Pulling back, I study that perfect face with the chiseled features of a Roman god, and I ask myself why would any woman want a different man?
“I’ve missed you too,” I say.
From his behind his back he produces a bundle of flowers. “These are for you.”
The bouquet is primarily filled with pink roses and white lilies.
“They’re gorgeous.”
I take them from his hand and quickly make my way into the kitchen to find a suitable vase. As I fill one with water, Kenneth studies me or rather I feel his eyes burning a hole in my back. Get your shit together, Jenna. After I get them situated, I turn to finally face him and place them to the side on the counter.
“So,” he begins, “I hoped to take you to dinner tonight, but it sounds like someone else had that privilege.”
Guilt assaults me like a battering ram. “I’m sorry, but actually, my plans changed and I didn’t eat.”
“Nothing for you to be sorry for. I’m the one who isn’t around much, and I feel really bad about that. I’m glad you have someone to hang out with.”
“Really?” I ask in disbelief, because if he knew how much I’d salivated over another man he may not think me guiltless. Then again, I am a full-blooded woman. What’s wrong with me appreciating a good-looking man as long as I don’t act on it, right?
“Yeah, of course. I’m surprised you put up with me. We hardly get to see each other these days. I count myself lucky to still have you.”
“It was just a friend,” I say, feeling like I have to explain myself. Okay, a friend was a stretch. I just met the man. “Someone helped me out with my car, so I traded dinner for the help.”
“Sounds like a good deal. Is everything okay with your car?”
I nod. “Yes, it’s all fixed.”
Maybe I answered to quickly, but he asks on a laugh, “Should I be worried this friend will steal all your attention away from me?”
I move forward and take his hand in earnest with the counter separating us. “Of course not.”
He lifts mine and kisses my fingers. “Good. Besides, I trust you, completely.”
And though I’ve done nothing to break that trust, I can’t seem to talk and stammer out my next words. “Are you hungry? We can go out.”
Being the incredible sweet guy he is, he tries to find a way to accommodate us both.
“Are you sure? I’m sure I can find something in your refrigerator.”
Finally relaxing, I give him a megawatt grin. “Right. I could whip you up some frozen peas, a Lean Cuisine, some Kraft Mac ’n Cheese, or,” and I save the best for last, “my personal favorite, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. ” I waggle my brows.
He laughs because he knows cooking is not my thing. “Okay, okay.” His grin is priceless as he tries not to contain his chuckle. “We could order in?”
We settle on Thai food. While we wait for it to arrive, I curl up next to him on the couch remembering all the reasons why I care about this man. He’s kind, considerate, he spoils me, and he doesn’t mind my lack of cooking skills. Or he pretends that he doesn’t.
“How’s work? Whenever we talk, you sound like you’re swamped,” he asks.
Comfortable, I find my footing and begin to explain how my work day went. “What?”
“You’re so beautiful.” I wave his hand away. “Such beauty locked away in an office seems like a waste. I can’t wait for the day you let me take you away from that life.”
As much as I tense, because he’s talked about me not working endlessly, I smile at his pretty words as his head dips lower to meet mine for what will be the beginning of a searing kiss.
Six
Brandon
The woman at my back hops off my bike before I do. I have to wonder as I’m doing it why Jenna’s car is parked in front of my house. I turn to the woman and tell her to give me a minute. She bobs her head, blonde hair dancing as she does, and I notice something. There’s not even a hint of jealousy on her face. So I turn away and make my way to the car.
Partly pissed off and partly intrigued, I haven’t quite decided how to play this when I reach her.
“Jenna, what are you doing here?”
My tone is even and flat, not betraying the emotions that roil inside of me.
She hasn’t yet met my eyes. Instead, her gaze is fixed in the direction of the woman I left waiting. Finally, she faces me and sputters out a response.
“Sorry,” she splutters while shaking her head as if clearing it. “Yes, that’s it. I’m sorry about earlier. I wanted to apologize. However, it doesn’t seem like now is a good time.”
I think about the last words we exchanged. With a hand on the roof of her car, I lean down a little. “No, it’s not.”
Swallowing first, then she licks her lips. “I should be going.”
Never one to date many women, I’ve never been so intrigued by one. Jenna’s created a need in me I thought long since forgotten. After a few weeks of hanging out in close proximity of her, I have an itch I can’t scratch. Cue in the woman I’ve brought home. A distraction, someone to take the edge off.
“All you have to do is say the word, and I’ll take her back where I found her.”
There is no need to explain; she knows I mean for her to ditch the boyfriend.
“Brandon…”
I stand straight and tap the top of her car. “You ought to get home then. Text me to let me know you got there safe.”
“But—you’re busy.”
“I need to know you’re okay. At least give me that.”
She nods and fires up her car. I step back and watch her disappear into the night. Then I take the woman I’d tagged for the night into my house.
Days later, nothing seems to be going right. My wrench clatters to the floor as I curse the sun, moon, and stars.
“Brandon.”
Dread creeps up my spine as my mother’s voice shatters my solitude. I’d sent Dana and Jeff to grab lunch because I’d wanted some peace.
“Yeah, Mom.”
The click of her heels heads in my direction. She squats to see into the pit where I stand.
“Cursing? I taught you better than that.”
So she’d heard that. I refrain from telling her I’m an adult because she’s made arguments that I’ll always be her son enough times before.
Instead, I change the subject. “What’s going on?”
Mom only comes around when she needs something.
“Is it true you’re letting your brother have a party at your house?”
“Don’t answer that,” Braedon chimes in.
Two sets of eyes now stare at me. I hadn’t heard his approach. I grab a grimy towel to wipe off my hands before exiting the hole.
“Mom,” I say when it’s my turn to look down at the tiny woman who’d seemed larger than life when I was growing up. “He’s going to college soon. You’re going to have to let him go sooner than later.”
It doesn’t matter that I’m taller than she is. She still commands as she’s done all my life.
“Later would be better. A party? You know what kind of nonsense happens at these parties. You never threw a party, and you turned out fine.”
Fine? I’d rebelled the first chance I got, and she knew this, too, as her eyes fall on my ink.
“I’ll be there to monitor it and make sure things don’t get out of hand.”
Of course, this is a lie. I don’t plan to be there. But now that I’ve said it, I have to at least partially make good on the statement.
Her pointer finger comes up as her eyes close to mere slits. “If anything happens to my son…”
She doesn’t finish, letting her point sink in. I’d gotten the message long ago. Braedon is her pride and joy, and I’m just the guy who pays the bills, not that I resent her for it. She’s done the best she can for us with her skill level and only a high school education.
“I have to get to work. You know my boss is an ass and is looking for any excuse to fir
e me. Can you make sure your brother gets home?”
Sure, because I don’t have work or anything, I think to myself. Besides, if she gets fired, the more I’ll have to give her a month to keep her afloat.
I ask my brother, “No school today?”
“Nah, teacher administrative day or some shit.”
“Braedon,” Mom admonishes.
“Sorry,” he says, not sorry at all.
“Make sure he’s home in time for dinner,” she orders.
When she turns, giving us her back, Braedon mimics. I have to hold in my laugh as I lift a finger and mouth for him to stop. He silently sighs, but does as I ask.
Once she’s gone, I need an answer from him. “How did she find out?”
“She phone checked me. Can you believe it? She made me hand over my cell so she could look through everything.”
The cell phone in question, I’d gotten him and paid the service for. I’m surprised she hadn’t given me shit about that, too.
“What did she find?”
He grins. “A few texts about the party and a video.”
“A video?”
I’m almost afraid to hear the answer.
Shrugging, he says, “This girl sent me a video of her taking off her top.”
“A girl sent you a video?”
What I want to say is don’t you people realize that once online always online? But I can’t say that because I’ve told him that before. And saying it again will sound preachy and too much like a parent. I shake my head to myself.
“Not exactly. It was a snapchat. But there are ways of recording them.”
I hold up a hand, not wanting to know.
“Just tell me you didn’t send that to your friends.”
His face screws up. “Hell no. If I did, she’d never give it up.”
Sighing, I wonder what it would be like to be young and stupid again.
“Did you delete it?” I ask.
“Mom did.”
Jeff enters first, followed by Dana.
Braedon tries to stealthily say, “Dana’s hot. Are you tapping that?”
“Hey, Braedon,” Dana says, winking at him, interrupting us in time so that I don’t have to answer. She probably heard him, too. “We have enough to eat if you want to join us.”
My brother smiles wide and follows her to the small break room in the back. He’s all hormones. Maybe Mom’s right, and the party is a bad idea.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” I say, needing to wash my hands with the scrub brush unless I want oil as a topping to my meal.
They file in the back, leaving me alone. As I make my way to the sink near the office door, a familiar car pulls up. I continue to wash and try to ignore the need that overcomes me every time I see her.
She steps into the office like an angel and gives me a shy smile as if she knows all my sinful thoughts about her. Why can’t I just be an asshole and tell her to piss off? Because you’re half in lust with her. And isn’t that true? She’s dressed in a skirt that hugs her hips and lands above her knees and a button-up shirt that’s sheer enough to see her skin. I swallow. She looks the part of the professional woman she is, and my dick quickly conjures X-rated fantasies of her spread on my desk like a buffet and having her call me sir. And where the hell did that come from?
After drying my hands on a clean towel, I open the door, but don’t step fully inside. Somehow I find the will to maintain an unaffected expression.
“Is there a problem with your car?”
Hurt crosses her pretty face because there’s no warmth in my tone.
“Please, Brandon, don’t be like that.”
Nervously, she smooths a hand down one side of her dark hair. Ideas of holding it as I take her from behind start clouding my head. Soon, I’ll have to step away, so she doesn’t see a boner aimed squarely at her. The names of auto parts like carburetors, fuel injectors, radiators, play out like a chant in my head. I haven’t had a reaction to a woman like this since the first time I saw boobs in the flesh.
She holds up a bag. “I thought I’d bring a peace offering.”
Dana, who has impeccable timing whenever a woman comes into the shop, steps out and rolls her eyes. “Brandon, your food is getting cold.”
“I’ll be there in a second,” I call back, only giving her a brief glance.
Her expression hardens as she turns to glower at Jenna before stepping back inside where my brother’s and Jeff’s voices can be animatedly heard.
“I have lunch covered, but thanks.”
Her smile dims as her hand falls. It pains me to see that her feelings are hurt, but I have to remind myself that she’s not mine to worry over, and never will be.
“Oh, okay. At least consider letting me make it up to you. I owe you dinner.”
With her head bent, her hair swings forward, partially covering the right side of her face. I want to reach out and smooth it back behind her ear.
“Don’t worry. You don’t owe me anything,” I say.
Her head snaps up. “But—”
“It’s cool. We’re cool. Besides, I wouldn’t want to give your boyfriend the wrong impression.”
Her lips form a line. “He’s gone back to D.C.”
Ah, so I’m her distraction.
“Look, I like you. I think you know that.” I wait a beat, but she doesn’t say anything.
Just as I’m about to fill in the silence, she admits, “I like you, too. And there is no reason we can’t be friends.”
I give her my best, are you kidding me stare.
Her posture straightens as she tries to convince me. “It’s true. You’re the first person outside of my brother and Cate I’ve been able to talk to. What about you?”
I’d left high school and immediately went to work full-time. I’d gotten serious about my future, which meant working my ass off and not partying. That left few friends.
“Just give it some thought. I enjoy hanging out with you. I’d hate to lose that because you think men and women can’t be friends,” she says quietly.
She doesn’t wait for an answer, just turns and walks away. I watch her slip into her car before I head to the back to eat my cooling lunch.
A few days later on Friday night, with music blaring in my living room, I take my leave from the party, having done my duty. Braedon is more responsible than Mom likes to give him credit for. And I don’t want to be the old creepy guy hanging at a high school party, even though old is all relative considering I’m just in my twenties.
Outside, I hesitate with my finger hovering over the Send button. Fuck it.
Her voice stirs something inside me every time I hear it.
“Brandon?”
I pause to consider my next words. “Yeah, I wondered if you’re free tonight. I mean, your boyfriend, he’s not in town?”
“No.”
Your move, player, I think. But I don’t play games. I’ve just decided to play by her rules, for a while at least.
“Do you want to hang out?”
Cheerfulness returns to her voice, reminding me of the woman who knew how to make me laugh and forget myself at times. “That sounds good. Do you want to come over?”
Being with her in her house alone probably isn’t the best idea. But when had I let that stop me before?
“Yeah, okay. I’ll be there in a few.”
Seven
Jenna
Spending time with and getting to know Brandon is a breath of fresh air. He has no expectations, other than for me to be myself. Climbing the social ladder means nothing to him, nor does being present in the company of the movers and shakers in town. I love this because we can sit around my house and do nothing but watch TV. There is no worrying about pleasing his dad or trying to impress others. He simply doesn’t care about that.
Another thing that impresses me about him is he listens to me. I’ve been having a difficult time at work lately. Even though my job isn’t the most important thing in the world, I do take it seriously. My
boss has been dumping boatloads of work on me, and his expectations are over the top. I need help, but he seems to think I’m Superwoman. Brandon has been a great advisor here, whereas Kenny just tells me I worry needlessly because I don’t need that job. Mom says the same thing. What they don’t understand is, I want to work because it’s important to me. Brandon is the only one who gets it. And Cate. She does, too, only she’s not here anymore.
But … and there’s always but … I hate keeping him hanging from the proverbial string. It’s not really fair. We both know it. It’s just impossible to stay away. There is no denying the attraction that exists between us. But I also love Kenneth. And he is such an awesome person, there is no way I can hurt him. This is the worst kind of trap imaginable.
“Are you even paying attention?”
Brandon’s voice jolts me out of my troubled thoughts. “Of course, I am.”
“Then how did Palpatine seduce Anakin Skywalker to the dark side?”
He caught me, so I confess, “Okay. I admit it. I was thinking of something else.”
After pausing the DVD, he turns to me and asks, holding back a grin, “What could possibly be more important than The Revenge of the Sith? I mean, seriously, Jenna. This is where it’s all revealed.” At this point, he has to clamp his lips down with his teeth to stop the grin from forming. A gurgle of laughter ripples out of me.
“Honestly, I don’t know. You’re right. I mean, how could Anakin possibly do this to The Force?”
“Exactly. So, what took your mind away from all this importance?”
My eyes seek out his, and I blurt out, “You.” I notice how his widen at my admission.
“Me?”
“Yes. I was thinking of how amazing you are.” Sighing, I continue. “You get me, about how I need to work. No one else really does, other than Cate. Thank you, for always being here to listen. And you’ve been here a lot for me. To hear me complain about how I’m having to bear the burden of, you know, Cate losing her husband and Ben losing his best friend, and my job, and just a lot of stuff. You’re always here for me. It means more than I can say.”
One Wrong Choice (A Cruel and Beautiful Book Book 3) Page 5
