trashy chic style she currently sported.

  “Okay, okay, I’ll buy the dress, just get off my back.” She held up her hands in defeat and I grinned.

  “See I knew my persuasive ways would wear you down in the end.” I always had a way of talking people ’round to my way of thinking.

  “You are the queen of nagging.”

  Yeah, I’d give her that.

  “Girl, you got off lightly and you know it. Now let’s find some shoes and then we’re off to get ready, my favourite part.” I clapped my hands excitedly, but I was too ecstatic to care. Brianne rolled her eyes at my overly enthusiastic ways.

  “Elijah, we have like three hours till the party, there’s plenty of time for that.”

  “But you know that I . . .”

  “How about we hit up Starbucks? They just hired a new guy, and I am in love.”

  Now that had my attention.

  “Sexy guy?” Sexy guys and shopping were always something guaranteed to stop me mid-sentence.

  “Hello, do I do any other?” She was right of course. I’d yet to see her with an ugly guy; she was particularly choosy in that way. I’d had some major crushes on the long list of guys she had banged. Of course she’d told me every detail, being two years older she was way more experienced than I was, but the age gap never seemed to bother us, we were like twins, we did everything together. Even as a baby she looked after me. My mother had captured lots of photographs of Brianne caught in motherly poses, happily tending to me. As we grew, the bond between us formed, and to this day she was the only best friend I would ever need. My social circle was small. I had a few friends in Sixth Form at school to hang out with, but at home, B was the one I spent the majority of my time with.

  “Well okay, I suppose,” I huffed, but hell she knew I would jump at any chance to perv on any sexy guys.

  “Like you need much persuading, oh and you’re buying.” She smirked and shot me a wink.

  “Eh, how is that? I’ve paid the last few times.” She really was a cheapskate when it came to paying her way, blowing most of her own money the moment she was paid.

  “E, you made me buy the dress, my budget has totally gone. You have to pay for my cappuccino, because you know this bitch is not happy if she doesn’t get her caffeine fix.”

  Never a truer word spoken.

  “Hmmm don’t I know it, one look says it all.” She was a complete nightmare when she didn’t get her coffee. I’d been witness to it on more than one occasion. When she had her bear head on it was fair to say I kept my distance until the whole thing blew over.

  “Don’t make me unleash the venom,” she replied almost in an evil way, knowing I’d do anything to avoid that.

  “Please keep your poisonous tongue to yourself,” I almost begged.

  “Oh and I want a brownie.”

  My eyes widened at her greedy demands. “Anything else, Your Majesty?”

  “Nothing yet but will think of something later.” She winked, and I knew she’d keep to her word.

  “Queen B, don’t you live up to your name.” I snorted.

  “You got that right, now grab the door, Her Royal Majesty has to make an entrance.”

  Oh she was taking the piss now.

  I swung open the door giving B a shove, she scowled as she tripped slightly, sending daggers my way. I laughed hard at her until I looked up to see a vision of beauty standing before me.

  “Holy shit, is he real or am I hallucinating?” I was practically drooling at the guy stood before me. If I continued any longer they’d have to put up a wet floor sign beside me.

  “Nope, that’s the guy I was telling you about,” B replied nudging me.

  “I think I’ve just died and gone to heaven . . .”

  “Hey, hands off, he’s mine.” B shoved me hard, but I barely moved an inch.

  “Pffttt, dream on, sister, all bets are off until we find out what team he bats for.”

  Let him be gay, let him be gay.

  “I think that would be Team B,” she replied, smoothing down her clothing.

  “Did you just pull your top down?” Oh so it was going down like that.

  “Might have.” She winked, her wicked smile only confirming her very intention.

  “Well, bitch, bring it on.” I was not about to sit back and take this lying down, I was bringing it, all guns blazing.

  Brianne’s eyes flashed to mine. “Bitch is going to, don’t worry.”

  I cracked my knuckles, my eyes never leaving hers. “Okay, show me what you got while I observe from afar.” I made to walk off to pick the perfect table with the best view to witness B in action.

  “Errr, aren’t you forgetting something?” She held out her hand and motioned with her fingers.

  “What?” I asked innocently, knowing fine well what she meant.

  “Err, the money to pay for the drinks.”

  I grabbed the wallet from my back pocket, I was surprised she hadn’t already swiped it. “Ugh here and I want the change, oh and get me a cookie.”

  “Now watch my moves.” She grinned wildly, and I rolled my eyes.

  “I’m counting on you being shot down.”

  I was hoping she was about to be shot down.

&nb
sp; “Like anyone would say no to these.” She hitched her boobs up like they weren’t almost mountainous and I scowled, but if he was batting for my team then they’d be as much use as a chocolate kettle.

  I watched as she strutted over. Did she think this was some kind of catwalk? The guy in question was brunette, his hair was messy in a sexy rocked out of bed look and all six foot of him was hard muscle. Why he was working here was beyond me, but I’d happily spend hours watching him make coffee after coffee. His face lit up and his eyes widened as B walked over. She always did draw attention wherever she went, at five foot nine, long blonde flowing hair and a body that was curvaceous going in and out at all the right places, she was most guys’ dream date. Once she worked her charm along with those sparkling green eyes most guys had no chance, they were gone and boy, did she thrive on that kind of power.

  Fuck.

  But his eyes never dropped down, even when she did that cute little wiggle of hers. Seriously she was shameless. I could hear her fake laughter five tables back as she stood twirling her hair. She was predictable, if anything. I admitted defeat and turned to look out the window. Oh well another one bites the dust.

  She came scurrying over a short while later, eyes bright wearing that same shit-eating smile she wore every time she had a guy eating out of the palm of her hand.

  “So . . .?” I asked, waiting for the last piece of hope to die away.

  She grinned wildly and instantly my hope died. “Oh he’s interested alright, he was shamelessly flirting with me.”

  Lucky bitch.

  But why the hell was I getting all hung up this guy for? Oh because he was hot, and B would rub it in my face at every available opportunity.

  “Sit down and give me all the gossip.”

  I wanted to know everything.

  She gave me that cat that got the cream look while sipping on her cappuccino, deliberately making me wait longer. I narrowed my eyes in a non-impressed way and she grinned, quickly wiping away the foam from her lips. “Well he’s really into sports, he’s training to be a Physiotherapist. I said to him that he could give me a rub down any day and it just kind of went from there.”