by D. M. Burns
If I could set aside my anger long enough to get drunk, I wouldn’t be able to function for a month, facts. Every knock on that wooded divider pounded in my head like a grandfather clock echoing out a countdown to a colder time to come where she’s not going to be around. I felt like shit but for the life of me couldn’t bring myself to open the entry and face her, or the facts. She’s with him. The sun shines on borrowed time now. Feeling this way only makes me as selfish as that asshole brother of mine, shit.
Begrudgingly, I had hoped that he’d have insight for a happily-ever-after with Brea. Fishing for anything that resembles a positive outcome for her future. But I saw the miserable indecision move in over his features when I asked. He has no fucking clue what’s to come. Neither of us does. All I do know is that it’s not good. I feel that shit. He feels it too. It’s in the air all around us. Choking us with an invisible noose tied around each of our necks.
My future previews don’t hold a role for her anymore. Hell, I’ve seen glimpses of Brogan and even his redheaded sidekick assclown but no sighting of Brea. Her presence has been removed altogether, void. It’s like she’s been cut from filming and her character was killed off. Gritting my teeth, I brush my hand over my shirt trying to tamp down the anger in my chest cavity.
All of my candles have been burned through thanks to my multiple temper tantrums. My anger needs an outlet. The housekeeper is on the way to replenish my stock and clean my place now. I’ve had my time to wallow. Anything past this point is unhealthy and I can’t allow myself to continue on like this.
It’s evident that Brogan’s selfish ass loves her; I get it. Fuck, do I ever. Hell, even I can see that and under normal circumstances, I’d wish them well. This is anything but normal and the result only ends in loss, period. I’ve swallowed the situation capsule but I’m having a hard time digesting the potency of the dosage. Shit…
Bottom line, Brealyn chose him and at some point, I’m going to have to push past this if I want to salvage our relationship. Contrary to my asshole brother’s opinion, I treasure my friendship with her. And unlike him, I don’t do well with grudges or at least not where she’s concerned. It’s time to pull my head out of my ass. It’s time to see my sunshine.
Maybe seeing Brea and clearing the air will calm my anger. That woman tends to have that effect on me. If my frustration fades away, then I can attempt to get drunk which would be a welcomed relief right about now. Plus, I have a tingling sensation in between my balls and asshole that’s telling me I can have a little fun in a medieval way with this. My smile grows and I move my ass for the door. Let’s see how bad I can piss the Wallstreet God off, little prick.
chapter 15
Brealyn
Jerking the door open my eyes go wide at the sight of my overgrown grizzly bear. My smile stretches wide as I jump from the spot and hug Channing’s beefy cutup frame like my life depends on it. He picks me up off the floor and squeezes me in a familiar bear hug. Then I remember I’m ticked off at him and I reach under his arm trying to pinch him, but his rock-hard biceps botch my attempt.
“I missed you too, sunshine.” He whispers into my neck.
“It’s been months you big butthole.” My voice sounds raspy and my eyes start to blur. “I’m so mad at you but so darn relieved to see you that I’m going to let all that go.” I hiccup and he pulls back looking down at me. I feel like a midget in his arms.
“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again, yeah?” He swipes at my leaking eyes and I nod my head.
“Mkay, come on in.” My eyes go on a hunt for Mr. M’s food when I catch the smell. I see a brown bag sitting beside Channing’s feet and I point at it. “Is that for us?”
“You know I’m going to feed you.” He winks at me. “It’s payback for all the cupcakes you brought by my place each week.”
“Believe me, I picked up my strawberry shortcake fav’s each time. National Lampoon’s Vacation just came on too.” I grab his hand and pull him into my loft.
“Shit, that’s a classic too.” He chuckles. “I’m beginning to think you just like Chevy Chase.” He says.
“Yelp, you’re onto something there. Now, what’ve you been doing?” I ask as I grab paper towels and two bottles of water then march back around to our normal position on the couch.
“Getting acclimated to the idea of you and my baby brother, sunshine.” He shrugs his shoulder. I knew he wouldn’t beat around the bush but I also knew he’d forgive me. It was just going to take a little time.
“Uhm, I’m really sorry.” I fall down onto my spot on the couch, set our waters down, and roll of paper towels down. Channing plants his oversized butt next to me and bumps into my shoulder.
“No, you’re not but I get it.” He turns and smirks at me while digging through the paper bag setting our food on the coffee table.
“Uhm, well… I’m not sorry that I’m with Brogan but I never wanted to hurt you, ever. You’re one of my best friends.” I whisper. “I’m very much sorry for hurting you.”
My eyes cast down to my yoga tights and I rub the silky material. He places his finger under my chin bringing my eyes back to his gunmetal glare. His facial structure is so profound and etched out. He’s really a beast of a man. A true show to the Creed bloodline and God’s talented design work. His rusty red streak is more noticeable and I reach up and run my fingers through it. He gives me a sideways smirk.
“Normally you keep the sides of your hair cut so short that it’s not noticeable but I like it.” I smile.
“Are you happy, sunshine?” His eyes bounce between mine and I nod frantically.
“Now, I am,” I answer him honestly. “Without you coming around, I felt like I was missing a very significant part of my family.” I shrug.
“Well, I won’t make that mistake anymore.” He says.
“You promise?” I ask.
“Swear to Christ, never again.” He brushes his hand over my cheek, and I feel the tears welling up again. Darn it.
“Okay, okay.” I fan my face to keep the waterworks at bay.
“Where is the Wallstreet God anyway?” Channing arches his brow.
“Taking care of a few things back at his penthouse,” I say.
“Figured I’d be coming to see you at BC Towers. I can’t believe he hasn’t moved you in yet.” Channing wiggles his eyebrows at me, and I shake my head no.
“He has asked, and that place is super beautiful but also kinda creepy and anyway, I like my place. Can’t beat the downstairs cooking, yeah?” I giggle.
“Amen to that.” He smirks.
“What are you doing next week?” I ask. He shrugs his shoulders and eyeballs me.
“Nothing planned out yet, why?”
“Well, you wanna go to Greece?” I smile wide and Channing’s head falls back as he laughs out loud filling my loft up with that magical sound.
I’ve got work to do with these two Creed men in my life. But I’m going to need Channing present so I can fuse the sibling sandwich back together. It’s going to happen. Brogan’s going to kill me, but I’ve got a plan.
“Sure, why not?” He says. I take my invisible marker and check off my first box on my brotherly repair list. He tosses my food out in front of me and points to too. “Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
“I’ve really missed you,” I say.
“Missed ya too, sunshine.” He bumps his arm into mine. I smile knowing that everything is going to change for the better.
When I hear a commotion and angry voices bouncing off the walls, I groan in protest as I sit up on the couch rubbing my eyes while trying to stir myself to consciousness. As I blink through the sleepy fog, I focus on Brogan pushing aggressively at Channing’s chest in the direction of the door.
“Baby brother, we fell asleep watching a movie. No big deal.” Channing chuckles. He looks back at me with a wink. I smirk at him. The twinkle in his eyes tells me that he’s loving every minute of this. Jesus, these two are a mess.
“You keep your god da
mn hands to yourself, asshole.” Brogan’s entire body is strung tight and I know I need to intervene. I swing my legs off the couch walking over to him. He automatically wraps his arm around me pulling me into his side like a sheltered child. “Friendzone, fucker. Get familiar with that territory. Know the rules. NO TOUCHING.” Brogan barks out while points his finger at Channing in a menacing manner.
“Hey, you… It’s not like that.” I whisper. I’m sorta scared of my boss man right now, but I can’t let him tear into Channing.
“That’s unnecessary, butterfly. You don’t have to be scared of me. It’s this asshole who should be taking the hint. He doesn’t know where to draw the line.” Brogan grates out.
“Come on, BRO.” Channing laughs out loud as he moves over to the door. “And here I thought we made some good progress today.” He tilts his head to the side and uses his fingers to draw out an imaginary heart in the air then blows Brogan a kiss. I hear Brogan growl. “I’ve got to head home and get packed anyway.” Channing opens the door then looks back to me with a huge smile on his face. “Greece is going to be so much fun especially now that I get to hang out with the Wallstreet God.” He chuckles as he continues out closing the door behind him.
“Hold up a god damn minute,” Brogan shouts but it’s too late. Channing is already on the other side of the door. Brogan brings those ice white eyes to me and I smile wide. “What’s he talking about, Brealyn.”
“Uhm… Well, I sorta invited him. Was that the wrong thing to do?” I fumble with my hands and one of Brogan’s eyes actually twitches. I reach up and run my fingers lightly over it. “I figured it’d be okay since you already said Tamera could come, right? They can keep each other company.” His head falls back and the groan that leaves his chest sounds tortured.
“I don’t want to kill her, but that asshole is a different story. Not happening.” He growls. “Shit.”
“Come one, it’ll be fun. You’ll see. You said that mega house has over twenty rooms and ridiculously huge. We’ll probably never even see them.” I shrug.
“You know that bastard will seek you out just to piss me off, right?” He looks back down at me and shakes his head while brushing his hand over his jaw. I go up on my toes and kiss him then back it up with a wink.
“Please… I think Channing and Tam are secretly into each other. Let’s do this cupid thing with them together.” I wiggle my eyebrows and giggle.
“Jesus… Does he know that your friend is coming?” Brogan asks and I smile wide while shaking my head no. “You set this shit up, huh?” I nod while laughing. “This shit should be interesting. You’re something else, you know that?”
“Yeah…” I wrap my arms around him.
“If he pisses me off and goes missing, you’re my alibi.” He smirks. Wow, that was much easier than I thought it’d be.
“I got your back, boss man.”
“So, what are we going shopping for? I mean, I have everything that I need. Ya know, bath suits and more bathing suits.” I ask.
Brogan’s been a little moodier ever since he found out I did the sneak attack invite with Channing. He wanted it to just be us and I get it. But I have really good reasons for what I’m doing. In time, he’ll understand.
Brogan steers me forward as we move through the busybodies on the sidewalk. The summer weather is absolutely gorgeous. Which calls for fewer clothes and people tend to be in happier spirits. Well, happier than the normal New York cold climate, cut and gut you attitudes.
Everything has come to life. It’s vibrantly popping out all around in various colors. Thriving and detected in the sweet smells of summer all around. It breezes by with the scent of flowers blooming all around. All the eateries with sidewalk seating have their decorations beautifully done with multiple tables and packed out customers waiting to be feed. I inhale deeply and catch all the goodness from the open door of the corner pastry shop in passing. It’s my favorite time of the year, hands down.
We’re on our way to go shopping at the Prada playhouse and the Chanel cash corner. I’m completely thrown by some of the prices I looked up online and one hundred percent out of my comfort zone. Brogan, however, didn’t miss a beat when I brought it up. His response was quick when he said for me not to worry with it. Does he even realize how uncomfortable all of this makes me?
I get the fact that he’s used to this lifestyle and he’s earned that right. Brogan is a smart and ruthless businessman, but I don’t like feeling as though I’m digging into his pockets. I don’t care how deep they might run. This Greece trip alone is pricey and so very much appreciate but dang.
I tried to argue that I have everything I could possibly need considering my new wardrobe still has half the tags on them. Which I know he’s fully aware of considering he “secretly” purchased it. Not to mention, the total price tag for said closet gear costs more than the building structure that I live in, but he waved my arguments off. Dismissing them all together. It’s kinda sweet that he wants to take me shopping but it’s overwhelming.
“You might see something you want and if so, I want to make that happen. Plus, you’ll more than likely need more than just a bathing suit, baby. There’s nothing more I’d love then to have you to myself but there will be company, remember? If you call the bastard brother and friend, we could bypass clothes altogether.” He looks down at me and winks.
“Maybe if you had explained it like that to begin with then I might’ve kept my big mouth shut but Tamera is so excited. Plus, Channing won’t admit it, and neither will you, but I know you guys are curious about each other.” I bump into his shoulder and he shakes his head.
“You’d be wrong, baby.” He says. “I’m just curious to see his face when he figures out that you’ve pulled a slick ass playdate on him.” He chuckles.
Before I have time to respond or focus back on where I’m going, I run into a familiar face. “Oh, my goodness, Mrs. Sims… How are you?” I wrap my arms around my little old employer’s neck and hug her tightly as she returns the sentiment.
“Oh, dear… My sweet Brea. How have you been doing beautiful girl?” I pull back and smile wide as her gaze cuts from me to Brogan.
“I’ve been great and you? I’ve thought of you often and wondered how all of you were.” I say.
“Sweet girl, I’m doing well. I miss Harold every day but that’s a part of life. It just goes to show that our love is still very much alive even though he’s gone.” She smiles sweetly and my heart hurts for her. I miss Mr. Sims too, every day. They were my New York adopted grandparents.
“Oh, let me introduce you to my boyfriend.” I turn to Brogan who’s lock jawed and the flexing motion is popping out an SOS. It looks painful in nature. What the ever-loving heck? “Uhm, this is Mrs. Sims. Mrs. Sims this is Brogan Creed.” I smile wide then say, “I used to work for her and her husband at Crossover Financial. Remember, I told you all about them on our first date?”
“Oh my… You… It’s you.” Mrs. Sims wraps her dainty little hand around her neck while pointing her other finger out at Brogan accusingly and her voice is full of animosity. My eyes bounce between the two of them. Brogan’s icy eyes turn to me.
“We’ve come across each other through prior business dealings…” Brogan’s voice is a hushed whisper, but Mrs. Sims cuts him off.
“Is that what you call it, young man? Just because you paid everyone off for confidentiality purposes and to save yourself some bad press, it didn’t keep your secret safe from me. You think I don’t know who you are? You can’t buy respect or honor, Mr. Creed. That’s something that is earned. And I know all about you. You’re the reason why my husband’s health declined and I hope you live well with yourself knowing that you gave a wonderful, hardworking man full of integrity a nice shove into an early burial.”
“Oh, no… Mrs. Sims, this is some kind of mistake.” I try to intervene, but her eyes come back to me and she grabs my hands urgently pulling me into her. For a woman in her seventies, her strength is somewhat surprising.<
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“You’re a good girl Brea and I love you dearly. That’s why I want you to know that man is pure evil and undeserving of your kind heart.” Her eyes move back to Brogan, who has yet to utter another word, then she looks back to me and continues, “And it’d do you best to run my dear.”
With that, she walks away. My mouth is gaping open and the tears well up in my eyes as I turn back to Brogan. I slowly shake my head back and forth, waiting, expecting, imploring him to deny it. I told him about Crossover and my love for the family I worked for.
Brogan looks down to the ground, hands tucked into his pants pockets, and I know without a doubt that Mrs. Sims was telling the truth as she saw it. I look at this man, really look at him. No smoke screens. Seeing him for who he truly is. Even after that sidewalk showdown all I see is the man I love.
“Oh, Jesus… Brogan, no.” I whisper out in shock and disbelief.
“Listen, baby…” He reaches for my hand, but I step back.
“I told you all about them. I told you how much I loved them. You even asked me why I didn’t work for them anymore as if you didn’t already know. It was because of you. Oh, God… You put all those people out of a job. All of my friends… Mr. Sims was so upset, and he only wanted what was best for his workers… Oh, Brogan-Jesus.” I go to walk off but spin back around abruptly and point my finger at him then say, “You knew this whole time and never said a word. But I have one word for you… HONESTY.”
Brogan simply continues to stare at his shoes and I literally want to kick him in the balls. As if on cue, he takes a step back. Mind reading ASSHOLE. His head snaps up to me. I swipe at the angry tears that have finally tipped over and streaked down my face. Since I know he heard me loud and clear there’s no sense in saying it out loud. I whip myself around heading back to my loft hoping he’s smart enough not to follow me.