The Cruel and Beautiful Series Boxset

by A. M. Hargrove

  “Uh, it’s nothing.”

  “My butt. You went from mildly concerned about what you were going to tell Martin and Julia to the look of someone with a crushed heart. And that’s not how you described your feelings about Kenneth breaking it off. What gives?”

  My eyes are glued to the couple, as Brandon hands the redheaded whore her drink and she makes goo-goo eyes at him. Ugh, I’m pretty sure I just threw up a little.

  “Nothing,” I answer Cate.

  “Yeah, and I have this bridge for sale in Brooklyn. You are the worst liar ever. Spill. Now.”

  Still staring, I shake my head. Finally, Cate follows the direction of my gaze. “Who are they?” She wants to know.

  I pull my damn eyes off them and say, “No clue.” And then I give her my best imitation of a dazzling grin.

  “Yeah, right. He’s hot, I’ll give you that,” Cate says. “In a bad boy way. Holy shit. That’s your friend. The guy who Kenneth was jealous over that time. You had him on your phone. I remember him. He works at that import car repair place.”

  “He’s hot all right,” Sam says. “What did you say his name is?”

  “I didn’t.”

  As we all ogle the man, he suddenly looks at our table, and the three of us appear as though we are spying on them. Now I feel more foolish than ever. Brandon lasers me with those pale blues, and I’m instantly frozen in my seat. Heat infuses my skin, raising my body temperature to God knows what. To my horror, he turns to the redhead, detaches himself, and strides toward our table.

  In her own saucy way, Cate says, “For someone who doesn’t know who that is, he sure is intent on making his way here.”

  He stops directly in front of me and says, “I’d like to have a word with you. In private, please.”

  Nine

  BRANDON

  There are so many reasons I shouldn’t have headed in Jenna’s direction. How will my heart ever be free from her chokehold on it if we keep running into each other?

  Only I’m the fool. One look at her devastated face at seeing me with Lexa and I can’t help but go to her and explain myself as if she has a right to know what I’m doing.

  “And who are you?” the woman on Jenna’s right asks.

  “That would be Brandon.” It’s Cate who answers. I’ve seen enough pictures of her in Jenna’s home to recognize her on sight.

  “Guys, I’ll be right back,” Jenna says, not even bothering to introduce me.

  That should be the nail in the coffin, but I can’t help myself. Placing my hand on the small of her back, I angle her toward the hall in the back that leads to the restrooms. And add fire to my stupidity, I relish touching her, including this small amount.

  When we’re alone, I say, “It’s not what you think.”

  “It never is. And damn, if I shouldn’t be used to it. First Kenneth and Horace and now you. Not that I have a right to you, but it still hurts.”

  The bombardment of words takes a minute to sink in. That name can’t be wildly used anymore. Then again, it doesn’t seem possible. The guy I knew as Horace hit on me. What is she saying?

  “Kenneth and Horace?”

  She nods. “That’s what I came to tell you. I’m not engaged anymore. But then I found you with that woman.”

  I should be elated. But at the same time, I’m angry. What right does she have to accuse me of wrongdoing? She’s been with someone else for years while I’ve waited for her to give me her crumbs. But who am I fooling? She still consumes my every stray thought.

  “It’s just coincidence. She and I aren’t involved. We’re talking business. Of which, I left abruptly. I should probably get back. But promise me, you won’t leave without talking to me first.”

  Her eyes are wide with possibilities. And I want to kiss her, desperately. However, we have things to discuss. Plus, our first kiss shouldn’t be rushed. I’ve waited too damn long for that.

  “Okay, but you come see me before you leave if that happens first,” she says.

  Nodding, I tear myself from her gaze. It’s like a vortex I’m sucked into. She’s got me tethered to a leash, and I’m not sure she knows it. She’s been yanking my chain since we first met.

  Back at the table, I apologize for leaving.

  “No problem. Seems the brunette strikes again. A little advice—don’t be so obvious you’re wrapped around her finger. Women like that to a point. But just like men, we don’t want our prey so submissive.”

  Not sure what to say, I nod and change subjects. “Getting back to what you were saying.”

  “I was saying that we want to start a mobile business. People of wealth don’t always want to drive and leave their toys in shops where damage can occur. Think about one of your bays on wheels. The convenience alone could command an extreme price tag.”

  The idea is intriguing and has a lot of promise, a mobile shop. I have the capital to consider going at it on my own.

  “We didn’t sign a non-disclosure. What makes you think I couldn’t start this up by myself?”

  She spears me with her big brown eyes. “I’m a good judge of character. And I pegged you for a guy in need of a good time. What I didn’t bank on was your hard-on for someone else. The other thing I pegged you for is integrity. You are a guy that lives by a code. Your honor means more to you than some place on their bank accounts.”

  That she’s right about. It’s the reason I haven’t crossed the line with Jenna. It’s also the reason why for the last few months, for all intents and purposes, I’ve been a monk.

  “Plus, I’m sure you would need the capital we have to invest.”

  Since I haven’t done the research, I’m not sure she’s right about that.

  “What do you propose?”

  Her glossy smile is wicked, and I wish I could take back my words and their double meaning.

  “Oh, my dear Brandon, I would suggest sealing the deal with hot and sweaty sex. I’ve gotten a hint of what’s in your pants, and I want to ride your stick shift bad.” She exhales heavily. “But that’s not going to happen.” She laughs and points at me. “The look on your face is priceless. You are too cute.”

  I’m ready to be done with this meeting. The idea of starting a business with this woman is losing its appeal by the minute. Then there’s the fact that guys are coming up to Jenna’s table, and the ladies laugh and point to her. I’m guessing Jenna’s the only single one there. I know Cate’s married. I’m just not certain about the other female until now.

  “Well,” Lexa says, gaining my attention again. “Why don’t I talk to Daddy and his lawyers and see what we can draw up?”

  She pushes the papers I’d brought back toward me signed.

  “And I’ll be in touch or you will be.” She winks.

  After she leaves, I glance up to find two guys at Jenna’s table. One is Jenna’s brother, Ben. The other I think is Cate’s husband. They all look like they are about to leave, so I fold up the papers and pocket them before I head in that direction.

  Ben beats me to the punch when I arrive. “Brandon. Nice to finally meet you.”

  I’m surprised by his warm welcome. The first and only time we crossed paths, he looked like he wanted to murder me. I wonder now how things will play out this time.

  “Nice to meet you, too.” I shake his hand.

  He does the honors. “This is Samantha, my wife, and Cate, and her husband, Drew.”

  I wave at them all.

  “Sorry we have to go, but my wife is dead on her feet.” Drew turns to Jenna. “It’s been fun as always. You have to come to D.C. next month. We would come back, but I’m saving up time to take off when the baby arrives.”

  Cate turns to me. “I’m sorry, Brandon. I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time. You should come with Jenna if she makes it to D.C.”

  Giving a non-committal nod, I watch as hugs are traded along with well wishes. Then we are four.

  Samantha smiles, and I can see why the guy snagged her. “Well, I was going to offer Jenna a ride
home with us, but something tells me she’s in good hands.”

  She grins at me, and I instantly like her.

  “Yes, take care of my sister. She’s the only one I got, and I actually like her,” Ben adds. He tries and fails to look stern as Samantha playfully chides him.

  More goodbyes, then we are two.

  “So,” she breathes.

  “So.”

  “We should probably talk.”

  There are so many things I want to do outside of talking, but she’s right.

  “Maybe someplace quieter.”

  “Do you want to go to your place?” she asks.

  My place is closer. “Can’t. My brother is having a thing there. Quiet is the least of what we will find at my place.”

  “We can go to mine.”

  We walk because it’s a nice night. I want to hold her hand, but I don’t. Inside her place, she plants her gorgeous ass in a chair across from my place on the sofa. And damn, if my dick isn’t like a lead weight in my pants.

  “So, what happened?” I ask.

  We’ve always been friends first. So the ease at which she tells me the story isn’t surprising. She laughs, and I cringe at some of the parts. All in all, I mask my true emotions. I want to fist pump in the air and claim her as mine. But months of dealing with this woman have made me leery of jumping in feet first.

  “And what will you do after you tell your parents?” I ask.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Tomorrow at Sunday dinner, when you tell your parents and leave out the bits about him with another man, what are you going to do?”

  “How do you know I’m not going to tell them everything?”

  “Because I know you. And you already said you feel sorry for him. You are going to leave him smelling like roses in their eyes. And when they pressure you to reconsider and he comes around bearing gifts, what are you going to do?”

  She stands up, fire in her eyes. “You’re already judging how I’m going to handle this before I’ve even had a chance. That’s fucked up.”

  I meet her fire with my fury.

  “Really. How long have you known you didn’t love him?”

  She sputters nothing but air.

  When I stand, her fire burns out. “Brandon, wait.”

  “Why, Jenna? I’ve waited months for you. And the only reason we’re here at this moment is because you caught him with someone else. It doesn’t even matter the gender. Because the truth is, if you hadn’t caught him, you’d still be planning your wedding.”

  “That’s not fair.”

  “It’s not, to me. If you were truly honest with yourself, you’d see that.”

  Her eyes become wet. It’s something not often seen by the strong woman I know. But as much as I want to wrap her in my arms, I can’t. I’ve been her friend and her chew toy for too long to count.

  “But, Brandon, I’ve waited so long for this.”

  “So have I. And it appears we’ll have to wait longer. Handle your shit, Jenna. And then truly decide if you want to be with me. I won’t be your shadow man any longer. I deserve better, and so do you.”

  Walking out the door is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. However, it’s time I’m the man someone needs and can’t live without, not the man someone just wants.

  Ten

  JENNA

  My palms are wetter than a humid summer day as I get out of my car to walk inside of my parents’ home. Sunday dinner is never an option in the Rhoades’ home. It’s an expectation. And it’s always after church—around twelve thirty. Even Ben and his wife attend every Sunday. It’s funny how neither my brother nor I ever think to tell my mother we can’t go. But I must admit, the chicken, or whatever Betty—who’s been cooking for our family ever since I can remember—cooks up, isn’t something I really want to say no to. Crispy chicken and buttery mashed potatoes with smooth yummy gravy almost make me forget I’ll be facing a firing squad in a few minutes.

  Taking a cleansing breath so my brain can think positive thoughts, I square my drooping shoulders and march up the porch steps. When I walk in, I hear voices coming from the left—the “parlor” as my mother refers to it as. I call it the den. Here goes my life as I know it.

  My mother is the first to notice me when I enter the room.

  “Hello, dear. Where’s Kenneth? Does he have political duties with his father today?”

  “No, Mom, Kenneth won’t be joining me anymore. We’ve broken off the engagement.”

  Ben and Sam clutch each other’s hands, and I want to jump into their cluster. My dad stares at me as though I’m an alien that just landed in his house. Mom looks at me, and I know a string of unspoken words are flying through her mind this minute. Her red lips stretch into a thin line, reminding me of licorice. It gives me an indication of exactly how pissed she is.

  “So, Jenna, what did you do to cause this break up?” she asks bitterly.

  “It wasn’t me, Mom. It was Kenneth. And I don’t really want to discuss it.” The way I hear myself trying to convince her makes me feel like I’m eleven again.

  “I see.” Her clipped tone tells me otherwise, but she takes a tiny sip out of one of her prized teacups. Good Lord, you’d think she ask if I were upset or at least say she was sorry.

  When no one says anything, she then turns an accusatory gaze on my brother and asks, “So, Benjamin, were you aware of this?”

  My brother is a strong man, and he’s the only one who seems to have the balls to stand up to her.

  “Actually, I was. But I believed it was Jenna’s place to tell you. And I would think you’d show a little concern for her.”

  Score for Benny! I want to pump my fist, but I also catch Dad’s warning glare.

  “Humph. No telling what she did to deserve this,” Mom mumbles.

  “If you only knew,” Ben mumbles back, ignoring Dad.

  “What was that?” Mom asks.

  Ben shoots a look toward me, but I shake my head. I refuse to go there with the parents. They don’t have to know about Kenneth’s proclivities—at least not from me anyway.

  “Nothing,” Ben says.

  Mom asks me, “Do the Balfours know?”

  “I don’t know. I suppose Kenneth has told them, but that’s his business, not mine.”

  Mom releases a long, agonizing sigh. “I guess I should give them a call.” She sounds like she’s taking her last breath. Dear God, the poor woman.

  “Jenna, baby, are you okay with this?” Dad asks.

  “Yes, Daddy, I’m fine. Good, in fact.” He comes over and gives me a hug.

  “You sure?” He tips my chin up.

  “Yeah, I’m sure.”

  Betty comes in and announces dinner is ready. I run to hug her, not because she’s rescued me, but because I adore her.

  “You only adore my chicken,” she says as she pinches my cheek.

  “I do, Betty, but I love you just as much.” I follow her into the dining room and take my usual seat, the one across from Ben. Sam sits next to him while Mom and Dad are at the opposite ends of the table. The room smells heavenly, and once everyone sits, I pick up my plate and place a piece of chicken on it. My mouth immediately waters. Next come the mashed potatoes, followed by the gravy, biscuits, green beans, and squash casserole. I always leave room for dessert because Betty is incomparable with those, too. I don’t know how my mother stays so slim with Betty around.

  Focusing on my plate, I barely speak during the meal. Mom finally notices and says, “Jenna, if you keep eating like that, you’ll be as big as this house. Then you’ll never find a replacement for Kenneth.”

  She really had to go there, didn’t she? Not being able to keep my mouth shut, I retaliate by saying, “Maybe I don’t want a replacement. Maybe I want to be a rebel, Mother.”

  “A rebel? What on Earth are you talking about?”

  “What I’m saying is, maybe I don’t want to try to fit into a square mold when I’m a cylinder.”

  Mom dabs her mouth with t
he white linen napkin she holds and says, “That’s ridiculous. Of course, you’re not a cylinder. You belong in the Balfour family, darling. You just don’t realize it yet.”

  The bite of chicken in my mouth turns to sawdust. Is she for real? After I swallow, I say, “Mom, I spent years with Kenneth. It’s over. I don’t belong with anyone right now, except myself.”

  Her admonishment comes across as sympathy, but I know better. “Oh, Jenna, you can’t mean that. This is all a big mistake, a misunderstanding. You’ll see.”

  “No, I won’t see. We’re done. Kaput. Over. There isn’t going to be a wedding, and I’m not marrying Kenneth.” Even Betty’s chicken and mashed potatoes can’t calm my roiling stomach now. Why can’t she see this isn’t going to happen? All she cares about is marrying me off to some man with a prominent Southern name. Ugh. She’s so frustrating.

  “Julia, leave it be,” Dad says.

  Ben kicks me under the table. That’s my cue to give it up and go on. He’s clueless as far as this goes. It’s different for him because he’s a man. He went through his own problems with our dad, though, but thankfully, they’ve worked most things out. Stealing a sideways glance at him, I notice the deep furrows in his brow. Jeez, if he thinks any harder, his brain will explode. Betty’s dinner will surely be ruined then. The idea of it hits me, and a tiny giggle threatens to leap out of my mouth. Luckily, I manage to control it, but not for long. It’s one of those moments where the harder I try, the more difficult it is, and soon, I’m holding back a snort. Unfortunately, it’s an epic fail.

  “Well, I declare. Jenna Margaret Rhoades,” Mom says with disdain. “Haven’t I taught you any manners at all?”

  My snorts are so obnoxious, it’s impossible to respond. Ben nails me in the shin, and that sets off another round of loud snortles. I push away from the table so I can lean forward and laugh my ass off with abandon.

  “I don’t know what’s wrong with that girl. No wonder she can’t find anyone to marry her,” Mom says. That makes me laugh even harder, because if she knew the reason I wasn’t marrying Kenneth was that he had the largest penis I could possibly conjure up in my mind crammed up his ass, she would faint right before my very eyes. By now my fist is slamming down on the white linen covered table, rattling the china and crystal, and Mom is telling me to get ahold of myself.