Exposed: An Anthology

by Brooke Cumberland

  “This isn’t the sort of party to meet a good guy, though.” Zane spoke seriously. “I mean, a lot of the guys here aren’t the sort I would recommend to a girl like you.”

  “Well, I will try and remember that.” I was unsure if his comment was meant to be helpful or disparaging.

  “I’m sure you’ll meet a Mr. Wonderful soon.” He paused. “I guess that’s what you women want, right? A Mr. Wonderful to sweep you off your feet and promise you a forever?”

  “You could say that,” I answered honestly. “Though I’m waiting patiently. I know the right guy is out there somewhere.” I’m hoping he’ll come sooner rather than later, but there was no way I was going to tell him that.

  “So, Lucky. What else do you do aside from working at Lou’s?”

  “I’m studying history at UM. I know it sounds a bit boring, but I love it.”

  “History, huh?” His eyes glowed. “Know anything about the Civil Rights Era?”

  “It’s my specialty, actually.” I spoke enthusiastically. “I’m actually focusing on that period of time for my thesis.”

  “I can tell you enjoy it.” He smiled gently and reached over and stroked my cheek softly. “There’s something wonderful about a woman who is passionate about something.”

  “I’m a …” My breath caught and my cheek burned under his touch.

  “Lucky, there you are.” Leeza ran up to me and squealed. “I was so worried you weren’t going to come.”

  “I’m here.” I smiled and did a little twirl. I saw Zane laugh at my little dance and I smiled back at him warmly.

  “I want you to meet this guy.” She grabbed my arm enthusiastically.

  “I’m actually talking to someone.” I smiled at Zane apologetically, and he grinned back at me.

  “Oh?” Leeza turned around and stared at Zane, her blue eyes nearly popping out as she looked him up and down. “Hi, I’m Leeza, Lucky’s best friend. And you are?” She flung her blonde hair over her shoulders, and it took everything I had to smile and not roll my eyes. She was a shameless flirt and she never met a man she didn’t want to make fall under her spell.

  “Zane.” He smiled at Leeza briefly and then looked at me. “I’m a friend of Lucky’s.”

  “You never told me about any Zane.” Leeza stared at me with accusatory eyes.

  “Well, we’ve just been getting to know each other recently,” I started.

  “Now, now, Lucky.” Zane slid his arm around my waist. “What do you consider the last three months? The honeymoon period?”

  “Well, you know.” I was left speechless by his little act, and his hand lit a fiery trail on my back as he moved it back and forth.

  “You two are dating?” Leeza hissed. “You have got to be joking.”

  “Why?” Zane questioned her. “Did Lucky not tell you about our marathon sessions in the bedroom? I think we nearly broke her bed the other evening.”

  “Zane.” I laughed and hit him in the arm. “Leeza’s my roommate.”

  “Well, darn it. It was worth a try.” He grinned at me and his nose brushed mine as he leaned in to talk to me. For the next few seconds, we just stared at each other, and all I wanted was for him to kiss me.

  “It was good seeing you, Lucky. Have a good evening.”

  Zane pulled away from me slowly and I felt that sharp sting of regret that I hadn’t moved in for the kiss. Before I could say anything, he turned around and disappeared back into the crowd. I felt disappointed but tried to hide my frustration as I turned back to Leeza. It was probably better that I didn’t spend too much time getting to know Zane better; I didn’t want to end up as one of his Friday night dates.

  “He was cute.” Leeza grinned. “But he seems like a psycho.”

  “Why does he seem like a psycho?”

  “I don’t know. Just something about him seemed off. And his crappy joke.”

  “He’s a nice—”

  “Come on, Lucky, let me introduce you to Evan.” Leeza cut me off and flung her hair over her shoulder again. She was wearing a super-tight black mini dress and I was slightly worried that her boobs were going to pop out each time she flung her hair.

  “Who’s Evan?” I asked disinterestedly. I looked around the room to see if I could find where Zane had gone.

  “Just come.” She grabbed my arm and pushed through the crowds of trendy people until we got to the stairs and then she let go. “All the cool guys are hanging out in the music room.”

  “Uh, okay?” I frowned. “Isn’t the party at the bottom of the stairs, though?”

  “Don’t be a buzz kill, Lucky. Everyone knows the best parts of a party don’t occur in the public part of the party. All the cool people like Evan hang out separately.”

  “I’m not cool and I don’t want a cool guy,” I sighed.

  “I’m sure you will like Evan,” Leeza pleaded.

  “Leeza, I’m really not in the mood for this.”

  “He’s a hottie and he’s rich.”

  “Leeza, you know I’m not looking for—”

  “Just give him a chance, Lucky. Your plan hasn’t exactly been working for you. I haven’t seen you on a date in months. And I don’t even think you have a vibrator. Just give him a chance, okay?”

  I didn’t stop to correct her comment. It wasn’t like I wanted to scream out to the world, “I haven’t had sex in over a year!” I knew that wouldn’t help my case. I tried to forget about Zane as I followed Leeza upstairs. I wished I had a potion to stop my heart from racing every time I saw him. I could close my eyes and picture his sky blue irises staring into mine. They always seemed so open and honest. But I knew he was a player—a man not to be trusted. I just wished that I could embed that information into my heart. But every week that he came into the diner, was a week where I found myself liking him more and more. It was funny. I was his server and we weren’t really friends, but we had had some pretty interesting conversations in the diner. Sometimes they happened while he waited on a date to arrive, and sometimes he stayed in the restaurant and chatted for a bit if the girl decided to take a cab home. Getting to know Zane these last few months had really brightened my day, and I couldn’t imagine a Friday night without him coming in.

  “Come on, Lucky!” Leeza called down the stairs as I walked up slowly to meet her. “Hurry it up, I don’t have all night.”

  “I’m coming,” I sighed.

  “Come on.” She grabbed my arm as I reached the top of the stairs and then pulled me into a room with her. “This is my friend Lucky, everyone.” Leeza’s tone changed as she opened the door, and I followed her in hesitantly.

  There were four guys sitting in chairs drinking, and they all smirked at me as they looked me over. “Lucky, this is Evan.” She pointed to a tall guy with jet-black hair and striking green eyes.

  “Hi.” I shook his hand, and he leaned over to kiss me.

  “Hi, beautiful.”

  I blushed at his words and turned away, slightly uncomfortable. I saw another guy in the corner of the room giving me a sympathetic look, and he jumped up.

  “Lay off, Evan.” He hit Evan on the shoulder and held his hand out to me. “Hi, I’m Braydon.”

  “Hi, I’m Lucky.” I smiled, grateful that I didn’t have to deal with Evan. Leeza had disappeared, and I was already feeling slightly annoyed.

  “That’s an unusual name.” Braydon laughed. “Would you like a drink?”

  “I’m okay, thanks. I have to drive home, so I’m not having anything else.”

  “Well, that’s no fun.” He grinned.

  “Sorry, I guess I’m not a fun person.” I grinned back and made to turn around, but he grabbed me by the arm.

  “Hey, Lucky, want to have a seat?”

  “Yeah. Thanks.” I followed him back to the corner, and we sat on a brown leather couch.

  “So tell me about your name, Lucky.” He smiled a genuine boyish smile.

  I relaxed as I looked into his brown eyes. He seemed like a nice guy, somewhat familiar, but
I knew I’d never met him before.

  “My parents thought they couldn’t conceive. They tried for years.” I smiled. “And then they had me. And they considered themselves the luckiest parents in the world.”

  “Wow, that must have been a nice surprise.”

  “Yeah. They were really happy to have me.” I smiled wistfully. “They used to tell people that they’d won the lottery. And then they would boast about how they were the luckiest people in the world.”

  “Well, I bet they are.” He smiled at me gently, though I noticed his eyes were slightly glazed.

  “Yeah.” I let my voice drift off as I felt tears pricking my eyes. I didn’t want to be talking about this right now. “So how did you get the name Braydon? It’s not that common either.”

  “My mother made it up.” He laughed and ran his hands over his bald head. “She wanted a name that no other kid had. So she made up Braydon.”

  “It’s a cool name.”

  “A cool name for an uncool guy.” He laughed modestly.

  I stared at him as he laughed, and I was about to say something when I realized that he looked really, really familiar. “Hey, do I know you?” I cocked my head, trying to think where I knew him. “I don’t think I do, but there is something about your face.”

  “Aw, drat, you finally figured it out.” He shook his head, and I saw a red flush across his cheeks. “I’m Braydon Eagle.”

  “Um, okay?” I paused, not really sure what I was supposed to have figured out.

  “You still don’t know, do you?” He laughed and looked amused.

  “No, sorry.” I bit my lip and flushed, embarrassed that I had no clue.

  “That’s okay. I had to shave my hair off last week. Imagine me with a full head of bleached blond hair.”

  “Oh, my God!” I looked at him in surprise. “You’re Braydon Eagle.” I felt my cheeks heat up. He was the famous actor Braydon Eagle. He had been a child star and had recently hit it big in movies. Hollywood called him the new Leonardo DiCaprio. I had even had a poster of him on my wall when I was in grade school.

  “Don’t tell anyone, though.” He laughed and ran his hand over his head again.

  “You look truly different without the hair.”

  “I know. I’m trying to get used to it myself.” He laughed self-consciously. “No one’s mistaking me for a surfer now.”

  “At least you can be incognito.”

  “That’s always nice at parties like these.”

  “I would have thought you enjoyed all the attention.”

  “Not really.” He laughed. “Well, I used to. Now, not so much. I’ve had enough of the Hollywood life.”

  “I’m surprised anyone could have enough of that.” I smiled and leaned back into the chair comfortably. “I don’t know many guys who would say that.”

  “It’s about quality and not quantity.” He laughed. “Listen to me. I sound like a douche, don’t I?”

  “Not at all,” I said honestly.

  “Hey, Lucky, am I going to get lucky tonight?” Evan shouted from across the room, and I blushed uncomfortably.

  “Shut up, Evan.” Braydon shook his head and leaned into me.

  “You got anything, Braydon? My man here is looking to score.”

  “Evan, stop smoking the weed. I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Braydon rolled his eyes and leaned towards me. “Ignore him. He’s just being an ass.”

  “Thanks.” I smiled gratefully. “Though that’s not the first time I’ve heard that witty comment. I don’t know why guys think they are the first ones to come up with the ‘getting lucky tonight’ comment.”

  “Hopefully not all of them were as annoying as Evan.”

  “Not all.” I grinned, and Braydon laughed.

  “So, what do you do for a living, Lucky?”

  “I’m in college, and I work.”

  “Oh, yeah? Where do you go to school?”

  “University of Miami.”

  “Nice. I was thinking of applying there.”

  “Really?” I looked at him in disbelief.

  “Well, kind of.” He laughed. “I was going to be in the remake of Miami Vice, but they decided to postpone the series, and then I decided to make the leap from TV to films. But it’s always good to have something to fall back on. You can’t have enough money.”

  “Oh, okay.” I wanted to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t imagining anything. The whole situation felt surreal. I couldn’t quite believe that I was in a room, sitting on a couch with Braydon Eagle, one of the hottest young stars in Hollywood. Things like this just didn’t happen to me.

  “What are you studying?”

  “History.” I laughed at the expression on his face. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to quiz you.”

  “Thanks. I can barely remember our current president’s name. Don’t ask me anyone else’s.”

  “That’s okay. I don’t think history is a popular subject.” I smiled.

  “So when do you graduate?”

  “Next year, I hope.” I laughed.

  “And what’s next?”

  “No idea.”

  “Well, you still have time.”

  “Yeah.” I ran my hands through my hair and grimaced as I felt the frizzy waves. So much for my straight tresses, I thought. The humidity had taken care of that.

  “Do you think you’ll be a teacher?” Braydon continued. “I’ve always seen myself marrying a teacher.”

  I didn’t quite know how to answer his question and tried to formulate a response in my mind before the door opened.

  “Hey, y’all. We’re here.” A tall, leggy blonde walked into the room giggling, and I watched her curiously. She was beautiful. Maybe one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen in my life.

  “What’s up, Angelique?” Evan whistled at her, and she giggled again.

  “Nada. Zane and I want to get this party started.” I froze at her words and looked towards the door and saw Zane standing there. He had a beer in his hand, and the top buttons of his white shirt were undone.

  “Yo, bro, what up?” Evan jumped up and fist-bumped him.

  “Not much. What’s happening, Evan?” Zane didn’t smile as he spoke nonchalantly. He looked relaxed, but I could sense a weird tension coming from him.

  “Come on, Zane.” The blonde grabbed his arm and pulled him into the room. I felt a dart of jealousy as he allowed her to guide him in further. I turned away, and looked at Braydon and smiled.

  “I have been thinking about teaching or going to grad school.”

  “Awesome. I’ve always wondered …” I knew that Braydon was still talking, but I could feel Zane’s eyes on me. My body froze, and I moved my face slightly to look at him. He studied me on the couch with Braydon and nodded before turning away from me, and I felt my face flush with confusion.

  “Yeah.” I nodded at Braydon without even bothering to ask him what he had just said.

  He laughed. “You haven’t heard a word I just said, have you?”

  I shook my head, feeling guilty, and he laughed even harder. “Lucky, you are a real refreshment to me right now.”

  “Uh, thanks.” I smiled quickly, not actually sure what he meant.

  “I would love to take you out some time.”

  “Oh.” I blushed, unsure of what to say in response. To avoid answering right away, I decided to straighten out my dress.

  “Braydon Eagle, you sly dog.” The blonde ran up to the couch and sat on his lap. “I didn’t know you were here.”

  “Hi, Angelique.” He smiled and rolled his eyes.

  “Why didn’t you call me back? I wanted you to come pregame with us.”

  “I’m here now.”

  “Didn’t you miss me?” She pouted and ran her finger across his cheek. I sat there uncomfortably and started to get up.

  “Angelique, you’re making Lucky uncomfortable.” Braydon pushed her off of his lap, and she looked at me with distaste.

  “I’m okay.” I attempted
a smile, but Angelique flicked her hair and called to Zane.

  “Zane, Braydon’s being rude.”

  “I’m sure he is.” Zane walked up to Angelique and put his arm around her.

  “Yes, he was,” she pouted. “Do something about it.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m trying to,” Zane mumbled under his breath, and I stared up at him. He frowned at me, and I could sense that he was unhappy with me for some reason. We continued to stare at each other and I saw Braydon look back and forth at us.

  “Do you two know each other?” His tone sounded odd.

  “Yes,” I said at the same time Zane said, “No.”

  My feelings were hurt that he pretended not to know me and I looked away from him and stared across the room.”

  “Hello, Braydon.” Zane’s voice was brusque as he acknowledged Braydon.

  “Zane.” Braydon nodded, and I watched them both curiously as a silent message seemed to pass between them.

  “Zane. Let’s go in the hot tub. Braydon, why don’t you join us?”

  “I’m having a conversation, Angelique.” Braydon spoke to Angelique, but he looked at Zane.

  “I’m sure she won’t mind.” Her voice sounded sharp, and I felt Braydon’s hand grab hold of mine.

  “Angelique, why don’t you and Zane go?”

  “Don’t want me to interrupt your conversation with Lucky?” Zane’s voice was smooth with a slight undertone.

  “What do you care?” Braydon frowned and gave him a challenging look.

  “I don’t.” Zane’s voice was sharp and seemed to send Braydon a message.

  “We met at the restaurant I work at,” I interjected into the conversation, trying to let Braydon know I wasn’t one of Zane’s many girls.

  “You work at a restaurant?” Angelique looked at me disdainfully, and I could feel the dislike emanating from her eyes. She obviously didn’t like the attention being away from her.

  “Come on, Angelique.” Zane pulled her away before staring at me for a few seconds. I watched as they walked across the room and exited, and I tried to exhale the disappointment that resonated through my body.

  “Sorry about Angelique, she can be a bit of a bitch.” Braydon sidled up next to me and placed his arm around me.

  “That’s okay.” I smiled briefly and tried to shift away from him slightly. “How do you know Zane?” I asked him curiously.