That Guy
Page 25
“It’s the best thing ever,” Matt adds.
“Okay, what is it?”
“Ta-da.” Chris whips out a pink bag with no store label attached from behind his back. “You’re going to love it.”
“Chris, is it a …”
He giggles. “No!”
“Oh, thank God.” Another vibrator is not on today’s agenda for me.
“Take it.” He holds it out, and I accept.
Matthew steps forward, snaking his arms around Chris’s waist. “I’m so proud of you, sugar bug.”
“I know you are, sugar daddy.”
They kiss the moment Arlie appears.
“Get a room, you two,” he snaps, annoyed.
“One seed inside my bestie wasn’t enough for you? You’re still violating her, I see,” Chris tuts.
“Do you have any boundaries?” Arlie counters.
Chris shakes his head.
I laugh.
“Mindy, open, open it already. The suspense is killing me.”
“You’re killing him. Hurry up,” Matthew chimes in.
“Alright already.” I open the bag. I can clearly see a book inside.
“A baby-naming book?”
“Nope. So much better than a baby book.”
I drop the bag to the floor and turn it over until I’m looking at the front cover. Perfect Catch is the title. Even crazy girls can find love is the tagline. C.J. Grandy takes up the bottom of the cover.
“You published a book?” There’s excitement in my tone.
“Not any book. Turn it over and read the blurb.”
“Okay.”
Dr Belinda Trant is hopeless in love. Her life is far from where she thought it would be by her thirtieth birthday. She’s broke, single, and living with her cat, Letcher. The only shining star to brighten her days is her best friend, Chris.
I burst into laughter.
“Keep reading,” Chris encourages me.
But Belinda’s life is about to change in the most explosive way when she meets a smoking-hot, god-like man on a game show called Perfect Catch.
Charlie Right is strong, determined, wealthy, and dominate. He’s eye candy and cocky, and he knows it.
What happens when the paths of Belinda and Charlie cross?
Fireworks. A bunch of love-making fireworks.
“Is this serious?” I say.
“It is. I wrote a sexier, heat-filled story about you two.”
“Is he shitting us?” Arlie doesn’t look impressed. His nostrils are flaring, his eyes thin slits.
“I think it’s great.” I laugh.
“I told you she’d love it, sugar bug.” Matthew beams with pride.
“This is the best day of my life,” Chris cheers.
“Is he seriously having us on, or is this real? He just changed the beginning letters of our names.” Arlie’s distress only causes me further laughter.
I guess not every love story closes with a happily ever after. Sometimes, it ends with a happily ever after and an erotica book of fiction based on your life, written by your gay best friend …
That’s how this story ends.
Thank you for reading THAT GUY!
I hope you love Melinda’s story.
If you’re looking for another humorous read check out my Thirty Days Trilogy!
If you loved That Guy, you’ll love the funny, hot and swoony rollercoaster ride of Thirty Days: Part One.
Abigail and Marcus would love to show you their story in this powerful trilogy.
One-click THIRTY DAYS: PART ONE NOW!
Download here > http://books2read.com/ThirtyDays1
Thirty Days: Part One …
“Sometimes we choose to forget the things in life that hurt us the most.”
What has Abigail forgotten? What has been erased?
Plenty, apparently ...
Abigail, the self-proclaimed hexed, is falling apart at the seams. She’s mad at the world—at the series of doors that continue to slam in her face. Most of all, she’s mad at herself.
When her best friend Sammy interferes in her spiral of self-loathing with an intervention, she finds herself walking into a successful law firm and right into Marcus’s lap.
He’s sophisticated, funny, and alluring … but he’s also underhanded. There’s something else about Marcus that Abigail never expected: a link to her past. But are some secrets better left hidden?
One-click THIRTY DAYS: PART ONE NOW!
Download here
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Turn the page for an excerpt from Thirty Days: Part One …
Chapter one from Thirty Days: Part One
Chapter One
In A Haze
“Abi, what are you doing on my front lawn? Do you know it’s two a.m. and bloody cold out?” The sound is close.
My eye strains open as what looks like red hair tickles my nose. “Huh,” I slur, unsure as to where the hell I am.
“Are you drunk? Oh crap, you’re drunk off your head, aren’t you? I can smell it, don’t even deny it.” A set of pale blue eyes filled with worry look down at me.
“You could say that.” I giggle.
“So you’re still taking this well, I see?”
“Huh,” I slur again.
“Get off your arse and get inside.”
“I’m a big girl. Now unhand me, lady,” I spit as she drags my body across wet grass.
“Fuck, Abi, you said you were okay now.”
“I’m fine.”
“Clearly.”
The door slams hard. The carpet is soft under my cheek. Feet stomp past my head, but soon return. A blurry hand shoves a glass of clear liquid in my face. “Drink this. We need to sober you up.”
“I don’t wanna.” My fingers stroke the carpet as I fight the urge to vomit.
“Well, you need to. What were you doing out there?”
“Sleeping. Remembering better times,” I mumble.
“Great. Just great, Abi. What am I going to do with you?”
“Kind stranger, if you could take me home.” My eyes flutter before closing.
***
“What are your plans for today?” His tone was clipped.
I stood on tiptoe and placed a soft kiss upon his cheek. “Not much, honey. Have a great day golfing with the boys.” I couldn’t keep the sarcasm from my tone, knowing how much he hated golf.
“I’ll probably get my butt handed to me. Abi, tell me, why do I have to rub shoulders with the big boys, exactly?” Stress lines marred his face.
“Because it’s how you’ll land your dream job. Now get going before you’re late.” I tapped his fine arse as he walked away.
“Ouch!” he yelped.
“You were happy enough to do that to me last night, weren’t you?”
His eyebrows rose, his big brown eyes gleamed. He finally smiled. A soft kiss took my lips. There was no passion, no desire. I ignored it. Then he was gone.
Dashing to the car, I stumbled. My dress lifted, exposing my barely contained buttocks as my knee grazed on contact with the cement. There was little blood, but it stung something fierce.
“I’m going to be late.” I hobbled to the car.
Before long, I was driving my VW down the A1 with haste. Sammy, my beautiful best friend, had called shotgun on pick-up, which made her in charge of music as we travelled into Brisbane from the Coast.
Ange and Sophie chattered away happily in the back seat as I glanced at the thick bushland that skirted the smooth highway. I enjoyed the drive into the city. The smell of pine wafting on the breeze brought back happy memories of my childhood
.
“So did you tell him you were going wedding dress shopping today?” Sophie asked, a grin lifting the corners of her mouth.
A nervous laugh escaped past my own lips. “No, it didn’t come up.”
“Do you have a particular style of dress in mind?” Ange leaned into the back of my seat as she spoke, her breath skimming my ear.
“No, not really. Something elegant and sophisticated. I mean, if I’m going to be the wife of a possible future mayor, I want to be classy.”
They cooed.
“Don’t roll those big greens at us,” Sammy scolded. I must have rolled my eyes, because she slapped my thigh hard. “It might work on lover boy, but on us, it’s wasted.”
“He will be mayor. You know that, right?” Ange blurted, giving her vote of confidence.
I took a moment to think about her statement. “Well, it’s his dream. We just have to believe in him—”
“You’re getting married,” Sammy interrupted squealing, clapping her hands. “And I’m going to be your maid of honour, so that means I’m in charge of everything. I have the perfect song for this trip.” Her normal cheeky tone calmed me.
Classic Sammy.
A second later, Paramore burst from the speakers. “Still Into You. Good choice,” I breathed, relaxing into the leather seat, thinking about our destination—City Bridal. A prestigious boutique in the heart of Brisbane where chandeliers hung from high ceilings and every accessory or dream could be met—if requested. The entire place radiated glitz and glamour.
Twelve wide steps made our entry.
Champagne flutes filled with bubbles awaited our arrival, standing tall on an oval tray.
Long fingers belonging to Bethany, my consultant, handed each one out. Her kind smile silently confirmed this was indeed the place where wedding day dresses completed dreams.
Each one of the girls headed straight towards neatly placed racks. My eyes were taken immediately to a mannequin. My dress spoke my name. It called for me. There was never a need to look, it was always going to be hanging there.
Butterflies danced in my stomach as my shaking hands draped a one-strap, lace white wedding dress over my pale skin. My reflection made me gasp as Bethany fastened the last button. The first dress I tried on was more beautiful than I could have imagined.
“You look gorgeous, so tall and thin. I think this dress might have been made for you.” Bethany’s golden eyes widened as her lips arched. “I wish I had your height.” Her flattery didn’t go unnoticed.
I walked out of the fitting room. “Are you three ready for me?”
“Hurry up already,” they cried in anticipation.
“Well?” I whispered, stopping in front of them.
Their mouths gaped open. Their tears began to fall.
“Stunning.” My best friend’s pale blue eyes filled with moisture. It was exactly that—stunning.
I stood staring at my reflection in the mirror behind them. I couldn’t believe that girl was me. This dress was amazing. “It’s almost four thousand dollars. It’s too much money to spend on a piece of clothing for one day.” I frowned, turning to walk back towards the fitting rooms, discouraged.
“It’s worth every penny,” they said in unison, gathering around me.
“I know it’s the first dress you’ve tried, but it’s ‘the dress’ and worth the price tag,” Sammy encouraged.
I bit at my lower lip. “It’s too much.”
They could see my hesitation. Sophie stopped me, turning me back towards the mirror. I saw my reflection again.
“Look at you, girl.”
I did.
“Buy the dress, Abi. You’ll regret it if you don’t. Sir Romeo said no price was too much when we talked about dresses last month.” Sammy’s palm rubbed my back. “Hand over your plastic,” she whispered.
I did.
The drive back was just as relaxing, only now the boot contained one expensive wedding dress. I dropped the girls at Sammy’s house and made my way home.
He was already there.
“You’re back already, honey?” Surprise lifted my eyebrows halfway up my forehead.
“Yes, it was a quick nine rounds and a few beers.” The newspaper covered his face, his leg crossed over the other. He was comfortable in the leather couch with our tiny pug dog, Bella, curled up beside him. The paper lowered. His eyes narrowed until I could barely see the brown colouration. “You’re flushed, Abi.” It felt like a question.
“Am I?”
“Yes. What have you been up to?” His tone was calm.
“You know…buying a wedding dress.” I bit at my nail, a nervous habit I couldn’t get rid of.
“Oh. I see.”
The atmosphere was tense, but I didn’t see what was coming.
Walking back out to the car, I removed the opaque bag. On my return, the three stairs back to our apartment felt like ten. The wooden floors echoed with each footstep as my stilettos made contact. Finally, the carpet from the bedroom floor stopped the sound.
“Is it in there?” He was hovering behind me, and I almost jumped in fright. “You’re flushed again,” he murmured under his breath.
“Am I?” I saw my reflection in the mirror, the one taking up space in the corner of our room. I was.
He shook his head, ran his hands through his chestnut hair, and then exhaled with force.
“What’s wrong? Do you want to see it?” My heart began to pound at a frantic tempo.
“No,” he replied quickly. Too quickly. “I…” He huffed. “Why…?” He couldn’t find the words.
“I’m sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t have bought a dress yet.” Tears welled up, blurring my vision as his head dropped.
“I can’t do this.” His voice was weak and apologetic.
“Do what?”
“I can’t marry you, Abi.”
My heart stopped beating. My lungs forgot to claim air. The world stopped spinning. The love of my life was no longer mine.
***
“Hey, sleepyhead, get up,” a stern but sweet voice greets my awakening state.
“My head,” I gripe. “Water, please. Water.”
“I’ve got you covered, but you don’t deserve it.”
Sammy’s voice. Shit. Where am I?
“I’m sure I don’t, but please give it to me.” The water cuts through my throat like razor blades. Kill me.
“I guess you aren’t coping then?”
I strain eye opens.
Sammy looks concerned as her long torso hunches over me.
“What would give you that idea?” My throat is dry and raspy. Did I smoke?
“Probably finding you on the grass out front, drunk again. You rambling about something that happened a while ago now—those reasons. Look, Abi, your dog dying and finding out your ex-fiancé is engaged again, in one day, is a lot to go through, it is, but it’s been a month, and you can’t keep dwelling on the past. No good is going to come from this. You need to get it together. Abigail, she was just a dog. It’s not the same as when your dad passed. Get another dog if it will make you feel better.” Sammy gasps for air after her lengthy and uncompassionate spiel.
My mouth drops open. I’m staggered by this lack of empathy. “She wasn’t just a dog. She can’t just be replaced. Bella was my baby. I loved her. Why would you even bring up my dad? God, what the actual fuck?” Anger builds.
“Sweetie. Shit, I’m sorry. I’m tired.” Sammy stands upright, rubbing her fingers into each temple. “Abigail. Please. You need to let this hurt out in a way that doesn’t include a bottle of liquor. You’ll feel better, I promise.”
“It can’t happen. If I do, I’ll never stop.”
Sammy sits down beside me. I’m in her bed—the tacky 1980s yellow curtains hung over the window are a dead giveaway.
“You’re safe here. I love you, Abi. I’m not going anywhere. You’ll always have me.” Playing with the loose strands of my hair, she sighs. My dirty blond locks slide with ease between her fingers. Soft
ly, her voice begins to hum and then sing Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton, the same song they played at my father’s funeral.
Salty water slides over my lips. At first it’s a slow stream, but before long I’m sobbing, then crying and what I feared would happen, howling.
“It’s not fair,” I scream in pain.
Sammy continues singing.
My heartbreak engulfs me.
One-click THIRTY DAYS: PART ONE NOW!
Download here > http://books2read.com/ThirtyDays1
Also by Belle
Thirty Days Trilogy
Thirty days: Part One
Thirty days: Part Two
Finding the Magician
The Game Of Life Series
One Fear
Two Footsteps
Three Breaths
Four Hearts
Five Fights
Standalones
Always You
Winner
Acknowledgements
A massive thank you from the bottom of my heart to: Kylee Harris, Liz Lovelock, Kirsty Roworth, Caroline Dayas, Jakarra Adams, Natalya Bryan, Shaelene Adams, Donna Martin, Tracey Wilson-Vuolo, Tracey Davis Zelukovic, Serena Worker, Sarah Pilcher and Robin Yatsko. I love you guys.
A massive thank you to my wonderful ARC team. I couldn’t do any of this without you. You all know who you are.
To the Tinkerbelles—you’re an amazing bunch of people who light up my life and keep me smiling. I love ya faces.
To my husband, Michael, whom I love dearly. It’s always been you, baby.
To my beautiful children, the keepers of my soul. I love you to the moon and back.
To my wonderful team of talented and creative people, Lauren Clarke, Jaye Cox, Jenny Sims and Emma Wicker. You ladies have a talent beyond belief, and I’m so grateful to share this journey with you.
Lastly, I’d like to thank everybody who has helped to promote my work—all the bloggers, Enticing Journey Book Promotions for a wonderful promotional campaign, and all the readers. Without the readers, there’d be no purpose for these stories.