Besting Brady: Hearts of Hollis

by J. L. Leslie

  “That’s why you need to come with me. Get out of this town for a little while. It’ll help,” Avery offers. “Trust me.”

  “I don’t know,” he says, hesitation in his voice, but I feel like he’s wavering.

  “You sure as fuck won’t have a chance of getting her back doing the shit you’re doing now,” I say. “You need this, Caleb. Go to L.A. Maybe change a little.”

  Avery reaches out her hand, and I sigh in relief when Caleb takes it. “Let’s go get you packed up.”

  “Take care of the crew for me while I’m gone,” he instructs, and I nod. “Oh, and win that bet.”

  I shake my head and laugh. “I’ll see you soon, man,” I say and watch him leave with Avery.

  We’ve been inseparable since we were kids, too. I hate knowing he’s leaving and that I don’t know how long he’ll be gone.

  Hell, he might not ever want to come back.

  Chapter Twenty

  Lillian

  I toss my keys onto the table and step inside my apartment. I’m still living out of my suitcase, but I can’t bring myself to unpack. If I unpack, that will mean I’m settling in here, and I can’t do that.

  After the Caleb and Casey fiasco, everyone else stayed behind and ate apple pie before cleaning up. I actually spent time with all three of my brothers, so tonight wasn’t a total bust.

  Although Keegan and Landon don’t live in Hollis, they do visit often. The three of them are so close. It made me a bit sad to know I may never have that connection with them. I didn’t grow up with them, didn’t form those bonds. It might be too late. That thought almost makes me want to forget about everything and go back home. Telling them will turn their lives upside down the same way it did mine. Maybe they’re better off not knowing.

  Then again, what if they somehow find out the way I did? How would they feel about that?

  Frustrated with the entire situation, I take a long, hot shower to clear my head. I dress in an old, oversized tee when I get out and leave my hair down to air dry. I’m ready to crawl into bed when I hear a noise downstairs.

  I frown and ask myself if I locked up when I came in. I’m pretty confident I did, but even if I didn’t, the bar is closed for Thanksgiving.

  I tiptoe across the room in case whoever or whatever is downstairs can somehow hear me. I don’t have any weapons here, so I settle for my hairdryer.

  This is stupid. I should just call the cops, but then again, what if it’s just a mouse or something? Then I’m the crazy girl that called the cops because she heard a rodent. I ease down the stairs and see that light from just above the liquor cabinet has been switched on.

  I finish my trip down the stairs, holding up my hairdryer, the cord trailing behind me. I take a deep breath and turn the corner from the stairs, walking to the bar. My eyes land on broad shoulders and a familiar head of light brown hair.

  “Jesus, Brady!”

  Brady turns around and bursts out laughing when he sees what I’m holding. “Are you going to style my hair?”

  “I had to improvise. You scared the hell out of me.”

  I don’t even ask how he got in here. The guy has been working here since he was twelve years old. I’m more curious as to why he’s here.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Nothing else is open.”

  “We aren’t open,” I reply.

  He grabs a bottle of whiskey from the shelf and grins at me. I watch him take two glasses and pour us each a shot.

  “It’s been a rough night,” he explains, handing me a glass.

  “You lost your best friend.”

  He downs the shot and puts the glass on the counter. I haven’t touched mine. I get the feeling I need my mind to be clear tonight. Completely clear with him.

  “How in the hell do you do that, Lilly?” he asks but doesn’t give me an opportunity to answer. “You know exactly what the fuck I’m thinking or when I’m hiding something or what I’m feeling. How is that?”

  “I don’t do that.”

  “But you do, and no one else has done that with me. You’re different. Tell me why.”

  I laugh at this. “I don’t have an answer for that.”

  “Okay, I’ll change tactics. What do you like to do? What are your dislikes? Where do you see yourself in ten years?”

  I roll my eyes. “Read, the word ‘fat,’ and I have no idea. Are these really the questions you want to ask me?”

  “Why do you keep denying me?”

  “I’m not...I’m not denying you.”

  My answer stammers out because he’s placed his hand on my hips and pressed my back against the counter, inching his body closer and closer.

  “Yes, you are,” he says. “Be honest. You’re fighting this attraction between us. Why?”

  My eyes go to his mouth. I can’t help it. He licks his damn lips, and I want to taste them. I want him to kiss me more than anything.

  I snake my hand up his chest and around his neck, slowly pulling him to me. He reaches behind me and cups my ass, giving it a nice squeeze just before his mouth closes over mine. Yes!

  Damn, he’s a great kisser. I can’t recall the last time I was kissed this good. Or if I was ever kissed this good. With the uptight guys I’ve dated in the past, I highly doubt it.

  Effortlessly, he lifts me and then drops me onto the counter, stepping between my legs. On instinct, I wrap them around his waist and pull him closer so that there is no space between us. The heels of my feet press into his ass cheeks as he slips one hand beneath my shirt, the other grasping the nape of my neck.

  I moan against his mouth when his fingers trace over my nipple, bare from my shower. He pinches it between his thumb and forefinger and then traces circles around it to soothe away the sting.

  He moves his hand down my stomach, slowly inching toward my panties and the reality of what I’m wearing, what I’m doing, hits me like a damn freight train.

  Don’t get me wrong; I want Brady. He’s gorgeous and sexy and makes me feel oh so wanted. But what happens when I give in to him? What happens when I go back to Dallas? I just don’t think I’m capable of hooking up with him and pretending that sex means nothing to me. Or worse. Knowing it means nothing to him.

  “Brady, stop,” I choke out, placing my hand over his when he reaches the waistband of my panties. “I can’t. I can’t do this.”

  He heaves out a breath, resting his forehead against mine before he places his hands on the edge of the counter.

  “There’s my proof, Lilly. You are fighting this thing between us so fucking hard. Christ, I need to know why. You owe me that much.”

  “Kelly,” I answer.

  He steps away from me, mumbling a curse as he runs a hand through his hair. “For the last time, she’s not my fucking girlfriend!”

  “I understand. But I can’t become like her. I can’t turn into Kelly. Desperate and confused and wondering what’s happened to the connection we had when you suddenly stop returning my calls.”

  He approaches me, cupping my face in his hands. “You are nothing like her, Lilly.”

  “And I absolutely will not become her. Good night, Brady.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Brady

  I watch Lilly walk up the stairs and disappear into her apartment. I fight the urge to go bang on her door. I feel pretty confident that I can convince her to give in to what I know she wants. Especially after that kiss. This attraction between us is obvious. If she’s leaving soon, what’s the point in denying it?

  Instead of banging on her door, though, I put the bottle of whiskey back up and leave the bar. Lilly Benson might be the woman I want, but she’s not the woman I can have. I shouldn’t let myself dwell on that. And I won’t. I’m not that type of guy. I’m Brady Fucking Thompson, and I can have pretty much any damn woman in Hollis that I fucking want.

  I drive around town a little while, listening to sad country songs on the radio and trying to figure out exactly what it is that I want to do. Without
Caleb here, I’m restless. I’m not ready to go home yet. I don’t have any shells in my truck for target practice, so that’s a no-go. I honestly thought by going to Jack’s that I would have a few drinks with Lilly, and she would stop fighting what we both know we want to happen. But no.

  Fuck, she looked hot in her oversized shirt and panties, even wielding a blow dryer. Her long, damp hair falling down over her shoulders. Her thin t-shirt that made it obvious she wasn’t wearing a bra. The way her nipples perked underneath my touch. Fuck me.

  I turn down Horton Street, and a few seconds later, pull into Kelly’s driveway. Her lights are off, but I’ve shown up at her house later than this. When she opens the door, she’s wearing a pink silk robe and rubbing her eyes. I push the thought out of my head that I’m making a huge mistake.

  “Brady? What time is it?” she asks.

  “You going to let me in?”

  She pushes the door open, and I saunter inside. I don’t give her much time to react before I haul her against me. She wraps her legs around my waist, and I grip her bare ass as I carry her to her room, still worked up from my encounter at the bar. My dick is raging, and it might be for Lilly, but Kelly will have to suffice.

  I drop her down on the bed and she makes quick work of discarding her robe. I can’t turn into Kelly. Lilly’s voice invades my mind. I look down at the woman lying before me. Her eagerness is evident as she reaches for my jeans. She would do anything for me, and I’ve been letting her. The guilt that hits me is overwhelming.

  “Kelly, wait.” I push her hands away and stand up. “We shouldn’t do this. I don’t want to do this.”

  “Of course, you do. We’ve been doing this for months, Brady,” she argues.

  I run a hand through my hair and apologize to her. “I shouldn’t have strung you along like this.”

  Kelly grabs her robe and slips it back on but doesn’t tie it. She crawls to the edge of the bed and sits up. Her hands roam over my chest, trying to lift my shirt up.

  “Brady, you haven’t strung me along. I’ve known what this is, and I still want it,” she assures me.

  “You want more than what this is, Kelly.” I stop her. “And I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. We can’t do this again.”

  Even as the words are coming out of my mouth, I’m shocked that I’m saying them. I never have any trouble screwing a girl and walking out. I’m upfront and honest with her that it’s all I can give.

  I thought Jade was different, and we were exclusive, but I still wasn’t ready for anything serious with her. I don’t know that I’ll ever be ready for anything compared to what she and Madden have. I just don’t think I’m built that way. Yet, here I am, ending things with my fuck buddy.

  I step away from the bed and head toward the door. The pillow Kelly throws hits me square in the back. What the fuck?

  “Brady Thompson, you get your ass back in here and fuck me right now!” she screams. “Right now, Brady!”

  I keep walking, and another pillow whizzes by my head. I laugh at her silly antics. I’m doing the right thing, I know that, and she’s throwing shit at me.

  “Good night, Kelly. Take care of yourself.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Lillian

  I can admit. I haven’t made the best decisions lately. I dropped out of med school and left the only city I’ve known to track down my biological brothers, who have no idea I exist. My parents think I’m off traipsing around Europe. And I’m pretty sure I’m falling for a guy who wouldn’t know commitment if it slapped him in the face. Oh, and there may or may not be some truth to Casey’s theory that he and his friends have a bet on who can sleep with me first.

  Yeah, not making the best decisions lately. At least, I can admit it. At least, I am fully aware of it.

  Does it stop my stomach from getting butterflies when Brady winks at me from across the room? No.

  Does it keep my heart from pounding in my chest when he flashes me that signature smirk of his? Absolutely not.

  But I don’t want to play his games if that’s all he’s doing — playing games. So, I’m testing Casey’s theory. If I’m just part of some bet he has going with the construction crew guys, I want to know.

  Christ, I really want to know because I don’t know how much longer I can resist his dimples and his laugh. Especially when he kisses the way he does. Holy cow.

  But I definitely need to know. I keep reminding myself of this as I carry the tray of food over to his table. I haven’t been around Tate and Logan much lately, but I’m going to pay special attention to the way they treat me. See if I can pick up on anything.

  And I’m going to flirt with them. Yes. I’m going to do that. Because maybe a little encouragement from me will make them think they stand a chance. If they’re making bets on me, then I need to know.

  “Okay, Brady, here is your usual,” I say and pass him his plate. “Tate, you like double cheese, right?” I ask with a wink.

  “Aw, Lilly, didn’t realize you knew my usual.”

  “Of course, I do. You guys are my favorite customers.”

  “And you are most definitely my favorite waitress,” he replies, his eyes raking over me.

  “And, Logan, I have your club with extra crispy bacon,” I say and put his plate in front of him. “Do you need a refill?”

  “Nope, just your number,” he replies.

  I giggle and grab his cup, ignoring Brady’s glare. As I’m walking off, I swear, I hear one of them say, “You’re not getting this one.”

  My heart sinks in my chest. I don’t want the interactions between us to be about some silly bet. To be about damn bragging rights. I thought it was something more. Then again, he had an amazing girl like Jade, and he screwed that up. Why in the world should I think things would be different with me? Besides, Hollis is only temporary. I’m not staying here.

  “Got you fixed up,” I say to Logan. “You guys need anything else?”

  “Nope,” Brady answers.

  “Hey, Lilly, you busy tomorrow?” Tate asks. “I’m heading into Redbud to run some errands. We can grab a bite to eat or something.”

  “Are you asking me out?”

  I force myself not to look over at Brady, not to gauge his reaction. Tate shrugs, and I see Brady toss the French fry he was about to eat down to his plate.

  “Yeah. It would be nice to hang out outside of this bar. That is, if you aren’t busy.”

  “She has plans,” Brady answers. “We’re going mudding tomorrow with Madden and Jade.”

  Madden laughs. “So, Jade and I are going mudding tomorrow?”

  Brady glares at him. “Yep. With me and Lilly. Right, Lilly?”

  Tate looks up at me expectantly, waiting on my response. “Um, yes, that’s right. I’m sorry, Tate. Some other time?”

  He cuts his eyes over to Brady. “You can bet on it.”

  With that response, I don’t have any doubt. And I feel like the biggest damn idiot playing right into Brady’s plan. I walk off, no longer wanting to be around him or anyone else at the table.

  “I hate this town,” I say as I join Jade behind the bar.

  Casey is seated across from us. She was here with Derek for lunch, but he must’ve headed to Redbud for his class.

  “You aren’t the only one, sweetheart. Been trying to get out of here for years. That’s one thing Caleb actually did right.”

  “So, you aren’t upset that he left for L.A.?” Jade asks.

  “Good riddance,” Casey says, but I can’t tell if she really means it. “I have a great boyfriend. He’s good-looking with an important job, and he cares about me. What more could I ask for?”

  “Great sex,” Jade replies, and I see Casey’s eyes narrow as if she touched a nerve.

  “We have sex, so that’s not an issue.”

  I don’t point out that there is a difference between sex and great sex. Not that I would know the difference myself. Best I’ve had is mediocre. And why is it that I get the feeling sex with Brady would be
great? More than great. Phenomenal.

  “Let’s stick to the issue at hand,” Casey says, changing the subject. “Why do you hate Hollis?”

  “Oh, um, I think you were right about the guys betting on me.”

  “Shit. Who do I need to nut punch?”

  I burst out laughing. “No one. I haven’t slept with any of them.”

  “Serves them right. Don’t let any of those fuckers win.”

  “I’m sorry, Lilly. They are nice guys. I doubt any of them made the bet with the intention of hurting you,” Jade offers.

  “And this is why you are too nice,” Casey says.

  “Just giving people the benefit of the doubt. Besides, if Lilly knows what they’re up to like you said, she doesn’t have to let any of them win.”

  “Definitely do not let them win,” Casey warns. “I have to run. See you guys later.”

  “Or, you could just call him out on it,” Jade suggests after Casey leaves.

  “Him?”

  “Pretty sure you know exactly who I’m talking about.”

  “Hey, baby, we’re heading out,” Madden says, approaching the bar. “By the way, we have plans with Brady and Lilly tomorrow.”

  He gives her a quick kiss on the cheek and then heads toward the door. I open my mouth to explain when Brady comes up behind me.

  “I invited a few other people,” he whispers in my ear. “Didn’t think I could control myself around you if we were alone.”

  I roll my eyes. “Who says I’ll even show up?”

  “You’ll show up. I know you can’t wait to get a little dirty.”

  And with that, he saunters off, and Jade stands there with her hands on her hips, giving me a pointed look. When she starts to laugh, I can’t help it, and I laugh too.

  Busted.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Brady

  It’s shortly after six p.m. when I start unloading the four-wheelers. We had to wait until Lilly and Jade were off work before we could get started. I borrowed Caleb’s Yamaha, and Jack let us use both of his Hondas. Since I have a Yamaha, it works out perfectly. Every couple can ride one.