Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
brADLEY
When I finally get inside Dad’s house, Josh and Lexi are canoodling on the couch like the loved-up couple they are, Dad is apparently out on the pickle-ball court with Ali and Clem, and Noah is nowhere to be seen.
“Hey,” I say to Josh and Lexi as I walk by the den, lingering in the doorway for a second.
“Hey,” Lexi says, smiling up at me as she straightens herself. Josh has his arm slung around her and gives me a chin lift.
“Any idea what’s gotten Noah into a bind that I had to come running over here?”
“He seemed fine to me.” Josh shrugs. “Though, I know he’s got something up his designer sleeves. Please, whatever it is, don’t tell Dad. He’s done enough bailing Noah out to last a lifetime.”
I roll my eyes. “Such a pessimist.” I set off to find my brother, assuming he’s in his room, when a hand reaches out of nowhere and grabs my shirt, hauling me into the home theater room.
“Holy shit!” I shove Noah back. “Are you trying to kill me?”
He’s grinning like a Cheshire Cat. “I’m more than okay, remember that hot chick I spent the night with recently?”
I frown. “I can’t keep up with all of your happenings, Noah, and I hope you didn’t call me all the way over here to gloat.”
“You don’t understand, she’s my dream woman.”
“You’re gonna have to spell it out for me,” I sigh. “Time’s a ticking, and I don’t have all night.”
“Juliette Monroe, the Hollywood talent scout—”
I burst out laughing. “Oh, god. Don’t tell me you’re going to disgrace the family name and drop your clothes.”
He gives me an eye roll, whacking me on the chest. “Hilarious. She’s not that kind of talent scout. She’s an agent, one of her big clients is Monica Chase.”
I thumb behind me. “Monica Chase, the actress? Ali’s client, who Lexi closed the deal for in Lake Haven while she was sick?”
Noah nods like a crazed mechanical robot. I don’t know what I’m seeing in his eyes, hysteria? Mania? Maybe both “The very same one. Well, we had one hot night not so long ago, and I had no idea she was a big Hollywood agent, but since it was one night, we didn’t exchange numbers…”
“Sounds like you might’ve been a bit of a dud, bro.” I hold him by the shoulders. “You need some tips on wooing a woman the right way?”
“I don’t need any tips from you. She loved every minute of it, trust me.”
“Wait, I thought you weren’t into the whole one night-stand thing?”
“That’s true, but shut up and listen. She’s interested in my alcove.”
“I’ll bet she is.”
“The Alcove in Malibu; it’s in Point Dume—”
“Not the one with the rooftop garden? That’s over sixteen million!”
He smiles proudly. “It also boasts six bedrooms, six and a half baths, spans over six thousand square feet, has imported European oak floors, a seventy-five foot infinity pool, framed by towering sycamores, a seasonal stream, and sweeping canyon views, yeah, that alcove.”
“I’m pleased for you, bro. But I still don’t get why you called me over here... in the middle of a kids soccer game.”
He clears his throat. “Because I can’t go there alone. It’s the second showing and I’ve gotta close the deal.”
I frown, then a laugh bursts out of me. “Are you chicken shit?”
He shakes his head. “This woman is a black cat; she’s intimidating, mysterious, a fox, a smoking hot fox… well, frankly… I want it to go well and because her assistant set up the meeting, if she sees it’s me beforehand she might—”
“Kick you in the balls?” I chuckle. I’ve also never known my hotshot brother to be so tongue-tied over a woman before. Normally, his words are like a hot knife through butter. Women fall at his feet. I’m already beginning to like this girl more and more. “I’d pay to watch her kick your ass.”
“Not gonna happen.”
“So why the cloak and dagger?” I pique a brow. “Did you not put her needs first? You know that’s rule number one.”
“I put her needs before mine several times,” he clarifies. “That’s the problem. I really like her, and I’m gonna fuck this up. I’ll say the wrong thing, put my foot in it. Look at me, my hands are shaking like I’ve drunk sixteen cups of coffee. Say you’ll come with me?”
I wince. “Have you drunk sixteen cups of coffee?”
“No. Only six.”
“You’re pathetic, you know that? You’ve outsold all of us this quarter with those blue eyes and that baby face, and you can’t even meet with a client and be a professional?”
Astounding me, he shakes his head. “I slept with her, it’s different when you’ve seen your client naked. It was amazing, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. She haunts my dreams. So, yeah, I’m pathetic. Plus, I tried calling her office once, and she never called me back.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “So now I’m your wing-man, and your little bitch, this just gets better.”
“You have a way with women,” he persists. “Make her laugh, be charming, heavy with the compliments, but not too much, she might think you’re into her. Then I’ll ease my way in and pretend like I had no clue it was her.”
“Why can’t you do all of that?”
“I told you, she makes me nervous.”
I point my finger in his face. “Pathetic. Not typical Lucas behavior at all. We’re the patriarchs of LA. We set the mold in this town for excellence. We do not cower in the face of adversity.”
“I’ll pay you.”
A slow smile creeps across my face, my gaze shifting to his. “Now we’re talking.”
“So you’ll do it?”
I put an arm around his shoulder. “Let’s discuss my price first.”
“You drive a hard bargain,” he sighs.
“Just like Dad taught me.” I grin. “Now, we may need to discuss you wearing a suit.”
I’m at it again. Working myself into a frenzy thinking about what Chelsea is doing.
I don’t want to sound desperate, so I don’t text her, or act like the needy prick I am right now.
I try to distract myself by reading and reciting Noah’s listing.
If I have to help the little schmuck, then I will, and I won’t take any commission.
I just know how much he loves money. I was hoping it might have deterred him from enlisting my help, but alas, it seems my little brother is lovesick.
Juliette Monroe’s Facebook account is locked to friends only, but I find her website.
I chuckle to myself as I see what Noah is talking about. The photo on her website is professionally taken and fresh out of Vogue magazine.
This woman really is the big time. Then again, she wouldn’t be looking at sixteen million dollar homes if she weren’t.
She has a blunt, black bob-cut, her features are like Audrey Hepburn's; understated but beautiful. I can see right away what Noah sees in her, but he’s shooting pretty fucking high.
I love my brother and all, but he’s used to women his own age…
and at a guess I’d say she’d have to be thirty, several years older than him.
The definition of cougar springs to mind, and I shoot Noah a text.
Me
I’m on her website. You’re so fucked
He replies in less than ten seconds.
Noah
See what I mean? She’s heavenly
Me
So why do you think she didn’t return your call?
Noah
Maybe she never got the message?
I snort a laugh. Right. I mean, the woman could be a little nuts.
My brother is young, but he’s certainly got a way with women, and he’s had a couple of long-term relationships in his twenty-two years.
I guess you could say he’s always been the most likely to settle down early.
He’s also way too nice to chicks who don’t deserve it.
I’m protective of both my siblings, but especially him.
Noah has this quiet confidence; he’s not only a good kid, he’s sweet, and has a generous nature.
Too generous. The couple of girlfriends he’s had have completely walked all over him because he just can’t be an asshole.
I really don’t want Juliette to reject him, break his heart and leave him moping around.
He’s an adult, I get it, but he’s still my little brother.
Me
Just don’t get in too deep. Like you said, it was one hot night
Noah
Never listen to anything I say. Speaking of which, how did soccer go?
Me
What do you mean by soccer?
Noah
A cute as a button baker named Chelsea
Me
I’m gonna blame Dad for this
Noah
For what?
Me
Us being hopeless romantics. It’s not all it’s cut out to be
Noah
I think you should go for it with her. She’s awesome
Me
And if we fuck it up?
Noah
You won’t. You make a pact to always be friends, no matter what. I always knew you’d get together eventually
Me
You did not
Noah
You can’t keep birds of a feather apart
I chuckle to myself.
Me
Go to sleep. It’s late. I’ll see you at the office
Noah
Sweet dreams, lover boy