The Critic (24 page)

He nodded. “I know. I’m glad you have him, but you have me too. I want your friend to understand that. We’re part of each other’s lives now.”

My heart filled with joy at those words. I rested my head on his shoulder.

The next morning, I called my parents to thank them for the flowers. My mother asked me about the show and apologized again for not attending, which pleased me. The production was slated for a one-week promotional run on Broadway. Then it would be going on the road with the original actress in the part of Victoria. The director had asked me to be the understudy, but still not knowing if I was moving or not, I’d sadly declined. Thankfully, he understood. The last thing I’d want to do was burn a bridge. In this industry, you needed all the support you could get. Sadly, because of this, my parents wouldn’t be able to attend any of the performances I’d be in.

“Mom, did you get my e-mail? I’ll be attending the summer kick-off event at the club.”

“Yes! Your father is so thrilled he’ll have his baby girl there. I am too. It’s been too long since you’ve attended anything with us.”

Guilt washed over me, and I knew that was what she wanted. I knew Mom was genuinely happy for my recent success, but she still carried a bit of animosity about the way I’d rejected the country club life.

“Well, I don’t exactly live there.” I rolled my eyes.

Bentley walked out of my bedroom, looking completely edible in his faded jeans and dark gray T-shirt. I smirked and continued listening to my mom.

Once she stopped gushing about how wonderful the event at the club would be, I said, “I’ll be bringing a date with me.” I braced myself for shouting.

“Who is this man?” she asked.

I tried to stifle a laugh and looked at Bentley. I wasn’t sure how to describe him. I scanned him from head to toe, and my skin prickled at how extremely attractive he was.

“He’s a friend of mine.” I shrugged as his brows furrowed.

“Well, if you must bring someone, I suppose he can stay in one of our spare rooms. You need to realize the importance of this event. Your father’s colleagues will be there, and he’s vying for a seat on the Club Board of Directors.”

My mom still treated me as if I were a teenage girl who needed her virtue protected. I gripped my phone tighter. “We’ll stay at a hotel nearby, but thank you for offering him a spare room.” I squeezed my eyes closed.

“Andrea Jordan! Are you telling me he’s
that
type of friend? Young ladies shouldn’t parade about town with a man they’re bedding. You know, men don’t buy the cow if they get the milk for free.”

I let out a hearty chuckle.
Cow? Milk?
“Bedding? Really, Mom? Just let us take care of our arrangements, and I’ll see you soon.” After I hung up, I looked at Bentley.

His hands were in the back pockets of his jeans, making his muscular chest broad and very tempting.

I tilted my head to appraise him. Something wasn’t right. “Is something wrong?”

“Friend?” His voice had a twinge of sadness.

“How would you like me to describe you to my mother? ‘Hey, Mom, I’m bringing my hot lover with me’?”

He strutted toward me. When he was about six inches away from me, I looked up into his serious eyes. “How about boyfriend?” My mouth fell slightly open, and he pulled me to him. “That’s what I’d like to be called.”

I bit my lower lip. “Bentley Chambers, are you asking me to be your girlfriend?” I couldn’t help the sing-song tone in my voice.

“Yeah, looks that way. So?” He brought his lips to the pulse point on my neck and gently sucked my most tender spot. “What do you say?”

A slow groan escaped me as my head rolled back. “Hmmm . . .”

He chuckled. “Hmmm? Does that mean you don’t know?” He kissed my neck.

“I think I may need more convincing.”

I smiled when he scooped me up and carried me to the bedroom. He set me on the bed and hovered over me as if he were going to do a push-up. His eyes met mine, and my body felt as if it were melting into the mattress. My heart grew warm with feelings for him. Once our lips met and his tongue engaged in a seductive dance with mine, I knew that I wanted him as more than a boyfriend. I wanted him forever.

Bentley and I spent as much time together as our schedules allowed. I had just finished the final performance of
Acceptance,
and my time on Broadway had concluded for now. We were going to The White Orchid to celebrate with Seth and Gina, who were close to becoming an item.

My handsome boyfriend hired a car service for us so we didn’t have to drive. We all slid into the sleek black Cadillac and headed to the posh club. I wondered if Brett would be there and how he would act toward me. I twined my fingers with my man’s, and he brought my hand to his lips and kissed it.

“Will Brett be there tonight?” I knew he worked a lot, but Bentley hadn’t mentioned him.

“Yes. He’s looking forward to seeing you again.” I looked at Gina, who was smiling at Seth as if she’d just won the lottery. With him, I guessed she had. They were great together.

“Great, I can’t wait to see him again too. You did tell him that we’re better now, right?” I bit my lip.

“Yeah, babe. Don’t worry.” Bentley smiled, making me relax.

“Have you told him about London yet?” I knew telling his brother would be tough for him. He’d told me that his parents had thought his news was wonderful, but I knew Brett would be a different story.

“I did. He said he was happy for me, but I could tell he was holding back. He seemed better when I told him I’d be back in a few months.” Bentley shrugged. “Leaving you and my brother is tearing me apart.”

“I’m sorry. I really am. But think of the fun video chats we can have.” I wiggled my eyebrows. I couldn’t tell him I’d go with him, because I didn’t know yet if that would be true.

He chuckled. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

We arrived at The White Orchid and walked toward the bar, where we were greeted by the same hot blond bartender, Ty. His
GQ
smile was surely dampening the panties of the women sitting at the bar.

He shook Bentley’s hand. “Hey, man. Your brother set you up in the VIP section.”

Bentley nodded. “Thanks, Tyler. Is he around?”

Tyler quirked his head to the side. I looked over and saw Brett was talking to a pretty brunette who was rubbing her stomach. Was she pregnant? Was he the father? I looked at Bentley. His face paled and was etched with concern.

I placed my hand on his shoulder. “You okay?”

“Yeah, let’s head up. Ty, tell my brother we’ll be upstairs.”

We walked away, and I looked at Gina and Seth, who had their eyes on Brett.

Gina scurried up to me. “Is that his girlfriend?”

“I don’t know.” I wanted to look back at Brett and the brunette, but I didn’t.

She nodded, and we followed Bentley, who was walking with Seth. It didn’t escape me the number of times Bentley turned back to look at Brett. My heart went out to him. We slid into a booth upstairs, and a waitress came by for our drink orders.

“Everything okay?” I rubbed Bentley’s bicep.

He shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. I told you my brother got himself in a situation, and it looks like he’s dealing with it.”

The waitress brought our drinks, and Seth raised his glass. “To you, Andi. Congratulations on your dream coming true. You deserve it.”

We clinked glasses. Music pulsed through the club, and Seth took Gina’s hand and led her to the dance floor. I was so happy for them, for all of us.

Brett came to our table and slid into the empty spot across from us. He forced a smile. “Hey, you two. Glad you could make it. Congrats, Andi. Bentley told me about the show.”

“Thank you. It’s good to see you again.” I smiled, but I could tell that Brett needed to talk to his brother. “I think I’ll give you two a minute. I’ll be back.”

“Please stay,” Brett said. “I could use a woman’s opinion.”

His tone made me want to cry, and Bentley held my hand under the table. Something was going on, and I was nervous about what I might hear and what advice he may want. But he was my boyfriend’s brother, so I’d do what I could. “Okay. I’ll stay.”

The waitress came back with a tumbler of amber liquor for Brett. He gave her a model-worthy smile and wink before he took a sip.

He set down his glass. “Did you see that woman I was speaking to downstairs?”

“The pregnant one?” My free hand went to my mouth. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed she was pregnant.” I really hoped she was, or I’d just sounded like an idiot.

“Don’t apologize, she is pregnant.” He looked at Bentley as if they shared a big secret. Once his eyes were back to me, he blurted, “Claims it’s mine.”

“Claims?” Again with my mouth.

“Yup.” He took a generous swallow before he set his glass down again. “I slept with her when my girlfriend and I had a fight. Ya know, to get back at her for . . .” He shrugged. “I don’t know what I was getting back at her for, but karma reared its ugly head, and now there’s a chance I may have knocked up a chick I don’t care about and permanently lost the one I do.” He exhaled.

My thoughts went to my last conversation with Brett. This must have been his “mix business with pleasure” woman. My heart raced. “What are you asking me about?”

“I just don’t know what to do. Nikki, the girl downstairs, is a bit promiscuous. So I’ve asked her to take a paternity test, but she won’t do it until the baby is born—says it could harm the fetus.” Brett took a longer sip.

“I can understand her concern. Do you really think she’d lie about you being the father?” I lowered my brows and studied him.

Brett shrugged. “It’s possible. She’s not the most trustworthy person.” He sighed, and his shoulders went slack as he leaned back. “I just want my girlfriend back.”

Bentley chimed in, “Have you talked to Julie?”

“Julie?” I asked.

“She’s my ex.” Brett’s voice cracked.

“You love her.” I knew by the desperate look in his eyes that I was right.

“Yeah. I’ve never loved anyone so much.” He looked to Bentley. “And to answer your question, no, I haven’t talked to her. Not for lack of trying, mind you. I’ve been using Aubrey . . .” Brett looked at me. “My best friend’s wife is Julie’s best friend, so I’ve been getting her to send messages to her.”

I still was unsure what Brett wanted from me, but I’d take a shot at guessing. “If I were Julie”—I looked at Bentley then back at Brett—“I don’t know that I could forgive you, and if I could, I don’t know that it’d be without reservation.” Tears gathered in my eyes, and my heart clenched. I knew that wasn’t what Brett wanted to hear, and I felt like shit for saying it. “I understand you were broken up, but this other woman may have a part of you that’s special. It’ll bind you two forever, leaving Julie with a constant reminder of what could’ve been hers.”

“Andi.” Bentley’s voice was stern, making me feel worse and a bit timid.

“No, it’s fine.” Brett forced a smile. “That’s what she thinks, and I asked her opinion. From what I know of Andi, I figured she wouldn’t hold back. I kinda had a feeling she’d say what she did. Thanks, Andi.” He slid out of the booth. “Come and say bye before you leave. I need to get back to work.” He drained his glass before he walked away.

I lowered my head to my hands, and tears fell from my eyes. My fingers whisked them away. “I’m really sorry I said that to your brother.”

Bentley cupped my face. “You were being honest. I’d be a mess if I were dealing with what he is. Not having Julie is tearing him apart. Brett’s a funny guy, and I haven’t heard him laugh in a long time.”

“I’m so sorry. This has to be hard on you too. I can see how much you love your brother.” I wiped another tear away.

“I do. I hope he isn’t the father, but at the same time, that woman could be carrying my niece or nephew. They’d be lucky to have Brett as a dad. I just think she’s after him for his money.” He let out a breath. “It sucks to be rich sometimes.”

I nodded. My family had money too, and I knew what that was like. Granted, I didn’t have any of it, but someday I might. “I didn’t know you had money. You know that stuff isn’t important to me, right? I’d never do—”

He put his index finger on my lips, silencing me. “I know you’re not that type of woman, and I’m not that type of man. I love my brother, but he wasn’t smart—he was drunk and doesn’t think he wore protection. Let’s not get caught up in his troubles, okay? This has nothing to do with our relationship, so let’s not let it affect us, okay?”