The Cruel and Beautiful Series Boxset

by A. M. Hargrove

  When the tears ebb enough for me to speak, I ask, “Is there anything you’re holding back? Anything you’re keeping from me?”

  “No, Cate. I’m telling you everything and will always do that.”

  “Okay. I’m sorry I fell apart.”

  “Why are you sorry? You’re scared. I’m scared. I don’t know how long I’m going to live.”

  “Don’t say that.”

  “It’s true, Cate. But none of us do. Hell, we could die in a plane crash on the way home. Realistically, we won’t, but the fact is we all face death. It’s the circle of life. I see it at work all the time so I think I’m a bit more practical about it than you.”

  “I can’t let myself think that way. You’re young and strong enough to beat it.”

  “That’s what I’m hoping for. But Cate, if I don’t …”

  “Stop it, Drew. I don’t want to hear that.”

  He nods and presses his lips together. I guess he knows I’ve had enough of this talk. We sit for the rest of the night, me on his lap, watching the night sky over the sea. I know this talk is prophetic, or at least it’s Drew’s way of trying to prepare me if the worst happens. Only I don’t let myself get prepared. But I’m not sure anyone really can.

  Twenty-Five

  Present

  The forced smile on my face is plastered there. I remember the times going out with friends who really didn’t want to be with me, but would rather be hanging out with their hot boyfriends. Now I have a hot boyfriend that I’d rather be home with. But it’s okay to hang out with friends, I tell myself. I can practically hear Jenna saying that I don’t have to spend every waking moment with Drew.

  “Cate, what’s wrong? You’ve gone pale.”

  I blink. “Sorry, nothing.”

  I recall I have asked Andy nothing about his health. In fact, I should schedule my annual physical. Survival rate of anything improves the sooner it’s found. Then I chide myself. Andy knows better than the rest of us to take care of himself. I won’t ask him. He’ll think I’m babying him.

  “Cate.”

  I glance up.

  “You’re not even in the room. I’m telling you about Daniel.”

  Her lips pokes out and I feel bad. “Sorry, Mandy. I just have a lot on my mind.”

  “Yeah, that hot doctor. You’ve never really told me about how you know him, where you met. What’s the story?”

  The story…

  “It’s complicated.”

  There is no way I can explain the convoluted nature of our relationship. Mandy, however, folds her arms over her chest and I sigh.

  “He’s from Charleston, like me,” I toss out, like that explains everything.

  She nods and I’m glad she’s accepted the simple truth of Andy and my origins.

  “Obviously things are going well. You’d rather be out with him than me.”

  I open my mouth to protest and a male voice speaks instead.

  “Excuse me.”

  We look up from the leatherette sofa we’ve commandeered to turn to face a man in a suit with dark hair and eyes staring hard at Mandy while leaning on the back of one of the chairs in front of us.

  “Can I buy you ladies a drink?”

  I’m about to say no, but Mandy beats me to it.

  “Yes, yes you can.”

  The wattage on her smile has turned to super nova levels. He’s quite handsome and the way the suit fits him like a glove spells expensive and not off the rack.

  “We’re actually having wine,” Mandy explains.

  The man raises a finger to a waitress walking by. “Can you bring the ladies a bottle of Domaine Vacheron 2012 Les Romains Sauvignon Blanc?”

  Mandy lifts her eyebrow because the wine he’s ordered isn’t cheap, not to mention he rattles if off in perfect French. Then again, the bar and lounge Mandy has chosen is frequented by nearby professionals and up and coming lawyers. He takes a seat in the chair that he’d been leaning on. It’s one of two high back chairs on the opposite side of a small table that separates us.

  Unfortunately for me, he glances to the bar and waves over a friend who makes his way over and takes the chair across from me.

  “I’m Jared and this is my friend Scott.”

  Mandy is too pleased and is quick to reciprocate with our names. “I’m Mandy and this is Cate.”

  We exchange nods and Mandy and Jared start to make conversation. It leaves me and Scott to entertain ourselves. Scott is kind of cute. He’s a ginger with a warm smile. Someone I might have dated if I wasn’t already involved. The key words being, I’m involved, and I don’t want to have to explain that to him. It always makes the situation weird because most guys think women use that as an excuse when we aren’t interested.

  “So what do you do?” Scott asks a little awkwardly.

  I’m flattered he’s a little nervous. It only makes him that much cuter, but he’s not Andy.

  “Cate, Mandy.”

  We both glance up to find Daniel. Mandy’s eyes widen before they narrow. I feel a little giddy because this is the distraction I need.

  “Sit and join us.” Then I glance at the two guys ready to make introductions. “This is Daniel and…”

  “Tammy,” the redhead receptionist supplies.

  “And this is Jared and Scott,” I announce.

  There is only a place on the sofa next to me and another chair left in the little grouping. Daniel sits on the sofa and Tammy takes the chair next to Scott. The waitress with superb timing shows up with our wine, so Jared offers them a glass.

  “Guinness, please,” Daniel orders instead.

  Tammy accepts the wine. The waitress is forced to go and get another glass. Jared and Scott order a couple of fingers of Scotch and we all sit there until Mandy blurts out, “Daniel, weren’t you working late tonight? I thought you had a project to complete.”

  Music plays softly in the background, but the few seconds of silence is deafening with Mandy’s accusatory statement.

  Daniel shoots back, “It’s not due until Tuesday. But thanks for your concern. I’m sure my boss will appreciate your diligence in making sure I meet my deadlines.”

  Talk about awkward. Jared and Scott glance away as if not to watch the train wreck happening.

  “So Jared, do you and Scott work together?” I interject, trying to break the tension Mandy and Daniel have created.

  Jared’s face smooths out. He begins to speak about the law firm he works for and a pro-bono case he and Scott just wrapped up. The case is about a girl with a disease that causes bad seizures who would benefit from the use of medical marijuana. Mandy, who practically leans into Jared’s lap, hangs on to his every word.

  I stay quiet because I know how helpful it can be, especially when it comes to pain management and nausea, but there is no way I’m talking about it. I’m sure if Andy were here, he would have a lot to add to the conversation. And with an MD behind his name, they would be hard pressed not to listen.

  Daniel’s jaw is tight and I watch as the tension between the two starts to build again.

  “Isn’t medical marijuana legal in DC now?” Mandy asks.

  Jared nods. “It is. However, this case is across the Potomac in Northern Virginia.”

  Thankfully, that starts a conversation about how everyone feels on the subject. Views strongly vary one way or another and it relieves some of the strain. I’m half listening, but I pull out my phone hoping for a text from Andy. It’s still early and I have nothing.

  Scott makes a move and asks to switch seats with Daniel. I sigh knowing I’m going to have to give him the brush off. I hate doing that. It’s insulting to him and it’s embarrassing for me. I know how hard the dating scene is.

  Just as Scott plants himself next to me, Mandy shoves an elbow in my side. I glare at her until she shifts her eyes somewhere off in the distance. I slowly turn and see what it means. Andy’s friend, the Thor look alike, has just walked in with Mitch tagging behind him. Andy isn’t with them as they sit around on
e of the only free tables left.

  I glance at my phone and try not to let jealous and crazy thoughts muck up my head. There are a number of reasons Andy might not be with them like he said he would be. And I don’t think in a million years he’s cheating on me. So I finish my wine and Scott graciously pours me some more. Points scored for being a gentlemen. It’s too bad I am not on the hunt for someone.

  Scott asks some questions and I oblige him by answering. I even ask him questions to be polite as the legality of marijuana debate continues with the rest of our group.

  “You keep checking your phone. Are you waiting for someone to call?”

  It couldn’t have been a better segue if I had said it myself. Scott’s given me the opening I need to tell him I have a boyfriend without looking like a complete bitch. Only right then, the screen on my phone flashes.

  Andy: You look like you’re having fun. Should I be jealous?

  I glance up and over to Andy’s friends’ table. He’s there smiling in my direction and I feel a grin fill my face as I type.

  Me: No, but if I’m in need of a rescue will you come and save me?

  I glance up intending to look at Andy again but Scott is there waiting patiently for my response.

  “Yes, I am,” I say, just as my phone vibrates again.

  Andy: IDK. I think it’s interesting to watch some guy try and fail to pick up my girl.

  I frantically type another message ignoring Scott completely.

  Me: I’m a nice girl. I may give him a shot on principle. In fact it’s rude of me to text to you while I’m talking to him.

  I make a show of turning off my phone and putting it in my purse.

  “I’m sorry,” I say sweetly to Scott. “That was rude of me.”

  It’s so wrong and unfair to Scott, but it makes me giddy to tease Andy. I’m curious to see what his next move will be.

  “Was it someone important?” Scott asks.

  I opened my mouth and words come out except I’m not saying them.

  “Yeah, sorry man.” His sexy voice makes my spine tingle.

  Andy leans over and snags my hand. He draws me to my feet and up against him. Then he plants the hottest kiss on my lips. People around us start to make lewd comments.

  He draws back, letting his hands slide down my back and over my ass before dropping away.

  “You have to know it’s not nice to tease,” he says in my ear.

  Grinning, I say, “We know the importance your mother places on good manners.”

  He shakes his head. “We can discuss when I get to your place.”

  “Promises, promises.”

  Mandy clears her throat. I turn to the group. “Sorry. Everyone, this is my boyfriend Drew.” I purposefully don’t call him Andy because I know everyone calls him Drew. Then I rattle off everyone’s name and end with Scott who doesn’t seem angry, but maybe a little confused.

  “Are you going to join us?” Mandy asks.

  “I would, but I’m here with friends and Cate’s here with you. She and I will see each other later.” His eyes are dark on mine and I feel the heat smolder between us. I’m sure everyone else feels it too. “However, I am going to borrow her for a second.”

  He glances at Mandy and she nods. Taking my hand, he walks me over to his friends and I get a sober view of Dave.

  “Mitch, you know Cate,” Andy begins. Mitch tips a glass in my direction. “You haven’t yet met Dave. Dave, this is Cate.”

  Dave stands in all his California dreaming glory. His hair is that pale blonde people call sun bleached or the luck of the gene pool. His eyes are a midnight blue or so they look in the dim light of the bar. His chiseled face could easily grace the cover of any magazine.

  His bear hug is brotherly and he looks over my face and pronounces, “I can see why Drew is so smitten with you. I think I could settle down if I found a woman who has your beauty.”

  “You’re too sweet,” I say.

  “So they say,” he says and chuckles.

  His smile is sly and sexy as hell. If I’d been single, I would have drooled all over him.

  “And he’s lying. Dave will never settle—at least not with a chick,” Mitch says offhandedly. Dave glares at him. “Don’t worry. I already told her all about you and your antics.”

  Dave shrugs and sits casually back in his chair.

  Andy shakes his head before kissing me again for good measure. “I should send you back to Scott. He looks like he wants an explanation.”

  A quick glance over and I see Scott’s eyes glance away. I sigh. “I never led him on.”

  “Sure you didn’t,” Mitch says, dragging out the words in a flippant manner.

  “Maybe if you’d get laid you wouldn’t be so grumpy,” I retort.

  Dave snorts and Andy laughs. Mitch only glares at me, so I stick my tongue out at him. Somehow I know I can get away with this, considering what he said to me during our first meeting.

  “She obviously knows you well, my friend,” Dave banters.

  “Oh, yeah. We’re BFF’s. Isn’t that right, princess?” Mitch asks, a smile playing on his lips.

  “You wish, hot shot,” I call back to him.

  Andy taps my butt. “Go get ’em tiger.”

  I shake my head, chuckling, but turn in the direction of my table.

  As the night wears on, Scott is gracious and we end up talking politics, of all things. Daniel and Mandy trade unfriendly stares to the point they don’t notice when Jared starts talking to another girl from our office who has showed up with a few other people. Daniel’s redhead and Scott get in a heated debate about the upcoming election when things start to wind down. I finally stand as our group begins to break apart.

  “Are you ready to go?” I ask Mandy.

  She nods. We wave our goodbyes as Mandy takes a hold of my arm. “You have to introduce me to Thor first,” she says close to my ear.

  I sigh because I know Mandy’s into Daniel and he’s into her. I wave Daniel goodbye as he watches us make our way over to Andy’s table. A few girls are standing there basking in the guys’ hotness. One of them leaves Dave’s side to make her way over to Andy and flutters her eyelashes. It reminds me of my college days when I would sit and watch the hot guys I was with, friend or more, get hit on by waitresses. I tamp those memories down, and bring myself back to the here and now. Before I move to introduce Mandy, she grabs my arm and shakes her head. Now I understand. Considering the PDA display Andy did to me earlier, I assume he’ll forgive me for what I’m about to do next.

  Casually, I step over and turn to conveniently trip and fall into Andy’s lap. I flutter my own lashes and end up blinking a little too hard and start to laugh. “Sorry. I’m such a klutz.”

  Andy chuckles as he has me figured out. With a wide smile, he dips his head to kiss me.

  “Subtle, Cate,” Mitch says.

  Catching a glimpse of the flirtatious girl, I notice she now suffers from fake eyelash paralysis The girl’s fake eyelashes freeze wide open as her face sours.

  “Sorry ladies, we aren’t interested … tonight,” Dave says to the other girls. Out of his mouth, the dismissive words seem thoughtful and sweet. He is good. The women walk away, wondering if they should be offended or flattered.

  “Cate, who is this tasty morsel you’ve brought over for us to sample?” Dave asks with a wink.

  But it’s Mitch’s eyes that are glued to Mandy as if she were the Greek goddess Aphrodite. Interesting.

  “Mandy, this is Mitch and Dave.”

  Mandy barely gives Mitch a passing glance as she beams at Dave. Dave smiles back, looking very used to the attention.

  Daniel walks by and snags Mandy’s shoulder. “Can I talk to you?”

  She nods and holds up a finger for me to give her a minute before she walks away. I can’t imagine being Mandy right now. I’m not sure how all of it will play out considering both Dave and Mitch watch her walk to Daniel. Tammy stands alone looking uncomfortable while the two talk.

 
“Are you going home?” Andy asks.

  I nod. “I’ll see you later, right?”

  Andy doesn’t answer. He turns to his friends. “Dave, Mitch,” Andy says, gaining his friends’ attention. When they shift their eyes, he says, “I’m calling it night.”

  “Don’t blame you. And Cate, if Drew treats you bad, call me. I know how to make it better.” Dave winks.

  I laugh because I can only imagine.

  “Dude, she calls him Andy,” Mitch says with a chuckle.

  If Mitch and I hadn’t patched things up, I might have gotten mad. I know him better now and he uses words like a marine in combat. “Don’t worry Dave, if Drew and I have problems, I know to sic Mitch after him.”

  Mandy walks up then with a shell shocked expression.

  “Are you ready?” I ask cautiously.

  She nods and glances back to Daniel who is busy helping his date get into her coat with his eyes firmly on Mandy.

  “Andy will give you a ride,” I say, because I know he will.

  Mitch, who somewhere in all this has gotten up says, “I’m sure Andy,” he glances at me as his mouth twitches, “and Cate want some alone time. Dave and I can see her home.”

  I silently ask Mandy what she thinks. Her face brightens as Dave saunters over.

  “We’ll make sure she gets home.” When he says it, it sounds salacious.

  “Go on Cate. I’ll be fine.”

  I shake my head. When I turn, Andy has my coat. I get into it as Dave and Mitch give Mandy the princess treatment.

  After we leave, I ask Andy, “Should I be afraid?”

  He laughs. “They’re harmless. They won’t do anything she isn’t on board for. Enough about them, they’re adults. With you so close but not close enough for me to touch, I’ve been hard all night. I think I have blue balls.”