Beautiful Misery (The Beautiful Series) Read online

  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.”

  “Braylon, did you just ask me on a date and to stay the night with you?”

  “No ma’am I did not. I don’t date and I work nightshift, ten at night until ten in the morning,” Bray answered.

  “Oh.” I dropped my eyes from him to the floor.

  Following him out the door I saw his jacked-up truck sitting in the parking lot. He still had the same silver Dodge Ram with giant tires and tinted windows. The average sized person couldn’t see into the windows it was so high. Even if you were tall enough to look in the window’s you couldn’t, they were tinted jet black.

  I had always loved his truck. I had also heard stories about this truck and all the women who had experienced this truck.

  “I get to ride in the infamous truck?” I asked, a little smartassy.

  Bray stopped mid step and turned to look at me, raising an eyebrow. “Infamous?” He asked acidulously.

  Slowly, I nodded. “Uhh huh. All the girls wanted a ride in this truck. Or maybe they wanted to ride the driver of this truck. Either way, the girls back home would drop their panties for a chance to be in there.”

  Bray smirked. “What about you?”

  Shit.

  Feeling my cheeks heat, I worried my bottom lip with my teeth. “What would you do if I said yes?”

  Taking a few steps so he was standing directly in front of me, he grabbed my hips and pulled me into his hard body. Looking up I saw his dark eyes sparkling.

  “Your brother would kill me if he knew the thoughts that are running through my head right now.”

  Sucking in a breath, I said, “My brother’s over two thousand miles away. He would never know. Besides, I’m not that fourteen year old little girl anymore.”

  What the hell? My brother would never know? Why does this feel like I’m sneaking around with the bad boy I’m banned from seeing?

  “Trust me, I know.” Bray released me and stepped back. “Let’s go eat. Maybe we should just go to Skyline and eat-in. Things could go very, very bad if we are alone in my place.”

  Sighing, I nodded. “Skyline with extra onions, please.”

  Bray shook his
head and let a small smile play on his lips.

  Opening my door, he held his hand out to help me climb in. Once I was inside he shut my door and jogged around to the driver’s side and got in. The drive to Skyline was short and silent.

  Pulling into the parking lot he found a parking spot and shut his truck off. Without looking at me he opened his door and got out. Letting my head fall back onto the headrest I took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

  I shouldn’t have come with him. I shouldn’t be here. I feel like a cat being teased with a treat. I want Bray, I have since I was little. Agreeing to go to dinner with him was just salt in the wound. Bray would never want me. Biggest reason being I was Larkin’s little sister.

  Forcing my eyes open I grabbed the door handle and shoved it open. Bray was standing at the front of the truck, watching me closely.

  “Everything ok?” Bray asked.

  Giving my head a hard nod, I walked passed Bray. “Yep. Let’s go eat.”

  Once we were sitting at a booth in the back Bray handed me a menu. Holding it up so he couldn’t see my face I pretended to look over the menu so I wouldn’t have to look at him. I had been getting the same thing from Skyline since I was five. One cheese coney, no mustard or onion and chili cheese fries.

  “Hi, my name’s Staci. I’ll be your waitress tonight. Can I get you something to drink or are you ready to order?”

  “We’re ready,” I blurted out, my voice a little high.

  Bray looked from me to the waitress then back to me. “I guess we’re ready.”

  Staci laughed then looked to me. “Ok, we will start with you.”

  Forcing a smile I said, “I would like a cheese coney, no mustard or onion and a chili cheese fry with a sweet tea please.”

  Bray asked, “No extra onions?”

  Sticking my tongue out I said, “Nope, I hate onions.”

  Smiling at me he said, “I want four cheese coneys with onions, no mustard and a four way. Mt. Dew to drink, please.”

  Staci couldn’t keep her eyes off Bray, I couldn’t blame her. She repeated our order back to us before walking away.

  “So are you going to ignore me all night now?” Bray asked.

  “Huh? I’m not ignoring you.”

  Bray gave a short laugh. “Yes you are. Cobie, believe me when I say I want you. Bad. You’re sexy, funny, and have a brain in your head. But you’re too good for me. I’m not the kinda guy you need. You need someone who can promise you a future, that’s not me. Fuck, I can barely promise one night, let alone one month or one year.”

  Well hell. I might as well speak my mind too. “Bray, I have had a crush on you since I was little. Pretty sure you have known for a while that I have always liked you. I always wanted to be that girl in your truck. Even if it was for just one night.”

  Bray went to say something but he saw Staci walking to our table with our food. “This isn’t over. Eat then we can talk in my truck.”

  Rolling my eyes I looked at our waitress and smiled. “Thank you.”

  We both ate without saying another word. Once Bray paid I slowly followed him back to his truck. He again, opened my door and helped me in, shutting the door behind me. But this time he didn’t jog around to the driver’s side, instead he drug his feet getting around the truck and climbing inside.

  Putting his keys in the ignition he went to start the truck but stopped. Rotating his body so he was looking at me Bray gave me a simple smile.

  Just as I was going to say something he was lunging at me, swallowing my mouth with his, letting his tongue explore my mouth. He took no time in unbuttoning my shorts and sliding them down. Pushing his hand into my panties he pulled them down.

  I was finally getting the man I wanted. He finally noticed me as someone other than his best friends little sister.

  Bray never said a word as he unbuttoned his jeans and slid them and his boxers down. Picking my legs up, he scooted me down and rested my calves on his shoulders.

  This was the moment I had always dreamed about. And well, let’s just say it was better in my dreams. Good thing he looked like walking sex because he sure wasn’t blessed in other regions. It was over before I realized he had even started.

  Braylon Edwards was not the sex God I thought.

  Maybe it was just because we were in just a small space? Maybe it was because it had been a few months since I’d had sex? Maybe it was because he was nervous to have sex with me? Maybe next time would be better? Maybe I’m just making excuses for the guy all my dreams were about. There would be no next time, who was I kidding. This was a one-time thing. A wam bam thank you ma’am.

  Once my shorts were buttoned and I was upright in my seat I looked out the window to the street light bouncing off the passing cars. “I really should get back to my dorm and study. Do you mind dropping me off there? I can get my car tomorrow.”

  Bray started his truck and didn’t say anything until he was on the road. “Sure. I should probably go home and try to sleep for an hour or so anyway.”

  When he pulled up to my dorm I all but jumped out of his truck. As I was closing the door I said, Bye, Bray.” Not waiting for his response I shut my door and walked up the steps to my dorm.

  Waking up the next morning I went to grab my purse so I could take my birth control.

  Shit!

  I was in such a hurry to get out of Bray’s truck I forgot my purse. Looking across the room I saw that my roommate, Laney, was awake. Looking at my alarm clock I saw that it was a little after eleven. Hopefully Bray was home from work. I had three hours until my test. I needed to get my purse and I needed to study.

  “Lans, can I borrow your car for a few minutes. I forgot my purse last night and don’t have my keys.”

  Laney didn’t take her eyes off her book as she said, “Sure. Keys are on my desk.”

  Hopping out of bed I grabbed her keys. “Thanks, you’re a doll. Be back in twenty.”

  She grunted and waved as I shuffled out our door.

  Making the five minute drive to Bray’s apartment I tried telling myself this wouldn’t be awkward. It was a simple hookup. A hookup I want to forget ever happened.

  Pulling into Cambridge Heights parking lot I parked next to Bray’s truck. Luckily it was a single building with a list of the tenants and what apartment they were in. Looking at the list I found Bray.

  EDWARDS, BRAYLON APT. 3B

  I slowly walked up the stairs to the third floor. The carpet was old and worn, the walls were yellowed from smoke or maybe it was the low lighting? The air was thick with old smoke, and a hint of marijuana. Kinda creepy.

  Looking to the left I saw 3B on the second door. Rolling my eyes at how pathetic I was feeling I took a few steps toward the door and knocked.

  “Coming.” I heard a female voice call from inside.

  The door opened and a gorgeous blonde stuck her head out. She pursed her lips, looking me up and down. With a bitchy attitude asked, “Who are you?”

  I can have an attitude too, bitch.

  “I’m Cobie. Who are you? I was looking from Bray. Is he here?”

  Blonde bimbo bitch let a sly smile take over her face. “He sure is, but he can’t come to the door. He’s a little wore out from last night and this morning. I guess I was just too much to handle.”

  Ugh. Seriously? Peeking my head around her I saw my purse sitting on the kitchen bar. Could this chic be anymore slutty?

  “I’m sure you were too much sweetheart, right after I was. I left my purse in his truck last night after he fucked me. And trust me honey, I was done with him and his teeny weeny last night. He is all yours. I just want my purse. So, if you would excuse me that would be great,” I said sardonically.

  Pushing passed the girl I grabbed my purse off the counter and smirked at her dumbfounded face as I walked out the door and jogged down the steps.

  Me-1

  Blonde Bimbo Bitch-0

  Oh my fucking God. I knew Bray was a man whore but that was a little much. He has sex with me
then picks up some other girl and has sex with her, too. Now I see why my brother never wanted me around him. He was disgusting.

  I stomped into mine and Laney’s room. “Guys are douche canoes!”

  Laney snorted, “I could have told you that.”

  “I’m going to take a shower and wash this nastiness off. Study when I’m done? I have a few hours before my final.”

  Laney nodded. “You know it.”

  I jerked my shower bag off my desk and went to shower off Braylon Edwards and his dirty dick.

  3

  Gage

  Mine. This place was mine.

  I wanted to call Jenna. I wanted to let her know I did it. But I wouldn’t call. I wouldn’t put myself through that. She wasn’t mine. This wasn’t her dream, well not anymore. Growing up we always talked about the bar we would open in Fairhope when I was the big football star. But, now this dream was mine. Not ours. Her dreams were with Larkin. And, my dreams…my dreams were with…

  Me.

  I had no one to share this with. I was alone. I was surrounded by hundreds of people, but still it felt like I was on my own. It felt like I was standing in the middle of an empty stadium screaming at the top of my lungs with no one around to hear.

  I had always thought when all my dreams came true they would be with Jenna. And, at one point just a few years ago that was true. Now, I avoided her calls, text, and emails. I had to. I had to distance myself. Jenna was the one girl I had always loved and always would. I would never get over her. She was my one.

  But, I wasn’t hers.

  Walking to the middle of the large, empty wood floor I sat down. I was the NFL’s leading Quarterback. I had women chasing me. Men wanted to be me. To the outside world I had it all. To the world I was everything. To me, I was nothing.