Standing Evie next to Larkin, I shook his hand and told him bye. Turning to Jenna I placed my hands on either side of her face and kissed her forehead. “Love you, be safe. See you soon.”
Dropping my hands I turned to walk back to my car. Just before I opened my door I heard Jenna say, “Love you too. Remember what I said and just know, I know you better than you know you.”
Smirking I said, “Not anymore babe. See you in a few weeks.” Not waiting I opened my door and jumped inside, speeding off.
I spent my day on the phone making plans and arrangements to open my own bar on the beach. But, in the back of my mind I couldn’t stop thinking about Jenna. After a long day I decided to hit up a few clubs in the city, hopefully clear my mind…if only for a few hours.
Five beers, eleven shots, and three jack and Cokes later I was feeling pretty good. When the pretty girl with jet black hair walked up beside me, she had my full attention.
“Hi, I’m Tara.”
Nodding once I tipped my beer in her direction and said, “Hi Tara, I’m Gage. But, I’m sure you knew that.”
Tara winked and pushed her tits together. “You look like you could use some company.”
Smirking I asked, “Wanna help me out with that?”
2
Cobie
Yawning, I tapped my pen on my notebook. Who knew libraries were so damn hot? I felt my eyes getting heavy and struggled to continue reading about and memorizing the two hundred and however many bones in the body. I had been at this for three hours and I still couldn’t tell you where your scapula, ulna, or sacrum were. If all this studying didn’t pay off I’m pretty sure I would kill myself. Whoever gave me the great idea to become a doctor should be shot. Oh yeah, my damn brother. Always pushing me. Even from the opposite side of America he still manages to have a say in my life. If I didn’t love his wife and daughter so much I might just kill him.
Taking a deep breath I leaned back in the uncomfortable library chair. Closings my eyes I removed my black frame glasses and used my fists to rub my eyes until I was seeing stars.
“Cobie?” I heard a familiar voice ask. A voice I never thought I would hear again.
Popping my eyes open and looking around it took me a moment to find the person that voice came from. Leaning against the bookcase, feet crossed at his ankles and arms crossed over his chest was Braylon Edwards. My childhood crush and my brothers best friend from high school. Sexy as sin. And the one person my brother now hates and does not want me around.
Knowing I shouldn’t but doing it anyway, I scooted my chair back and stood, watching as Bray pushed off the bookcase and walked toward me. “Bray? What the hell?” I asked a little confused.
Wrapping his arms around me he hugged me to his chest, lifting my feet off the ground. “Damn girl. Look at you all grown up.”
Setting me back on the ground Bray took a step back, looking me up and down. I wanted to crawl under the table. The expression on his face was unreadable, maybe slightly amused.
Trying to get the focus off me I asked, “Why are you here?”
“Hell, I go here now. Figured it was time to grow up and do something with my life.”
Smiling I said, “That’s precious. Look at you growing up and being responsible.”
Bray glanced at my large anatomy book on the table then raised an eyebrow and brought his gaze back to me. “So what are you going for, nursing?” Bray asked, his voice deep.
“Ha. I wish. I let my pain in the ass brother talk me into going to be a doctor. I have to know all the bones in the body by tomorrow.”
Bray scrunched his face. “Ugh tomorrow of what year?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Looking at my book and notes I said, “I have been at this for three hours and couldn’t tell you ten bones in the damn body. This shit ain’t no joke. I am ready for spring break and spending time with Evie on the beach.”
Looking confused Bray asked, “Evie? I didn’t know you had a kid.”
Shaking my head I grabbed my phone off the table. Unlocking my screen I saw the picture of my beautiful niece. Handing Bray my phone I said, “Evie is Larkin’s daughter. She will be two next month.”
While staring at my phone he said, “No shit. I didn’t know he had a kid either. Is it with that one chic he brought home a few years ago?”
“Yes, her name is Jenna. They got married about seven months ago.”
“Damn. I’ve missed a lot. I follow his football but I didn’t know he was a family man now. Never figured that life for him.” Bray tried playing it off but I could see he was jealous of my brother and the life he had.
Larkin had worked his ass off to get where he is. True, in his teen years he was fucked up but he was my brother and he deserved happiness. He had that with Jenna and Evie, I was happy for him.
“Yep. He grew up and found an amazing girl that straightened him out.”
Bray scratched the back of his neck nervously. “I guess I’m a little late to grow up. But, better late than never. Maybe I need to find that special girl to straighten me out.”
Laughing I placed my hand on Bray’s shoulder. “Braylon Edwards, there is no straightening you out. I don’t think there is a girl out there that could tame you.”
Giving me a half smile Bray said, “Probably not but we’ll see.” Bray ran his hand across my shoulder and bit down on his lip before asking, “Are you hungry? I was on my way out to get dinner when I saw you. Want to grab something to eat with me?”
Blinking a few times, I cleared my throat and nodded. “Sure, just let me pack my stuff. I really need a break anyway.” Grabbing my books and notebook I stuffed them into my backpack. “Ready?’
Bray freely roamed my body with his eyes. “You have no idea.”
He made me nervous but I didn’t want him to know that. I had always been the annoying little sister with the witty comebacks, I wasn’t about to let him turn me into a mushy mess. I was Cobie fucking Nayler and no man, no matter who he was would break me.
Giving him a small smile, I winked and patted his hard stomach, “Let’s go dirty boy. I’m hungry and still have a shit ton of studying to do. Where you taking me to eat?”
Bray licked his lips as he turned to walk. “I was thinking take out and a movie. It’s been a long time since we’ve hung out and it sounds like we have a lot of catching up to do.”
Laughing I replied, “It has and yes, there has been a lot happen since I’ve seen you.”
Bray stopped and looked at me questioningly, “A lot happen with you and a guy?”
Tilting my head, I asked, “Are you asking if I have a boyfriend?”
Flicking his eyes down to the platinum ring with tiny diamonds forming intertwining X’s on my left ring finger he shrugged and started walking again. “Maybe.”
“Huh. Then maybe I do, maybe I don’t.” I said sarcastically. “But, the ring you were just eyeballing is from Larkin. He gave it to me when he moved to San Diego. It’s supposed to let me know that he’s always with me and always here to give me a hug when I need it.” Stopping, I held my hand up so Bray could see the intricate design of diamonds going around the band.
Bray rubbed his thumb over the ring and caught my eyes with his. “Maybe someday, some lucky guy will be good enough to sweep you off your feet and put his own ring on your finger.”
I was speechless. Bray was sarcastic. Bray was a dick. Bray was a smartass. Braylon Edwards. Was. Not. Sweet.
Bray winked at me before asking, “Did you drive?”
Shaking my head I said, “No, I live on campus in Ritter Hall.”
“Not too far from me. I have an apartment off of Elkwood Drive in Cambridge Heights Apartments. We can eat and hang out for a while then I can drop you off before I go to work.”