Beautiful Misery (The Beautiful Series) (2 page)

I spent my day on the phone making plans and arrangements to open my own bar on the beach. But, in the back of my mind I couldn’t stop thinking about Jenna. After a long day I decided to hit up a few clubs in the city, hopefully clear my mind…if only for a few hours.

Five beers, eleven shots, and three jack and Cokes later I was feeling pretty good. When the pretty girl with jet black hair walked up beside me, she had my full attention.

“Hi, I’m Tara.”

Nodding once I tipped my beer in her direction and said, “Hi Tara, I’m Gage. But, I’m sure you knew that.”

Tara winked and pushed her tits together. “You look like you could use some company.”

Smirking I asked, “Wanna help me out with that?”

2

Cobie

Y
awning, I tapped my pen on my notebook. Who knew libraries were so damn hot? I felt my eyes getting heavy and struggled to continue reading about and memorizing the two hundred and however many bones in the body. I had been at this for three hours and I still couldn’t tell you where your scapula, ulna, or sacrum were. If all this studying didn’t pay off I’m pretty sure I would kill myself. Whoever gave me the great idea to become a doctor should be shot. Oh yeah, my damn brother. Always pushing me. Even from the opposite side of America he still manages to have a say in my life. If I didn’t love his wife and daughter so much I might just kill him.

Taking a deep breath I leaned back in the uncomfortable library chair. Closings my eyes I removed my black frame glasses and used my fists to rub my eyes until I was seeing stars.

“Cobie?” I heard a familiar voice ask. A voice I never thought I would hear again.

Popping my eyes open and l
ooking around it took me a moment to find the person that voice came from. Leaning against the bookcase, feet crossed at his ankles and arms crossed over his chest was Braylon Edwards. My childhood crush and my brothers best friend from high school. Sexy as sin. And the one person my brother now hates and does not want me around.

Knowing I shouldn’t but doing it anyway, I scooted
my chair back and stood, watching as Bray pushed off the bookcase and walked toward me. “Bray? What the hell?” I asked a little confused.

Wrapping his arms around me he hugged me to his chest, lifting my feet off the ground. “Damn girl. Look at you all grown up.”

Setting me back on the ground Bray took a step back, looking me up and down. I wanted to crawl under the table. The expression on his face was unreadable, maybe slightly amused.

Trying to get the focus off me I asked, “Why are you here?”

“Hell, I go here now. Figured it was time to grow up and do something with my life.”

Smiling I said, “That’s precious. Look at you growing up and being responsible.”

Bray glanced at my large anatomy book on the table then raised an eyebrow and brought his gaze back to me. “So what are you going for, nursing?” Bray asked, his voice deep.

“Ha. I wish. I let my pain in the ass brother talk me into going to be a doctor. I have to know all the bones in the body by tomorrow.”

Bray scrunched his face. “Ugh tomorrow of what year?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. Looking at my book and notes I said, “I have been at this for three hours and couldn’t tell you ten bones in the damn body. This shit ain’t no joke. I am ready for spring break and spending time with Evie on the beach.”

Looking confused Bray asked, “Evie? I didn’t know you had a kid.”

Shaking my head I grabbed my phone off the table. Unlocking my screen I saw the picture of my beautiful niece. Handing Bray my phone I said, “Evie is Larkin’s daug
hter. She will be two next month.”

Wh
ile staring at my phone he said, “No shit. I didn’t know he had a kid either. Is it with that one chic he brought home a few years ago?”

“Yes, her name is Jenna. They got married about seven months ago.
”

“Damn. I’ve missed a lot. I follow his football but I didn’t know he was a family man now. Never figured that life for him.” Bray tried playing it off but I could see he was jealous of my brother and the life he had.

Larkin had worked his ass off to get where he is. True, in his teen years he was fucked up but he was my brother and he deserved happiness. He had that with Jenna and Evie, I was happy for him.

“Yep. He grew up and found an amazing girl that straightened him out.”

Bray scratched the back of his neck nervously. “I guess I’m a little late to grow up. But, better late than never. Maybe I need to find that special girl to straighten me out.”

Laughing I placed my hand on Bray’s shoulder. “Braylon Edwards, there is no straightening you out. I don’t think there is a girl out there that could tame you.”

Giving me a half smile Bray said, “Probably not but we’ll see.” Bray ran his hand across my shoulder and bit down on his lip before asking, “Are you hungry? I was on my way out to get dinner when I saw you. Want to grab something to eat with me?”

Blinking a few times, I cleared my throat and nodded.
“Sure, just let me pack my stuff. I really need a break anyway.” Grabbing my books and notebook I stuffed them into my backpack. “Ready?’

Bray freely roamed my body with his eyes. “You have no idea.”

He made me nervous but I didn’t want him to know that. I had always been the annoying little sister with the witty comebacks, I wasn’t about to let him turn me into a mushy mess. I was Cobie fucking Nayler and no man, no matter who he was would break me.

Giving him a small smile
, I winked and patted his hard stomach, “Let’s go dirty boy. I’m hungry and still have a shit ton of studying to do. Where you taking me to eat?”

Bray
licked his lips as he turned to walk. “I was thinking take out and a movie. It’s been a long time since we’ve hung out and it sounds like we have a lot of catching up to do.”

Laughing I replied, “It has and
yes, there has been a lot happen since I’ve seen you.”

Bray stopped and looked at me questi
oningly, “A lot happen with you and a guy?”

Tilting my head, I asked, “Are you asking if I have a boyfriend?”

Flicking his eyes down to the platinum ring with tiny diamonds forming intertwining
X
’s on my left ring finger he shrugged and started walking again. “Maybe.”

“Huh. Then maybe I do, maybe I don’t.” I
said sarcastically. “But, the ring you were just eyeballing is from Larkin. He gave it to me when he moved to San Diego. It’s supposed to let me know that he’s always with me and always here to give me a hug when I need it.” Stopping, I held my hand up so Bray could see the intricate design of diamonds going around the band.

Bray rubbed his thumb over the ring and caught my eyes with his. “Maybe someday, some lucky guy will be good enough to sweep you off your feet and put his own ring on your finger.”

I was speechless. Bray was sarcastic. Bray was a dick. Bray was a smartass. Braylon Edwards. Was. Not. Sweet.

Bray winked at me before asking, “Did you drive?”

Shaking my head I said, “No, I live on campus in Ritter Hall.”

“Not too far from me. I have an apartment off of Elkwood
Drive in Cambridge Heights Apartments. We can eat and hang out for a while then I can drop you off before I go to work.”

“Braylon, did you just ask me on a date and to stay the night with you?”

“No ma’am I did not. I don’t date and I work nightshift, ten at night until ten in the morning,” Bray answered.

“Oh.” I dropped my eyes from him to the floor.

Following him out the door I saw his jacked-up truck sitting in the parking lot. He still had the same silver Dodge Ram with giant tires and tinted windows. The average sized person couldn’t see into the windows it was so high. Even if you were tall enough to look in the window’s you couldn’t, they were tinted jet black.

I had always loved his truck. I had also heard stories about this truck and all the women who had experienced this truck.

“I get to ride in the infamous truck?” I asked, a little smartassy.

Bray stopped mid step and turned to look at me, raising an eyebrow. “Infamous?” He asked acidulously.

Slowly, I nodded. “Uhh huh. All the girls wanted a ride in this truck. Or maybe they wanted to ride the driver of this truck. Either way, the girls back home would drop their panties for a chance to be in there.”

Bray smirked. “What about you?”

Shit.

Feeling my cheeks heat, I worried my bottom lip with my teeth. “What would you do if I said yes?”

Taking a few steps so he was standing directly in front of me, he grabbed my hips and pulled me into his hard body. Looking up I saw his dark eyes sparkling.

“Your brother would kill me if he knew the thoughts that are running through my head right now.”

Sucking in a breath, I said, “My brother’s over two thousand miles away. He would never know. Besides, I’m not that fourteen year old little girl anymore.”

What the hell? My brother would never know? Why does this feel like I’m sneaking around with the bad boy I’m banned from seeing?

“Trust me, I know.” Bray released me and stepped back. “Let’s go eat. Maybe we should just go to Skyline and eat-in. Things could go very, very bad if we are alone in my place.”

Sighing, I nodded. “Skyline with extra onions, please.”

Bray shook his head and let a small smile play on his lips.

Opening my door, he held his hand out to help me climb in. Once I was inside he shut my door and jogged around to the driver’s side and got in. The drive to Skyline was short and silent.

Pulling into the parking lot he found a parking spot and shut his truck off. Without looking at me he opened his door and got out. Letting my head fall back onto the
headrest I took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

I shouldn’t have come with him. I shouldn’t be here. I feel like a cat being teased with a treat. I want Bray, I have since I was little.
Agreeing to go to dinner with him was just salt in the wound. Bray would never want me. Biggest reason being I was Larkin’s little sister.

Forcing my eyes open I grabbed the door handle and shoved it open. Bray was standing at the front of the truck, watching me closely.

“Everything ok?” Bray asked.

Giving my head a hard nod, I walked passed Bray. “Yep. Let’s go eat.”

Once we were sitting at a booth in the back Bray handed me a menu. Holding it up so he couldn’t see my face I pretended to look over the menu so I wouldn’t have to look at him. I had been getting the same thing from Skyline since I was five. One cheese coney, no mustard or onion and chili cheese fries.

“Hi, my name’s Staci. I’ll be your waitress tonight. Can I get you something to drink or are you ready to order?”

“We’re ready,” I blurted out, my voice a little high.

Bray looked from me to the waitress then back to me. “I guess we’re ready.”

Staci laughed then looked to me. “Ok, we will start with you.”

Forcing a smile I said, “I would like a cheese coney, no mustard or onion and a chili cheese fry with a sweet tea please.”

Bray asked, “No extra onions?”

Sticking my tongue out I said, “Nope, I hate onions.”

Smiling at me he said, “I want four cheese coneys with onions, no mustard and a four way. Mt. Dew to drink, please.”

Staci couldn’t keep her eyes off Bray, I couldn’t blame her. She repeated our order back to us before walking away.

“So are you going to ignore me all night now?” Bray asked.

“Huh? I’m not ignoring you.”

Bray gave a short laugh. “Yes you are. Cobie, believe me when I say I want you. Bad. You’re sexy, funny, and have a brain in your head. But you’re too good for me. I’m not the kinda guy you need. You need someone who can promise you a future, that’s not me. Fuck, I can barely promise one night, let alone one month or one year.”

Well hell. I might as well speak my mind too.
“Bray, I have had a crush on you since I was little. Pretty sure you have known for a while that I have always liked you. I always wanted to be that girl in your truck. Even if it was for just one night.”

Bray went to say something but he saw Staci walking to our table with our food. “This isn’t over. Eat then we can talk in my truck.”

Rolling my eyes I looked at our waitress and smiled. “Thank you.”

We both ate without saying another word. Once Bray paid I slowly followed him back to his truck. He again, opened my door and helped me in, shutting the door behind me. But this time he didn’t jog around to the driver’s side, instead he
drug his feet getting around the truck and climbing inside.

Putting his keys in the ignition he went to start the truck but stopped. Rotating his body so he was looking at me Bray gave me a simple smile.

Just as I was going to say something he was lunging at me, swallowing my mouth with his, letting his tongue explore my mouth. He took no time in unbuttoning my shorts and sliding them down. Pushing his hand into my panties he pulled them down.

I was finally getting the man I wanted. He finally noticed me as someone other than his best friends little sister.

Bray never said a word as he unbuttoned his jeans and slid them and his boxers down. Picking my legs up, he scooted me down and rested my calves on his shoulders.

This was the moment I had always dreamed about. And well, let’s just say it was better in my dreams. Good thing he looked like walking sex because he sure wasn’t blessed in other regions.
It was over before I realized he had even started.

Braylon Edwards was not the sex God I thought.

Maybe it was just because we were in just a small space? Maybe it was because it had been a few months since I’d had sex? Maybe it was because he was nervous to have sex with me? Maybe next time would be better? Maybe I’m just making excuses for the guy all my dreams were about. There would be no next time, who was I kidding. This was a one-time thing. A wam bam thank you ma’am.