Chapter 3
Chapter Three
brADLEY
“Wow, going all out?” I grin at Mason, my dad’s PA and the jack-of-all-admin-trades in the office. I swear, this place would fall apart without him.
He is a little dramatic, but that’s to be expected because he literally knows his place in the pecking order around here, and it’s at the top.
It’s also his partner Bobby’s thirtieth birthday party next weekend, and he’s throwing a surprise bash.
“He hates surprises.” Mason smiles. “But then he’ll complain his birthday is over too soon. So I thought I’d throw a low key party with our closest friends and family. He can’t be mad at me for that.”
“Have you organized a birthday cake? I can recommend—”
“Keep your panties on.” His smile turns to a grin. “Sweet Confetti is just as dramatic as I am, well, Chelsea anyway. She sees my vision, and this cake is going to be something people will talk about for years to come. Do I need to get a life? Sure, but butter icing will always win.”
I’m glad he’s got his priorities in order. “Can’t fault you on that,” I chuckle. “So what kind of cake are you ordering?”
He does this little shake, like he’s preparing himself for a big speech. “I’m glad you asked. I was thinking about a towering funfetti, chocolate raspberry mud sponge with buttercream and vanilla icing.”
“I’m glad you haven’t underthought it, but what the hell is funfetti?”
He rolls his eyes dramatically. “Really, Bradley? You’re like the Sweet Confetti king, you should know what funfetti is. For your information, it’s a layered rainbow speckled vanilla sponge with sprinkles. We’re just mixing it up because Bobby loves chocolate.”
“Glad you cleared that up.”
“Be nice, or you won’t get a slice.”
I narrow my eyes. “You’re doing swans, aren’t you?”
“I said low key, but now you mention it, swans could be doable. It’ll mean I’ll blow the budget with the ice sculpture.”
I cough into my fist. “I’m gonna call it — I think you’re in the wrong job. You should’ve been a party planner.”
He looks down his reading glasses at me. “Don’t tempt me. The amount of crap you Lucas boys put me through is enough to give me gray hair.”
“Wait, do I see one?” I look pointedly at his head as he touches his expertly coiffed hair — ultimately his pride and joy — and then, realizing I’m kidding, he pokes his tongue.
“Very funny. I’ll remember you said that when you need something in a hurry.”
Mason is very much like a little mosquito. He flits around, buzzing, eventually landing and makes you itch until you swat him away. I mean, I love him like a brother, but sometimes you gotta send him on his way or he’ll have flags flying and balloons bobbing around every day of the week.
“I’m sure you’ll make me regret it.”
“So.” He leans on the desk, waggling his eyebrows. “Speaking of our young, hot single mom…”
“Don’t go there, M,” I warn. I’m very protective of Chelsea. Sure, we’re best friends, but she’s been through a lot.
That scumbag of an ex left her when Deaton was two months old, and she’s had to struggle and strive for everything she has.
She moved back to LA when Deaton was four, two years ago, and that’s when we reconnected.
We’ve always gotten along well, and we tell each other everything.
She’s also hot, I’m not dumb, I’ve got eyes.
She’s sexy as fuck with that long, dark hair and bright blue eyes with curves in all the right places.
But it isn’t like that with us. She’s the only woman friend I have, and it isn’t because I don’t like women — I love women — but being friends is different.
We tell each other everything, and there’s a trust there that I don’t have with many people.
I also know how hurt she was when that loser Ron left, leaving her to cope alone in a town where she barely knew anyone.
He’s a real fucking dick because he’s missed out on seeing what a creative, sweet and endearing little boy Deaton has turned out to be.
I get that parenting is hard, I’ve seen my friends struggle, but the rewards are worth it.
You can’t just ditch your responsibilities because life got complicated.
It makes me fucking sick. Little Deaton didn’t ask for this, and neither did Chelsea.
I’d love to find Ron and punch him in the throat, even though I know she’s better off without him.
“Hmm, and why not? You know what I’ve noticed, hotshot?”
I give him a withering look. “You won’t go away until I bite. Fine. What?”
“You’ve not been out on the town at all for a very long while, could that have something to do with Little Miss Cupcakes? You guys hang out an awful lot, and I haven’t seen you with a spring in your step like you have had lately.”
“I almost fell asleep, are you done talking? Some of us have work to do.”
He wags a finger at me. “I don’t know what you’re not seeing, but Chelsea is a major catch. She’s funny, intelligent, sweet, sexy, adorable, a hands on mom, gah! And on top of all of that, she can cook!”
“You don’t have to sell her on me, she’s my best friend for a reason.”
“So you don’t have any romantic feelings for her?”
I ignore him, staring at my computer. “Go away.”
“Say it once, and if you say it like you mean it, I will go away.”
“Dad?” I yell. “Mason is annoying me!”
It’s really childish calling out for my dad, but since he runs this firm, you’d think he’d be on my side.
“Get in line, buddy!” he yells back from his office next door. “Welcome to my world.”
“Rude,” Mason mutters. “Stop trying to change the subject. You two are perfect together.”
“Aside from the fact I’m a workaholic, live alone, can’t even look after a plant, and never remember to call a woman after the first date, remind me why I’d be a good candidate for Chelsea?” I say in all seriousness.
“Because deep down you’re not really the playboy you make out to be. I think the loose and free Bradley Lucas has left the building, and he’s saving himself for something more substantial and meaningful, like Chelsea.”
I admit. I have her on a pedestal, but she’s not into me in that way.
Even if she was, sex complicates everything.
Then one of us would develop feelings, and then it gets messy.
I don’t do messy. I would never want to hurt anyone either, and apparently I do that a lot because I don’t reciprocate feelings.
I don’t mean to, I just haven’t felt a spark with anyone that I’d want to make a life with.
Well, maybe I have daydreamed once or twice about Chelsea and me, but that was just a fleeting moment.
Not something that would be smart to consider, given we’ve been friends for so long.
She needs someone stable in her life, not a dick like me, who used to have a little black book.
I say used to because, at some point, you have to grow up.
That whole scene gets pretty old fast, and I can’t say I miss the partying.
“Don’t you have work to do?” That’s all I can come up with to his response.
He shakes his head. “You just need seasoning, Bradley.” He pats me on the shoulder like some Obi-Wan self-help guru. “I used to be the same until I met my Bobby. When you meet the one, you won’t live and breathe anyone else, that’s how you’ll know.”
My mouth opens, but he’s already leaving, finger waving as he leaves me with that little chestnut. Ass. I don’t need to be thinking about Chelsea in that way at all, but now I am. Thanks to him.
Like clockwork, my phone dings, and I glance at it. My heart rate kicks up a notch when I see who it is.
Chelsea
I have a favor to ask
I swallow hard and recite to myself: We’re just friends.
Me
Anything
Chelsea
I’m stuck for help with Deaton next week bc Mom and Dad are away. I don’t suppose you could collect him from school on Friday? It’s the only day I don’t have help and I’m baking Mason and Bobby’s cake
Me
Of course. Consider it done. I’ve heard great things about this cake
Chelsea
LOL I’m sure. It’s gonna be fun
Chelsea
I also wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t urgent
Me
Don’t be silly. You know my day is flexible. It’ll be fun. I can take him to get a milkshake or something, maybe we can test the cake out after that
Chelsea
You don’t have to do that, but thank you, you’re a lifesaver. Cake sampling isn’t optional, I need to make it perfect
Me
You will
Chelsea
I really appreciate it
Me
Anytime
And just like that, all I’m doing is picturing myself inserted into both their lives.