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14
Gross!
Jezebelle squeezed the front of Bradley’s shirt so hard she knew she scratched him and then shoved him away.
He didn’t react that she had hurt him and part of her wanted to repeat the gesture and garner a wince or a twinge of pain.
How dare he kiss her in such a manner!
First, grabbing her hand and telling her he wanted a chance with her. That he could show her a better life than Brick. Bradley had no idea what kind of life Brick could give her. He had no clue what she wanted—in anything. If he did, he’d know that the stage was her life, not some stuffy law firm.
Then to pull her into his arms when she tried to leave and kiss her like he had a right. Oh, no. None of that was okay.
Before she could lay into him for the error of his ways, a sly grin emerged on his face, his gaze darting behind her.
“You can do better than him. I am better than him.”
Jezebelle twirled around. Her heart squeezed painfully as she stared at Brick. His eyes bled with agony.
No. No, no, no. He didn’t understand. What happened wasn’t what it looked like.
She didn’t know where to start, how to explain.
“Well, you look like you’ve had a rough day, Brick.”
Bradley’s haughty voice made Jezebelle want to scream at the top of her lungs. Preferably at him and how horrible of a human being he was. How could he treat her this way? How could he think she’d fall at his feet with ease? Especially when she had an amazing man like Brick.
But did she still have him? By the crestfallen expression still imprinted on his face, she feared she had lost him.
“If you don’t want to be sporting the same look, Bradley, you better get the hell out of my bar.”
Brick spoke quietly and calmly, yet she heard the wrath beneath the surface. He was close to losing it, and she wouldn’t step in his way. She’d join in, getting a few good licks in. Bradley deserved it.
She deserved it.
She should’ve never met him for a drink, even in a public place. She realized that now. Brick had tried to warn her of the kind of man Bradley was and she ignored him. She didn’t see the devious man behind the mask.
Bradley cleared his throat. “Let’s go, Jezebelle.”
She stepped away. “Good-bye, Bradley. I’m not sure why you think I’d go anywhere with you. You don’t get it. My mother doesn’t get it. I’m happy right where I am. On stage…” She swallowed hard. “And with Brick.” Please let him forgive me. Please, oh, please.
Bradley stepped closer but was wise enough not to touch her. “When you realize the mistake you’re making, I’ll be waiting for you. I haven’t given up on us yet.”
She watched him walk out of the room, giving Brick and the man she didn’t know next to him a wide berth. Both men watched him until he disappeared from view.
Her steps were slow and somehow steady as she approached Brick.
The unknown man spoke first.
“You didn’t deserve that ring.”
She flinched, understanding dawning on her. Brick’s brother. Part of her was elated Brick made amends with his brother so quickly. Another part of her was terrified. The man clearly didn’t like her—which she didn’t blame him—and that didn’t help her case with Brick, who continued to stare at her and say nothing.
Her tongue swept across her bottom lip, trying to find the right words and erase the disgust in Brick’s eyes. Neither happened.
Laughter from another part of the room broke her intense stare with Brick. They both glanced at the couple enjoying themselves. They hadn’t been laughing at them, but it reminded them they weren’t the only ones in the room.
“Corey, give us a moment.”
