Cocky Billionaires: A Contemporary Romance Box Set

by J. P. Comeau

  “Bride, or groom’s side?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. I really don’t.”

  She looked around. “Fifteen minutes!”

  I nodded. “Thank you.”

  Then, I started my search.

  I walked up and down the aisles of the casino. I passed through cigar smoke and men yelling at one another while sitting at poker tables. The smell of rum and vodka and wine-filled the air as women stood against the walls, drinking and giggling with friends. Lights flashed, and people yelled over my head. Someone spilled a drink to my left, and I felt it splatter against my bare leg. I tried not to grimace as I pushed through the crowd while music blared over the loudspeaker system.

  I finally emerged at the bar, ready for a drink myself.

  Until I heard a familiar voice at my side.

  “LaShonda. You’ve had a bit too much to drink.”

  A woman giggled. “Oh, Brenden. You’ve always been so caring, deep down. You’re really not a player, are you?”

  I slowly looked over, and I proved myself wrong. There wasn’t anywhere else I’d rather that man be. His gambling and being drunk would’ve been a beautiful, romantic scene compared to what I saw unfolding at the corner table beneath a light that didn’t work.

  “LaShonda--.”

  “Oh, man. You still cut nice in a suit, Brenden. You know that? Come here. Give mama a kiss.”

  I turned my back to the scene just as she leaned in. I couldn't take it any longer. I had to get out of there. I pushed my way back through the crowd and charged out of the casino. I flagged down yet another cab before I paid him extra to race me back to Brenden’s place. I felt as if I were moving in a fog. An angry fog that kept looming over my head.

  I didn't come to until I zipped up my last suitcase. Alone.

  Just like I’d been from the start.

  “You're an idiot,” I said breathlessly.

  I clutched my heart as I blinked back tears of hatred and regret. Tears of guilt and sadness. Maybe Brenden never was mine to have in the first place. Maybe people didn’t change. Perhaps people simply were who they were, and that was it.

  Maybe he’s exactly the kind of man we think he is.

  I dragged my things down the stairs and toward the elevator. I’d come back for the rest in a week. But, right now, I had to get out of here. I had to leave that place.

  Not before shooting Brenden a text, though.

  One he probably wouldn’t see until after his night with that slut.

  Me: If you wanted to have a good time with LaShonda at the casino tonight, you shouldn't have treated me as if we were in a relationship. I’ll see you in a week for the annulment hearing.

  Then, I reached for the elevator button. Ready to leave his place for good and put that entire shitshow behind me.

  22

  _____

  BRENDEN

  ONE WEEK LATER

  I’ll see you in a week for the annulment hearing.

  My eyes grazed over that line multiple times. I wiped at my phone screen for the thousandth time, wondering if, by wiping at it, I might reveal another part to the text message Kelly sent me a week ago. I’d read it so many times I could repeat it to myself. And I did, multiple times.

  Like, in the shower, when I wanted her there with me.

  Or, in bed, at night as I stared at the ceiling.

  Or, getting ready for some sort of business function where I wanted her at my side.

  “If you wanted to have a good time with LaShonda at the casino tonight, you shouldn't have treated me as if we were in a relationship,” I murmured.

  You’re an idiot, Brenden.

  I leaned back against my chair as I turned my phone off. I slid it back into my pocket and looked up, staring at the empty judge’s bench. Then, I slowly looked over and saw Kelly sitting there, her hands folded in her lap. She wore the most amazing dress: a high-necked, sleeveless black dress with petite pearls around her neck and sensible, close-toed black heels. With her hair piled high, her neck seemed longer. More of an expanse for me to kiss if she’d let me close enough to touch her.

  I knew she wouldn't, though.

  Even though I wanted to tell her how much I loved her.

  “All rise.”

  I stood mindlessly as Judge Asshole made his way to his bench. I stared at the wall as I folded my hands in front of me, ready to get that shit over with. I knew there was no talking to Kelly, no matter how much I wanted to. I wanted to explain myself. I wanted to explain what she really saw in the casino. I wanted to explain to her the real reason why I never left, even though LaShonda came onto me. Because it wasn’t as bad as everyone thought.

  But, I had a reputation.

  So, of course, it looked worse than it already was.

  “You may be seated.”

  I sat back down in my chair, ready to take whatever punishment was dealt. I mean, I’d already lost the woman I fell head over heels for. I couldn't be relieved of much else. Zane wasn’t talking to me because he didn’t want to start arguing about it with his very-pregnant fiancé. Every time I called Clint, all he did was chuckle and tell me how I always had a way of ‘fucking up life.’ While I resolved myself to leaving Kelly alone so things could blow over, that didn’t stop me from sending her exactly twenty-three text messages and leaving twelve voice messages over seven freaking days.

  You’re an idiot and a mess, and she deserves better.

  I hated how right my brain was sometimes.

  “Do either of you have this last week’s summary to turn in?” the judge asked.

  “I do,” Kelly said.

  “Approach.”

  I watched as Kelly walked up to the bench and handed the judge a note. He peered down beyond his small eyeglasses, with his lips downturned into a frown. He harrumphed to himself before looking at me, and I could only imagine what that note said.

  “You know, she’s the only one who turned these in this month,” the judge said.

  I shrugged. “You dictated that only one of us had to file.”

  “So, you made her file all four weeks? You didn’t split the workload or anything?”

  I blinked. “I understand that I’m a selfish man. It’s why she wants out.”

  The judge held up the note. “I’ll read it out loud.”

  Kelly held out her hand. “You don’t have to do that, Your Honor.”

  He cleared his throat. “Judge Johnson. In light of the ruling you made four weeks ago, I can now say with full--.”

  I stood to my feet. “Your Honor, this sounds like it’s of a personal nature--.”

  The judge glared at me. “I want you to hear this.”

  I nodded. “And I understand that. But, it’s obvious to me that Miss Crown is embarrassed at having it read out loud. I won’t allow you to embarrass her. So, if I need to see it, I can read it of my own volition.”

  I felt Kelly’s eyes on me as the judge narrowed his eyes.

  “Let me remind you that you’re in my courtroom.”

  “I understand that, Your Honor. But, the requirement was to turn them in, like they’ve been turned in. There wasn’t a requirement of reading anything out loud.”

  Kelly spoke softly. “It’s okay. He can read it.”

  I looked over at her. “Are you sure about that? Because it doesn’t have to happen. I can call a lawyer within two seconds and have this entire thing--.”

  “Just let him read it so we can get out of here.”

  Her voice sounded so weak. So defeated. So hurt. And I wanted to strangle our judge. But, I stilled my anger long enough to look back at the man. Who, for some reason, was now grinning.

  “All right. What does it say?” I asked as I stared at her.

  He cleared his throat. “Judge Johnson. In light of the ruling you made four weeks ago, I can now say with full capacity that this marriage was a mistake. I thought maybe things could work, but after catching Mr. Brenden Hearthstone with another woman in a casino, I had to leave. I understa
nd if you need to punish me for not living in Brenden’s place for the last week, but I just couldn't be in the same space as him. Not after falling for him and watching him be happy with someone else as if I didn’t exist. I just want to move on with my life after this, and try to find someone who enjoys me in the same way I enjoy them.”

  I didn't take my eyes off her. “Is that really how you feel?”

  She sniffled. “It is.”

  “I need you to look at me and say that.”

  She slowly turned her eyes toward me. “That’s how I feel Brenden.”

  And I saw the sincerity behind her eyes.

  “Care to add anything, Mr. Hearthstone?” Judge Johnson asked.

  I finally turned my attention to him. “I agree that we had something. I agree that your punishment was almost a blessing in disguise. But, I screwed things up. I made a poor choice, I took some wrong turns, and I can see that there’s no getting us back on track. So, if this annulment is what she wants, then I want her to have it. Because all I want is for Kelly to be happy.”

  “You do?” she asked.

  I couldn't stand to look at her. “Just grant us the annulment, Your Honor. This isn’t fair to either of us any longer.”

  He stared at me for a long time before he picked up his gavel.

  “A word of advice?” the judge asked.

  I nodded. “Of course, Your Honor.”

  He peeked over at Kelly. “Women are more understanding than many of us give them credit for. Learn to talk to them, above all else. I hereby grant the aforementioned annulment.”

  Then, his gavel hit the podium.

  I didn’t bother looking over at Kelly. I didn’t bother thanking the judge. All I did was gather my things and walk out. I didn’t give a shit about whatever came next. All I hoped was that Kelly was happy with it. That she found a man that was better than me and could love her more than I ever could.

  I walked mindlessly out of the courthouse and passed by my car. I kept walking down the street, crossing intersections while car horns blared at me. I meandered around, with no end destination, until I found myself standing at a bar.

  “What’ll it be?” the bartender asked.

  I blinked. “A margarita, on the rocks. Sugar on the rim.”

  Kelly’s favorite.

  “I figured I’d find you here.”

  I peered over my shoulder at Zane. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  “I was waiting outside of the courthouse for you since Karina wanted to come pick up Kelly. I saw you walk off, and I was yelling for you. But, I guess you didn’t hear me.”

  “Here you go,” the bartender said.

  I nodded. “Thanks.”

  Zane furrowed his brow. “I’ve never known you to drink tequila.”

  I took a small sip. “Kelly’s favorite.”

  He sighed. “Oh, boy.”

  I bellied up to the bar. “Want a drink? It’s on me.”

  Zane sat beside me. “Nope. It’s on me because I think you need to talk.”

  “Nothing to talk about.”

  “Whiskey, on the rocks, thanks,” Zane ordered. “Now, what’s this about having nothing to talk about even though you’re drinking Kelly’s favorite drink after your annulment with her?”

  Even the bartender whistled underneath his breath. You know, before he started making me another margarita to have on deck.

  I shrugged. “I did something stupid, Clint mocked me for it, and now the annulment is over.”

  Zane turned to face me. “By ‘something stupid,’ do you mean another woman?”

  “I didn’t sleep with another woman if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “That’s exactly what I was asking.”

  I smirked. “Does everyone see me like that? As some playboy who doesn’t have an emotional bone in his body?”

  “Easy to see when that’s all you portray.”

  I threw the rest of the drink back. “Well, there’s more to me. And Kelly saw that. She brought that out in me.”

  “Did you tell her that?”

  “I wanted to tell her more than that, Zane.”

  He sighed. “You got it bad, don’t you?”

  “If you mean I love her? Yeah, Zane. I love Kelly.”

  “Why didn’t you tell her, then?”

  “Because she caught me at a wedding reception with an ex-fling, and things got out of hand.”

  He paused. “I feel like that’s a hell of a story.”

  “It is.”

  “Care to tell it?”

  I reached for my second margarita. “I had lunch with Clint about a week ago and found myself in Lucky 8’s across the street. I just wanted to have a drink and play a few slots, but I had stumbled into a wedding reception before it had started. The bride and groom came in. I’m caught off-guard. Then, I go to leave, and LaShonda’s in my face.”

  “Wait, the LaShonda?”

  “Yep.”

  “The one that wanted to take the rubber ducky and--.”

  I nodded slowly. “Yyyy--ep. And the thing is, we weren’t even up to anything. I mean, she came onto me, but I didn’t accept her advances.”

  “You just stayed at the reception with her?”

  “She was drunk, Zane. I mean, completely plastered even before this thing started. And after I got her to stop hitting on me, she broke down. I mean, just sobbing. The girl was a wreck, Zane, and I didn’t want to just leave her alone like that. So, I sat with her at the bar. I kept ordering her waters to make sure she didn’t get too drunk.”

  “That’s all that happened?”

  I looked over at him. “I swear, that’s all that happened. I kept telling her I had to get her home, or at least make sure she was safe because I had plans that night. I told her all about Kelly, and she was so happy for me. But, I guess Kelly saw us because when I got home and saw she wasn’t there, I checked my phone and had this.”

  I unlocked my phone and showed him the text message before Zane threw the rest of his drink back.

  “I’m gonna need another,” he said.

  The bartender nodded and promptly got to work.

  “So, that’s all that happened,” Zane said.

  I nodded. “You have my word. That’s all that happened. She hit on me. I batted her off. I felt bad that she was drunk at her sister’s wedding reception because I know the feud those two have had their entire lives. So, I sobered her up and finally got her home around eight. I charged back to my place with flowers and a bottle of wine in the hopes to tell Kelly how much I loved her and how sorry I was for being so late. I texted her several times, but they were never delivered.”

  “Do you really love her, Brenden?”

  I sighed. “More than anything on this planet.”

  He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Well, if you love her--I mean, truly love her--then you have to tell her. No matter what her reaction might be.”

  “You think she’ll even listen to me?”

  “I don’t know. Worst case scenario, she shuts you out for good. But, if there’s a best-case scenario that might happen? You better be ready to commit for good. Because I know for a fact that girl is crazy about you.”

  I paused. “Really?”

  “Are you an idiot? Ever since college, asshole. That girl has had nothing but eyes for you since we were teenagers.”

  My back straightened. “I want her, Zane. More than anything. Even if I lose everything. If I’ve got Kelly in my life? Then, I’ve got the world.”

  He smiled. “Love looks good on you, Brenden. But, be ready for anything at this point. Okay?”

  And as I hugged my brother, I knew exactly what I had to do.

  Which is why a plan started forming in my mind immediately.

  23

  _____

  KELLY

  ONE MONTH LATER

  “Now, these are the outfits we’ve outlined for our spring arrivals next year. It comes off the heels of the fall line, and we’ve dragged some elements from o
ur fall line out into the summer. For instance, these boots. While they’re muted tones in our fall line, these same boots have bright, fun-colored prints. Some of them are covered in glitter, while others are draped with flowers. What was a small accessory for the fall is now our biggest item for summer, so it cuts our costs and gives us a trademark piece.”

  Dad nodded. “Customizable boots.”

  I snapped my fingers. “Exactly. That’s what I want my fashion line to be known for. Dad, we’ve got removable, interchangeable heels on the market. There are purses whose outsides you can switch. Shirts that turn inside out. Ties with double sides. But, when it comes to boots? There’s nothing. It’s one shape, one form, one purpose, one color. Every time. I want to change that, and that’s why I’ve outlined two years' worth of fashion debuts. Because I want you to see how this boot evolves over time, the ideas I have for it, and--eventually--how we make them interchangeable and customizable.”

  “And what about that rental space you were talking about?”

  I flipped over the page of my presentation. “So, those numbers we ran earlier? All of the money I’d save on boot prints alone because of the customizable idea would cover my rent for a small business space for the next year. I’ve already got schematics drawn up for it, and it would be my personal office. But, could also double as a--.”

  “Storage facility. Or an advertisement space.”

  I smiled. “Or both.”

  He leaned forward. “If you want to do this boot thing, you’re going to have to come out of the gate doing that. Because if anyone in the business catches wind that it’s what you ‘eventually’ want to do, they’ll do it before you can even get it to manufacturing. You’ll have to scrap the idea.”

  “Which is why I’m actually coming to you for help.”

  He leaned back. “I figured this meeting was a bit off, especially since you wanted to do it yourself.”

  “I know we’ve butted heads in the past. I’m stubborn, but I’m not stupid. I wanted to show you everything that I have in the works because it’s all pinned down. The hard work is done. The clothes are being manufactured for a pop-up debut in a month. I’ve gotten really good deals on places where we can erect a runway for cheap and have modeling friends that I know in the area come walk my clothes for a small audience. Hopefully, filled with bloggers and fashion icons alike.”