Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
CHELSEA
Two weeks later
I’m well aware that I’m hanging on for dear life as I wring my hands while I pace; the hole I’m wearing in the floor is a dead giveaway.
“Can you stop that pacing, honey, you’re starting to make me nervous.” My dad looks over the newspaper pointedly. They’ve certainly had a lot to catch up on since they got back from their vacation the week after Mason and Bobby’s party.
Mom didn’t seem overly surprised about my bombshell news; Brad and I being an item — but she sure was over the moon.
Dad has always liked Brad, but he’s still the protective father I’ve known and loved since I was born.
So he’s airing on the side of caution, and hopefully won’t give Brad too much of a hard time when he sees him.
“I can’t help it, it’s nerve-wracking,” I say, running my hands up and down my arms like I’m trying to soothe myself, but it’s not doing any good.
“You’re going to be fine,” Mom says matter-of-factly. “If anyone is going to snag this deal, it’s you and Bradley Lucas.”
“I’m with your mom on that one,” Dad says, going back to his paper.
Brad and I have gone over things for the past two weeks.
The budget being the main thing, and everything else in between.
Deaton had another sleepover when my parents got back, insisting he slept in the Mickey Mouse ears they got him, and I ventured to Brad’s place in Beverly Hills.
His house is nothing short of spectacular.
I vividly remember looking up at his renovated mid-century modern home perched high above the Sunset Strip in complete awe.
It sure is a world away from my humble little bakery and small apartment.
The exterior of his house is a mixture of Balau wood and crosscut travertine with expansive glass everywhere.
The interior, a mixture of walnut and greystone accents, stands out with its state-of-the-art appliances and the huge skylight in the massive living room.
His master-suit is more like a hotel suite, and the pool deck with cabana, a built-in barbecue and entertainment area, is more like a dream.
But Brad took it all in his stride, and I know he’s worked hard for what he’s got.
We sure christened a few rooms that night and plan to do many more soon. We’ve been trying to grab any time we can in between both of our busy schedules, but it’s been tricky to say the least.
Brad’s still the talk of the town after the whole soccer uniforms thing, so he’s quite the celebrity now at Deaton’s school. I think showing up in the Porsche was also a talking point.
I’m still kinda reveling in the buddy day at school, where Brad really showed up for Deaton. My dad was also very impressed when he heard about it. I think it earned him some more brownie points. Deaton was over the moon about it, and still hasn’t stopped talking about it.
The thought makes me smile and distracts me for a moment while I head to my parents’ spare bathroom to refresh my makeup and slap my cheeks to pep talk myself up a little.
Staying here while the auction is on crosses my mind again, but I’m not missing out on an opportunity to spend some more time with Brad, even if the future of my livelihood and my living arrangements for me and my son hangs in the balance.
When we get to the auction, I immediately see Brad, who’s turned up with both his brothers, as well as his dad, and we all get acquainted in the lobby before we sign in and make our way to our seats.
Tristan invited us over last week after we announced that we were dating. I guess that’s a mild way of putting it. I don’t know why, but everyone is a little too chill about all of it. It’s as if they already knew something was cooking between us long before we did.
“You’re going to do all the bidding, right?” I whisper as we take our seats. I know he is, but I just need to confirm it before we begin. My stomach is churning.
“Of course, Mama.”
“And you’ll stick to what we agreed, right?”
He glances at me, but before he answers, Noah leans forward and chimes in. “Funny, Brad told us this morning, come hell or high water, he’s going all the way.”
My forehead pinches and I quickly glance at Brad, who sure knows his poker face from wearing his heart on his sleeve face.
“That’s exactly what he said,” Josh confirms, joining in from next to Noah.
“Brad!” I warn in a hushed tone. “You know we have a budget, I’ll never be able to pay you back or whatever if you go crazy today. Please just say we’ll stick to our agreement.”
“Just leave it to me,” he simply says, giving nothing away.
I glance at my mom on the other side of me and she smiles, patting me on the arm.
Dad stayed home to watch Deaton, and I’m kinda regretting even being here.
I simply can’t watch the possibility of everything I’ve worked for going up in flames.
Sure, I can find another place, but moving all of my equipment and stock out is going to take some doing, as well as a huge expense I just don’t have.
I press my lips together and try some deep breaths and a positive mantra about everything being okay.
When the auction opens, after a short introduction, they give a brief history lesson about my beloved little bakery, and it’s enough to throw my mind into serious chaos. The projector screen showcasing the building, and seeing the bakery from all angles, makes me feel nauseous.
Oh shit. This is getting so real.
The bidding fires off in a frenzy; people calling out left, right and center.
But it doesn’t take long to peter out. I watch like a tennis match as bids go back and forth.
All the while, Brad sits as calm as a shade tree with his paddle waiting for his moment to strike.
When he finally gets in on the action, I don’t know if I feel better or worse, because at the rate it’s going — and how fast — it could all be over in no time at all, and we’re nearing our limit.
When it hits a million dollars, I’m having kittens. I mean, I knew this would be a high possibility, but hearing the actual words from the auctioneer’s mouth sends nervous ripples through me from head to toe.
“I think I need a paper bag,” I whisper to Mom.
“It’s going to be fine, you’ll see,” she says. “Either way. We’ll figure something out. You’re not alone, my darling.”
Her words are encouraging because deep down, I know it’s true. I’m just really caught up in the moment and what’s going on around me, I can’t seem to think rationally.
“Going once at one million, two hundred thousand,” the auctioneer calls, scanning the room with a keen eye for any further bids.
It’s not our bid that’s winning, and we’re already over what we agreed, and what I can afford.
My heart sinks. But out the corner of my eye, I see Brad’s arm move, and on further inspection, I realize he’s about to lift his paddle again.
“Brad!” I grit out under my breath. “What are you doing?”
He leans in to kiss me quickly, momentarily distracting my train of thought. “Going all the way, Mama. I told you we’d get this building, and this is me keeping that promise.”
I stare at him as he glances back up to the auctioneer and raises his paddle, then I see his lips move, “One million, three hundred thousand,” he calls.
Noah and Josh both pass me a glance as I stare bewildered and in shock.
This is clearly Brad taking charge and playing hardball, but way to give me a heart attack.
I guess his brothers tried to warn me. The other thing that shocks me is how turned on I am by it.
How in charge he is, not even breaking a sweat.
It’s white noise in the background as I continue to stare at him. After what seems like an eternity, I hear the bang of the gavel. “Sold to Mister Lucas for one million, three hundred thousand dollars. Congratulations!”
I slap a hand over my mouth as Brad nods once towards the auctioneer and then turns his head to look at me. “I didn’t come to play,” he simply says. “I told you I’d get you that building and I keep my promises.”
“Oh, my god!” I finally cry out with tears pooling in my eyes. “You-you’re insane, B. I can’t believe you just did that.”
“Nice going.” Noah pats his brother on the back as I throw my arms around Brad and we hug tightly as the room starts to rustle and filter out.
“That’s the name of the game,” Tristan says with a proud nod as he gives his son a one-armed hug and pulls me in for one too. “And that’s my boy, too.”
“That was amazing,” Mom says. “I say a celebration is in order!”
“I’ll drink to that!” Josh chimes in as Mom and I hug it out, and I try to stop myself from jumping up and down on the spot even though I’m in shock.
As Noah and Josh lead the charge for Brad and I to sort out the paperwork, I pull Brad back by the sleeve of his dark navy suit. “You went way over,” I whisper, blinking up at him. “I can’t afford that.”
He smiles and takes his glasses off, folding the arms and placing them in his top pocket. Then he reaches down to peck me quickly. “We can. I really wanted you to have that building, Chels. And we didn’t overpay, it’s worth it. It’s a bargain if you ask me.”
“A bargain! One point three million!” I almost shout, trying my best to keep things contained. But panic suddenly sets in at the reality of what he just spent, and my cheeks fill with air.
“Don’t worry your pretty little head about it. It’s done. It’s yours now.”
I blink up at him. “Ours. It’s ours.”
He grins, giving me a wink. “Right, long as I stay out of the kitchen, right?”
“This is a lot, Brad. I can’t believe you outbid those people.”
“I will do anything for you and for Deat to ensure your future and make you happy,” he says, taking my hand as he brings it up to his mouth to kiss my knuckles. “Anything at all.”
“You make me happy,” I whisper.
“Let’s pop the bubbly!” Mom squeals next to me, bouncing on her toes with excitement.
The buzz from the bidding still lingers as I hug the man in front of me with all my might. “I think I need a stiff drink,” I concede, fanning myself with my hand. I think it’s going to take a little more than that to let this sink in. “But a celebration sounds good.”
“To Sweet Confetti, or to us?” Brad whispers in my ear.
I look up at him, elated, but still a little shocked.
I smile like a big goofball. “Both.”