Long and Hard: A Bad Boy Box Set

by Lulu Pratt

  I was going to save my best friend yet.

  Chapter 11

  CALLIE

  THE WEDDING WAS beginning to take shape, all of it happening a lot faster than usual, but things were coming together. I worked day and night to give Abigail what she wanted and make her wedding a day to remember. I enjoyed planning her wedding because I knew exactly what she wanted, and it made it easier for me to give her options. Planning my best friend’s wedding was a dream come true. I always knew that when Abigail got married, it was going to be an affair to remember.

  Not only was Abigail my best friend, but she was one of the easiest brides to work with that I’d ever had.

  “I think it’s because we’re so close,” Abigail said when I told her.

  “Maybe,” I said. “Maybe you’re just a great person.”

  Abigail and I laughed. We were getting ready to head out to the boutique. Abigail had ordered the bridesmaids’ dresses, and they had arrived this morning.

  “I’m so excited to see them,” Abigail said. “The wedding’s starting to get real now.”

  We walked into the boutique and announced our arrival. The shop assistant hurried to the back to fetch Abigail’s order. She returned with the wrapped dresses, and Abigail lifted one dress out of the tissue paper and sighed.

  “Is this not the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?”

  The dress was a soft pink with a bow and one shoulder, and I had to agree with her. It was beautiful. Abigail had always loved pink, and it was so like her to be able to pull it off without it looking like a Barbie theme.

  “There seems to be a mistake,” I said, looking at the dresses. “You only have three bridesmaids but there are four dresses.”

  Abigail shook her head. “I ordered four dresses.” She took both my hands in hers. “I was hoping you would be one of my bridesmaids.”

  I was surprised. I had thought Abigail had already asked everyone she wanted to be a part of her wedding party.

  “I know you already have a lot on your plate because you’re planning the whole thing, but will you be by my side when I take this next step in my life? You’ve always been there through everything, and I don’t want to go through this without you.”

  I nodded and hugged my friend. “Of course, I would love to be a bridesmaid.”

  Abigail and I had an emotional moment, but she cleared her throat and stepped away after a moment.

  “Can I point out Carter only has three groomsmen? The numbers will be offset if you have four bridesmaids.”

  “Oh, I know that. I already talked to Carter about it. We don’t mind about keeping things symmetrical. It’s more important that we surround ourselves with the people who love and support us.”

  My thoughts jumped to Grayson who did everything but love and support them. I pushed the thoughts away. This wasn’t my problem.

  Abigail looked unsure of herself, chewing her bottom lip.

  “Can I ask you another favor?”

  I nodded. I was already planning the wedding and being a bridesmaid. Bring it on, bestie.

  “Will you take care of the bachelorette?”

  “What would Bridget say?” I asked. I knew Abigail’s cousin was the maid of honor. Abigail had chosen her because it was a family tradition. Besides me, everyone in the bridal party was family.

  “I already spoke to her about it,” Abigail said. “If I have to be honest with you, I don’t trust her like I trust you. I would rather have you plan my bachelorette and make it a night to remember than have something I don’t enjoy and feel like it’s a waste of my time. It’s my bachelorette, and I’m only going to get one of them in my entire life. I want everything to be perfect.”

  I fully understood. I was more than happy to arrange Abigail’s bachelorette, to show her the time of her life as a single woman for the last time.

  “You know I would love to do it,” I said. “I just don’t want to step on any toes.”

  “You’re not. Bridget really doesn’t mind as she’s swamped at work, and I want this. I want everything to be perfect, and so far, it’s working out. Thanks to you.”

  I smiled and nodded. Planning was my forte, and Abigail was my best friend. It was taking shape in front of my eyes, and I was aware of how privileged I was to be able to plan my best friend’s wedding and bachelorette.

  “Is there anything specific you want and don’t want?” I asked.

  “I don’t want any strippers. I don’t want anything I wouldn’t be comfortable with Carter doing. I know the bachelorette is the last hurrah for me as a single woman and all that, but honestly, I just want to celebrate the fact that I’m getting married. I want to be pampered. I want to be the center of attention, but I don’t want it to become a reason for us to split up. You hear too many stories about those things.”

  I nodded. I knew exactly what Abigail was trying to say. I had seen a couple of bachelor and bachelorette parties where the bride or groom had made the wrong choices. When the wedding was planned, and everything was set to move forward, it was difficult to handle a situation that could very well be labeled as cheating.

  “Don’t you worry about a thing,” I said. “I’ll make sure it’s exactly what you want.”

  Abigail smiled and nodded. “I know. That’s why I asked you. You know me better than anyone, and you’re already giving me everything I want with this wedding. I can’t wait to see what you have in store.”

  After we left the boutique, Abigail and I went back to Rachel’s restaurant. Rachel was excited to see us and greeted Abigail as if she was an old friend.

  “How are your plans coming along?” she asked.

  “They’re coming along really well. I feel like we’re on schedule.” Abigail seemed comfortable around Rachel. Isaiah’s mom had the ability to make everyone feel like they had been friends with Rachel for years. I was glad she was doing Abigail’s catering. It was so much easier to tell someone you could trust what you wanted.

  “Well, you have a great wedding planner on your hands,” Rachel said.

  I grinned. “You’re just saying that because Isaiah works for me.”

  “I’m saying that because it’s true,” Rachel said. “And because Isaiah works for you.”

  We all laughed. Abigail opened her mouth to say something — we were here to put in the final order for the catering — when Carter and Grayson walked into the shop.

  “Hello, beautiful,” Carter said and wrapped his arms around Abigail, kissing her on the mouth.

  “What are you doing here?” Abigail asked Carter after they broke the kiss. “It’s a surprise to see you.”

  “I’m here to double-check the final order. I’m sure that’s what you’re doing too?”

  Abigail nodded. “Great minds think alike.”

  Grayson didn’t try to hide his disgust. “Oh, we already at the cheesy quotes? Why don’t you embroider that on a pillow for your home together?”

  I glanced at Abigail who didn’t seem to be bothered by how Grayson was being. Carter seemed not to care, either. Maybe they were ignoring him and focusing on each other, which was good for them. It was more than I was able. Maybe I was the only one who was annoyed with his attitude. Maybe this was just how he was, and everyone had learned to ignore his tantrums. It wasn’t so easy for me to ignore him. He was being annoying and standoffish, and it irritated me. At the same time, I still got butterflies when I looked at him, and I hated that. I hated it because I loved it. Grayson stood in front of the display case, looking at what was available, and I could study him without looking like I was being weird.

  He really was drop-dead gorgeous. I wished he would look up at me and flash me a smile or something. I wanted him to be with me the way he had been at the club that night. But it was a stretch to hope for a man who would be in a good mood. Today, it seemed like Grayson was full of shit.

  It was a damn shame his bad attitude looked good on him. I was willing to bet Grayson would be handsome, attractive, no matter what mood he
was in. Which meant that no matter how much of a dick he was being, I would be attracted to him. It was a weakness I wasn’t happy with.

  “So, are we all set here?” Grayson asked after Carter returned. Rachel and I were talking about something, but I heard Grayson despite the conversation I was having.

  “I think so,” Abigail said. “It’s another thing taken care of. I’m getting excited!”

  “I should hope you’re excited,” Grayson said. “It’s a big step, and without the excitement backing you, you might get cold feet.”

  I stopped my conversation with Rachel and turned my attention to Grayson. What was he trying to do? He was picking on Abigail directly now.

  “What the hell, dude?” Carter said.

  Grayson pulled up his shoulders. “I’m just saying. It’s awful fast to wrap your head around.”

  “I guess it might take you longer to wrap your mind around it,” Abigail said tightly. “It’s a good thing we’re the ones getting married and not you. Come on, Carter.”

  Carter left the restaurant hand in hand with Abigail.

  “This is bullshit,” I said.

  I walked to Grayson where he stood with his hands in his pockets, an arrogant grin on his face.

  “Can I meet up with you later for a drink?” I asked. I wasn’t going to shit all over him here in the restaurant and make a scene, and I wasn’t going to risk Abigail and Carter seeing me getting up in Grayson’s face.

  He looked surprised. “You and me?” he asked.

  “Alone,” I said.

  Grayson pulled up his shoulders in a gesture that suggested it didn’t matter to him either way and nodded.

  “Yeah, okay. Tonight.”

  “At the Garage?”

  Grayson nodded again. “It’s the only place I know around town.”

  “Great,” I said. “I’ll see you there at eight. Don’t be late.”

  I turned and walked out of the restaurant, not bothering to see if he was following me. I would have it out with him later. Right now, I was going to put on a smile and continue to make this journey as pleasant as possible for my best friend and the love of her life

  When I walked out, they were standing arm in arm, talking together. She had stars in her eyes, and he looked at her the way a man should look at the woman he loves. I didn’t care what Grayson said about it being too soon. Judging by the way they looked each other, what they felt for each other was real. And real love didn’t have an expiration date. This was going to be a beautiful wedding with two people who deserved it. And I was going to see it through until the very end, making sure assholes like Grayson didn’t mess the whole thing up for them.

  Chapter 12

  GRAYSON

  “WHY ARE YOU dressed up?” John asked when he came into the kitchen where I was drinking a cup of coffee. I had put on jeans, square-toed shoes and a collared shirt. It wasn’t formal, but I looked better than I usually did on a Monday night.

  “I’m going out to the Garage to meet Callie,” I said. “She wanted to talk to me in private. God knows about what.”

  John grinned at me. “Working your charm already, huh? Maybe it’s about the wedding.”

  I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Everyone knew I was sick of wedding shit, but they were set on talking about it, no matter what. I seriously hoped it was not what it was with Callie. But since the night at the club, I had a hunch it would be something else.

  “Maybe it’s not about the wedding at all. Maybe she’s coming out to experience my charm firsthand,” I said.

  John laughed. “As long as you don’t get involved with her. She’s part of the wedding. That’s bad form.”

  I shrugged. “I can’t help it if she has good taste.”

  “You’re full of it,” John laughed. “I don’t think she’ll have trouble resisting you.”

  “She already did,” I said into my cup when I took a sip, and John frowned at me.

  “What did you say?” he asked.

  I shrugged. “I’m just saying I’m harder to resist than you think. It’s not my fault. She thinks I’m hot.”

  John shook his head. “I don’t even want to know what you did, but you better stop this right now.”

  I was surprised. “So, it’s okay when you’re joking about my charm, but if I really got some, it’s wrong?”

  “She’s Abigail’s best friend, Grayson. The wedding planner. Doing anything with her isn’t only poor form, it will cause problems if something goes wrong.”

  I hadn’t thought about that. I’d only wanted to get a piece of ass that was as delicious as it looked. I hadn’t thought about what it would do to Callie and Abigail’s wedding plans. But now that John pointed it out, it was worth noting.

  “What’s going on in here?” Carter said, coming in. “You look nice.”

  “Grayson is meeting with the wedding planner,” John said, looking at me.

  Carter lifted his eyebrows before walking to the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water. “For what?”

  “Probably wedding stuff,” I sighed.

  John was looking at me, and I appreciated his guidance most of the time. He was a great mentor, but I wished he would have stayed out of this one.

  “You like her, don’t you?” Carter asked.

  I snorted. “No, I don’t.”

  John and Carter both gave me a face suggested they disagreed.

  “Come on,” I said. “She’s a pain in the ass. Have you seen how we argue?” I wasn’t even making it up. Callie and I bickered about everything.

  “I can see why,” Carter said. “Isn’t it a thing where the boy and the girl like each other so they fight all the time?”

  “Don’t call me a boy,” I said.

  Carter chuckled. “Defensive. Doesn’t that mean something?”

  I shook my head. Carter was going to tease me as long as I sat here. I stood up. “I’m going,” I said. The sooner I got out of the house, the better. I didn’t like Callie, but she was damn hot, and I’d tapped that. I would tap it again. There was nothing else to say about it.

  I waited at the Garage for her. The bar was a weird place being in a former parking garage, but it was the only place I knew, so it made sense to meet here. I ordered a beer and waited.

  When Callie arrived, she sat down next me. I smiled at her, pulling out my most charming smile. “You look good,” I said. She was wearing black pants and a red blouse that made her look fierce.

  “Thanks,” she said, but she was not happy. In fact, she looked a little pissed. She ordered a glass of wine and gulped down more than half before she came up for a breath.

  “Woah,” I said. “Thirsty?”

  Callie turned to me, and she wasn’t amused.

  “I’m not here to flirt and make small talk,” she said.

  “So, do you want to get right to it, then?” I asked and waggled my eyebrows at her.

  She shook her head. “Stop your shit, will you? God, since the moment we met, you’ve been thinking only about yourself, and it’s getting old. I don’t know what you’re more hung up on, how attractive you think you are or how badly you want to ruin this wedding.”

  Was this meeting to shit all over me? I was starting to think so.

  “I met you here alone so we can have it out. I know you don’t have a problem with me, that this is about Carter and Abigail getting married. I don’t know what your issue is with their relationship. So, it’s a little soon. I’m aware of that. But it’s what they want, and they have the right to decide that, and you better leave this wedding the hell alone.”

  “Callie, I don’t think you quite understand,” I started, but she interrupted me.

  “No, you’re the one who doesn’t understand. I won’t let you ruin things for my best friend. You should be ashamed that you’re ruining it for yours too. Don’t you want them to be happy?”

  “As a matter of fact…” I started again, but Callie shook her head and carried on. She wasn’t going to let me speak.

 
“You’d better pull yourself together and start behaving. You need to get out of my way and let me plan this, and I expect you to put on a face and enjoy this for your friend’s sake. They’re in love, and they deserve this.”

  She finished the rest of her wine, slapped money down on the counter, and slipped off the bar stool. I watched her perfect body as she marched away, her ass swinging side to side. What the fuck just happened?

  I couldn’t believe she had come in here to give me shit about the wedding, lecturing me like that. She had spoken to me like she was my mom, and that didn’t sit well with me. I knew she was only looking out for Abigail, which was what a friend was supposed to do. But she hadn’t let me say something once. I couldn’t explain my side to her, and that was bullshit. If she had been so serious about setting me straight, she should have found out what my reason was because God knew I had one.

  But she had left me here like a scolded child. I sipped my beer, turning her words over and over in my mind.

  One thing was for sure. What John had said was out. No matter what had happened between Callie and me, there was no way it was going to tank the wedding plans. Which was a damn shame. I had hoped it would be something I could fall back on if it came down to it. But I could find other things that would cause trouble well enough.

  I thought about Callie again and shook my head. God, she was fucking hot, even when she was scolding me. Some women wore anger well, and she was the kind of woman who made me want to fuck her because of the rage that boiled just beneath the surface. I wanted to grab her and shut her up with my tongue in her mouth. Or my dick. Bending her over this bar would have been perfect, stripping off her pants and running my hands over her delicious ass before pumping into her until she calmed the fuck down.

  She would probably have slapped me if I’d tried to kiss her. Or she would have accepted me in the way she had the first time. Sometimes, all it took was to be forward enough.