Forgotten Promise (Forgotten Series Book 2) (4 page)

“How many did you take
in there?” And I hear the door latch open.

“Save your breath.”
Gen strolls out, anticipating my response.

She’s dead on, she
knew I would not like it. I crinkle my nose. “Jury’s out,” I say slowly,
watching her in the mirror in an electric blue number that could possibly glow
in the dark.

“I love it,” she
says, enjoying every angle.

“Well, of course you
do.”

Silence from the man
now standing behind the counter, pretending to do paperwork.

“Ring us up.”

This is so Gen, to
each his own. “It’s time to go,” I say, the butterflies stirring in
anticipation. Or I’m going to vomit.

~Bryer~

We change at Gen’s
house, under strict orders not to come home until exactly six o’clock. Fine by
me, I’m not anxious for this Kodak moment to start. We spend two hours,
primping and talking and laughing. I’m ready in thirty minutes. I just watch
Gen tediously work her magic to perfection.

“Seriously, Gen, do
you see yourself getting married in the near future?” She turns, peeking out of
the bathroom in question.

“What’s brought this
on?” Worry on her face.

“Well, Cash’s
diabolical return, bringing up all the forgotten promises. All the heartache I
went through with him. And now I’m considering going down the same path with
Nathan.” Admitting how my trust was destroyed by his actions, and my
self-esteem crushed, the scars follow me even now.

“I know forever is
scary, Bryer, but not when you’re with the right man, and you are. So quit
worrying, will you?” Turning back to perfect her pink lips.

“I don’t have to
worry about you going all
soft
on me.”

“That’s a hell-no.”

Gen drops me off at
the door, so she can park next to the other cars. I shyly walk in, and as luck
would have it, I arrive unnoticed. The aroma is incredible, a sweet floral
scent as I step into the great room. And it all makes sense, flowers
everywhere.

And there he is, Good
Lord what a sight. He’s leaning on the bar, casually fuck-me sexy. His messy
waves still slightly damp, the sexy black V-neck showing off his sculptured
chest, his arms, and I’m making out the eight pack that is the object of my
desire.

He’s holding a long
stem yellow rose and reaches out to hand it to me. “C’mere, baby.”

 Frozen in my
tracks.

“Happy birthday,
Bryer.”

And the room comes alive,
yellow roses, dozens of them, balloons to match. “There ought to be a law
against this.” I smile bashfully. How will I get through this?

“You aint seen
nothing yet.”

As he whispers in my
ear his hot breath teasing my thoughts. I hear the intake of breath, obviously
coming from me.

“You look good enough
to eat,” he says, twirling me around under his arm. “Loving your birthday
dress.”

“Thank you by the
way.” His eyes racking over my body head-to-toe, seeing smoke where’s there’s
fire.

“Happy birthday,
Bryer.” Clayton kisses my cheek. “How old are you?”

“Same as you.” Not
answering his question on purpose.

“Oh. My. God,” Gen
says as she walks in.

And I immediately
look for Clayton’s reaction. His laser focus on Gen, he must like electric
blue. I step over to Nathan

“This is going to be
a show, should I make some popcorn?” He laughs.

“Let the hurling of
insults begin.” He whispers back with a smile that touches my ear and causes
goosebumps down my arms.

“Nathan, not bad,”
Gen says then sits her yellow-wrapped present on the bar.

“Wow, an
almost
compliment. Thanks, Gen.” Nathan teases then gives her a hug.

“This is beautiful,
Nathan, thank you.” I compliment him.

“I’ll have you know,
I planned the entire thing, if you’re looking to personally thank anyone later,
in private, when we’re all alone.” Humor in his eyes.

But I know him well
enough, he’s not joking around. Lucky me. “There
will
be thanking, you
can count on it.” Reaching up to kiss his cheek.

~ ~ ~

“So, Gen.” Clayton
slowly approaches his prey. “Where’s Runner?”

“You mean Walker?
He’s traveling, and you know his name.” Making a sound of annoyance.

“I beg to differ.”
Scoffing, he heads to the bar for a drink. “Runner seems to be M.I.A a little
too often.” His statement fading the farther away he gets.

The doorbell rings,
and Nathan strolls over to get it, but mouths the words over his shoulder, “I
don’t want to miss this.”

And I laugh, knowing
he’s referring to the Gen and Clayton show.

I watch Graham walk
in. I’ve only met him once, so that’s sweet of him to come.

“Welcome to the
over-the-top birthday party for me.”

He just laughs.
“Happy birthday, Bryer.” Noticing the hot men in this room, every last one of
them.

“Thanks, grab a beer,
or…”

“What’s the red stuff
in the punch bowl?” I ask.

“Sangria.”

He smiles.

I give him the
thumbs-up, wondering where that idea came from. Totally random.

“The appetizers look
amazing, Nathan.” As I fill my plate. I can’t help but notice the shit-eating
grin on his face, he’s so proud of himself, and he should be. I love him even
more, what was I worried about?

“Having sex is like
playing bridge. If you don’t have a good partner, you’d better have a good
hand.” They both crack up, as Clayton proceeds to tell Graham jokes,
old jokes
,
and Clayton thinks he’s hilarious.

I glance over to Gen
watching Clayton, irritation written all over her face. Won’t be long now.

“My mother never saw
the irony in calling me a son of a bitch.”

I thought I heard
Graham snort a laugh, they were amusing themselves like kindergarteners
misbehaving in class. I head for the sangria.

“Really mature,
Clayton,” Gens starts, with a look of disinterest.

But she’s anything
but.

“Immature is a word
boring people use to describe fun people.” Is Clayton’s witty comeback.

“Here’s a good one, Graham.
Surprise sex is the best thing to wake up to, unless you’re in prison.”

Even Nathan is
laughing and heads over to join in. “That’s it, Clayton, play hard to get.”

“Shut up, dick-fuck.”

“Way to make friends,
man, I think she hates you.” Nathan strolls away, chucking.

“I think someone
needs a time out,” Gen adds.

“Do you hear that?
It’s the sound of no one caring.” Clayton quickly rebuts.

“I’m visualizing duct
tape over your mouth right now.” Her retort, lightning fast.

“Did you think of
that all by yourself?” Clayton’s eyes give him away—he is crushing over this
woman and is completely clueless how to get her.

“You never shut up,
do you?” Gen strikes.

“Are you always like
this, or just guys you’re attracted to?” Sending an air kiss her way.

“Fucking mental, you
are
aware you’re still talking, right?” Rolling her eyes, attempting to ignore
him, yet she’s not.

I notice Graham
slowly moving away from the brewing storm and approaching us.

“So when did they break
up?” he asks.

“Ah, they’ve never
dated, this is foreplay,” Nathan answers with a straight face. As he walks to
the center of the room. “Dinner,” Nathan yells. “I have strict instructions
from Mary Ann. Then presents. Bryer.” He smiles, knowing I’ll hate that part.

I start to sweat, I
never have been comfortable being the center of attention. I’m accepting of the
fact I’m among friends, but it doesn’t alleviate the pressure.

From out of nowhere,
two servers appear in white shirts, black pants, and crisp white aprons, and we
all are told to take a seat.

“Impressive, Nathan,”
I say as I scan the table set to perfection. I think I saw his chest puff out,
but I can’t be sure.

“We will be serving
Beef Wellington, grilled Portobello’s sautéed in wine, Asparagus Parmesan, with
Italian
Pan Napoletana Bread
.” One by one our plates appear, and there
are sounds of praise, delicious, tasty, yummy, nom nom…The champagne is poured
and toasts are made.

“To Bryer, may all
her dreams come true,” Gen starts.

“Cake or presents?”
Nathan asks me.

“I’m still so full.”
So I’m forced to answer presents. And at that very moment, there are a pile of
yellow-wrapped presents in front of me. Oh God.

“Mine first,” Gen
yells.

No surprise there. I
open the small square box and it’s a necklace, a half of a heart.

“See, I’m wearing the
other half.” Holding it out from her neck in pride.

Feeling emotional at
her thoughtfulness, I swallow it down. “I love it, thank you, best friend. It’s
perfect.” As I raise my hair so she can put it on me, we both hug, and I’m not
surprised how safe I feel around her, my sister of sorts.

“There just may be
hope for you yet.” Clayton glances at Gen.

“Working my last
nerve, ass-oholic,” she says without making eye contact.

“Go ahead open mine,
Bryer,” Clayton says, ignoring her rebuttal.

“The card first?”

He nods.

I open it, smiling
way too big for my comfort. “Ten pole dancing lessons, at Bitter Sweet Studios.
“ I meet his eyes in question.

“Gotta keep the man
interested.” Clayton smirks.

“Clayton.”

Nathan’s tone laced
with disapproval, but I notice the wink.

“Go on.” Nodding to
his other gift.

Opening the yellow
wrapping paper I see a CD. Easy-E. I look up at Clayton. “Rap?”

“Pssh, what? There’s
definitely good rap out there.”

“Thank you, I think.”
Setting it down, noticing the warning label eighteen or older, content may not
be suitable for children. It’s most likely not suitable for me as well.

“That’s mine, I
didn’t get the yellow memo.” Graham laughs.

I open it, and it’s a
journal with a beautiful pen. “Graham, that’s a perfect gift. Honestly, you
didn’t have to.” Who is this sweet guy?

“I wanted to, Bryer.”

“Well, thank you.”

“Baby, here’s mine.”
A large envelope.

I open and start
going through the papers.

“Vegas? A private
jet? The tower suites at the Wynn? Four nights? It’s too much, Nathan.”

“It’s not, it’s
perfect for what I have planned. Let me make it special.”

His look of love so
pure, I could only accept gracefully. “Thank you, I can’t wait.”

“Me either.” Kissing
me, and not holding back.

The doorbell rings,
interrupting our kiss.

“Who else is coming?”
I ask

“No one, maybe more
staff for the cleanup. Let the staff get it, they’ll be here until everyone
leaves,” he answers with one more swift kiss.

And in walks one of
the wait staff, holding a box with two balloons tied with ribbons.

“I assume it’s for
you, birthday girl,” Gen says.

“No card. Okay, who
did this?” I ask. I see a lot of shrugs and eyes looking around the table, no
one owning up to it. I untie the balloons, and they float to the ceiling.
Slowly unwrap the box, it’s familiar, too familiar. My heart starts to beat out
of my chest, and I don’t want to open it.

“What is it?” Nathan
so innocently asks.

“Who’s it from?”
Clayton chimes in.

But I already know
all the answers. Panic sets in like a full-blown inferno. I open it, and there
sits a two-carat round, white gold engagement ring—Cash’s ring.

“What the fuck,
Bryer?” Nathan stands, anger directed at me.

I understand, I
deserve it.

“What is this, Bryer?
I won’t ask you again.”

His chest rising and
falling too fast, I can feel the anger floating off him, and I don’t blame him
one bit. “It’s the ring Cash gave me.” I shock myself, uttering the words that
cause me to catapult back to the painful memories of my life with him.

“You were engaged?”
Shock, disbelief in his voice, and hurt in his eyes.

“Yes, I broke it off
obviously and gave the ring back, threw it back actually.” I say as if no one
is listening, but of course everyone is. You can hear a pin drop.

“And you kept that
from me all this time, don’t you think I would have wanted to know why he had
such a claim on you? It makes perfect sense now.”

I watch as he paces
back and forth, fingers running through his hair.

“Ah gotta go,”
Clayton says, tugging on Graham’s shirt.

“Bryer, thanks for…”
and Clayton pulls him down the hall.

“Bryer.” Gen takes my
hand. “I’m so sorry he did this. We both know he’s a bad guy. This is him
trying to control your relationship. Please don’t let him.”