Chapter Fourteen – Bradly
brADLY
I pulled out my phone and checked it again for a text from Mackenzie.
Nothing.
Crystal sat at the kitchen island, talking my mother’s ear off. Mom kept smiling as she stirred the batter for the cake she was making. Every now and then she would glance at me and frown.
“Bradly, is everything okay? You seem a bit…off. Was lunch okay?”
“Lunch was great,” I replied.
“What did you do for lunch?” Crystal asked with that fake smile of hers.
“He had a lunch date with his girlfriend,” Avery said with a wink in my direction.
Crystal’s smile faded for the briefest of moments. “Girlfriend? Bradly, you don’t have time to be dating anyone. I mean, she’ll never see you with your Pbr schedule.”
“Is that really any of your business?” Avery asked.
I shot a look in Avery’s direction, and she shrank back and mouthed sorry. It was clear Lewis hadn’t told Crystal that I was thinking of leaving the Pbr. Which made sense. And even if I was walking away from my career, I still had a few contracts with sponsors that I had to fulfill.
“My personal life is none of your business, Crystal.”
Mom glanced up and looked at me with a surprised expression. I’m sure it was because of the tone I’d used with Crystal.
I could not have cared less. I had other things to worry about. Like why Mackenzie wasn’t responding to my text. I knew I should have explained why my mood had changed. But how do you tell the girl you’d just started dating, the one you’d almost slept with hours earlier, that the woman who was staying at your parents’ house was more than just your agent? That she had been your fuck buddy? That is, until I ended it almost eight months ago. Crystal had started to talk more and more about being exclusive, something she’d known from the start I wasn’t interested in.
Had it been in poor taste to sleep with her? Yes. But the first time we slept together, she hadn’t been my agent. She was someone I’d known for as long as I could remember. Her father, Lewis, was my agent. He ended up taking a step back so he could start to think about retiring. When he has said Crystal was going to be taking over a majority of the work for me, I should have stopped sleeping with her then and there, but fuck if it wasn’t easy to just bury myself in her after a long weekend, enjoying sexual release with no strings attached when the mood struck. We’d both used one another in the same way.
Sensing the tension, Crystal let out a soft laugh. “This is grand. I knew you taking some time off wouldn’t be a good thing.”
“Why is that?” my mom asked, seeming more agitated than I’d ever seen her. “Do you often ask your clients to work themselves to death?”
“Merit, you have to know that any distractions can be potentially dangerous for Bradly. If his mind isn’t in the game, well, he could get hurt. Seriously hurt.”
“He won’t get hurt.”
The new voice came from my father, who walked into the kitchen.
Crystal frowned. “You don’t know that.”
“I do know that because I’ve been in the same situation as him.” He glanced at my mother, and they exchanged a secret smile. “Bradly knows what he’s doing, Crystal. He deserves to have a private life away from his public one.” Then Dad looked at me and raised a single brow. “I think you have a conversation that needs to be had.”
Crystal cleared her throat. “Well, I’m aware…very aware…of Bradly’s private life. We’ve shared many nights together talking about it in his hotel rooms.”
My head snapped around and I stared at her in disbelief.
“Have you?” Mom asked, as she gave me a look that made me want to crawl into my own body. “Our earlier conversation makes sense now, Bradly.”
I knew she was talking about the phone call, and why I was not happy Crystal was staying at the house.
Slipping off the stool, Crystal flashed that brilliant smile of hers. “I’m going to go freshen up before dinner. What should I wear, Bradly?”
Shrugging, I said, “It’s pizza. Wear jeans.”
Her smile slipped before she chuckled. “I forgot how down-home you can be when you’re back in Montana. Just come to my room when you’re ready to leave.”
I didn’t bother to reply as she turned and headed out of the kitchen. When it was clear she was far enough away, my mother looked at me with a disappointed expression.
“You’ve been sleeping with Crystal?”
“What?” Avery nearly shouted.
“Oh, Bradly,” my father said as he scrubbed a hand down his face.
“No.”
“No, as in never?” Mom asked.
“No, as in I haven’t been with her in months. It started before she took over for Lewis. I was lonely, she was someone familiar. It didn’t mean anything.”
“How many times?” my mother asked.
I looked at Avery, and she laughed. “Oh, don’t even think of asking me to leave. I’m totally invested in this conversation.”
Rolling my eyes, I sighed. “I don’t…geez, Mom, I never kept track.”
She took a couple steps back and leaned against the counter.
“Merit, don’t give the boy a hard time.”
“Don’t give him a hard time? He’s sleeping with his agent, Dirk!”
“Was. I haven’t been with her in over eight months.”
“Why?” Avery asked. “I mean, what made you stop?”
Shooting her a glare, I replied, “If you must know, she wanted more. I didn’t. I told her in the beginning it was purely…” I looked at my mother. “Mom, this feels really weird.”
“It was purely sex, just say it, Bradly. You’re an adult. Mom can handle it,” Avery said, as everyone turned to look at her. Her arms were folded over her chest as she gave a little shrug. “What? It’s true. So Bradly had a fuck buddy, did you think he was a virgin?”
“Oh my God.” Mom sighed, massaging her temples.
“You know, I used to love how close we were as a family,” I stated. “I’m starting to rethink that.”
“You and me both,” my father grumbled. “If Lewis finds out, he’s going to kill you, then most likely come after me.”
I rolled my eyes. “There’s nothing between us now.”
My mother dropped her hands to her sides. “Then why is she here, Bradly? Just days after Christmas, claiming she has some important news that she just couldn’t tell you over the phone?”
My mouth hung open in shock. “You were the one who invited her to stay here!”
Giving me a look that only a mother can give, she whisper-shouted, “That was before I knew you had sex with her!”
I felt my cheeks heat.
“Did you tell Mackenzie?”
Swinging my head to look at Avery, I asked, “Tell her what?”
Her eyes went wide. “The truth? That you had a past fling with Crystal.”
I let out a disbelieving laugh. “Why in the world would I ever tell her?”
“Ohhhh no,” my father stated, pushing his hand through his hair. “He is just like me, isn’t he?”
Mom had her hands on her hips. “Bradly, if there is one thing you need to do, especially in a new relationship, it’s be honest with her. The last thing you want is for her to find out about you and Crystal from someone else.”
“Who in the world would tell her? No one knows except for you guys now and…” My voice trailed off, and a sudden heaviness hit my chest.
“And who?” Avery prompted. “Who else knows, Bradly?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and put my hand to my stomach. It felt like a piece of lead was sitting at the bottom of it. “Will and Duke. And I’m pretty sure if given the chance, Duke would tell Mackenzie, since he likes her.”
“Duke likes Mackenzie?” the three of them asked at once.
Rubbing the sudden ache in my stomach, I nodded. “Yeah, pretty sure he does.”
I checked my phone again and there was still nothing from her. I pulled up my contacts and found the group text I had with Duke and Will.
Me: Hey, what are you both up to right now?
The bouncing bubble appeared, and Duke was the first to reply.
Duke: I’m with Lou in her office, trying to figure out a small greenhouse to buy.
Bile rose in my throat. Just because he was with Lou, though, didn’t mean he had spoken to Mackenzie…and why in the world would he even bring up Crystal to her?
Will replied he was working on a broken pipe and told Duke to get his ass over there and help.
For the briefest moment, I let myself believe everything was okay. I’d talk to Mackenzie after dinner, and I’d tell her everything about Crystal. As a matter of fact, I’d plan on staying with her while Crystal was here.
I looked up and said, “I think I’m going to pack a bag and go stay with Kenzie while Crystal is here.”
Mom nodded, Daddy raised his brows, and Avery slowly shook her head as she told me, “If it were me, I’d be going over there right now, and to hell with dinner with Crystal. Whatever she has to say can wait. Or can be a phone call or email.”
“And she takes after me,” Mom proudly said as she winked at my sister.
I was about to turn and head upstairs when my phone went off.
Reading Duke’s next text, I nearly threw up.
Duke: Enjoy your time with Crystal.
Closing my eyes, I whispered, “That motherfucker. How in the hell did he know?”
“Who?” Avery asked.
Turning to look at my parents and sister, I slowly shook my head. “Duke told her about Crystal.”
“How do you know?” Avery asked in shock.
“She had to have seen him and Lou and told them I was with her. I know Duke; he would have said something.”
Folding her arms over her chest once again, my mother tsked. “And this is why you’re always open and honest.”
Sighing, I acknowledged that she was right. “Thanks for the advice, Mom.”
Turning on my heels, I flew up to my room and quickly threw together enough clothes to last me a few days. Then I pounded back down the stairs, walked through the house, grabbed my coat, and headed out the door.
Before the door slammed shut behind me, I heard Crystal’s angry voice calling my name.
The truck had barely come to a stop before I threw it in park, pushed the door open, and made my way to where Will and Duke were working on the broken pipe. Duke looked up first—and instantly knew why I was there.
When I pointed to him as I got closer, he stood and put his hands up.
“You went too far this time.”
“Fuck,” Will said, quickly standing in front of Duke. “Bradly, don’t do this.”
I came to a stop and balled my fists. “I’m tired of this game, Duke. This goddamn competition thing that’s still going on. I know you like her, but she’s mine.”
“Yours?” Duke said with a laugh. “That’s a pretty bold statement to make about someone you just met. Besides, you’re gonna be leaving again. Do you really think a woman like Makenzie is going to just wait around for you? She won’t.”
I looked at Will, then back to Duke. With a smile, I opened my fists and took a few steps back. I had nothing to prove to either of them. And I was tired of playing Duke’s game.
“That’s where you’re wrong. If you value our friendship at all, you’ll respect the fact that I’m dating Mackenzie.”
Will glanced at Duke. “Dude, you’ve got women tripping over you. Don’t do this again.”
Duke drew in a deep breath, then exhaled. He shook his head and threw up a hand. “Fine.”
He turned around and went back to working on the pipe. Will raised his brows as if silently begging me to back off.
Spinning around, I quickly made my way back to the truck and headed to the farm. Once I was at the barn, I parked, grabbed the bag I’d packed, and headed inside. Barkley looked up from her stall and nickered as I passed, almost as if she knew what fate lie ahead of me. Chief simply watched as I walked by.
I took the steps up to Kenzie’s apartment two at a time. I checked the door to make sure it was locked, which it was. I knocked and tried to ignore the way my heart pounded in my chest. It now made sense why she hadn’t responded to my text. Duke had told her about my past with Crystal, and she probably thought I’d blown her off to have dinner with my agent instead.
“Fuck,” I whispered as my hand sliced through my hair. I knocked harder and pulled my phone out to call her. The first real relationship I’d ever had, and I already messed it up.
“Come on, Kenz, where are you?”
I lifted my fist to the door and was about to start pounding when I heard the lock click. The door opened, and a sleepy-looking Mackenzie stood there staring back at me.
“Bradly? What are you doing here?” she asked, as Pickles pushed past us both and headed down the steps.
Without even thinking, I barged into her apartment, forcing her to take a few steps back. I kicked the door shut, pulled her to me, and kissed her.
It didn’t take her long to melt against me and wrap her arms around my neck. I picked her up and carried her straight to her bedroom.
When I leaned down to place her on the bed, I broke the kiss.
“What…why are you here?”
“Because I needed to see you. Kiss you. Feel you.”
She smiled. “Well, that’s nice, but I thought you had to talk to your agent?”
“I don’t care about her. I made plans with my girl, and I want to be with you.”
Her brows drew in slightly as she said, “I didn’t make any dinner because I thought you weren’t going to be here.”
Narrowing my eyes, I searched her beautiful face. “I’m sorry I even canceled our plans. I was stupid, and to be honest, a bit freaked out.”
“Why?” she asked as she ran her fingers down the side of my face.
“Crystal and I have a past…nothing serious. She was more of a way to release stress, if you will.”
She scrunched up her nose. “A fuck buddy?”
I snorted. “You and my sister like to get straight to the point.”
She shrugged. “Why beat around the bush?”
“Anyway, I don’t know why I was so freaked out. It ended last spring, but I didn’t want you to think differently of me if you knew I was mindlessly sleeping with someone.”
Her hand cupped the side of my face. “Bradly, your past is your past. Just like my past is mine. I know you’ve been with other women. Do I like to think about it? No. That just makes me a human with emotions.”
I closed my eyes. “I should have told you about it before you found out from someone else.”
She moved, and I opened my eyes to see her resting on her elbows. “That I agree with. Just so you know, Duke isn’t a very good friend.”
“Shit,” I mumbled. “I figured he told you.”
“How?” she asked with a curious expression.
“I texted him, and he told me to enjoy my time with Crystal. Since no one knew I’d slept with her but Duke and Will, I figured Duke must have spoken to you.”
Dropping back onto her pillow, she nodded. “Lou asked me how my day was going, and I told them you were with your agent.”
I scrubbed my hand down my face. “I’m sorry, Kenzie. My mother and sister told me I messed up by not telling you.”
“It’s okay,” she said with a soft laugh. “There’s nothing between you now, right?”
“No!” I quickly said. “Like I said, it’s been over for months. She wanted something more, I didn’t. I never felt that way toward her at all.”
“Did she know that going in?”
“Yes, of course, she did. I told her it was just sex.” I dropped my head. “That makes me sound like a complete asshole.”
Her finger lifted my chin, forcing me to look at her. She exhaled. “It doesn’t, Bradly. I think I’d rather know you had a partner instead of just hooking up with random women at each of the cities you ride in.”
All I could do was stare at her. She was so perfect in every single way, and I knew I didn’t deserve her, but hell if I wasn’t going to make her mine.
“Come with me to New York City.”
Her eyes went wide. “I’m sorry?”
“The Unleash the Beast season officially starts in New York City at Madison Square Garden. I really want you to be there. It’s January fifth through the seventh, and my parents will be there, as well as Uncle Ty and probably Avery.”
Her eyes moved across my face. “I…I…my sister’s definitely coming in for New Year’s Eve. She really wants to see Montana.” She smiled. “I suppose I could fly back to New York with her and Doug.”
“Or you could fly out with me.”
She nodded and smiled wider. “I’d like that. I’d need your flight information to buy a ticket.”
“No, I mean, you could fly with me in Dad’s plane.”
Her eyes went wide. “Excuse me—what? Your dad has his own plane?”
“Him, Uncle Brock, and Uncle Ty do. They all went in and bought a private jet several years back. I don’t often use it, but there will be plenty of room if you want to join us. Your sister and her fiancé, as well.”
“Oh, you can hardly get Emily on a commercial plane. There is no way she’d fly on a smaller private jet.”
“So, you’ll come?”
“I’ll have to ask for the time off.”
Chuckling softly, I leaned down and kissed her. “A perk of dating the owner’s son is getting to travel with her to see said son ride.”
Her cheeks flushed. “I would love to go.”
I stood and started to undress. Kenzie was back up on her elbows again. “What are you doing?”
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a strip of condoms and tossed them onto the bed. “I’m going to make love to you, because it’s all I’ve been thinking about.”
Her only response was a breathy, “Okay.”