Besting Brady: Hearts of Hollis

by J. L. Leslie

  “Not really. I haven’t dated a lot, and the guys I’ve dated didn’t really elicit a lot of emotions from me. They were all kind of boring. Guess you can say I’ve never really had my heart broken before.”

  “Well, I’d take boring over heartbreak any day of the week,” she says. “But please, Lilly, don’t seek out any thrills with any of the construction crew guys, especially Brady. You will get your heart broken.”

  “Is that what happened with Jade?”

  I probably shouldn’t ask, but I know something happened between them. I know they were together and that even though they’re friends, it didn’t end well.

  “Yep. That’s the closest thing that moron ever had to a relationship, and he bolted for an out-of-state job without saying a word. Left Jade high and dry. And so I’m very clear, the reason Kelly thinks she’s his girlfriend is because Brady treats her like she is but won’t commit.”

  I figured as much. He is a playboy. I already know that. But I’ll be damned if I don’t want him to play with me.

  Chapter Eleven

  Brady

  I finish hanging the shower curtain and step back to admire my work. Jade and Amelia did a good job picking out the color scheme for the bathroom. The light shades of purple and yellow look good, and the shower curtain matches. Amelia told me several times exactly what shades these colors are called, but to me, they’re purple and yellow.

  I walk out of the bathroom just as Lilly walks into the living room. She gasps in surprise, and I laugh.

  “Sorry about that. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “What are you doing here?” she asks, a slight trace of annoyance in her voice but mostly surprise. “I thought you were finished in here.”

  She puts her purse on the table and crosses her arms. Everything in her posture is screaming that she’s putting up walls, trying to keep me out.

  “Had to put one more thing up,” I answer. “And I came to help you move in.”

  “I told you before that I didn’t need your help,” she snaps. “I can handle this on my own as soon as I get some coffee.”

  I look at her hair that’s piled into a messy bun and the fact that she’s still wearing sunglasses. She looks sort of adorable, even if she’s in a snappy mood.

  “I take it you’re not a morning person.”

  “Not exactly. How is it possible that you are?” she asks, stifling a yawn. “You were out later than we were.”

  “I’m used to it,” I reply with a grin. “Every job I’ve ever worked required that I be up at the butt crack of dawn, and I don’t even need coffee. Imagine that.” She rolls her eyes. “Did you have fun last night?” I ask with a mischievous grin, thinking about our dance together. It was on my mind for most of the night.

  She smiles over at me and answers, “It was nice to have a girls’ night. Jade and Casey are fun. I don’t even need to ask if you had a good night,” she quips.

  I smirk over at her, assuming she’s talking about the brunette. “Ah, you must be talking about Dreama. She was all right.” I don’t bother telling her that although I found her, I didn’t take her up on her offer. Not sure why. I just wasn’t feeling it.

  I spent the rest of the night trying to keep Caleb out of trouble. He wanted to down shots and then shocked the shit out of me by pulling out a pack of cigarettes. Neither of us has ever smoked a day in our lives. He knows I despise the cancer sticks.

  “Well, I liked the place. Maybe I’ll get another night off and go back sometime. It definitely won’t be when I have to get up early the next day, though. In case you didn’t figure it out, I am not a morning person,” she says and yawns again.

  “Why don’t you go make yourself a pot, and I’ll start getting your things,” I suggest.

  “I really don’t need your help, Brady,” she reminds me.

  “Good thing my mama raised me to be a gentleman, Lilly,” I say.

  She mumbles, “I doubt that.”

  I laugh as I head down the stairs and outside. The only car parked in the lot is a silver BMW. I whistle as I open the door and pop the trunk. I wonder why someone driving a BMW like this is hanging out in Hollis. Sort of reminds me of Madden.

  He came here to run away from his family and the fact that Amelia, who he thought was the love of his life, was marrying his brother, Keegan. Obviously, he found a new love and started a new life here in Hollis. He hasn’t left since.

  When I open the trunk, there are a total of four suitcases, some shopping bags, and a small bag that I assume is a toiletry bag. I grab two of the suitcases and start back inside. Lilly is standing by the coffee machine. She looks as though she’s praying for it to brew faster. I deliver those two bags up to her apartment and then go back for the rest, putting them on the bed.

  When I get back, I ask, “Is that all you have? Just the suitcases?”

  “I’m not staying long,” she answers. “Told you I could handle moving in by myself.”

  I don’t argue with her or tell her that isn’t the point. It’s clear she’s in a mood. Maybe she’ll feel better when she has some coffee. Or more of my company. An orgasm or two would cheer her right up, but I don’t suggest it. She might pour hot coffee on my dick.

  “Where are you from, Lilly?” I question, taking a seat on the barstool across from her. I rest my elbows on the counter and lean in.

  “Wouldn’t you like to know,” she deadpans.

  “Well, yeah, that’s why I’m asking you. You know I’m from here, so it’s okay to tell me where you’re from. I think you know I won’t bite...unless you ask me to.”

  “Don’t count on it.” She narrows her eyes at me, a slight smirk playing on her lips. “I’m from Dallas.”

  “Really? That’s where the Steeles are from, too. Did you know them?”

  “I’ve heard of their family, but I don’t know them personally,” she answers and glances back toward the coffee pot.

  “It won’t brew any faster just because you’re hovering over it,” I joke, and she rolls her eyes at me. “How about your parents? They still around?”

  “What is this? Twenty questions?”

  “If we’re not going to be having sex, I guess we should try to be friends,” I smirk. Not something I do too often, but figure I should give it a shot.

  “Fine. My parents are still around, and since I’m guessing you’ll ask, they’re both doctors. My dad is an OB/GYN and my mom is a neurosurgeon.”

  “Damn, girl! You following in their footsteps? Dr. Lilly kind of has a ring to it.” I wink and laugh.

  “Um, no, actually I’m not following in their footsteps,” she replies. “What about your parents? I’ve met your mom, and I don’t think there’s a person who comes in here that doesn’t adore her. Jade tells me she’s famous on Taco Tuesdays.”

  “That’s true. She’s been working here at Jack’s since I was eight. I’ve been working here since I was twelve.”

  “That’s not even legal.”

  “It was for pool lessons,” I grin. “I did cut grass and do yard work and shit though for money. My mom needed the help, so I helped.”

  “What about your dad?” she asks and leans against the bar toward me.

  I hadn’t thought when we started this conversation that he would come up. My intention was to get to know her better, not to talk about myself. Certainly not to talk about my dad. I never really talk about my dad. The people who know about him were around when he was alive, and the people who weren’t, well, they don’t need to know about him.

  “He died a long time ago,” I answer and stand up from the barstool. “Hey, I’ll let you get unpacked. I’m sure you crammed a lot of shit into those four suitcases. Women are talented like that.”

  “Brady...” she starts, her voice drifting off.

  “I’ll see you around.”

  I cross the room in quick strides and push the door open. The sunlight and cool air hit my face, and I suck in a breath. I haven’t thought about my dad in a while. I can push tho
se memories down so deep they rarely ever surface.

  For some reason, though, I wanted to tell Lilly everything.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lillian

  I smile politely at Jack, who apparently thinks my name is Loraine. Jade was right; he’s gruff but may not be so bad once you get to know him. He’s just finished giving me a checklist before he leaves for the night. I’m flying solo for the first time.

  It shouldn’t be a big deal, but my palms are slightly sweaty at the thought. I’ve never been responsible for a business before, or really anything major for that matter. Sure, I had my education, but there were no repercussions for me quitting. My parents have always taken care of things. How lame is that? I’m twenty-eight years old, and this is my first real job.

  “Absolutely, sir. I can handle it.”

  He doesn’t believe me, but I know he hates working nights. He hands me the key, eyeing me up and down. I almost give him the key back and beg him to stay. I can’t do this.

  “All right, lock the front and back door before you go up to your apartment.”

  I nod again, and he grumbles a quick goodbye to the cook that’s on duty tonight. Since we don’t serve food past nine, he’s heading out. I guess that’s a good thing that I only have to worry about drinks.

  “Oh, and Lorraine,” Jack calls out. “Don’t call me unless the bar is on fire.”

  My eyes widen at his bluntness, but I answer, “I won’t call.”

  He waves curtly to the only group of people in here and then heads out the back to leave. Of course, that group includes Brady, and he saunters up to the bar where I’m standing.

  “Do you want me to tell him your name is Lilly?”

  “No, because my name is not Lilly either.”

  “Right,” he says.

  I know I’m flirting, but I can’t help myself. He brings out that side of me. His flirty nature comes naturally, and it’s hard not to reciprocate.

  “Would you prefer that I call you Lorraine?”

  “I prefer that you call me Lillian,” I reply. “But please don’t correct him. He probably wouldn’t like that.”

  “He’ll get over it.”

  I shrug my shoulders as I wipe down the bar. “It won’t be that long anyway, and I don’t usually see him that much. It’s not a big deal. Can I get you anything, Brady?”

  The last time I saw him, he rushed out of here. We were talking about our families, and I brought up his dad. There is definitely a story there, but I get the feeling he doesn’t want to tell me about it.

  “Brady, stop eye-fucking the waitress and get us a damn pitcher already!” Caleb yells, and I feel my cheeks flush.

  “I guess I need a pitcher.”

  “I’ll bring it over.”

  He shakes his head. “I’ll wait for it. You bring it over, then everyone in the crew gets to take a look at your ass. This way, I’m the only one who can check it out.”

  “You sound like a caveman.”

  “I am a caveman,” he jokes.

  “Not true. If you were a caveman, you’d throw me over your shoulder and...” I let my words die off, completely mortified at what I was about to say. “I don’t know where I was going with that. Just ignore me.”

  There he goes with that sideways grin of his. My nipples harden in my bra, and I turn away from him, filling a pitcher with beer from the tap.

  “You working completely alone tonight?” he asks, and I’m grateful he changes the subject.

  “Yeah, Jade had a test in Redbud, and Casey had class.”

  “My mom usually fills in for them. Surely, she didn’t let you work all alone.”

  I frown. “Jack made her leave earlier today. She wasn’t feeling well. I can handle it, though.”

  “My mom’s sick?”

  He has this instant look of worry on his face, and all the playfulness I usually see is gone. It shows me there is a different side to him. So much more to him.

  “I think it’s only a cold. Nothing to worry about.”

  He’s clearly affected by this news. “My mom doesn’t miss work. It’s not like her.”

  “I’m sure she would appreciate you stopping in to check on her. That’ll probably make her feel all better.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

  I hand him the pitcher, and he takes it from me, being sure to make this dramatic show of shaking his ass as he walks away.

  “Fucking finally,” Caleb exclaims.

  I decide to start wiping down tables and cleaning up since they are more than likely going to be the only customers tonight. The moment that thought enters my mind, I hear the bell ring on the door, and twelve men, mostly older, walk through the door. So much for it being a slow night.

  They’re all wearing bowling shirts and greet Brady as they file in. Turns out, they’re from a bowling league in a nearby town and are passing through on their way back home. They stopped in to celebrate their win.

  I approach their table, trying to hide my panic as they start rattling off drink orders that I have no clue how to make. I’m in even more of a panic when I can’t get the Wi-Fi to work on my phone so I can Google how to make said drinks.

  I blink back tears, my fingers hovering over the screen as I pull up Jack in my contacts. I do not want to call him and admit failure, but I can’t call Jade or Casey.

  “You need some help?” Brady asks, coming up behind me. His hands rest on my hips as he peers over my shoulder. “Are you looking up instructions on how to make those drinks?”

  His chuckle vibrates against my back, and I sigh, relaxing against him as hopelessness sets in.

  “I’ve never waitressed before, much less tended bar.”

  He kisses the back of my head in this sweet, reassuring gesture, and I want to melt in his arms.

  “We got this.”

  I’m fascinated as he starts pulling items from the shelf and mixing drinks, glancing at my notepad every so often. I handle the shots and beers, and together, we deliver the drinks. He ignores the jabs from the crew about him being the new prettiest waitress at Jack’s.

  The bowling team chats with Brady’s crew while I start cleaning up. Luckily, they don’t ask for refills. I think they probably know I’m not equipped to handle that and that it’s nearly closing time. They do leave a generous tip.

  “I should split this with you,” I say to Brady once everyone has cleared out.

  I wasted yet another night not getting to know my brothers, but I did make some decent tips. It’s like this town is taking over and making me forget the whole reason I came here.

  “Nah, you keep that,” he says and starts gathering the trash for me.

  “You really don’t have to stay. You’ve helped me enough tonight.”

  “Why are you so damn stubborn?”

  His question irks me even though I know he means it in a teasing sort of way. The guys I dated in the past would ask me this same thing when I refused to allow them to order for me or when I disagreed with their suggestions. It wasn’t being stubborn, but having my own opinion. Being my own person.

  “I’m not being stubborn,” I deny. “I can do this myself.”

  “But you shouldn’t have to, and I don’t mind helping. I was raised to be like this.”

  “Well, I wasn’t.”

  He just ignores me and continues to clean up his table. I go into the kitchen and deposit the dirty dishes in the sink. When I come back out, Brady is standing at the jukebox and selecting a song. When the music starts, he turns and holds out his hand.

  “Dance with me?”

  I shouldn’t, but I do. His hold on me is firm, showing me that he knows how to lead and making me feel absolutely one hundred percent comfortable in his ability to do so.

  “Can I ask you something?”

  He nods his head, his face only inches from mine. “Sure.”

  “Why did you leave so suddenly on Sunday?”

  I feel the distance he puts between us, and I mean actual distanc
e. Our bodies were touching, but now there is this space there, and I miss the connection. I did that with one simple question. Now, I’m dying to know the answer.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Brady

  I wish I wasn’t holding her right now. Wish she hadn’t asked me that. I don’t want to talk about my dad. Don’t want to relive what happened. I want to dance with Lilly, and fucking seduce the shit out of her. That’s what I want to do.

  “Sunday? I didn’t realize I left suddenly,” I lie and pull her back against me to try and make her forget this conversation.

  “Oh, you didn’t realize that?” she asks, a teasing tone to her voice. “I thought maybe you’d seen me with my hair in a mess and no makeup a little too long. You were ready to bolt.”

  “I happen to think you looked slightly adorable, Lilly Benson,” I say, and she rolls her eyes. “You did. You have two different looks,” I inform her. “The look you had when you first got here. Like this city girl look, high heels and tight skirt and those red fucking lips of yours. It’s sexy and smart looking. Then you have a country girl look too. Jeans and a tight T-shirt. It’s fucking adorable as hell.”

  “So, you weren’t bolting because of me, but you were bolting?” she prods, not giving up.

  “Let’s just finish this song,” I suggest. “My mom likes this song. I’ll tell her we danced to it when I go check on her tomorrow.”

  “Did anyone ever tell you you’re very good at deflecting?”

  “You want help with the dishes when we finish here?” I ask, deflecting again. I shoot her a grin, letting her know that I know exactly what I’m doing.

  She simply shakes her head, finally giving up on her quest for answers. When the song ends, another one begins, but I release her. I don’t want her doing a poor job of closing up because I’m distracting her all night.

  I head into the kitchen and turn the water on, grabbing the dishwashing liquid. I notice that she isn’t telling me she doesn’t need my help anymore. I’m making progress. I start washing while she rinses.

  “So, did you really plan to look up instructions on how to make all of those drinks?” I ask. “That would’ve taken all night.”