Wrong Brother, Right Match (Anyone but You #3)

by Jennifer Shirk

  She held up her hand to show her engagement ring, and some of the audience oohed and ahhed. “Yes, I even got engaged to a wonderful man. We tried our matchmaking program on our test group soon after that, and it came back with a ninety-nine percent matchmaking accuracy report.” More applause sounded. “Yes, I’m thrilled with those results, and I’m very proud of what we can do for people. But…as someone recently told me, relationships take work, people are unpredictable, and life is always messy. And, unfortunately, I couldn’t plug all those things into a computer software system.”

  The room went silent. Celeste came and stood next to her with an embarrassed smile, looking like she wanted to yank away the microphone along with a handful of Kennedy’s hair, but Kennedy wasn’t nearly finished.

  “So as proud as I am of my software and how it can help couples, it really can only bring them so far. The rest is up to them—and maybe a little bit of chemistry. Because of that, I also sadly have to announce today that my engagement is off.”

  Commotion and questions erupted from the audience. The sound was chaos, and everything became a blur. Two hands grabbed her by the shoulders and yanked her away from the podium as Celeste stepped up to the microphone.

  “I’ll be happy to answer any questions,” Celeste barked into the microphone. “Miss Pepperdine might have spoken in haste about her upcoming marriage, so until we find out the true story, please refrain from any questions about her relationship.”

  Mia wrapped an arm around her and quickly ushered her to a side room to escape the cameras. Her emotions frazzled, Kennedy managed one last glance back to search the room.

  But Matt was nowhere in sight.

  …

  Back in the confines of her office, Kennedy sipped an herbal tea—that tasted neither special nor relaxing as the wrapper indicated—that Trent had brought her to soothe her nerves. He also brought her a fresh paper bag, the sweetheart. Thank God he was there with her, because she needed the extra support. She knew she’d blown it today at the press conference, but she had to be honest with everyone, and she needed to be honest with herself. It’s what her clients should expect. Celeste, however, and a few of her PR assistants were on the warpath.

  “You,” Celeste said, pointing her red-nail-polished finger at her, “completely sunk your own company, and we won’t be held responsible.”

  Trent stood and blocked her finger. “Hey, now. Nobody said anything about pointing blame at anyone. Besides, we were all there. Kennedy was nothing but honest and spoke from the heart.”

  Celeste snorted. “Well, from now on, she’s going to be speaking from the unemployment line.”

  Kennedy’s shoulders slumped. She may have spoken from her heart, but she may also have ruined her business and the lives of everyone working for her.

  “I’m sorry,” she said lamely. “I know I ruined everything. All I ever wanted was to bring people together and make them happy, but it seems as if all I’ve done is bring misery—mostly to myself. But I’ve been having doubts for a while about me and Justin, and well, when I saw Matt here today, I knew I couldn’t go through with the press conference.”

  “Wait. Who’s Matt?” Trent asked.

  “My brother,” Justin announced from the doorway.

  Kennedy had never seen Justin anything else but well-groomed, easygoing, and well, pleasant. But standing in her office, he looked like a caged lion sprung free. His tie was crooked, and his suit jacket was completely disheveled as if he’d thrown it on in a mad rush. The top of his blond hair stood up slightly as if he had run both hands though it many times over.

  “Justin,” Kennedy whispered. “What are you doing here? I thought you said you couldn’t make it.”

  “Well, after I just learned on the local news that my fiancée broke off our engagement, I figured I’d better get down here and find out what’s going on. Is this some sort of publicity stunt?” he said, chest heaving.

  She wished.

  She shook her head sadly. “I tried to tell you earlier on the phone. But you wouldn’t listen. I’m really sorry, Justin. I can’t imagine what your mom and sister must think of me. I didn’t want anyone to get hurt.”

  Justin snorted. “A little late for that.”

  Trent made the time-out sign. “Maybe you guys should deal with this without an audience,” he said, motioning for Celeste and her crew to head out.

  Celeste’s mouth was grim, but she grudgingly picked up her portfolio and made her way to the door. “I guess I’ll go and see if there is any damage control that can be done.”

  After Trent made sure everyone was out, he sent Kennedy a sympathetic shrug and closed the door behind him.

  Justin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Does you not wanting to get married to me have anything to do with Matt?”

  She hesitated. “Just a little,” she admitted.

  “Did he touch you? Did he do anything to you? That son of—”

  “No. Honest. He was a perfect gentleman. I—I just don’t think you and I are right for each other.”

  His angry demeanor fizzled before her eyes. “But why? We’re so similar. We want the same things out of life. I love you. And your software said we were perfect for each other, too.”

  Kennedy closed the gap between them, laying a hand on his forearm. “Yes. All that is true. And we are perfect for each other. On paper. In real life, not so much. Relationships take work, and neither of us is willing to do that. You couldn’t even find the time to spend our designated holiday vacation with me.”

  His face registered blank surprise. “But you never complained. Not really.”

  “No, I never did. I had hoped things would change. Actually, I think I never told you a lot of things that bothered me because I didn’t want to rock the boat and mess our relationship up. I wanted it to be perfect. And for a while, I convinced myself it really was.”

  “I thought it was.”

  “We were both busy and looking for the easy solution to being single. But honestly, Justin, you deserve better, too.”

  Justin hung his head, looking like a little boy who dropped his ice cream. “I wanted this to work,” he said finally.

  She thought of the rest of the Ellis family, how much she’d miss them, and a new anguish seared her heart. “I know. You like neat and tidy just as much as I do,” she said with a half smile.

  Then she lifted her left hand and slid her engagement ring off. With a lump in her throat, she held it for him to take.

  He reached out and took it between his fingers, giving her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Not that I imagine it would have changed things, but you know, it might have made things easier for you, so for what it’s worth, I am sorry I wasn’t here for you today. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you a lot of days.”

  A tear slid down her cheek. “Me, too.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I had a feeling you’d show up.”

  Matt had prepared himself for his brother’s frosty tone. His fiancée had just broken up with him in front of a crowd of people on local television. Matt’s name had never come up during the announcement, but he had to imagine that if Kennedy was going to be honest in public, she was going to be honest to Justin about her and Matt’s attraction to each other.

  Matt had left the press conference shortly after Kennedy announced she was breaking off her engagement to his brother. Once the uproar began, he felt it was his duty to call his mom and explain—explain as much as he could, anyway—just in case she’d been watching the news or Caitlyn had heard it through one of her social media outlets. His mom was upset, naturally. She had grown attached to Kennedy over that short amount of time.

  They all had.

  “So what are you doing here?” Justin asked.

  “I heard about your broken engagement to Kennedy. I’m sorry.”

  Justin snorted. “Are you?”

  “Yes, I am sorry.” No matter their differences or their apparent similar taste in women, th
e last thing he wanted was to see his brother hurt.

  Justin gazed at him for a long moment then simply turned and walked back into his living room.

  Matt stepped in, closing the apartment door behind him, then followed his brother.

  Justin sat back on the sofa, propping his feet up and going back to watching TV. Several empty bottles of beer lined his coffee table like soldiers waiting at attention. Matt shook his head and sat down. His brother even drank neat and organized. Matt supposed his brother and Kennedy did share similar anal traits, in that regard.

  “What the hell happened at home while I was away?” Justin asked, staring straight ahead.

  “Nothing happened.”

  Justin’s gaze cut to his. “Well, something had to have happened! Your fiancée doesn’t just change her mind about marrying you on a whim. Everything was so great and now…”

  “Was everything great, Justin?”

  “Yes. Yes, it was perfect.”

  “Perfect, how? To you? Because you finally had a relationship where you could concentrate on your job and maybe—just maybe—when you had a free moment to spare, you had a woman in the background so you wouldn’t be lonely? Good grief, Justin, you have the same priorities with women as you do with family. Do you honestly blame her for wanting more?”

  “Hey, don’t go bringing family into this. You never understood what it was like to be second best—especially in Dad’s eyes. Why do you think I work so hard?”

  “Justin, nobody loves you because of what you’re doing or achieving. We love you for you. When you’re around, that is. But you never are. You never seem to take responsibility for anything at home. Mom does a good job of hiding her feelings, but I can tell it’s wearing on her—which wears on me.”

  “I know.” He shook his head. “I just want Dad to be proud.”

  The despair etched on his brother’s face weighed heavily on him, but Justin had to hear the truth. “He’d be prouder if you didn’t treat Mom and the rest of the family as an afterthought,” he said gently.

  Justin rubbed a hand over his face. “Are you saying my priorities are screwed up?”

  “I would have probably said it a little more colorfully, but yes.”

  “I know.” He sighed. “After Dad died, I just kind of checked out. I’m sorry if I wasn’t around to help you with Mom and Caitlyn and everything.”

  Matt dipped his chin.

  Justin blew out a breath. “I guess I can’t really blame Kennedy for breaking off our engagement. I thought I could fix things between us, but our relationship was never quite the same since her trip to Vegas for that technology conference.”

  Vegas. Matt looked up at his brother. Swallowed hard. Kennedy had the confidence to be completely honest today, and now he felt he owed Justin that much as well. “I, uh, heard Kennedy had an incident with a guy kissing her in an elevator out there in Vegas,” he hedged.

  “She told you about that?”

  Matt shook his head. “She didn’t have to… I was that guy.”

  “You were the one who kissed Kennedy? Ah, hell, Matt. Well, that explains why she was acting more anxious than normal when I brought her home to meet everyone. What the hell were you thinking?”

  “I wasn’t thinking! I mean, I was, but obviously I didn’t know she was yours.”

  “That’s right. She was mine,” he snapped.

  “Right. Sorry again.”

  Justin stood then walked over to a window that offered a view of Boston Common. After a few silent beats, he turned around. “So…tell me, do you have a thing for Kennedy or something now?”

  Matt would hardly call what he felt for Kennedy a mere “thing.” But on the other hand, it was too new and unknown to be identified as anything else. He hesitated a moment, not wanting to hurt his brother any more than he already was, but he still felt the need to be upfront. “I do like her,” he admitted.

  “Like her like her?”

  “For Pete’s sake, Justin, have we not expanded our dialogue beyond grade-school recess talk?”

  Justin sadly nodded. “I think I got my answer. I also think it’s time for you to go,” he said, walking toward the door.

  Matt got up and followed his brother’s lead. At this point, even though things weren’t finished between him and Justin, there couldn’t be any more said tonight. He needed to catch the last ferry back onto the island, too. Mom and Caitlyn were probably still reeling from the news.

  Justin unhooked his leather jacket from the coat hanger, fixing Matt with a long, tired stare, and dangled it from his index finger. An awkward silence followed.

  Matt’s throat suddenly tightened. He hated leaving things this way. Hated leaving his brother alone now. He seemed so broken. “Look, I—”

  Justin landed a punch squarely in his jaw, causing Matt’s head to snap back and hit the wall. Pain exploded in his face and for a few seconds he could barely see straight. His brother did always have a mean right hook.

  He slowly raised his hand to cradle his throbbing jaw. “I suppose, in some way, I deserved that.”

  Justin swung open the door. “Yeah, you did.”

  …

  Kennedy took the spoons out of the freezer and carefully placed them over her eyelids.

  After crying herself silly once she got home from today’s press conference fiasco, she’d Googled how to get rid of puffy eyes, and so far it seemed to be doing an okay job.

  What was Matt up to tonight? She wondered if he’d stayed in town or went back home to go out with friends. It was probably for the best that she hadn’t seen him after announcing that her engagement to his brother was off. That water was muddy enough. She understood about family loyalties. She couldn’t expect him to go and betray that loyalty for her.

  She removed the spoons and grabbed herself a bottle of wine off the counter then went into the living room. Clicking on the TV, she got ready to settle in for a night of Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. The irony wasn’t lost on her that for heading up one of the premiere matchmaking/escort companies in the state, she did not have a date for New Year’s Eve.

  Maybe that was a sign she should get out of matchmaking.

  Just as she was about to pour herself a glass of wine, her cell phone rang. Thinking it could be Matt, she rushed to answer it only to get her hopes deflated by the name on the call screen.

  “Hey, Mia,” she answered, without emotion.

  “Um, hello to you, too,” she said with amusement in her voice.

  “Sorry, but I just don’t have the energy to hear all the problems I’ve created for the company or to hear the list of complaints Celeste has with me right now. Spoiler alert: I know I messed up.”

  “Honey, relax,” Mia told her, “Celeste and her crew did some talking to the press and even to some of our test subjects. And you know what? People actually responded really well to your honest and upfront approach to dating and relationships.”

  Kennedy straightened so fast, she almost knocked over her wine. “They did?”

  Mia chuckled. “I know. Celeste couldn’t believe it, either. But she managed to spin their response in such a way that you already have an offers to do interviews for Boston magazine and Cosmopolitan. Ken, I think we’re going to be okay.”

  Kennedy breathed out a huge sigh of relief. “Oh thank God, I don’t know what I would have done if I had failed you guys.”

  “Ken, it’s okay. I know it’s your company, and you started it, but there are a lot of people who are grateful for the opportunity you’ve given to them working for you. Me included. And we wouldn’t let you go down with the ship alone. We would have done everything in our power to help. To help you. It’s like family to us.”

  Like family. Hearing that, and that she wasn’t alone in trying to keep her company afloat, lifted her spirits. “Thanks, Mia. I needed to hear that.”

  “I know you did. But I just wished you would have been upfront with me on your hesitations about Justin. I would never have pushed
the marketing campaign so hard if I had known.”

  “You’re right. I’m so sorry. From now on, I promise to keep you more informed with the business.”

  “Good. So maybe you can dial down the anxiety and not need your paper bag so much now?”

  “Whoa, whoa, that’s like asking Linus to just give up his blanket cold turkey. Let me get my life back together and then we’ll talk.”

  “Okay.” Mia chuckled. “And Ken, I am sorry to hear about you and Justin.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I really thought you two belonged together, but I guess if you want to be happy, you have to go with your heart, huh?”

  Kennedy smiled to herself, thinking about her mom. “Yeah, I guess you do have to follow your heart.”

  There was a sudden knock at the door.

  “Gotta go,” Kennedy said, grabbing the twenty she had on the coffee table. “My pizza is here. Happy New Year’s.” Clicking off the cell phone, she went to the door.

  And found Maddie and Trent standing in the hallway. Kennedy pasted on a smile. “Oh. Hey. Shouldn’t you guys be out celebrating the holiday?” She winced at how pathetic her attempt at upbeat sounded.

  Maddie’s eyes filled with sympathy. “We didn’t want you to spend New Year’s alone.”

  Trent held out his beefy arms, and she practically jumped right into them. They knew her so well. Thank goodness she didn’t have to be alone. She loved them both so much she thought her heart would explode on the spot. Even if she wasn’t marrying Justin and wouldn’t have the Ellis family as a part of her life, she would always have Trent and Maddie. And they were the best family to have.

  “Thank you,” she mumbled into her cousin’s chest. “If you hadn’t shown up, I’m sure I would have eaten an entire pizza by myself. Probably an entire sleeve of Fig Newtons, too. And a bag of stale Doritos.”

  “See, Trent? I knew we should have come over sooner. Maybe even have taken her out.”