Love to Hate You: An Enemies to Lovers, Best Friend's Brother Romantic Comedy (The Fillmores Book 2)

by Melissa Schroeder

  “Of course, we are,” Travis says, his dimples flashing. And, naturally, the LOL just melts when he continues to smile at her. “We recently finished up our season though, so we need a little time off before we can work on something like that.”

  “Fine. Just know that everyone expects it.”

  She turns and hurries off. I watch as she stops to complain about something else to one of the stock boys filling the shelves. Maybe the kid can direct her to the pre-made sandwiches.

  “Everyone expects it,” I say in a mocking tone. “Remind me why I want to keep living here.”

  Travis stops and looks down at me. His gaze searches mine as if he’s looking for the answers there. That direct eye contact has my heart racing. All he has to do is stare at me with those deep chocolate eyes, the ones that seem to see into my soul. GAWD. Sorry again, my knees are weak, and my head is spinning. It only took a stare.

  “You love it here.”

  I open my mouth to respond, but the words get stuck in my throat when he takes some of my hair and slips it behind my ear. It isn’t highly sexual, or even flirty, but it speaks of intimacy. While we are pretty close, or were until this past season, we tend to keep our hands mostly to ourselves. Or we have since that first season. I don’t know if he ever noticed how I started to avoid touching him. I had been all hugs and kisses on the cheek until those stupid feelings started to crop up. From that point on, I made sure to keep a lot of distance between us. Or, at least, as much as I could during filming.

  “I do not. I hate it. I hate it and all the LOLs, especially my cousin Jon who created the JSE. When all this crap is over, I think we need to pull a prank on him. I’m sure we could get some help from Everly.”

  He chuckles. The sound of it always leaves me a little lightheaded. It’s mainly because all the blood in my head seems to rush to my vagina, and it’s understandable that she’s a little needy. She hasn’t seen any action from anything that didn’t require batteries for months. Then I start adding up the months and realize it’s been over a year. A YEAR. God. No wonder she’s a cranky biatch.

  “Come on, let’s finish up.”

  As we’re standing in line, I think back to the last eighteen months. It’s not like I haven’t had opportunities. I don’t sit at home pining after a man who sees me as a sister. I’ve dated here and there, and then there’s Carter Hawthorne. The youngest of the billionaire brothers is a world-class flirt. We started texting a little over a month ago, but when we met, we realized that we would only ever be friends. Not that he would turn me down. If I asked him for a one-night stand, he would definitely be all in. He’s told me he finds me attractive, but he said he knew my heart wouldn’t be in it. What he meant by that, I’m not sure, but I took it that he knew I’m in love with someone else.

  So, we resolved to be friends.

  Travis yawns beside me and I laugh. “Oh, feeling your almost thirty years, Travis?”

  He smiles and shakes his head. “That cot in the office wasn’t especially comfortable. After driving back from Amarillo, then coming up here, I’m a little stiff.”

  I had expected him to stay in Amarillo a little longer. “Why did you come back so fast?”

  He pulls the buggy up to the conveyer belt. “I was sick of Amarillo.”

  “That seems odd since you had a skank attached to your hip.”

  The moment I say it, I regret it. I don’t want to fight any more about that shit. Not right now. We have too much on our plates to argue over stupid things. He says nothing as he finishes paying for the food, then we walk out together. As the silence grows, so does my tension. It isn’t until we’re sitting in his truck that Travis says anything.

  “I was sick of that place and that woman.”

  I turn to face him, but he doesn’t look at me. Instead, he stares out over the hood of his pickup.

  “Travis?”

  He turns toward me, and I find myself unable to look away. “It sickened me the way I was acting, seriously.”

  “Then why did you have her around?” The moment I ask the question, I want to call it back.

  His gaze searches mine, as if he’s looking for some kind of answer once again. Another long moment of silence fills the space between us.

  “She was a buffer.”

  He regrets that admission. I can tell from the expression on his face, so that means he’s trying to hide something from me.

  I frown. “What do you mean by that?”

  “Listen, we can talk about this later, it’s hot and I don’t want to have to replace all the groceries we just bought.”

  I hate that. One of my biggest problems is things being left unfinished. The shrink I went to for years told me it had to do with the fact that my parents always left our lives up in the air. I call it crap, and I think that my single-mindedness makes me great at finishing tasks. I only nod as he takes off. We don’t talk. The only sound in the pickup is Kenny Chesney singing about…god, is he singing about oral sex? Tip of my Tongue, indeed. Jesus. And now, all I can think about is how oral sex with Travis would be. Something tells me that he would be an expert. I’ve seen him lick his fingers, and let’s just say he knows how to use that tongue.

  The pressure between my legs intensifies, and when I move again, my jean shorts make it worse. I bite back a moan, just barely. This is the worst. He’s been sweet and protective, and I know why. He sees me as another older sister, and he’s doing exactly what he would do for his sister. Right?

  I glance at him, but his expression tells me nothing. I look out the window and watch the landscape go by and think back on our conversation. Why would he need a buffer? Do I irritate him that much? This is why stepping away from the show is the right thing. It’s not healthy for me to remain here, to be his co-host. I will be left alone, without any kind of life, at the end of it. I used to date, but that all ended over a year ago. I can’t even think about another man while Travis is in my life. He’s a dark shadow over any guy I meet. If I ignore the last season, he is really one of the sweetest guys I know. Knowing what an ass their grandfather was, the fact that he turned out so normal is, well, amazing. Most of that is due to Syd, but most of it is because he’s simply a good person. He wouldn’t normally hurt a person intentionally. And maybe he didn’t mean to do that to me this season.

  I shake my head pushing that thought aside. He doesn’t get a pass just because I love him.

  He pulls into my driveway. “What are you thinking about?”

  I look over at him but don’t say anything. I can’t. He’s so pretty. Like he hits all the high notes for me. Big, tall, dark eyes, and that beard. He’s like a modern-day Grizzly Adams, and I want to jump his bones.

  “You were shaking your head. What was that about?”

  Dammit. “I was thinking about my grandmother.”

  From the look in his eyes, he doesn’t believe the lie, but it’s the story I am going to stick with.

  “Let’s get these groceries in. Do you want me to cook tonight or just order pizza?”

  That’s right, ladies. He looks like a sexy lumberjack with milk chocolate eyes, and he also cooks.

  “Pizza sounds good.”

  We make quick work carting the groceries in, then he leaves me to set up his room.

  My phone dings and I realize I have missed a group chat with Everly and Becca. They have been busy.

  Everly: Seriously? You had Josh at your house? WTAF.

  Becca: What she means is that she is concerned about your well-being.

  Everly: Yeah, and WTAF.

  Becca: Ignore her. She’s just grouchy because of the Mysterious Denver Dude, who will now be referred to as MDD.

  Everly: Get bent.

  Me: MDD, I like it.

  Everly: You can go get bent too.

  Becca: I heard you were at the grocery store with Travis.

  Me: We just got home. He’s moved in temporarily.

  Everly: *evil laugh gif* Tell us all.

  Me: Not much to tell. Wy
att shared the surveillance with Josh.

  Everly: I am going to go kick Wyatt’s ass. He didn’t tell me there was anything on the video.

  Becca: Everly!

  Everly: Worst brother ever!

  Becca: Stop. You love him.

  Becca: Do you need us to come stay?

  Everly: Yes, do you need us? We will be there ASAP.

  Everly: After I kick Wyatt’s ass.

  My eyes tear up a little. This little town gets on my nerves, but then there are moments like this, where my friends just offer to protect me.

  Me: No, Travis is refusing to leave me until we find out who is stalking me.

  Everly: *love couple gif*

  I roll my eyes even as my face heats. Seeing the couple in the gif on top of a counter as the man practically crawls up on her has my already insane libido screaming for relief.

  “What’s up?” Travis says. I drop my phone on the kitchen counter and look up at him. For someone who is so big, he moves quietly. And he…my gaze drops down his body landing on his bare feet. Okay, a man’s feet shouldn’t be this sexy but for some reason his are. And it’s not like I haven’t seen them before now. I mean, we grew up together in a small Texas town. We went barefoot most of the time in the summer. Also, we work together and spend a lot of time on the road.

  “Nothing. Just Becca and Everly,” I say, snatching my phone up.

  “Let me guess. Everyone saw us at the grocery store.”

  I nod as my phone buzzes. This time it isn’t my friends from Juniper.

  Carter: Hey, lady. I was just in the office. Syd told me everything. I can stay with you.

  Good god. That would be a disaster.

  “Them again?” Travis asks.

  I shake my head as I type out an answer to Carter.

  Me: No worries. Travis is in town and the LOLs have been alerted. No one will get passed them.

  “Then who?”

  I look up and note the frown marring his usually jovial expression. “That’s rather nosey.”

  He crosses his arms over his chest, his mouth flattening into a straight line. “That means it’s Carter.”

  Before my friendship with Carter, he and Travis seemed to get along okay, but ever since Carter and I started hanging out together, Travis seems to have some kind of problem. Contrary to popular belief, we are not dating. We aren’t even that attracted to each other. He’s more like a brother. Nope. Strike that. He flirts with me. So, maybe like a boyfriend’s friend who has no interest in me, but still makes me feel pretty and lovable.

  “What’s your problem with him?”

  “Nothing. Just you need to watch out for him.”

  Like I don’t know how to handle myself around men. I’m no virgin, and I have dated—a lot. That doesn’t mean I slept with a lot of guys, as I need an emotional connection for that to happen. But still, I know how to deal with posers. Granted, Carter isn’t a poser. He’s just not that serious about anything in his life other than work. I’ve also discovered that his ladies’ man reputation isn’t exactly who he is.

  “I can take care of myself.”

  He lets his arms fall to his sides as he stares at me, his anger seemingly dissolving in an instant. “You know you’re not alone, right?”

  I nod, my throat feeling suddenly tight. “I know that I…have friends.”

  Okay, that was sad. And pathetic. Jesus.

  “You have me too, Nancy. You know that, don’t you?”

  “You’re my friend.”

  Silence again for a long moment. “Yeah, I know that.”

  My phone vibrates with an incoming call from Syd.

  “Who the hell is that?”

  “Your sister, nosey.” I answer the call. “Hey, you.”

  “Are you still mad at me?”

  “Not really. I’ll even think about the security detail you want me to have.” Grady and she had tried to talk me into one but at the moment, I think it’s overkill. If I were alone, that would be different, but with Travis around, I feel pretty safe. “You know I just hated them when I was younger.”

  “They wouldn’t buy us beers, that’s why you didn’t like them.”

  I giggle and notice Travis’ mouth curve. Is that because I laughed? Nope. That can’t be it.

  “So, why are you calling?”

  “Just checking on you and to remind you that we’re coming into town this weekend.”

  Since I just talked to her a few hours ago, this seems a little like overkill. “We just talked about that.”

  Travis frowns at me and I wave his concern away.

  “I hate to ask this.”

  “But…”

  “You don’t think that asshole your grandmother told you to marry had anything to do with this, do you?”

  Travis’ phone rings and he rolls his eyes and pushes it to ignore. I take that moment to walk away from him, back to my bedroom. Thankfully, he doesn’t follow me. Being around him and his intoxicating sawdust/manly smell, along with that amazing body, is starting to get to me.

  “No. I don’t think it’s Reggie. I mean, maybe he might hire someone to do it, but the man doesn’t like to do manual labor. At least Josh has been made aware of Reggie. He’s going to run him down.”

  “Good. Now, tell me what is going on with you and Travis.”

  “Is that as a friend or my boss?”

  “Friend always comes first. I know that you will do what’s best for you. Although, I’m thinking you might be rethinking leaving the show.”

  I sigh and rub my forehead. “Yeah. I am and firing Garrett Howard goes a long way.”

  “That man is trash. He’s threatening a lawsuit.”

  “Of course he is.” Men like him always act put out when called on their shit. Thankfully, the Hawthornes don’t put up with that kind of crap.

  “So, tell me what else is going on. Travis seems kind of pissed.”

  I sink down on my bed. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him that mad.” Or that sexy. I should be appalled that his anger turned me on, but it wasn’t directed my way for once. It made me want to jump his bones. Okay, let’s be honest, I always want to jump his bones.

  “Well, yeah, of course he is. I mean, someone threatened you, Nancy.”

  “Like if someone had threatened you. I get it.”

  “No.” Then she says nothing else, and I hate when she does that. She knows it and uses it to her advantage. She knows my need to finish everything, even a conversation I don’t want to have.

  “What do you mean?’

  I can almost hear her smile through the phone. “Nancy, he loves me, but his love for you is different. He…okay, he’s had his head up his ass for a few years, but the panic I saw on his face the other morning was kind of amazing. When he thought he might lose you, he looked like it was the end of the world.”

  “Oh, you’re talking about the show.”

  “No. Absolutely not,” she says. “He realized you might walk out of his life—not just the show—and I think it knocked something loose. Just keep that in mind.”

  “Okay.”

  “I mean it. He’s there because he cares about Nancy, his friend. He is not there because of the show. I can promise you that.”

  “I get it. Just, let it be for now.”

  “Maybe you can finally get laid.” I hear someone comment in the background and feel my face flame. Jesus is she talking in front of Grady? “I can say what I want, Grady.”

  Yup, she’s talking to the CEO of the network. This is what happens when your best friend falls for her boss and then they fall in love. It’s all gross. Not really, but I want to feel a little petty. She has it all, and I am lusting after my former co-host, who can get just about any woman he wants.

  UGH. All capitals again. It embarrasses me to even think that, but it’s my life right now.

  “I have to agree with Grady.”

  “Rude.”

  “You’re telling me to jump your brother. That’s rude.”

  “No
t so. At best, it’s gross.”

  I laugh. “True.”

  “What else is going on?”

  I tell her all the gossip I’ve learned over the last twenty-four hours and by the time I get off the phone, I’m more relaxed. I sit there for a few seconds smiling. I have the best bestie in the world. No matter what, we’re always there for each other.

  “What’s that smile for?”

  I glance over at my doorway and there he is looking sexy. Larger than life, all sexy as can be, and he’s smiling at me. Those dimples, gah! They should be outlawed.

  “Nothing. Your sister knows how to get my mind off the bad things.”

  “Yeah.”

  I look over at the clock. “Hey, we might need to put our order in with Mystical if we want to get our pizza before seven.”

  He nods. “Anchovies?”

  “Only if you want to lose a nut to a nail gun.”

  His smile fades. “Not funny.”

  “It’s a little funny.”

  “Why are you so fascinated with my nuts?”

  I ignore that question. “Meat lovers. Like usual. I’ll get my card.”

  “I can cover it.”

  “You paid for lunch.”

  I stand up and walk toward him, but he doesn’t move. I look up at him and for a second, heat flares in his eyes. I feel it in my core, turning me into an inferno in the blink of an eye. He dips his head as I move closer. His warm scent fills the air around me, and my pussy pulses. I can almost imagine what he will taste like. Dangerous and delicious. We are close enough that our breaths are mingling when his phone goes off. We both jump back, the spell breaking.

  I step back and almost stumble over my own feet. My head is spinning, and my body is vibrating.

  He frowns at the phone and answers.

  “Hello.”

  His frown darkens.

  “I told you to stop calling me. Seriously.”

  More talking and, since I am close enough, I can hear that it’s a woman’s voice. All the warm feelings I had dissolve. It has to be the skank from Amarillo. I turn away from him to keep from letting him see how irritated I am right now.

  “Listen, I get it. You had expectations. They didn’t pan out. Has nothing do to with you.”

  Ugh, listening to him talk to another woman has my nerves on edge. The truth is that he isn’t being an ass about it either, but I’m sure she still feels cut off from him. His usually warm tone is chillier, and you can tell he’s irritated.