Mr. Playboy (Kings of Boston #3)

Prologue

“You’re a lot.”

I frown. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t get me wrong. You are a dime piece for sure. You would look amazing on my arm, but then you open your mouth and yeah, it makes you a two, and that’s being generous. You should really consider how you act because it drops your stock value, babe.”

I’m honestly shocked by the audacity of this guy. He thinks I’m a two? Seriously? Me? A freaking two?

I snort, shaking my head. “You think you have room to talk? I only accepted this date because you seemed like a nice guy. Most of the guys on that app are complete dicks. Well, I guess all of them, because I was obviously wrong about you.”

I collect my things and stand.

“Uh, where are you going? We haven’t gotten the check yet. I’m not paying for your shit if I’m not getting laid.”

I pick up my glass of red wine.

“Do you want to see ‘a lot’?” I toss the wine at him, then raise my voice.

“My sister?” I use a southern accent to add a little flair.

“She told me she didn’t know who her baby daddy was, but I had no idea that it was to hide the fact that she was sleeping with you!

I cannot believe you would do this to me. We were supposed to be married!”

I hold my hand over my heart as I conjure up tears. I look around the room and pretend to be embarrassed. “I’m sorry, y’all. I didn’t mean to disturb your dinner. I’ll leave now.” I wipe a tear away.

“Oh no, honey. Here, take this.” The woman at the table next to us hands me her glass of wine.

I give her a small smile. “Thank you.”

I take a little sip before I throw it at him too.

The server has come over by now. I deadass look him in the face and tell him, “That glass is on him too.”

“What? No way. I’m not paying for this lying bitch’s shit.”

The server glares at the man. “It’s the least you can do. If you can’t afford it, we have dishes in the back. Ma’am, you have a good night.”

“Thank you.” I turn and start to leave as my date starts cussing and causing a scene.

Now who is a lot?

Before I make it to the door, one of the employees rushes over to me with a to-go container.

“Here. It’s not much, but I hope it makes your night better.”

“Wow, I’ll be coming back here again for sure. Everyone here has been so kind,” I tell her, losing my southern accent.

The woman nods. “It’s tough being a woman in this world.”

She’s not wrong. I take the to-go container as I head out the door.

I have a few hours before I have to be at Mason’s for this dinner Olivia and he put together. Now I don’t want to go, but only because I would rather go home and be in my feels.

Getting to my car, I sit inside and open the to-go container. I shake my head and laugh when I see the chocolate explosion inside. It’s the signature dessert. A molten lava cake topped with chocolate ice cream with chocolate brownie pieces and topped with fudge and chocolate chips.

It’s what I would have ordered.

I take the plastic fork and break off a piece, letting it melt in my mouth as I let all the strength fade from my body. The more dates I go on, the more I start to think that maybe I am the problem.

This is the third shitty date I’ve had this month. Each one has had a different reason why he said I wouldn’t work out, but it all boils down to one thing. They think my personality is too much. Too loud. Too extra.

I hate that the more I hear the words, the more they penetrate my armor. These men who mean nothing to me are slowly wearing me down.

I finish that whole dessert sitting there staring at the restaurant. Setting the empty container on my passenger seat, I let my forehead hit the steering wheel.

I don’t have the energy to keep doing this.

When I look back up, I see the police walking into the restaurant. I think that’s my cue to go.

I pull away from the restaurant, leaving Chad behind.

The drive to Mason’s takes longer than expected. Traffic is terrible and is only making my mood worse.

By the time I show up, I’m considering not going inside. I’d never bail on my best friend, though. She and her daughter are my everything.

I ring the doorbell, then open the door without waiting for a response. This man better be serious about my girl or I will go to jail.

“Honey, I’m home!” I shout throughout the house, forcing a smile on my face.

“I’m here, Auntie,” I hear the perfect little voice call out.

My Ari.

My fake smile melds into a real one. I love that little girl.

I follow the faint sound of voices and find everyone in the dining room.

“Man, this place is nice,” I say to Olivia as I pretend to take it all in. “You’ve really moved up in the world, Liv. I don’t see any roaches or anything. Niiiice.”

Liv groans as she covers her face. I know she’s embarrassed by me, but it’s why she loves me. No awkward introductions to the men sitting at the table. Instead, they get to know who I am from the get-go. Can’t handle it? Step away from the fire.

“I paid enough, I hope I don’t have any bugs,” the man next to Liv calls out. “Why don’t you join us?”

I fight the twitch of a laugh at who I assume is Mason. He has a sense of humor. I like that.

“So you’re the dude who knocked up my best friend and left her high and dry.” I look him up and down.

“Chloe,” Liv hisses in warning, but I’m not letting him off the hook.

Not until I know he is the real deal. I won’t let them be hurt again.

“I am, unknowingly, but yes,” he admits.

Brave man.

“I owe you a nut check.”

He nods at my words. I think the man would let me do it too. I decide then and there I like him. He will be good for Liv and Ari even if it means he will be taking them from me.

“Maybe later. Are you going to stick around this time?” I ask.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

The serious look in his eye tells me he knows what he almost lost. He won’t give it up again.

I wish I met someone like that. It’s not in the cards for me. At least, not right now.

“Good. I’ll be watching you.” I make the motion with my fingers before making my way to the empty seat at the table.

“Who are you?” a harsh voice calls out.

I already clocked him the moment I walked in.

He’s tall, well over six feet, and has dirty blond hair with piercing eyes.

He is so obviously a player that it isn’t even funny.

He thinks his charm will get him everywhere he wants in life.

I know men like him. I’ve dated men like him. They are all the same.

You’re too much.

The words haunt me. Men like him don’t want women like me on their arm. They want arm candy who will keep quiet and look pretty. I can’t do that. I’m not the girl you take to the gala. I’m the girl you take to the hockey game.

“I’m out of your league.” I take my seat next to the younger-looking Mason.

I can see him getting ready to respond, so I cut him off.

“Now, what are we eating? I’m hungry.”

Mason and Liv come to the table, taking their seats.

“Everyone, this is my best friend Chloe,” Liv tells the table.

The man next to me dips his head. “Max.”

The man across from him lifts his chin. “Eli.”

Then Mr. Charmer himself stands, offering me his hand, only to pull mine to his lips to kiss the back of it. “I’m Brantley.”

Oh yeah. Real lady-killer this one.

“Ew, are you a serial killer?” I wrinkle my nose as I pull my hand from his.

Everyone laughs, but I can tell I’ve gotten under his skin.

“A serial killer? You think I look like a serial killer?”

I’ve totally offended him. Good. Hopefully that puts a warning sign on me. I don’t need another man like him in my life. I’ve had enough of them.

“The most notorious serial killers were good-looking, well-dressed, and educated men. You fit the bill.”

His eyes widen. “No, I’m not a serial killer.”

I shrug. “Hey, I had to check. A girl can never be too careful.”

Max pipes in with, “Is this really a conversation we should be having with a small child in the room?”

“Oh, you poor, sweet soul. Trust me, Littles has heard far worse,” I tell him.

I hear Liv turn to Mason. “She has manners and is house-trained. I swear.”

It has me smiling a little as the conversation moves on. Still, my heart feels heavy in my chest. While I’m happy my best friend seems to have reconnected with the love of her life and given Ari the father she always deserved, I am slightly sad too.

She has this whole new life now, and I’m not sure how I’m going to fit into it.

After a while, I need some air.

Standing from the table, I excuse myself to the kitchen. Brantley makes a snide comment, but I ignore it for once.

Brantley is a worthy adversary, but after the day I had, I don’t want to fight anymore. Even with a gorgeous jackass.

No, I need to reinforce my armor and start anew tomorrow. If only I could make it through tonight.