Loving Mr. Kale

by Nicole Casey

  This was actually the first person that I'd felt attracted to since Tony, and that felt good. In my heartbreak, I'd forgotten how good it felt to be in that first flush of attraction. It had adrenaline coursing through my veins, and excitement buzzing in my stomach.

  This was going to be a very interesting weekend....

  Chapter Four

  Max

  By the time we actually arrived at the hotel where we were all staying for the wedding, I actually felt really good about the weekend. I'd been so damn nervous beforehand, but now I knew Bryant a lot better I thought it would be fun. Hayley was right about him. He was a good laugh, and I enjoyed the way that he made me feel when he teased me. I'd never had anyone behave that way around me before, and it made me feel special.

  I was having a really good time getting to know this guy. I wished that he'd been in my life a lot sooner. Now, instead of just sucking it up and enjoying the free bar, I had no idea what was going to happen. The possibilities were endless, and I couldn't wait!

  "So, what's the room situation?" This was the only subject we hadn't yet covered, and one that I feared might cause awkwardness. Judging by the way Bryant's face instantly heated up, I knew that I was right to be worried.

  "Well, I was going to just share with Hayley. You know what she's like. I assumed that I'd probably end up with the bed to myself all weekend anyway, but now... well we can ask at reception and see if there's somewhere free." Bryant said.

  I could tell from his uncomfortable expression that wasn't very likely, so I decided to just suck it up and be an adult about it.

  "No, don't worry, we can figure something out." I could cope. It would only be a couple of nights. What was the worst that could happen...?

  "Okay, great! Let's go and check in..."

  I followed Bryant behind as we walked through the very posh hotel. His sister had to have a lot of money for all of this... or maybe she was marrying a very rich man. Either way, this was going to be fun. I couldn't help but put a massive smile on my face.

  As we made our way into the room, I was glad that I'd agreed to stay with Bryant. These rooms were huge. There were plenty of places for both of us to stay including a massive couch in the corner of the room, plus there was the overwhelming fact that I probably couldn't have afforded a bed in this place anyway. My shitty office job was not making me the riches I needed.

  "Wow! This is incredible! At least you can have your bed to yourself, and I'll take the couch."

  "No way, you're my guest. You stay in the bed. This couch looks so comfortable I might just climb into it now." He slumped down on it, making the decision for me.

  I felt a little weird doing so, but I tossed my bag on the bed without any more arguing. There was no point in making a big deal about it. It was done now.

  "So what's the plan for tonight? The wedding is tomorrow, right? Is there some sort of bachelor party?" Either way, I was happy. We could hang out in here all night long chatting and I'd be happy, but going out for a few drinks could be fun too.

  "Well, I was going to tell you actually... I don't think it's necessarily a bachelor party as such, but the guys are going out for drinks tonight. I know it might be a little weird, but would you like to come with me?"

  There was desperation in his eyes; he really wanted me to go. Maybe he didn't know the groom very well and it was going to be very awkward. Either way, I was definitely up for a bit of fun. At least it didn't sound like the shenanigans would be too intense either.

  "Yeah, it'll be good to get to know everyone a little bit. What's the dress code? I don't really have anything posh apart from the suit I have ready for tomorrow."

  "Oh I'm only wearing jeans and a tee shirt. I haven't got any idea what everyone else will be wearing but I don't really care." Bryant shrugged, showing me that confident teasing side that drew me into him. He seemed much less serious about life than me, which I liked. Once I got going, I was always up for having a laugh, but my default mode didn't seem to be that at all. It was nice to be around someone so different from me. "I just want to have a laugh. We don't even have to stay out very long."

  "Has your sister really been that bad then?" I didn't have any siblings, so I didn't have anything to compare this to, but I was getting the impression that she'd been a nightmare.

  "Sorry, what's her name? I should probably familiarize myself with the bride and groom."

  "Oh you don't even want to know," he rolled his eyes in an exaggerated manner. "It's been months and months of hell. And she's Sally, her fiancé is Felix."

  "Well, it seems like she's done a good job. This is a really nice place."

  "Yeah, let's just see how she holds it together tomorrow. At least I'm not actually in the wedding, I can just sit back and watch the amusement unfold."

  "Okay, well I'm just going to get changed. I think I'll have a shower..." There was no way that I could get changed in front of this guy, not yet anyway. "Is that okay?"

  "Sure. I might as well get dressed too. I'll just smell for tonight, and save the shower for the big day. Really make an effort. You know?" As he sent me that smirk that meant he was joking, I felt a shiver racing up and down my spine.

  "Oh yeah, I imagine your sister will demand fully showered guests tomorrow."

  "Only the ones who aren't dripping in gold!"

  As I hopped under the steaming jets of water, I did my best to organize my thoughts. I honestly had no idea this was going to go this way. I assumed that I would be cursing Hayley's name right now, regretting ever letting her talk me into anything, but I wasn't. Instead, I was thinking only about Bryant.

  Despite the fact that we'd only just met each other, I felt like there was something unspoken there. Something flowing between us that could be built into something big. This was a blind date after all. He had to be single. He had to be interested in meeting someone new; he had to be looking for someone to have some fun with, or maybe more, too.

  I felt all squishy and excited inside, like this was going to be one of those weekends that really impacted on the rest of my life. Having months and months of a dry spell, of not even thinking about hooking up with someone, not even having a slight spark, this was awesome. This was buzzing happily inside of me, sending images to my brain like there was no tomorrow. I shouldn't be thinking about this man I'd barely known quite so naked, but I couldn't seem to stop it.

  God, I wouldn't even know what to do with myself if that happened for real! It wouldn't... I didn't think, but it was fun to imagine all the same.

  I had no idea how Bryant was truly feeling, but I got the feeling that tonight, with a few drinks in our systems, it would become much clearer.

  Chapter Five

  Bryant

  My heart thundered with nerves when I thought about going out with Felix and the guys. This wasn't just a casual drink with a few guys. I knew for a fact that Tony and Desi would be there, and I couldn't stand the idea of seeing them. I despised them for being so happy at my expense. When things had first fallen to shit, I assumed they wouldn't last long and I comforted myself in that. Now, it seemed like nothing could tear them apart and that drove me fucking crazy. If it was anyone else I might be more okay with it... it was just because it was him, the man who tore us apart.

  As Max went into the shower, I dived quickly into my suitcase trying to find the perfect outfit for facing my ex in. I lied to him when I told him it was all casual, but that was only because I still felt far too embarrassed to tell him the truth.

  Max wasn't only just a super hot guy, he was sweet and fun too. I really liked him, and it made me feel bad for dragging him into this, but it was too late now. It was done. Now I just needed to make the best of it.

  At least I didn't have to go through any of this alone. If I had Hayley with me, and she hadn't wanted to go, then I might have backed out at the last minute, but now I didn't have to. I could stroll in there with a gorgeous man on my arm, and hopefully make him jealous.

  I pulled out the shi
rt I was intending to wear, one that Tony brought me to make a point, but now that I was here it seemed silly to be so pointed. I wasn't going to these drinks just to make him angry. Now I actually wanted to get to know Max a little better too. After spending all that time with him in the car ride over, I was looking forward to more fun in a relaxed environment. Hayley was right about this one.

  "Does this look okay?" Max swanned out of the bathroom in an outfit that really highlighted how cute he was. The bright red tee shirt made him stand out, the way his hair piled on his head was adorable, and the cut off his jeans showed off his sexy butt. I was one lucky guy to be able to go to this night out with this cutie on my arm!

  "You look really good," I told him appreciatively. "I think I might have to change what I'm wearing to keep up!"

  I grabbed a bunch of my clothes and made my way into the bathroom for some privacy too. I was already supposed to be dressed, but I'd spent too much time daydreaming, and since we were nowhere near at the stage of seeing each other's bodies, this was the only way.

  "Right," as I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, I found a confidence looking back at me that I wasn't expecting.

  Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

  Maybe I would walk in there and not get heart-wrenchingly upset about seeing Tony and Desi. I was going to have to keep it under wraps if I did anyway, so Max didn't realize.

  God, imagine that! After months and months of feeling like shit about the whole thing, now I was actually considering being alright.

  Who would have thought it?

  It was with a big grin on my face that I moved back into the bedroom to join Max, and that only grew as I spotted him with a couple of bottles of beers in his hand.

  "I packed these without thinking," he confessed, handing one to me. "I thought we could have a pre-drink, just for me to steady my nerves."

  I nodded and took it gratefully, needing to do the same.

  "Yeah, good plan. Felix and the guys can be a little much when they get going."

  "So, are you glad that he's marrying your sister? Is Felix a good guy?"

  I mused on this, cocking my head to one side as I pondered it over. Of course, I wasn't happy for them to be intertwining Tony in my life forever more, making him distant family, but at the same time, there wasn't any way that it could affect me too much.

  Sally and I weren't particularly close. We didn't go out of our way to spend time together. She was lovely, but she just ran in different circles to me (although apparently not different enough). As for Felix as a person, he seemed okay. A bit laddish for my liking, but nothing to be concerned about. I hadn't spent a lot of time with him, but when I was near him I didn't hate his guts.

  "They make each other very happy," I finally replied diplomatically. "Which is good enough for me. She likes his ambition, his money, and his drive. I think he likes the way she makes him laugh. They seem to be a good couple. I think this marriage will last."

  "Well, that's the main thing! Aren't we all looking for our Prince Charming?" Max said.

  Shit, was he giving me a look? Was he... feeling things for me? I'd had my inappropriate thoughts about him, and I did feel like there was potentially something there under the surface, but to have him give me those eyes was something else. It sent things up to another level entirely...

  "Shall we go?" I could feel my face heating up, and my body steaming with embarrassment. I needed to get us out before I did something crazy. I couldn't get too close to this man while I still had emotions swirling around in my stomach. It wouldn't be fair...

  "Yeah, sounds good."

  We moved from the room and towards the staircase, which would take us down to the hotel bar where everyone was meeting for drinks.

  Anxiety was bulldozing through my body.

  My veins were lit up with an ice-cold fear.

  I had no idea what was going to happen next.

  Max was talking to me, and I was trying my best to answer him, but all I could really think about was what could happen next. As soon as I got into that bar, I would be faced with the past that I couldn't shake off.

  That had me fucking petrified.

  "Is this the place?" Max asked quietly, and I followed behind him.

  I saw the group. My emotions swirled. I tried discretely to run my eyes over the group to spot him...

  There he was, staring right at me.

  Our eyes met, and I waited for something to happen.

  Anything... but there was nothing.

  I was gazing at Tony, he was looking back at me, and my heart wasn't doing anything.

  I thought I'd get flip flops, butterflies, anger, rage, upset, something, but there just wasn't anything there. It was almost as if I was an empty, hollow shell. I'd never felt nothing for Tony before, and I didn't know what to do with that.

  What the hell was going on with me?

  "Shall we go inside?"

  "Yeah," I turned to grin at Max, someone who I did want to spend time with. "Let's go."

  Chapter Six

  Max

  "You did not!" Bryant chuckled at my anecdote about a drunken event at the latest work Christmas party. "That's absolutely insane. You're almost as bad as Hayley."

  We'd been drinking with the guys for over an hour now, but I hadn't actually gotten to know any of them at all. Aside from the odd greeting, the only person that I'd been speaking to was Bryant. I didn't really care about getting to know anyone else with him here. He was the only one that I cared about, and seemingly he felt the same way, which was absolutely awesome.

  "I know. I'm usually so quiet and reserved too. I had to say my boss was surprised." I said.

  "Well obviously I have Hayley with me at all our work things, so you can guarantee that it's going to be nuts. Last year she made me get this tattoo." he lifted up his tee shirt to show me a small Chinese symbol on his bottom ab. There was no denying that seeing so much of his body sent sparkles through my body.

  The chemistry we shared was intense, and I was enjoying every single second of it.

  "What does it mean?" Without even thinking, I reached forward and slid my fingers along it. His skin was soft and taut, and I really wanted to feel more.

  If we hadn't been in public, then maybe I would've gone for it...

  God what was wrong with me? Why was I acting so forward? Bryant seemed to bring something out in me that I didn't know was there.

  "Well, I was told at the time that it meant courage, which in my slightly tipsy state I thought was really cool. But apparently, according to Suni - the Chinese girl that works in our office - it means soup in Mandarin."

  "Wow," I giggled, probably loudly enough to get the attention of everyone else, not that I cared anymore. "I've never known anyone who’s so passionate about soup before. That is really courageous of you."

  "Oh shut up," he pushed me playfully, his eyes shining with glee.

  "Either the tattoo guy doesn't know Chinese or he was having a laugh at my expense. Either way, I don't usually tell people the truth about what it means."

  "Yeah, maybe you shouldn’t have told me either. I'm gonna tease you about that forever."

  He rolled his eyes at me, but not in an angry way, and it made me hope that he actually was in my life for a lot longer than just this weekend. We both knew Hayley, so there was a good chance that we'd be able to squeeze a bit more fun.

  "I'm going to the bar," he practically growled at me. "And since I'm going to buy you a drink I sincerely hope that I never hear anything about soup again!"

  I watched him walk up to the bar. My eyes fixated on his ass as he went.

  We really connected. I felt like I already had more to say to Bryant than people I'd had in my life for ages. I'd spent so much of my life being incredibly bored that this level of excitement was off the scale.

  This was a very welcome break from real life, one that I was nowhere near ready to go back to. I wanted more than a weekend!

  Usually on dates I couldn't
wait to leave. I found them annoying and boring, not to my taste at all, but I couldn't get enough of Bryant, he was wonderful...

  I narrowed my eyes curiously as another guy joined his side, and patted him on the back. I couldn't remember the names of everyone. I could barely recall which one was the groom, but there was something about this guy that made Bryant tense up. They started to have what appeared to be a very intense conversation and I wished that I could strain to hear more. I was too far away to even read their lips, but it definitely piqued my curiosity.

  Bryant was normally so fun loving, who could possibly have him looking so grave? I glanced my eyes from side to side, spotting a sash over the groom, which meant it probably had nothing to do with his sister.

  I was going to have to ask him when he came back over.

  The guy walked off, but the tension didn't leave Bryant at all. His shoulders were hunched up around his ears, and his legs really stiff.

  There was a story here, one that I absolutely needed to know.

  But by the time he swung back around to face me, the pints gripped between his fingers, and he had that smile plastered across his face once more. There wasn't even any strain in his eyes giving him away.

  Still, I needed to know.

  "What was that about?" I hissed secretly, just to him.

  "Oh, just Desi," he eyes darkened, his jaw tightened, his eyebrows furrowed... but only for an instant. Then he was back to happy mode all over again.

  "I hate that guy, he's an asshole."

  "Yeah, you didn't look too impressed to be talking to him..." I left the question hanging in the air. I really wanted to pursue this, to work out what the story was behind all of this, but it felt like a risky area. We were having such a good night. I didn't want to ruin that by sticking my nose in areas where I wasn't welcome. "Anyway, thanks for the drink."