Beautiful Mess (13 page)

“Please
Bri.  I swear, anything you want me to do, I will.”  He looked at her
so longingly and earnestly, she almost believed him.

Then
she remembered Cole kissing Serena at the football game, and her anger
flared. 

“So,”
she narrowed her eyes at him.  “You’ll talk to me at school?  In
class, in the halls?  In front of your friends?  In front of
Serena?
 
You’ll eat lunch with me and wait for me after school?  You know, do all
of those things a
real
friend would?” she challenged.

Cole’s
face dropped and he ran his hands angrily through his hair.

“I
can’t do that, Bri,” he groaned.

Pain
lanced through her.  Now she was hurt on top of angry.  Damn him for
making her feel this way again.

“And
why not?” her voice dripped with venom.  “I’m not worthy of your attention
publically?  I’m not good enough, or cool enough for you and your
pretentious, stuck-up friends?  Or is it because it’s not really my
friendship
you’re after?”

“Damn
it, Bri, don’t lump me in with all of those other assholes you’ve dated! 
I’m not like that and you know it!”

“All
evidence to the contrary,” she retorted.  “And we barely
dated
at
all.  As far as I know, asshat-you just hadn’t had time to make an
appearance yet.  But, that is the real problem... I don’t know you,” she
shook her head.

“Yes,
you do!” he pressed desperately.

“Oh,
yeah?  Then prove it.  Tell me why you are such a prick at
school.  If you want to be my friend so badly, why won’t you even
acknowledge my presence, let alone talk to me?”

“Fine!” 
Cole was almost shouting now.  “You want to know why?  It’s because
I’m trying to protect you!  I’m trying to let you stay under the radar and
out of the spotlight, like you want!”  He calmed down a bit at Bri’s
shocked expression.  “All it would take is a little attention from me, and
you would be Santa Monica’s favorite celebrity again, ripe for the gossip
whores to pick you apart.  And if you thought Trey was pushy before, he
would go ballistic if he knew I liked you.  He would take things to a
whole new level, and I know you don’t want to deal with that.  And if you
thought the fallout from Trey’s attention was bad, just wait until you throw in
my possessive, super jealous, and utterly ruthless ex-girlfriend into the
mix!  If Serena thought I was even remotely interested in you, she’d make
your life a living hell.  And believe me, she’s
very
good at
it.  Serena already doesn’t like you.  I don’t want to give her any
cause to hate you.”

Bri
was stunned.  Of all the excuses Cole could’ve given her, this one hadn’t
even crossed her mind. 

“You
were
protecting
me?”  She was still trying to process this.

“Yes,”
he let out a breath.  “I know you don’t like being the center of
attention.  I know how hard those first couple of weeks at school were for
you, thanks to Trey and his stupid bet.  I don’t want to do that to
you.  So I pretended I didn’t notice you, so I wouldn’t draw any attention
to you.”

“Pretended?”
Bri was still doubtful.

“Come
on, Bri,” he gave her a disbelieving look.  “You know I’ve been aware of
every move you’ve made since school started.  I could never ignore you.”

She
gave a small smile.  “Yeah, it was pretty hard to ignore you, too. 
So, you really want us to be friends again?”

“Yes,”
he smiled.  “I really do.”

Bri
thought for a moment.  Did she dare to trust Cole again?  Was she
willing to risk him hurting her again?  She did miss his friendship, and
he seemed to genuinely care about her, but was it all an act?  Should she
give Cole a second chance to prove himself?  Was it worth it?  She
looked deep into his eyes, looking very blue thanks to his dark blue t-shirt,
and her heart stuttered.

“Okay,”
she answered softly.

“Really?” 
Cole’s eyebrows raised.  “Bri, before you decide for sure, you should know
that I think it’d be best if we still didn’t talk or hang out at school. 
I don’t want to sic Serena or Trey on you.  But, if you can’t do that,
then I understand.  If you say no, I’ll leave you alone.  I won’t
bother you again.” 

Bri
considered that for a moment, and Cole didn’t seem to breath.  The anguish
and apprehension in his eyes made her decision for her. 

“Okay,”
she nodded.  “I want us to be friends again, too.  It’s been hard not
having you around.  But I swear, if you are playing me, or if you do
anything to ruin this again, I will
never
forgive you.  This is it,
do you understand?  I’m taking a huge risk on you, Cole.  Don’t make
me regret it, or I’ll make
you
regret it.”

“Understood,”
he agreed grimly.  Then a smile broke out over his face.  “Well,
since we’re friends again, you’d better start saving me a seat in
Ceramics.  Because after not talking to you all day, I’m going to need all
the time with you I can get!”

“Okay,”
she smiled back.

“Oh,
and Bri?  There was one more thing I wanted to ask you.”

“Okay,”
Bri took a deep breath to prepare for whatever else might be coming.

“There’s
a party Friday night after the game, kind of a getting into the playoffs
celebration thing.  Would you come?  You could totally bring Layla
and your friends.  It’s just that... I’d like to spend some time with you,
away from school and math,” he smiled at her.  “Please Bri?”  His
eyes pleaded with her to say yes.

Dang
it, how could a girl say no to that?

“Oh,
alright,” she practically groaned.  Football parties were not really her
thing.  “I’ll come on one condition.  I don’t care who is around, you
have to talk to me.  We are going to behave like friends.”

“Deal!” 
He beamed at her, his happiness making his eyes sparkle.

Something
fluttered in Bri’s stomach, and suddenly Friday night couldn’t come fast
enough.

Bri
was lined up in the tunnel with the rest of the Dance Team on Friday night, as
she watched the last two minutes of the half.  The football team had
technically already made the playoffs for the State Championship, due to their
undefeated season, but you couldn’t tell that by watching them play.  It
was the last regular season game, and they were a team possessed tonight. 

Bri
cheered with the rest of the girls as Cole caught a pass and ran it in for
another touchdown.  As he ran off to the sideline, Bri heard Natalie
murmur behind her.

“Mmm,
that is one mouthwatering ass!”

“Careful,
Nat,” Erica piped in.  “You don’t want Serena to find out you were lusting
after her man!  She’ll kill you!”  She and a few others laughed.

“Whatever,
I’m not afraid of Serena,” Natalie retorted, but she kept all other
Cole-related thoughts to herself, for which Bri was grateful.  She didn’t
particularly like Natalie drooling over Cole, either.

The
Tigers made the extra point, and the half ended.  The girls held up their
hands in a line of high-fives as the football team ran through the tunnel to
the locker room.  Cole gave Bri a quick wink as he slapped her hand, which
caused a flutter in her stomach.  She was really glad they were friends
again, even if they were only secret friends.  She hadn’t realized how
much she’d missed talking to him, and missed his sense of humor.  Even
though he still maintained his apathetic, conceited jerk facade during the day
at school, in Ceramics he was the old Cole again, and they were able to talk
without drawing attention. 

The
Dance Team took the field and performed a fun, funky hip-hop routine that the
crowd went crazy for.  They changed into their team warm ups, and went out
to enjoy the rest of the game. 

Bri
didn’t want to have to watch Cole and Serena’s victory kiss, which had become
their post-game tradition, so she convinced Layla to leave a little
early.  Even though she knew she shouldn’t be jealous, Bri was.  She
didn’t know for sure what exactly was going on between Cole and Serena, she
didn’t want to just believe the rumors, but she hadn’t been able to bring
herself to ask Cole about it.  His private life was none of her business,
and she had no right to pry.  But every time Serena touched Cole, Bri wanted
to hit her.  That was not a good sign.

They
drove to Layla’s house to get ready for the party.  Bri had told her dad
she was spending the night at Layla’s, but hadn’t told him about the
party.  She knew he’d throw a fit about it.  Layla’s parents, on the
other hand, had no problem with the girls going to the party, and were going
out themselves that night and wouldn’t be home until late. 

An
hour and a half later, the girls were ready.  Layla had insisted on
dressing Bri, putting her in a pair of black faux leather leggings, a black,
fitted, drape front blouse, and a pair of black ankle boots.  She curled
her auburn hair and left it long, and Layla had expertly applied Bri’s smoky
eye shadow and liquid eyeliner.  Topped off with red lipstick, Bri looked
dark and mysterious.

“I
don’t know, Lay.  I think you might have gone a bit overboard,” Bri
scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.

“Are
you kidding me?  You’re hot!  Get over it!”  Layla came up
behind her in the mirror.  She’d chosen a tight fitting, navy blue
sweater, and a brown leather skirt that came to the tops of her thighs, where
it ended rather abruptly.  Layla slipped on her leopard print stilettos
and smiled wickedly.

“Alright,
Chica, come on!  Time to go get our groove on!”  Layla flicked her
long dark brown hair over her shoulder and led the way out to her silver Audi
TT.

“So
spoiled!” Bri teased her friend as she climbed in.

“What? 
It was a hand me down from my dad!  You should see his new car.  Now
that
would be spoiled!  Besides, I’m as down to earth as they come, and you
know it,” Layla smiled brilliantly.  “It’s why I’m so irresistible!”

They
drove the few blocks to the party rather quickly, thanks to Layla’s sporty
little car.  As they walked up to the beachfront house vibrating with music,
a wave of apprehension swept over Bri, and she had the sudden desire to run
back to the car.  She shook it off, scolding herself internally for being
so apprehensive.  Nothing bad was going to happen tonight.  She
squared her shoulders and followed Layla up the walk.  They walked into a
crowded entryway, and an all too familiar blond head came towards them. 
Bri cringed inwardly, stifling a groan.

“Ladies! 
So glad you could make it!”  Trey’s ultra-white smile seemed to glow in
the low light.  His eyes raked over Bri, and his grin widened.  She
couldn’t help the scowl that came over her face.  “Drinks are in the
kitchen,” Trey pointed behind him.  “Please, make yourselves at
home.  And,” he gave Bri a meaningful look, “if there is anything I can do
for you, don’t hesitate to ask.  I’ll catch up with you later,” Trey
winked as he moved past them.

As
soon as he was gone, Bri grabbed Layla’s arm and hissed, “Why didn’t you tell
me it was Trey’s party we were coming to?”

“Because,”
Layla moved them over against the wall and out of the flow of people.  “If
I had, you wouldn’t have come, and I
really
wanted to have some fun
tonight,” Layla’s dark brown eyes sparkled as she scanned the crowd. 
“There are plenty of people here to keep Trey occupied, and you probably won’t
see him again anyway.  So, wipe that scowl off your face and enjoy
yourself for once!”  Layla slung her arm through Bri’s and pulled her back
into the throng.  “Now, let’s go work the room a little, shall we?”

Shoving
aside her annoyance, Bri smiled and nodded.  They managed to make it
through one room, before Layla jerked her to a halt.

“There
he is!” Layla squealed in Bri’s ear.  “Devon Peterson!”

Bri
looked over and saw a tall, sandy-blond boy she recognized from the football
team.  Layla was practically drooling.  Bri hadn’t realized Layla was
so smitten with Devon, and felt a pang of guilt for not knowing something that
important about her closest friend.  She promised herself she’d be a
better, more attentive friend, starting now.

“Why
don’t you go over and talk to him?” Bri smiled at the longing on Layla’s face.

“Really? 
But I couldn’t leave you by yourself!”

“Really,
Lay, it’s okay!  Go talk to him.  I promise I’ll survive without
you.”

“Are
you sure?  Okay.  How do I look?”  Layla glanced down at her
outfit..  “What about my hair?  Good?  How’s my breath?”

Before
Layla could breathe in her face, Bri grabbed her shoulders and turned her
towards Devon.

“Girl,
you look fierce!  Now get over there and show that poor boy what he’s been
missing!”  Bri gave her friend a shove forward. 

“Thanks,
Bri!  I’ll catch up with you later, okay?” Layla said as she walked
away.  Bri made sure Layla didn’t chicken out and made it to Devon, before
heading back towards the kitchen.  She had to laugh.  Layla must be
crushing hard on Devon, she’d never been so nervous about a guy
before.  

Bri
walked into the kitchen, and stood for a minute, surveying the assortment of
drinks set out on the bar.

“I’ve
never seen anyone put so much thought into what to drink before.”

She
smiled at the familiar voice and turned.

“It’s
not that,” she replied as Cole slid up next to her.  “I was just debating
whether or not I trusted Trey not to have spiked everything here.”

Cole
laughed, and Bri felt her pulse jump.

“Smart
girl!  Here,” he handed her a sealed bottle of water out of the
fridge.  “Problem solved!”

“Thanks! 
So, I see you’re on drink duty.”  She tried to keep the disappointment out
of her voice as Cole began pouring a couple of drinks, presumably for himself
and Serena.

“Unfortunately.” 
He glanced around before leaning in closer to her.  “Any chance you’d want
to meet me out back in a few minutes?  Hang out for a bit?”

Bri
smiled.  “Um, okay.”

“Great! 
Head on out and I’ll be out there in a minute, I just have to deliver
these.”  Cole picked up his cups and walked into the adjoining living room
where Serena and her friends were sitting.  She noticed a large,
cheerleader style banner hung up above their heads that said “Happy Birthday
Cole!”  Bri was shocked.  Cole hadn’t even mentioned it was his
birthday.  She didn’t know whether to be hurt by that or not.  As
Cole handed Serena her cup, she beamed up at him, and Bri decided that was her
cue to leave.

She
walked out the glass doors that framed the beach and ocean beyond.  There
was a large stone patio that ran almost the whole length of the house, complete
with a built in fire pit and seating area, as well as an outdoor kitchen. 
Bri walked past the small group sitting around the burning fire pit, to the edge
of the patio and looked out at the ocean.  Inhaling the refreshing sea
air, she enjoyed the soothing sound of the ocean.

“Damn,
Bri,”  She heard a low voice behind her, and turned.  Cole stood
there, gazing at her.

“You
know, you clean up pretty nicely,” he smiled.  Those familiar words took
Bri back to that first night they’d hung out at the pier that summer.  She
noticed Cole looked just as good tonight, in a dark red button down shirt and
his ass-tastic jeans.  His black hair reflected the moonlight, and his
eyes darkened with desire for a moment as he took her in.  Coming back to
himself, he stepped up alongside her, but stood a few feet away.  He
smiled apologetically at her.

“Sorry. 
It’s just that anyone looking out those windows will be able to see us. 
Don’t want to attract unwanted attention.”  He shoved his hands in his
pockets.

“No,
I understand,” she replied softly, a bit disappointed.

“So,”
he asked, looking out at the ocean with her.  “Are you having a good
time?”

“Not
really,” she admitted.  Cole turned his head slightly to look at
her.  “Well, to be fair, I did just get here.  But, Layla’s already
ditched me for some guy, and well, these parties aren’t really my thing, you
know?”

“Oh,
I’m sorry,” his face fell.

Bri
chuckled.  “Don’t be, it’s not your fault.  It’s fine, really. 
I’m just glad you’re talking to me,” she teased.  “Are you having fun?”

“I
am now,” he smiled. 

“So,”
she hedged, “you didn’t tell me this was your birthday party.  You didn’t
even tell me it
was
your birthday.”

“It’s
not.  My birthday was actually last week.  Serena just put up that
banner herself.  I’m not sure what she was thinking,” he shook his head.

“Oh. 
How come you didn’t tell me?”  She tried not to sound hurt.

“Well,
we weren’t exactly friends last week.  I wasn’t sure if you’d care if it
was my birthday or not,” he gave her a self-deprecating smile.

“Cole,”
she admonished.  “Of course I’d care.  I feel bad that I didn’t get
you anything.”

“You
being here is the best present you could give me,” he said sincerely.

Bri
smiled.  “Well then, Happy Birthday!  I’m sorry I’m a little late.”

“Thank
you,” his eyes bore into hers, and Bri’s breath caught.  She felt a
familiar ache in her chest as she gazed at him.  She felt her cheeks flush
and dropped her eyes.

Cole
glanced back at the doors to the house warily.  “Um, Bri, please don’t get
mad, and I know this isn’t the best timing, but any minute now Serena’s going
to come charging out those doors looking for me.  When that happens,
please do not listen to or take seriously anything I say to her.  I’m
going to have to be pretty dismissive, and I don’t want you to think that’s how
I feel.”

“Okay. 
Thanks for the warning,” she replied quietly.

He
let out a frustrated breath.  “It’s too bad we can’t go find a dark closet
somewhere to hide in.  Someplace no one would find us.”

Bri
quirked a brow at him.  “You want me somewhere dark, and secluded, and all
alone with you?” she teased, letting the implication hang.

Cole’s
eyes widened.  “Bri, I swear that’s not what I meant!  I just want to
spend some time alone with you.”  She grinned as he floundered.  “
Talking
! 
That’s all!  I just want to talk!”  His face was bright red.

“Calm
down, Cole,” Bri laughed.  “I know what you meant.  Besides, there are
worse things I could think of than hiding from lame parties and crazy
ex-girlfriends with you.”

“Oh,
yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Well,”
Cole’s eyes danced.  “That’s very good to know!”

“CJ! 
What are you doing out here?”  Serena’s snippy voice demanded from the door. 
Cole and Bri both turned to see a slightly tipsy, very unhappy cheerleader
watching them.

“Nothing,”
Cole shrugged.  “I just needed some air.”

“Were
you talking to
her
?”  Serena glared at Bri.

“Um,
yeah.  So?”