Best Man with Benefits Read online

  I’d never been into bagels and eggs and champagne in OJ. And this morning it was made worse by what had happened the night before. Fuck, that had been too good. Touching Chloe, making her come, hearing my name on her lips. Perfection.

  Except, no, that’s not true, is it? You fucked up.

  I entered the hotel restaurant and walked up to the head table where Charlie and Addison were already seated. There were about three other occupied tables, all with members of the wedding party chatting and getting to know each other.

  “Mind if I take a seat?” I asked my best bud.

  “Sit your ass down.” Charlie had his arm around his bride-to-be and wore pride like a badge. He was over-the-top happy, and I was over-the-top happy for him. Even if it meant trusting that Addison was the right woman for him.

  I took a place at the table, just as Chloe appeared. She hesitated at the sight of me then did an adorable little head shake and walked up. She took a seat opposite mine. “Morning,” she said, to the table in general.

  “Hi,” I replied.

  Charlie frowned at his sister. “No good in there?” he asked. “You OK, sis?”

  “Sure,” she replied. “I’m surprised you are, though. Rough night last night, huh, bro?” She flashed a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

  The tension was there between us, all right. Fuck, and Charlie being here made it worse. Awkward. If he caught wind of what had happened last night… His entire wedding would be ruined. No more best man.

  “How are you two this morning?” I put in, to get the conversation flowing again. Had to keep my mind off Chloe. The longer I looked, the harder I got.

  “We’re barely managing to keep it together,” Charlie said and kissed Addy on the cheek. “Thanks for looking after both of us last night.”

  “What are friends for?” It was a shitty thing to say given the circumstances.

  Thankfully, waiters entered the hotel restaurant and doled out glasses of water with cucumber slices—might as well have gagged on a sweaty ball sack here—and menus.

  The selection was great, and, by some miracle, in English. I ordered an omelet and accepted the standard OJ—minus the champagne—that came offered alongside it. Beat the water with cucumber slices by a mile. I’d never been big on drinking, and a wedding wouldn’t change that.

  Be-fucking-sides, I needed my wits about me.

  I couldn’t measure what was up with Chloe. Was she upset? Did she want it to happen again?

  I’d left her to sleep, even kissed her goodbye, but daylight changed things. The shroud of night had peeled back and revealed the secrets, the lies we’d told ourselves. That we could do this, that it was anything other than a bad idea. That it wouldn’t last longer than a night.

  Occasionally, our gazes met. Hers would dart off instantly. She was scared of being found out, but she had no idea how deep this could go. How fucked up and complicated it would get.

  What if it’s already too late? What if they know about her?

  That was impossible. It had been one night. They’d have known about her already because she was Charlie’s sister. And Charlie was in constant contact with me.

  The food was brought out, drinks served, and folks ate and chatted. One of the women at the table, red hair and crimson lipstick, gave me the type of looks I was used to. Covetous and vapid. I ignored it.

  “Not a chance,” Charlie said, leaning in toward Addy. “Literally never going to happen.”

  “Oh, come on, Charles,” Addison said. “You can’t possibly know that. Just ask him.”

  “You ask him,” Charlie replied, bobbing his head toward me.

  “Ask me what?”

  “I wanted to know if you were available,” Addy said. “That’s all.”

  “Depends. What type of available?” I asked. “I’m available for coffee, but probably not high tea with the queen.”

  “Can’t you ever answer a question normally?” Charlie asked.

  Chloe made a noise in her throat that might have been a laugh, but she quickly buried herself in her OJ. I stared at her for a moment longer than necessary, but she didn’t meet my eye. She was gorgeous. She’d chosen a summery strappy dress today, with a cardigan to match it, and her hair was tied up in a messy bun.

  “Uh, Charlie?” Addison’s voice cut through my inappropriate stare.

  I turned to her. “Yeah?”

  “You have something you want to say? Um…to Chloe?”

  Chloe’s head snapped up.

  “No,” I replied. “But I appreciate you directing my conversation and thoughts.”

  Addison colored. “Oh, well, I didn’t want to interrupt you if you were going to—uh, never mind. So, what I meant by available was…are you available for dating. Fun. Good times, that kind of thing?” Addison’s smile parted her lips. She was totally focused on me and hadn’t noticed Chloe stiffening next to her.

  “Fun and dating are often mutually exclusive,” I said.

  “Meaning?” Addison sipped on her champagne and grimaced. “Oh lord, I should have ordered plain OJ.”

  “Meaning I’m not interested,” I said. “In dating.”

  “Told you.” Charlie was triumphant. “Jacob is more likely to get pregnant than he is to get into a serious relationship.”

  I raised an eyebrow at him.

  Charlie lifted both hands. “Dude, I’m just saying. How long have I known you now?”

  “Oh, a couple years.”

  “Try fifteen, and in those fifteen I have never seen you commit to anyone.”

  I cut a piece off my omelet and ate it, instead of commenting. It was Chloe’s face, the sheer attention she’d paid to what he’d said. Another round of red flags raised in my head. We’d cut too close to the bone last night.

  “But why?” Addison asked, leaning in. “I mean, every woman in this room has been staring at you since you walked into the restaurant. You’re probably the most eligible bachelor…well, anywhere. Why don’t you date?”

  “Hmm, so, because the general female population is thirsty, I should just give the milk away?”

  Addison’s lips twisted downward. “Oh, ew. Milk, really?”

  “Not what I meant,” I said. “Cow, milk, that was the reference.”

  Chloe had broken into muted giggles.

  “Whatever. I think you should give it a shot,” Addison said.

  “You’re barking up the wrong tree.” Charlie kissed his fiancée on the cheek. “The man is allergic to any kind of commitment. He’s always been this way, and it will never change.”

  “Why?” Addy asked.

  “You really want to hear my cautionary tale?” I asked.

  Some of the others at the table, bridesmaids who’d been not-so-surreptitiously eavesdropping all along, turned to listen outright.

  “Yes.” Addy lifted her chin. “Give me one good reason you don’t want to go on a blind date.”

  “Other than the fact that they suck?” Chloe asked, and her voice awakened the beast in my chest.

  “Hey! You’re supposed to be on my side,” Addy replied, pointing at her.

  “I don’t date because dating leads to romance, romance leads to love, and love leads to marriage,” I said. “My parents were the only cautionary tale I needed. They spent their very short-lived marriage fighting each other, and then the long divorce battle thereafter doing the same.” It was the short version of what’d happened. The manipulation from my mother. The gifts with conditions from my father. “That’s the short and long of it,” I said.

  Addison sighed. “Fine. I give up.”

  “A wise decision,” Charlie put in.

  I finished my bite then excused myself from the table. Stares followed me across the restaurant, and one of them belonged to Chloe. I’d have to speak to her about what had happened soon, or this shit would get out of hand, and quick.

  I headed for the bathroom and entered, then splashed water on my face and studied my reflection in the mirror. Dark circles under my eyes. L
ate nights spent worrying over what was on its way.

  Trouble. With people who were trouble specialists. The dead-body-in-a-ditch-or-river kind.

  “Fuck.” I scrubbed my cheeks. I leaned on the counter and stretched my neck left and right, easing the tension.

  Images from last night returned to me. Her body beneath mine, fingers grasping, mouth dropped open, moans escaping her. It had been nothing like the first time we’d slept together. There had been no shy quiet. We had fucked like we’d meant it.

  The bathroom door opened and Charlie entered. “Hey, dude, are you good?”

  “Huh?”

  “You were a little off at the table. Just wanted to check that everything’s OK,” Charlie said and patted me on the back.

  “You followed me in here to check if I was OK?”

  “And to piss, but what the hell. Two birds with one stone, right?”

  “Fair enough,” I replied. “I’m good, dude.”

  Charlie unzipped in front of the urinal and did his business, thankfully falling silent. After, he washed his hands and smiled at me in the mirror. He was a head shorter than me, and, in a way, I’d always thought of him like a little brother.

  “You’re sure about that?”

  “Charlie, what’s up?” We were good friends, but we’d never been into the heart-to-heart discussions.

  “You were looking at Chloe,” my friend said, after a beat. “Anything you want to talk about regarding that?”

  He was suspicious. Charlie had always been overly protective of his sister—that was the nature of the relationship.

  “I can’t look at your sister now?”

  “Not in the way you were looking at her at brunch. I think you know that, Jake.”

  “I was looking at her how I look at anyone,” I lied through my teeth. “Fuck, dude, why is this what you’re worried about? You’re getting married in a week.”

  “Chloe is in a really bad position right now. She’s just been dumped, she’s not succeeding in her career, and I don’t want anything to mess her up,” Charlie said.

  “And I’m sure nothing will. Chloe and I were just sharing a joke, that’s all.”

  “A joke?”

  “About you and your drunken behavior,” I replied and clapped him on the back. “You were close to throwing up last night, dude. It was a spectacle.”

  Charlie’s laser-eyed focus waned, and he grew sheepish. He scratched fingers through the dark hair at the nape of his neck. “Thanks for doing that.”

  “No problem. You need to focus on what’s important right now. You and Addy. Don’t worry about me, and don’t worry about your sis. I’m sure she’s got her shit handled. And I swear, we won’t be fighting during your wedding, all right?”

  Charlie sighed, nodding. “Good. That’s good.”

  “Now, I’m gonna go finish my omelet and pray there aren’t any snails in it.” There was no ignoring how bad this had become. I’d have to talk to Chloe, and soon.

  Eleven

  Chloe

  I focused on my breakfast crêpe stack, breathing easier now that Jacob had excused himself. What the hell was I supposed to do now?

  This morning was awkward.

  It wasn’t that I didn’t want him anymore, I did, and that was what made it uncomfortable. I had to pretend in front of Charlie and everyone that it was normal. That I hadn’t tossed my morals out of the window on a whim.

  Because that’s what this was. I had been set on never getting involved with a guy again, not until my music career had taken off.

  “Chloe,” Addison said.

  I forced a smile. “Uh-huh?”

  “What’s up with you? You look…down.”

  “I’m doing great. Just a little hungover from last night.” I lifted the OJ and took a sip. “But this is helping. No champagne in mine.”

  “Well, there’s champagne in mine, and it seems to be helping me.” Addison’s intense stare didn’t waver, though. “Is something going on between you and Jacob?”

  “Huh? What are you talking about?” My skin iced. How had she picked up on that? Oh please, it’s not like you’re not being obvious about it.

  “Come on, Chloe. You could cut the tension with a butter knife. You can’t even look at him. What’s going on?” Addison had the tact to lower her voice. The other bridesmaids had vultures for ears. “You can tell me anything, you know. I won’t tell Charlie if you don’t want me to.” But she said it reluctantly.

  Addison kept nothing from my brother. I liked that about her, but it didn’t help me in this situation. I’d have to call Kathy later and dump everything on her shoulders. “There’s nothing to tell, Addy.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure,” I replied. “Nothing to tell. We had a minor disagreement last night after we got Charlie to bed. The usual stuff. Him trying to be cocky and me shutting him down.”

  Addison nodded. “Well, I can tell Charlie’s worried about it already. He’s so protective over you.”

  “I know,” I said.

  It was the bane, being the little sister, but I wouldn’t have given up my relationship with my brother for anything. He was more of a father figure than my dad had ever been. People accepted how close we were at face value—I wasn’t sure Charlie had told Jacob about our early childhood and all the drama that had brought us to where we were today.

  “OK.” Addy chewed on her bottom lip. “I’ll talk to Charlie. I’ll tell him there’s nothing to worry about.”

  “I don’t think you need to do that, Addy. I love my brother, but he does need to come to terms with the fact that I’m grown and in control of my own life. Just let him chill. Let him focus on you guys instead of worrying that I’ll be all right.” I couldn’t blame him for being the way he was, but our life paths had diverged now.

  “All right,” Addy shrugged. “But what if—?” She cut off as Trisha scooched into the empty chair next to her. “Trish? Something wrong?”

  “Uh, no, nothing’s wrong. But I had to come over and talk to you about that guy. What’s his name?”

  “Who?”

  “Oh please, the handsome one. The dark-haired stallion,” Trisha said. “What’s the dish on him?”

  “That’s Jacob,” Addy said. “Gosh, this brunch was meant to introduce everyone, but it’s hardly helped.”

  “So, this Jacob.” Trisha didn’t lose steam easy. “What’s wrong with him?”

  I cringed inwardly. Trisha was so not Jacob’s type—garish red hair and a fake nose, wearing loads of makeup. There was nothing wrong with her type, just that she wasn’t Jacob’s. Because you know what Jacob’s type is? The man slept with you twice, and he’s been practically allergic to you for years.

  “Nothing, I assume. You heard the blind-date conversation, right?” Addy asked.

  “Yeah, but that’s nothing. Most men say they’re not into dating until they date me.” Trisha’s smirk was insufferable.

  I held back on making a comment and cut into my crêpes instead. They were filled with cream and fresh strawberries and utterly delicious. But the flavor was nearly lost because of the conversation.

  “I’m the type of girl who makes them settle down. One night with me, and it’s all over.”

  “That’s quite an accolade,” I said.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Trisha asked, snapping her head in my direction.

  “Exactly what I said.”

  Trisha rolled her eyes so hard I was genuinely concerned they’d stick that way. But, alas, they returned to a normal position shortly after. “Well, this Jacob guy is exactly, like, my type of man. Like he would totally spend one hot night with me and want me for the rest of his natural life.”

  Who talks like that?

  “You’ll have to find this out for yourself, Trish.” Addy patted her on the arm and offered her a smile that was far too warm for my liking. How did she put up with assholes like Trisha? What in god’s name was Trisha’s redeeming quality? Had she bailed Addis
on out of jail or something? That was the only viable reason I could fathom that would have landed her an invite—it might have worked if Addy wasn’t such an innocent.

  Trisha licked her lips perked up. “That’s fine by me,” she said. “Looks like I’m about to get my chance.” She scooted back to her chair, but angled herself toward us.

  And Jacob. Who’d sat down opposite me again. His foot brushed mine, and I shifted in my seat and tucked my legs underneath my chair to save myself the blushing. He made brief eye contact, but it was cold, and he shifted it away fast.

  “Hi,” Trisha said, waving at him languidly, her fingers tipped in red nails that matched her lipstick shade perfectly. She was so orchestrated, but at least she was neat.

  I’d rolled out of bed this morning, showered, and ran a brush through my hair. My dress was a little wrinkly too.

  Jacob nodded to her and tucked into his food.

  “I believe you’re Jacob.”

  “You believe or you know?” he asked, without raising his head.

  I stifled a smile, pressing my lips together. This was classic Jacob. He was such an asshole. It was fun watching him be a dick to someone else for a change.

  “I mean, like, Addison told me that you’re Jacob. You’re, like, the best man?”

  “Yes, I am. Like.”

  I snorted and pressed a fist to my nose. “Excuse me. Sneeze.”

  “Bless you,” Addison replied and patted me on the back.

  “Well, like, what do you say we hang out sometime? I know that we’ll be stuck here for a while and this is, you know, the city of love. Would be cool to take advantage of that.”

  Jacob finished off his bite. His eyes roved up and down the table, as if he didn’t want to look anywhere, and, in particular, not at me.

  “Uh?” Trisha was at a loss. She was likely used to guys falling over themselves at the merest suggestion of a date from her.

  “No thanks,” Jacob said. “I’m not into dating.”

  Trisha scooched closer, rocking her chair to the side, then leaning halfway across the table. She wore a low-cut dress, and she presented her cleavage to Jacob. It was like a show off the Discovery Channel. She was the bird doing the dance, and Jacob was the bird who flitted off into the sky never to be seen again.