Certified Disaster (Beautiful Mess Book 2)

by Preston, Jennifer

  “That’s what I keep telling this guy,” Jordan grinned smugly at Cole, and Bri threw him a glare. She was very aware that Jordan thought Cole was crazy for having a serious girlfriend when he could be living it up on campus. Jordan was always ribbing Cole about it, and while he claimed he was just kidding, Bri knew Jordan was serious. “There are too many fish in the sea to settle on one yet.”

  Lynette nodded. “That’s what I tell him, too.”

  “Alright, that’s enough,” Cole growled angrily. “I’ve told both of you that I’m not having this conversation any more. It’s extremely rude of you to be talking about this in front of Bri, like she’s not even here. Like it or not, Bri and I are together, and will be for the foreseeable future, so get used to it!”

  Warmed at his defense of her, Bri moved to his side and he pulled her against him. She turned a glare on Lynette and Jordan, angry at them for upsetting Cole like this. It was obvious that neither of them were interested in what Cole wanted. They wanted him to live his life how they thought he should.

  “So Jordan,” Carl interrupted the stare off, seemingly oblivious to the tension and anger in the room. “Any chance you were named after…”

  “Number 23, himself,” Jordan nodded. “My dad was a huge fan. It’s always been his dream that I follow that path.”

  As Jordan, Carl, and Lynette continued their inane dribble, Bri whispered in Cole’s ear.

  “I’m sorry they upset you. They seriously need to get over themselves.”

  He kissed her temple. “I’m sorry they were so rude to you.”

  “Thanks for kicking their butts for me,” she smiled. “I guess it’s a good thing we don’t care what they think, huh?”

  “Right,” he smiled.

  “So, screw them?”

  “Screw them,” he chuckled. Bri felt him relax and snuggled closer into his side. They wouldn’t let anything come between them. They were stronger together, and nothing was going to threaten that.

  Lynette and Carl were leaving the next day. They asked if Cole would meet them for breakfast before they left to go back to New Jersey. Bri had bristled at her obvious exclusion from the invitation, but was happy to have an excuse not to go.

  Cole made her come anyway.

  Not that she hadn’t put up a fight; spending time with Lynette was about the worst thing she could think of. But Cole had pointed out that Lynette would think she’d won if she was able to exclude Bri from family gatherings. So reluctantly, and only to rub Lynette’s face in it, she’d agreed to go to breakfast.

  The tight, forced smile on Lynette’s face made it totally worth it. She was obviously less than thrilled that Bri had shown up, and Bri took pleasure in ruining Lynette’s plans.

  After eating breakfast and exchanging strained, polite conversation, Bri and Cole followed Lynette and Carl out to their car to say goodbye.

  “Oh, Cole,” Lynette pulled him into a tight hug. “It’s been so much fun spending time with you.” Cole began to pull back, but she squeezed him tighter, not letting him go.

  “Yeah, Mom, it’s been great,” he replied flatly, finally extracting himself from his mom’s embrace.

  “You know, it’s not that far a drive. We’ll have to do this more often. At least, as often as we can until you go pro and get drafted somewhere else,” she winked, but Bri caught the excited gleam in Lynette’s eyes.

  “Well, that won’t be happening for a few more years at least, if it happens at all,” he replied, and Lynette hit him on the arm.

  “Don’t talk like that, of course it will happen. You just have to be ready to seize the opportunity when it arises. Don’t get too stuck on this school stuff. You could always finish your degree after you get drafted.”

  Bri’s heart stopped and her stomach dropped. Suddenly, everything clicked into place. Lynette just showing up all of a sudden, after all those years of indifference. Her aggressive interest in Jordan and his plans. Her extreme dislike of Bri and Cole’s relationship.

  The NBA. That is what Lynette had been after all along. She wanted Cole to go pro, and as soon as possible. But why? Money, her brain answered. If Cole went pro, that meant a lot of money. Money he wouldn’t even consider giving to his dead beat, absent mother. But, if he and his mom were closer, if she was part of his life again, he might consider giving her some of that money, and that would benefit apathetic Carl as well. That was it, that had to be their plan. Did Cole see it? She glanced up at him, but Cole didn’t seem to be making that connection. He just looked glad his mom was paying attention to him. Bri needed to talk to him, to help him see, but she couldn’t spring that on him now, not with his mom right there. She’d have to wait until later. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t defend him now.

  “I think Cole is smart for wanting to finish school,” she smiled smugly at Lynette, not about to let her win. “Even if Cole does go pro, it’s always smart to have something to fall back on, in case something happens.”

  Lynette gave a derisive laugh. “And what is it exactly, that you think would happen?”

  “Basketball players get injured all the time, and those injuries can be career ending. If Cole has his degree, at least he can still have a future if that happens.”

  “Hmm,” Lynette replied noncommittally. “I just don’t see something like that happening.” She turned back to Cole. “Well honey, call me if you need anything. Maybe I can come down and visit you again. This has been fun.”

  “Yeah, maybe,” Cole replied.

  Lynette beamed and pulled him in for another hug. “Take care, baby, and don’t be a stranger. We’re not that far apart, so we’ll be better at keeping in touch.”

  “Okay, Mom. See you later. Bye, Carl.”

  Carl nodded and he and Lynette climbed into their car and drove off. Bri noticed that neither of Cole’s parents bothered to say goodbye to her, but she wasn’t going to let it get to her. She was just glad they were gone. She didn’t know for sure if she was right about Lynette’s ulterior motives, but Bri wanted to keep Cole as far away from that woman as possible. She didn’t want Lynette to get close enough to influence and persuade him.

  After the car turned out of sight, Cole let out a long breath and turned to her with a lopsided smile.

  “Well, that wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.”

  “Yeah, other than the part where your mom hates me, and totally disapproves of our relationship,” she nudged his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her and they headed to the Jeep.

  “She’ll come around. It’ll be interesting to see if she’s serious about keeping in touch. She’s never cared much before. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

  Bri glanced over at Cole, and despite his bleak words, she saw a spark of hope in his eyes. Worry clenched her stomach, and she really hoped that he wouldn’t be let down again.

  Chapter 15

  Bri sat at an outdoor table, eating lunch with Stephanie and Stacie, and enjoying some much needed girl time. The late-September weather was starting to turn cooler, and there wouldn’t be many more days that they’d be able sit outside. Fall was definitely on its way.

  Suddenly, the chair next to her scraped back, and Matt slid in, dropping his lunch on the table.

  “Hello! Mind if I join you, ladies?” He flashed them all a dazzling smile.

  “Not at all,” Bri quipped. “Please, have a seat.” She motioned to the chair he was already sitting in. “It’s not like you are interrupting us, or anything.” She raised an eyebrow at him.

  “Oh, Bri, I’ve missed your spunk,” he teased her as he tore into his lunch. “So what’s new with you guys?” He addressed the whole table, but Bri noticed that Matt’s eyes kept straying back to Stacie.

  “Not much, we were just trying to think of something fun to do this weekend,” Stephanie replied. “Oh, congrats on starting this season. That’s awesome,” she smiled at him.

  “Thanks. I’m excited. Two years of sitting on the bench gets old really fast. So,
is this a girls only thing you’re planning this weekend?” he asked probingly.

  “No, I’m sure Bri will bring Cole, and Steph will bring one of her many boy-toys, and I’ll be lucky enough to be the fifth wheel.” Stacie smiled bitterly, but Matt perked up.

  “Wait, I thought you were dating what’s-his-name? Did something happen?” The eagerness on Matt’s face almost made Bri laugh. She remembered him and Stacie hitting it off over spring break, but Stacie had been dating someone then. Now that she was single…

  “Yeah, he and I decided to part ways when I tried to run him over with Bri’s Jeep.”

  “You tried to run him over?” Matt couldn’t hide his smile.

  “With my Jeep?” Bri replied incredulously. Stacie had managed to leave out that tiny detail earlier.

  “I caught him cheating on me,” Stacie shrugged. “What was I supposed to do?”

  “Mow him down, back up, and run over him again,” Matt nodded.

  “In someone else’s car. Remind me never to let you borrow it again. I don’t need dead boyfriend bits all over my baby,” Bri eyed Stacie sternly.

  “Yeah, well that won’t be happening again anytime soon. I’m taking a break from lying, cheating assholes for a while,” Stacie stabbed at her salad viciously.

  Matt’s face visibly fell, and Bri got a devious idea. What better way to pay Stacie back for almost committing homicide in Bri’s Jeep than to set her up with Matt. Not that being set up with Matt was a punishment. Bri loved Matt, in a friendly, annoying-older-brother kind of way, and had long thought that he just needed the right girl to make him denounce his philandering ways. He was a great guy and deserved to find happiness, like she and Cole had. She just wanted everyone to be as happy as they were.

  Oh crap. She’d officially become Layla. She’d found true love, and was now plotting to set up all of her friends in an attempt to help them find true love, too. Maybe she should rethink this.

  But as Stacie laughed at something Matt said, the first real laugh she’d had since almost killing her ex, Bri realized that there was already something there between them. It just needed a little nurturing. And maybe a little push to get going, considering Stacie’s anti-guy attitude right now. But, it could work. It could definitely work.

  “Why don’t you come with us on Saturday?” she asked Matt, barging into whatever conversation had been going on that she’d been paying absolutely no attention to. Her plotting had been too consuming. “Addison is coming, too, and I think Steph was going to invite a few more people, so it’s not going to be like a couples’ thing. You should come… when we decide where we’re going.”

  “Oh, I know! We should go dancing,” Stephanie bounced in her seat. “I heard about a great club in town, and it would be perfect for those of us who are single and want to meet new people.” She looked meaningfully at Stacie, who ignored her. “What do you think?” She glanced around the table expectantly.

  “I think that sounds perfect,” Bri joined Stephanie’s enthusiasm. What better way to nudge Stacie and Matt in the same direction. “Don’t even start,” she cut off the complaint she saw on Stacie’s lips. “You don’t have to meet anyone. You don’t even have to dance. But you do have to come and hang out with us,” she eyed her friend pointedly. “And you’re coming, right?” she asked Matt with a look that dared him to disagree.

  “Yeah, sure, count me in,” he replied.

  “Then it’s settled,” Stephanie clapped her hands happily. “I’ll see who else wants to go. Yay! Well, I gotta run for class. Later!”

  That night, Bri headed over to Cole’s room. The only good thing about him rooming with Jordan this year was that Jordan was never there. Between his frat and his girlfriends, Jordan rarely slept in his room. Which worked out perfectly for Bri, as she rarely slept in her room, either.

  “That sounds fun,” Cole agreed when Bri told him the plan for Saturday night. “Maybe I’ll see if Jordan wants to come, too.”

  Bri hadn’t told Cole how much she disliked his roommate. Jordan was arrogant and conceited, and everything he did or said rubbed her the wrong way. It got even worse after Lynette and Jordan hit it off so well. Now, Bri’s hackles rose every time she was around him. But, she couldn’t tell Cole that. He and Jordan had gotten to be friends in the past couple of months, and Cole didn’t need any more drama in his life. So, as much as she wanted to absolutely forbid him from inviting Jordan, she just smiled and nodded.

  “Yeah, sounds good. How’s practice going?”

  “Good. We’ve got a really strong team this year. Coach wants me to work with Jordan, help him work through his propensity to panic. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to do that exactly, but hopefully I’ll figure something out.”

  “If anyone can help him, it’s you. You’re pretty amazing like that,” she smiled up at him.

  “I’m only amazing because you’re amazing,” he pulled her against his chest. “Speaking of amazing, did I tell you today how amazing you look today?”

  “You might’ve, but I can always hear it again,” she smiled, and captured his lips.

  Saturday night, Bri frowned at Stacie sitting alone at their table, and at Matt who was dancing with some slutty girl. This wasn’t working out at all like she’d hoped. Matt had been bombarded by girls from the moment he walked in, and Stacie refused to leave her stool for anyone. Her steady stream of alcohol, thanks to her fake ID, was keeping her company. Bri was at a loss on how to fix this.

  “You’re pouting,” Cole’s voice in her ear drew her attention back to him. “We’re supposed to be having fun.” His warm arms pressed her close to him as they danced.

  “We are,” she smiled, feeling a little guilty at being so happy while her friend was so miserable.

  “Then what’s with the protruding bottom lip?” He sucked on her bottom lip to prove his point.

  “Maybe it just wanted some attention,” she smiled coyly.

  “Well, I’ll give it all the attention it wants,” he grinned wolfishly. “But really, what’s bothering you?”

  “Oh, it’s nothing,” she sighed. “I was just hoping that Matt and Stacie would spend some time together tonight. But Stacie is practically dating her beer, and Matt’s been accosted by every skank in the place. I don’t think they’ve said more than three words to each other all night.”

  Cole let go of her and stepped back with an arched brow.

  “You’re not trying to play matchmaker, are you?” he said sternly.

  “What? They’d be good together,” she shrugged.

  “Do you remember how obnoxious and annoying Layla’s matchmaking was?”

  “Her heart was in the right place. That counts for something,” she defended. “Plus, I got a hot date out of it, so really it was a win-win situation.” He gave her an angry look, and she couldn’t contain her laugh. “I’m kidding. You do have a point though, it was bad. I just think they’d be good for each other.” Her eyes darted between Stacie and Matt for the millionth time.

  “I’m just warning you, they may not appreciate you butting into their lives. It’s nice of you to want to try, though,” he smiled warmly at her and pulled her back into his arms.

  “I just want everyone to be as happy as we are.” She snuggled into him, enjoying his closeness.

  “I know.” He kissed the top of her head.

  So, Bri gave up on her matchmaking aspirations. But a couple of days later, she was in the library studying when Matt sat down next to her. Looking up from her book, she smiled.

  “Hey, Matt. What’s up?”

  “Um,” his face flushed in embarrassment. “I was just wondering… What’s the deal with Stacie?”

  Bri had never seen Matt this flustered before. She could tell it was killing him to ask her, but she knew he must really be interested to suffer like this.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean is she still getting over her ex? Is she dating anyone right now? Is she even interested in dating?”

  �
��Why?” She was enjoying his discomfort a little too much, but she couldn’t help it. “Are you interested in her?”

  “Yeah,” he ran a hand through his hair. Then his eyes widened as he realized what he’d just admitted. “I mean, no, not really. I’m just curious is all.”

  “Right,” she laughed, “you’re just curious. That’s why you’ve suddenly turned into a bumbling fifteen year old asking about a girl you like. I’ve never seen you this thrown off your game before.”

  “Okay, okay, are you done teasing me yet?” he grinned sheepishly. “I really could use your help here.”

  “I’m done,” she promised. “So, you’ve got a thing for Stacie, huh? Tell me, what kind of thing?” She leaned closer, giving him her full attention.

  “I don’t know,” he looked away, embarrassed. “She’s cool, and hot, and fun. I’ve been thinking about her for a while now, but she had a boyfriend. Now that she’s unattached, I guess I just don’t want to miss my chance.”

  Bri grinned. “Okay, I think I can help you out. But,” she looked at him seriously, “you need to understand something. If you do this, and it works, this can’t be like your normal dating routine. Stacie is different, and she’s one of my best friends. You can’t treat her like all the other girls. You can’t use her. You’d better decide if you’re ready for a real, grown-up relationship, because you can’t just hook up with this one. Even if she’s okay with that, I’m not. Got it?”

  “Geez, Bri. I’m not a complete scumbag.” He looked a little hurt. “I know you don’t think it, but I am capable of some kind of commitment.”

  “I’m just making sure we’re on the same page here. I’m not helping you out with a booty call. And if you hurt her, I’ll hurt you. I’m serious. Your manly parts will tremble when they hear my name.”

  “Fair enough,” he conceded. “I promise I’m after more than just a quick hook up. I really like her. I’ll be good.”