Beautiful Boxset: Beautiful Series, books 1-4

by Anderson, Lilliana

  Maybe if she chose another guy, I’d be OK. But with Christopher, I felt replaced. Pushed out by a guy who barely tolerated me and smothered her freedom. A guy who wore a mask. A guy I was struggling to find a kind word for because he had her fooled. That wasn’t even my jealousy talking. It was the sixth sense that lives inside, telling us we’re in the presence of a predator. And the shit thing about it was that I didn’t know what kind of predator he was. I just knew he was this insidious being who manipulated the people around him and discredited those who didn’t fall in line or fit his plans. People like me and Tom.

  Unlike me, Tom had told Trina she was making a stupid mistake by moving in with Christopher. He stated all the reasons he thought it was a bad idea, but instead of taking his concerns on board, she accused him of trying to ruin her happiness. How were we supposed to argue with that? Tom and I felt sure Christopher was in her ear. “It’s like he’s trying to break her off from the herd,” he’d said. And I had to agree. It felt like Trina was a different person. All I could safely do was to keep watch and be there when she needed me. But it was hard.

  “Earth to David,” Monica said, clicking her fingers in front of my face. “You stopped dancing.”

  Frowning, I looked around. The dance floor was filled with bouncing and swaying bodies, and I was planted in the middle of it, my feet rooted to the floor.

  “I think I’m gonna go.”

  Monica grinned. “Sure. We can get out of here.”

  Placing my hand on her upper arms, I held her in place. “I’m not feeling it tonight, Mon. I’m just gonna go home.”

  Her face fell, but she nodded anyway. “You know where I am if you need me.”

  Later that night I sat in bed, staring at my phone and wondering how I was going to fix things. I needed my best friend in my life, but I knew that the harder I pushed, the more Christopher would push back. Now that they were living together, I didn’t think I’d win anymore. My confidence was shattered.

  Deciding that the best way forward was to be as non-threatening as possible, I settled on a simple text. Hope you’re settling in to the new place. Classes are back next week. See you then.

  Then I didn’t look at my phone until the next morning.

  * * *

  “Come to dinner.” Trina smiled as she walked next to me. With uni back in session, we had two classes together that ran three times a week. She left the moment they were through, claiming she had stuff to do at home. But we texted back and forth a lot.

  Even with the limited contact, I felt like I could breathe again. My eyes hurt when they didn’t see her. My head ached when we didn’t talk.

  “At your apartment?” Will Christopher be there?

  “Of course. It’s all set up now so I want you to see it. You can bring Monica and it’ll be like a double date.”

  “No,” I stated.

  “What? Why not? Aren’t you seeing her?”

  “Yes. But we’re not serious. If I start inviting her out for dinner, she’s going to start thinking I want more from her.”

  “Would that be such a bad thing?”

  “Yes, Trina, it would. I’ll come and check out your place, but I’m not bringing a date.”

  “Well, you might have to this time.” She winced.

  “Shit, Trina. What did you do?”

  “Well, I might have run into Monica in the bathroom and mentioned it.” She twisted her mouth downwards. “I’m sorry. You spend so much time together and you’re exclusive so I got excited for you. I didn’t realise you were still so anti-relationships,” she said.

  I sighed. “It’s fine. She knows where we stand. I’m sure she can handle it.”

  “Good. Because I don’t think Christopher will be so happy about this whole dinner thing if I just invite you.” She rolled her eyes and laughed while I bristled.

  “What’s so wrong with me?”

  “Nothing,” she said quickly. “It’s just…he knows we have some history. And, well, he gets jealous—like they all did—it’s easier for him knowing you have a girlfriend.”

  “Except I don’t have a girlfriend. I have a regular girl. It’s different.”

  “I get it,” she breathed. “I do. And this is totally my fault, but if you can please just make the exception and bring her this once, it’ll mean the world to me.”

  Releasing my breath, I nodded. “As long as you’re not the one cooking,” I said, trying to lighten the mood, knowing Trina wasn’t particularly talented in the culinary arts.

  She laughed, shaking her head. “No, Christopher will barbeque and I’ll just make a salad. I think I can handle that.”

  “OK. We’ll be there.”

  Wrapping her arms around my neck with a squeal, she jumped up and down in excitement, making me smile because I missed her. I missed this. I inhaled deeply before releasing her.

  “Thank you, David, I’m glad you’re coming. I’ve been so busy with the move, I’ve missed you lately. I’ve been a really shitty friend.”

  “Don’t worry your pretty little head about it, baby girl. I’ll always be around some way or another.” I leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’ve gotta go. My tutorial starts in about ten minutes.”

  “See you at my place around seven?”

  “Sure, I’ll bring a cake or something. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?”

  “I don’t know. This is the first dinner I’ve hosted.” She laughed. “If you do, just don’t cook it yourself.”

  “I’ll get Monica to make it,” I called over my shoulder as I headed to class. This was going to be a disaster.

  * * *

  I got to Trina’s place around ten past seven. She buzzed me through the security door straight away, but before I could even knock on their door, Christopher opened it and said, “You’re late.”

  “Um, hi, how’s it going?” I said, holding out a hand in greeting while balancing the cake I’d bought from the bakery in the other. He looked at it for a moment, and I thought he wasn’t going to shake it. But, when Trina called out ‘hi’, his demeanour changed, and he smiled at me and took my hand, shaking it like we were long-lost friends.

  “Thought you were bringing a date,” he said, sizing me up.

  “She couldn’t make it,” I replied, holding firm as he tried to crush my hand. I was lean, but I was strong. I wasn’t going to react.

  “Pity. You could have cancelled.” He released my hand and stood aside.

  Walking past him, I clapped him on the shoulder. “Thanks, mate. But I didn’t mind coming alone.”

  He grinned outwardly. “But now you’ll feel like a third wheel.”

  The apartment had an L shaped living area with the dining area in front of the door, the kitchen off to the right and the lounge room in front of that. Off to my left were three doors that I assumed were the bedrooms and a bathroom. Compact, but functional.

  “David has never been a third wheel to anyone.” Trina walked out of the kitchen, smiling as she dried her hands on the side of her thighs. “The man is a unicycle. Doesn’t need anyone to hold him up. Am I right?”

  “Got it in one,” I said with a wink, handing over the cake as she kissed my cheek hello.

  “What happened to Monica?”

  “She couldn’t make it.” I grinned, changing the subject quickly. “I like your place.” Truth be told, Monica could have made it. But when we spoke about the invite, she also said she understood if I didn’t want her to go. So I told her I’d rather she didn’t. Not to rock the boat with Christopher, but to stay true to my own word. Just because Trina was dating some buffoon who was threatened by my single status didn’t mean I needed to buy into his shit and play his games. I always said I’d do anything for Trina, but lying about who I was was where I drew the line.

  Trina looked around the small, impeccably neat space and beamed. “I think it’s adorable.”

  “Adorable,” Christopher scoffed. “How manly.”

  With a giggle, Trina tapped him playfully
on the arm. “I think you’re adorable too,” she said.

  Christopher rolled his eyes. “I’m gonna get this BBQ going since the little woman burns everything that requires heating.”

  “That’s not true. I made pasta last night. That was…” Trina’s lips twitched before they both laughed. “OK. It was edible at best.” She looked at me. “But I’m learning,” she said.

  “I don’t know why he can’t cook for you if he’s such a culinary genius,” I muttered as we all moved towards the kitchen.

  “What was that?” Trina asked, looking over her shoulder as she set the cake on the counter then moved to the fridge.

  “I said I wouldn’t mind a sweet pad like this,” I lied, watching the way she served Christopher with a beer before offering me one. The little woman.

  “Do you want the tour?” she asked as she handed the bottle to me. “I’m still getting the meat together, but maybe Christopher can show you around?”

  “Sure,” he said, and I wondered if she noticed the grate to his tone. She was being overly enthusiastic, while Christopher struggled to hide his contempt. “There’s not much to see though. This is the lounge and dining room.” He pointed around the room we were standing in. “Obviously there’s a kitchen, and that’s the patio.” He pointed to the big square balcony that was accessible by a large glass sliding door off the lounge.

  “Don’t just point,” Trina said. “Walk. Talk. Bond.”

  With a tight nod, he took me past the closed doors saying, “Spare room—there’s nothing in there but boxes—bathroom if you need to take a piss, and main bedroom.” He pushed that door open to reveal the large, neatly made bed, a dressing table and a chest of drawers. “That’s Katrina’s shit, that’s my shit.” He pointed at the dressers, making me think he brought me inside their room to drive home the point that she was his. I hated seeing that bed.

  “Nice,” I said.

  “And you can get to the balcony from here too.” He pulled open the sliding door, and I stepped through to find myself overlooking Jamison Road.

  “Doesn’t it get noisy here at night?” I asked, looking down at the busy street.

  “You don’t notice it once you’re asleep.”

  I nodded.

  “Seen enough?” he asked with a sniff.

  “It’s great. You should be proud.”

  He looked me dead in the eye, thumb hooked in the pocket of his jeans. “Of course, I’m proud. I got the girl.”

  With a smile, I ran my thumb across my bottom lip, trying to stop myself from laughing at this guy’s obvious insecurities. “I wasn’t aware there was a competition.”

  “Then why did you come alone?” He sniffed again then walked inside. I looked at a pot plant and briefly wondered if he’d be knocked unconscious if I threw it at the back of his head. Then I followed him inside.

  “Did you start the barbeque?” Trina asked as she held out the prepared tray of meat.

  “I’m doing it now,” Christopher said, grabbing her around the waist and kissing her with an inappropriate amount of tongue.

  I got the girl.

  “I’ll be back soon. Keep the beers coming,” he said when he released her, flushed and smiling.

  She giggled and slapped him against the chest. “You’re such a brute.”

  He laughed as he picked up the tray and sauntered outside, not sparing me even a sideways glance. I think I hate him.

  “What did you think?” she asked.

  “You have great taste in furniture,” I said, moving to stand opposite her, the bench between us.

  “Seriously David, do you like it?”

  “Of course. It's a nice place. You don’t need me to like it though. You have to like it.”

  “I do like it. I love it,” she said smiling. Although, something about her tone and the overly broad grin made me wonder which one of us she was trying to convince more.

  Dinner went by…OK. Trina worked overtime trying to keep the conversation flowing. I did my best to join in, but the awkward silences following Christopher’s monosyllable responses made it painfully obvious he didn’t want me there.

  When we were through, I helped Trina clear the table while Christopher went and sat in the lounge room like the gentleman he was. Vomit.

  “I’m going to head off,” I said, thumbing over my shoulder once we’d filled the sink.

  Trina’s face fell. “But what about dessert?”

  “I’m full from dinner,” I said, patting my stomach for emphasis. “I couldn’t eat another bite. So you can have it later or something.”

  “What about coffee? You can stay a little longer, can’t you?”

  Without thinking, I reached for her hands and held them between us. “Thank you for inviting me, but it’s time for me to go.”

  Disappointment darkened her eyes as her shoulders drooped. “I’ll walk you down.”

  “OK,” I said, releasing her hands then turning to find Christopher glaring at us. “See you around, Chris. Thanks for the meal.” I didn’t even feel guilty about shortening his name. I knew I shouldn’t have been goading the guy. But he couldn’t even make an effort for the sake of the woman he claimed to love. That was some grade A bullshit in my opinion.

  Once outside, Trina linked an arm through mine while we walked to my car, the silence of unspoken truth between us. Both of us knew that dinner was an epic fail. We also knew that Christopher was never going to be accepting of me. And now she was living with him. Where was I going to fit in?

  “Come here,” I said, drawing her into a hug once we stopped next to the driver’s door.

  She tucked her head into the groove of my neck and sighed. “He’s not always like that.”

  “I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t be with him if he was.”

  She lifted her head and met my eyes. “He’s just…possessive. It’s why I wanted you to bring Monica. He would have been more relaxed…”

  “Don’t worry about it, baby girl.” I leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you at Uni. OK?”

  “Sure,” she said, standing back as I got in my car, her hands folded across her middle. “You don’t like him. Do you?”

  Dragging my teeth over my bottom lip, I nodded towards the apartment building instead of answering. “Why don’t you get back to him? I’ll wait until you’re through the door.”

  “I’ll take that as a no.”

  “Good night, Trina,” I said softly.

  “I wish things were different,” she whispered before heading back inside. I waited until the door closed behind her before I started my car. When I glanced up at their balcony, the dark figure of Christopher loomed, watching until I drove away.

  * * *

  The thing about guys like Christopher was that they thought their size and strength could intimidate people. I was sure it worked a lot of the time, but with me it had the opposite effect. It made me hold on tighter. I wasn’t going to let him cut Trina off from her friends and family. She wasn’t a thing to be owned. She had a life before him, and that life didn’t stop just because he wanted her to fit into a mould of his making.

  He couldn’t make me go away.

  Trina made excuses for him: he was scared of losing her; he had a rough upbringing; he loved her so much he couldn’t handle the thought of her with another guy. The list went on. I felt she was quite naïve in her defence of his overbearing behaviour, but she was in love with the guy. If I spoke out against him, it would only drive a wedge between us. So I kept my mouth shut.

  “Why don’t we study at my place today?” Trina asked when we exited the lecture hall. “It’s raining so the library will be packed.”

  “The library’s fine. We can sit on the floor if we have to.”

  She wrapped her hand around my elbow and pulled me to a stop. “Christopher won’t be home until almost seven. He won’t even know you were there.”

  “I don’t care what he knows. I care that we have to sneak around so he doesn’t give you a hard time about it.
”

  “It’s not like that.”

  “Then how is it? Because that’s how it feels to me. I feel like your secret friend.”

  She straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath. “Well, you’re wrong. You’re not a secret. He knows we study together.”

  “Then why mention he won’t be home?”

  “Because I know you don’t like him.”

  “OK. Then we’ll study at your place.”

  Her eyes lit up. “Excellent. Because I’ve been practising my cooking, and I made this really great cheesecake that you’re gonna love.”

  “How can I say no to that?”

  I had planned to leave before Christopher got home. Despite Trina’s insistence that everything would be fine, I knew better. I set an alarm for five-thirty then we got to work.

  Discussing the cases for our torts assignment, we became so engrossed in the particulars that we didn’t even hear the door open. “Thought I saw your car outside,” Christopher said as he closed the door.

  “Oh, hey,” I said, glancing up from my papers. “We’re just about done for the day.” With a quick glance at my phone, I noted the time. After seven. What the hell happened to my alarm?

  Trina jumped up and rushed over, greeting him like a puppy would greet his master. She always seemed to be trying so hard to please him. He glared at me over her shoulder. So I gave him a wink then kept working until I’d finished typing out my paragraph.

  He pulled out a chair and leafed through the printouts on the table. “What’s all this?”

  Trina returned to her seat, placing a bottle of beer in front of him before pulling the pages into neat piles. “Our torts assignment. We have to summarise these cases and discuss the similarities.”