Page 74 of For the Boys
“Finally. We were beginning to think you got lost,” Justin’s fiancée, Aimee, said. When Brent caught up and stood next to Berkley, she added. “Who’s your friend?”
“Oh, right,” Berkley said, passing out the drinks. “Everyone, this is Brent. Brent, this is Grace, Audrey, Ty, Justin, and Aimee.”
Berkley was pretty sure that, had it not been physically impossible, Justin’s and Tyler’s jaws would have hit the floor like a couple of cartoon characters. Berkley should have expected they would recognize him. They recovered quickly, taking turns shaking Brent’s outstretched hand.
“Berkley,” Ty stage-whispered, “did you know your boyfriend is Brent Jean?”
Berkley stiffened at the use of the word “boyfriend” but said, “I told you I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it!”
“This is crazy,” Justin said, running his hands through his hair. “I can’t believe I’m sitting across the table from Brent Jean. Why didn’t you warn us he’d be here?”
Berkley pressed close to Brent once he pulled up another chair, resting her head on his shoulder. “I didn’t even know he was coming! He has a terrible habit of surprising me.”
“You know she hates that, right?” Grace asked Brent.
“So I’ve heard.” Everyone laughed. Brent turned his attention to Berkley. “You never did tell me who Lee is.”
Berkley swallowed, and everyone at the table stilled. “He’s my ex.”
“Berkley dumped a full drink on his head earlier,” Justin offered.
“What a waste of alcohol,” she muttered.
“Why’d you do that?” Brent asked.
Berkley shrugged. “He was being his usual prick self, so he deserved it. When Grace and I got here, he hit on me.”
Brent’s hand, which was resting on Berkley’s thigh, clenched into a fist. “Is he still here?”
Grace nodded toward the bar. “There.”
Brent’s jaw clenched. “I’m going to go have a chat with him.”
“Brent, no. That’s—” Berkley started to protest, but he was already gone.
She watched in horror as Brent sidled up to Lee and tapped him on the shoulder. Once she’d thought Lee was tall, but the height difference between him and Brent was comical. Brent was a full head taller, and just…bigger. Bigger body, bigger presence. Brent jabbed his finger into Lee’s chest several times, punctuating whatever he was saying, and Berkley turned away.
When Brent came back, she struck up a conversation with Grace to avoid speaking to him until she got her anger in check. Next to cheaters, Berkley didn’t tolerate possessiveness and overt jealousy well. She was no one’s property, and she refused to be treated as such.
By the time midnight rolled around, everyone but Brent was decidedly very drunk. When the clock struck midnight, Brent pulled Berkley onto his lap and kissed her dizzy.
“Happy New Year,” she whispered in his ear. Alcohol had cleansed her bad mood, and she nuzzled his neck.
“The first of many together, I hope.”
They didn’t last much longer at the bar after that. Audrey had left well before the calendar turned to the new year, Grace and Ty had already disappeared to God knows where, and Justin and Aimee were itching to get home to their daughter.
“Where are you staying?” Berkley asked as they exited the bar into the cold night.
“The Holiday Inn,” he replied. Berkley was glad it was only a few blocks away and texted her mom on the walk, explaining how Brent had shown up, she was staying with him in town, and that she’d see her in the morning.
Once in Brent’s room, the first thing Berkley did was sprawl out on the bed.
“My feet hurt,” she whined.
“I can help with that,” Brent said, pulling off her shoes. He crawled onto the bed next to her and pulled her feet into his lap.
“I’m really glad you’re here,” she told him, body relaxing as he kneaded the arch of her left foot.
