Bully Me Then (Bully Me #3): A Best Friend's Brother Bully Romance

by Lacey Heart

  “Look. I don’t know what’s happening with the two of you,” and I’d really love to tell him that I don’t care, but like the fool I am, I do. “But you need to sort it out with her, Colby. If she gets under your skin so bad, can’t you just end it with her? Can’t you send her back to wherever she came from?”

  I personally think it’s the most reasonable thing to do. Colby’s never been shy of getting rid of people before and I don’t know what makes the likes of Tiffanie any different. Colby clearly doesn’t agree with my logic as he pushes himself up off the bed and looks at me like I’ve grown two heads. God, I don’t think I will ever understand him and his crazy little mind.

  Surely, it’s the easiest and most straight forward thing to do?

  He doesn’t want to be with Tiffanie anymore, that’s obvious. She’s clearly served whatever purpose Colby had for her, so why can’t he just come clean and be up front with her?

  I don’t care what he says or how contradictory it may sound; honesty is usually the best policy. “What’s the deal, Colby?”

  “If only it were that simple.” He drags a weary hand down his stubbled jaw and sighs before lowering himself back down to get a better look at me. “As much as I want to, I can’t just up and leave her.”

  “But why? Does she have some kind of hold on you?” my eyes grow wide with realization. I’m not stupid. I remember the kind of bullshit Colby used to be involved in back when we were kids. Hopefully he’s still not caught up in that lifestyle. But then, I guess it’s not really my concern if he is. He’s a big boy, and I have no doubt he can handle himself.

  Colby moves closer to me and his hand cups my jaw, forcing me to look right at him and my soul feels bare—stripped naked, fully exposed for him to see—all my flaws included. “Now that’s for me to worry about. Not you.”

  “You have to be kidding me, right?” I exclaim.

  “What?”

  “Oh, come on, Colby. Do you really have to say ‘what’ like this is nothing? You’re in my bed, doing things to me that you should really only be doing with Tiffanie—your girlfriend, and look at you. You don’t even care.”

  “She’s not my girlfriend.” There’s a slight pause and he continues, “she’s just an unfortunate part of the process, is all.”

  “Seriously?” I suck on my bottom lip as I try to process what he’s trying to say, but I’m finding it hard to understand any of it. “Just when I thought you couldn’t be anymore of a jerk than usual, you come out with some bullshit excuse like that.”

  Colby shakes his head in disbelief, as though I’m the one who’s crazy. “It’s the goddamn truth. What do you want me to do? It’s way out of my control. If I could, I would, but I can’t do a damn thing about it. Not yet, anyway. But trust me, princess, I’m working on it.”

  He’s such an ass. Why does he always have to go and make everything a million times harder than it needs to be? “All right, I’m not going to sit here and pretend I know what Tiffanie is like, because I don’t, and personally I don’t want to know. But, it’s clear for everyone to see she has some pretty deep feelings for you.”

  “And what about you, princess? Do you have some pretty deep feelings for me?” He laughs as though my answer doesn’t matter either way, but I can tell from his shallow breathing that he’s more than keen to find out.

  “You’re only going to hurt people if you carry on being so selfish.” I know one hundred percent as the words fall from my lips that I don’t give a damn how Tiffanie feels or how much she gets hurts. There’s no love lost between us, and I don’t care how selfish it sounds, but the only feelings I really care about are my own. And I’ll sure as hell make sure I’m not the one who’s left hurt and destroyed, almost beyond repair like I was last time.

  “You know what your problem is, princess? You think too much.” His cold, gray eyes harden as they scan mine, searching for something that only he knows and then boom—suddenly what feels all too soon, the cold, crisp morning air hits my naked flesh as he pulls the sheet back and jumps out of bed. I can’t deny his naked body is definitely a delectable sight. Possibly one I could never tire of.

  “So, what happens now?” I mutter, and a small part of me hopes he didn’t hear me because I’m worried of what might fall from his mouth. Whatever he says next can’t ever be unsaid.

  I continue to watch him from the bed as he shakes his head, obviously a little confused by my question and then he tells me clear and steady, “when I walk out of that door, we’ll go straight back to how we’ve always been.”

  “What, hating each other?”

  His smile lights up his whole face and I’m so not ready for him to leave. I’m not ready to be forced back into reality and burst out bubble of wrong, beautiful bliss.

  “Got it in one, princess.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  WILLOW

  “Whoa, girl. You look how I feel.”

  I step behind the bar and see Jett watching me with a pitiful look in her eyes. Jeez, this girl has no idea how much I’m wallowing in self-pity right now.

  “Thanks.” I plaster on my best fake smile and pour myself a double shot of vodka, and even though it’s only ten in the morning, lord knows I seriously need it.

  The atmosphere back at the house was out of this world crazy. It’s the most intense I have ever known it to be and I was desperate to get the hell out of there as soon as I could. I would have been straight out the door the second I showered but that would have raised a few alarms. Leaving the house too soon would have been way out of character for me. Everyone knows I need to have at least five coffees before I feel physically able to function.

  The hardest part was pretending not to give a damn when Tiffanie started packing on a whole load of PDA and she couldn’t stop herself from pawing at Colby every couple of seconds. Not that he seemed to mind too much. Colby was more than happy to play along, and I won’t lie, it hurt a whole lot more than I’m comfortable admitting. I know it’s what we both agreed, but it felt as though last night was a dream and nothing had happened between us—like it wasn’t my bed he spent the night in.

  Obviously, the girl has issues and she felt the need to mark her territory, just like the bitch she truly is. But she sure has a lot to learn when it comes to Colby Carter, that’s for sure.

  She might think she knows him inside out, but she will only ever know what he wants her to know and nothing more. I guess he can give her as little or as much as he likes, because it won’t matter in the end. One thing will always remain the same—Colby Carter will never be tamed by any woman. Not now. Not ever.

  “Is everything okay?” Jett asks, and I can hear the concern in her voice as she steps closer to me. I pour another shot and down it in one before slamming the glass down on the bar.

  “I’d love to tell you yes, but then that would be nothing but a big fat lie, and I’m growing real tired of lies. So, in answer to your question, no. No, it’s not and there’s not a goddamn thing I can do to change it either.”

  “That bad, huh?”

  “Honestly, Jett. I swear you wouldn’t believe me even if I told you.” I could actually laugh right now as a strong wave of hysteria ripples through my body, but somehow, I manage to keep a firm lid on my messed-up emotions. “Anyway, enough about me and my drama’s. What’s happening with you?”

  I’m keen to take the heat from me and my disastrous life, and I notice Jett seems a little withdrawn too. Usually, she’s so full of life and bursting at the seams with energy. Now when I look at her, I see the sparkle that glistens brightly in her eyes is missing. She finally offers me a nervous laugh, and it’s a whole lot weaker than usual too. Her long mane of jet-black hair tumbles over her shoulders and she shakes her head, and there’s no denying she’s devastatingly beautiful.

  “Men, huh?” she shrugs. “I swear one of these days I’ll eventually find a way to figure them out.”

  “Oh yeah?” Me and her both. “If you do, you better make sure you tell me everyt
hing you know.”

  “Is Seb still bothering you?”

  It takes me a couple of seconds, but then I realize after all the drama surrounding Colby, I haven’t really had much time to stop and think about someone as irrelevant as Seb. And, that guy doesn’t deserve any of my thinking time, that’s for sure.

  “Nope. I’m pleased to say Seb is officially history. Almost like he never existed. I think he finally got the message loud and clear this time.”

  Well, I really hope that’s the case because I don’t think Seb would survive another round with Colby. I know Seb can be stupid, but I think he knows he’d be nothing but a fool to land on Colby’s bad side again. Hopefully their little bust-up will stay fresh in his pea-sized brain for a long time to come. “Anyway, I thought I already said enough about me. How are things going with you and Ryder?”

  I actually can’t remember the last time I saw the two of them together. And, if I’m being completely honest, I’ve always been really dubious of Ryder when he’s around Jett. He never seems to have much luck with the ladies. Maybe that is because he always manages to screw up a good thing any chance he gets. Only now with Jett, I don’t think he’s realized it’s not just his heart on the line anymore. Hell, it’s not even his balls. No. It’s his life. If Ryder is dumb enough to screw Jett over, which I think he is, the Bryson will make it his mission to see that Ryder suffers a long and painful death.

  Jett may not have Bryson’s blood pumping through her veins, but he still raised her. All that DNA bullshit means nothing to him. She’s as good as his flesh and blood to him, and she will always be his daughter.

  Man, I would hate to be in Ryder’s shoes. But then I’ve known that guy a hell of a long time and he loves nothing more than playing with fire. That’s probably why he and Colby we as thick as thieves.

  “I’m sorry. Ryder who?” Jett snipes back at me while flicking her hair over her shoulder. She’s full of sass with a whole ‘I don’t give a fuck’ attitude, but I know it’s nothing more than a persona she likes to put on display to the outside world. And she can pretend all she likes that she doesn’t give a damn about Ryder, because I know different. I’ve been around them both long enough to witness first-hand how they are with each other.

  Ryder’s like a big kid, and Jett comes alive like I’ve never seen her before. She bounces off his energy no end, and he does exactly the same. I just don’t know if Ryder will ever be able to handle someone as fierce and independent as Jett.

  “So, it’s like that, huh?” I laugh and pour us both another shot. I don’t think either one of us will refuse it. Jett leans back on the bar and nods her head to a double. When she looks at me all I can see is a lost soul that kind of reflects my own.

  “Seriously? Will, I have no idea about what’s happening between us and it’s driving me crazy. One minute he’s all smoking hot and can’t seem to get enough of me and this fine ass,” laughter escapes me when she slaps her booty to emphasize her point. “Then in the next breath he’s fucking colder than my heart.” Wow. That speaks volumes seeing Jett is our very own ice-queen. “I don’t know what to do. I’ve never experienced this kind of drama with any other guy before. I’m the one who’s always had the upper hand. I’ve always been the one to call the shots, and that’s exactly how I like it. Now, I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. It’s nothing but a constant headache.”

  I hand over Jett’s shot and she throws it back. Maybe I should think about making those our last ones otherwise we’ll be in no fit state to open up. “I know this might sound stupid, but have you tried to talk to him?”

  “Are you crazy?” She squeals as though I’ve just asked her to do something criminal. “What the hell would I even say to him?”

  “I really don’t know.” I tell her truthfully. I know I’m not the best person to be dishing out relationship advice, but I need to keep everything as normal as physically possible and that includes an amicable workforce. “But, any kind of conversation has to be better than none, right?”

  Jett sighs and throws her head back in defeat. She laughs, but I know it’s not a happy laugh, and I suddenly regret opening my mouth. “Look at me.” she demands. “Do I look like the desperate type to you? I don’t go around chasing guys. I never have and I never will. And, it doesn’t matter how hot they are, in or out of the bedroom.”

  “Well, that’s a little more information than I was expecting.” I confess. “But whatever gets you going. You do you, and all that jazz.”

  “Oh, shush your mush.” Jett waggles her finger in my face, and I do as I’m told. “Don’t you dare start with that prudish bullshit.”

  “Excuse me?” I’ve never once pretended to be a prude. But that’s not what’s bothering me. I’ve a horrible feeling simmering in my gut that Jett knows something she shouldn’t.

  “Don’t play dumb with me, Willow.” Her smirk tells me she definitely knows something she shouldn’t. “Weren’t you shacked up getting all down and dirty with Colby in the office?”

  My jaw almost hits the floor and I have to think fast and compose myself. How the hell does she know about that? “Who told you? Because whoever it was, it’s nothing but a load of bull.” I’m panicking and she knows it too. I bet the guilt is written all over my face for her to see. If anyone is spreading rumors, then I’m putting my money and everything I own on Ryder.

  “Oh, sorry. Ignore me.” Jett whispers and she looks like she wants the ground to open up and swallow her, but I’m not buying it. She’s obviously said that for a reason. “Forget I said anything,”

  “Oh, no you don’t.” I step closer to her, and she drops her head sheepishly. I don’t care if she tries to backtrack because I want answers and I want them now. I’ll make sure I get them too because the last thing I want is the rumor mill going into overdrive about me and Colby. “You’re going to tell me what you’ve heard.”

  “Okay. Keep your panties on and promise not to shoot the messenger…” Jett refuses to look me in the eye as they quickly fall to the floor and then back up to anywhere but my face. This tells me all I need to know. Everyone in this goddamn place clearly has their own opinions about me and Colby and what’s going on between us, but in reality, it has fuck all to do with any of them.

  I can feel a small rage starting to simmer just beneath the surface and I know I need to try harder to control it. But I swear, if Colby has been going about his day to day business bragging and laughing about this—about us to Ryder, I’m going to officially lose my shit, and I promise neither one of them will know what’s hit them.

  “Ryder might have said something…”

  I fucking knew it. It doesn’t matter how much time passes by, those two will never grow up. “What did he say?” I demand and I can feel the panic rising in my chest. I’m going to kill the son of a bitch as soon as I can get my hands on him.

  “Calm down, tiger. He didn’t say much, but then he didn’t have to. I’ve seen the way you two are with each other. You guys can’t help but undress each other with your eyes whenever you’re in the same room. To be honest, it’s pretty hot to watch…”

  “This is bullshit.” I tell her, totally not ready to defend myself. Hell, I shouldn’t even be discussing this. Colby and I shouldn’t even be a topic of conversation.

  “I have to tell you, Will. You’re doing a great job of confirming my suspicions, and that guilt dancing on your face is beautiful.”

  “We have history, is all.” I’m desperate to shut this down once and for all, but it doesn’t matter how much I try to downplay this, I know it’s pointless. Jett is onto something and she sure as hell knows it too. That girl can smell a rat a mile off.

  “Uh-huh. Yes, you do, and don’t me and the whole of Redlake know about it.” She glares at me, like I should already know this. “He’s so hot for you, Willow, and you’re just as hot for him. So, tell me… does this finally mean that the two of you are finally getting back together?”

  Jett’s eyes light up and shin
e bright like Christmas lights as she waits for me to tell her that everything will be okay, and I hate to be the one to dim her sparkle and cut her excitement short, but I really need to nip this at the bud and fast. I need to put a drastic stop to her wild conspiracies before the rumor mill goes into overdrive and gets way out of control.

  “I hate to be the one to burst your bubble, but Colby and I have never been together.” I’m not lying when I tell her this either. We’ve never been official. We’ve always just been two people who spent a whole lot of time hating each other, but then mess around while we were alone. “We’ve known each other since we were kids, so obviously we’re gonna talk from time to time.

  “Hmmm… but does that include talking with tongues?” My eyes lock onto her black ones and I know she’s desperate to get some kind of reaction or confession from me—just like everyone else seems to be doing at the minute, but I decide not to take the bait. Protesting too much will only add fuel to this unruly fire. “You can deny it all you like, but that doesn’t change the fact I saw the two of you together.” She shrugs like what she’s telling me is nothing to worry about. What the fuck does she mean, she saw us? She saw us how exactly? “Hey, it wasn’t intentional. I was just walking by the office minding my own, and I heard a couple of exotic moans and the door was ajar. I mean, you can’t blame a girl for being curious. But damn, you two were on fire. I could feel the sexual chemistry sizzling through the door. It was scorching the air and for a split second, I wanted someone to want me like that. I mean, all that hunger. All that passion. Jeez, I bet he’s killer in bed.”

  “Shut up.” I tell her quietly and I can feel the heat of my embarrassment rushing to my cheeks. “You do not repeat what you saw to anyone. Do you hear me? It was nothing more than a careless, stupid moment of madness that will definitely not be happening again.”