Delayed Call Read online

  Looking up, she saw her best friend and smiled. Mekena, like always, looked classically beautiful, covered head to toe in modest clothing. She was always so cute, while Brie tiptoed on the line between vagrant and dressed to the nines. There was no middle ground for her. At that moment, she was wearing jeans and a big Assassins sweatshirt. No one would see her but the team, and she just hadn’t had it in her to get ready that morning.

  “I just accused the guy that owns the little community that we’re looking into for Rodney of flirting with me, and then I told him to stay away from me.”

  Mekena blinked and then almost fell over laughing. “What is wrong with you? You’re more awkward than me!”

  Covering her face, Brie shook her head. “I don’t know. He has this deep, sexy voice, and it keeps getting deeper each time he talks. And then he has this laugh, and, yeah, I’m dumb and need to get laid.”

  Mekena choked. “I’m sorry.”

  “No, you’re not. You’re already texting Markus about it.”

  Slowly tucking her phone into her pocket, Mekena shook her head. “Never.”

  “Yeah, you’re a horrible best friend.”

  Mekena grinned. “Technically, this is a one-sided best friendship. I’m sure Avery would kill me if I gave her title away.”

  Brie rolled her eyes at the mention of Mekena’s other best friend, who lived in Florida. Mekena and Avery had been friends since college, which was only like two years ago, but still. “You can have more than one best friend, you weirdo.”

  “Oh, I’ll have to talk to Avery about that.” Mekena was extremely sweet and loyal. While Brie appreciated that, it kind of annoyed her. But then she felt pathetic. Why did she need a best friend? She had Rodney. She didn’t need anyone else. “But I do love you.”

  “I know.”

  “You’re upset.”

  Biting the inside of her cheek, Brie shrugged. “I’m just stressed.”

  Reaching out, Mekena took her hand in hers. “I know, I’m sorry. We can be best friends.”

  Brie laughed. “I don’t want your pity best friendship! Also, do you know how pathetic we sound right now? We aren’t in high school.”

  Mekena nodded. “I know, but you know I’m here for you.”

  Brie squeezed her hand. “I know. Thank you.” Letting out a long, dramatic sigh, she smiled over at her best friend. “Hey, what are you doing after this?”

  Letting her head fall back, Mekena shook her head sadly. “Markus is making me take my cat to the vet.”

  “Is Mr. Right okay?”

  Mekena nodded. “Yes, but he isn’t losing weight anymore, and Markus says it’s my fault because I overfeed him when he isn’t looking.”

  Brie laughed. “Do you?”

  Mekena shrugged. “Maybe, but I can’t tell Markus that. He takes the cat on walks. He’ll kill me.”

  “You’re killing the cat.”

  “You’re my best friend, Brie, what the hell?

  “I thought this was a one-sided relationship?”

  “Only when Avery is around!” They both dissolved into laughter as Brie shook her head. Mekena, Markus, and their cat were a comedy hour, she swore. That damn cat had the personality of an old man and was the size of a cow. Markus was on a mission to get Mr. Right healthy, but Mekena couldn’t stop with the treats, which resulted in the cat almost mooing instead of meowing. “Anyway, ready to go downstairs?”

  Coming off the wall, Brie nodded her head just as she caught a glance of Jensen walking in from the outside. “Yes, but I gotta talk to Jensen first.”

  “Oh, why?” Mekena caught up with Brie as she headed toward him. “He is so hot.”

  “He is, you engaged person you, so eyes off,” she teased and Mekena laughed.

  “I know darn well that isn’t the person you want, but there’s the one you do.”

  Groaning when she saw Vaughn, Brie glared back at her. “Shut it, Preston.”

  Mekena snickered, but Brie ignored her as she stepped in front of Jensen, stopping his forward progress. “Whoa, Brie.”

  “Hey, Jensen.” She waved awkwardly and then smiled, hoping she didn’t come off too weird as she looked up into his gorgeous face. Jensen Monroe could honestly be a model. He had the jawline of a Calvin Klein poster boy, and his body was pure gold. But for some reason, she was more attracted to the douche canoe who was behind him. “Listen, I wanted to apologize for the way I acted yesterday. I was upset and stressed, and I took it out on you.”

  His lips quirked as he waved her off. “No worries. I’m glad you said something, though, since I felt like shit.”

  She smiled. “I figured you’re not a douche. So, yeah, sorry.”

  “No biggie. Are you all moved in?”

  “Not all the way, but I’m good.”

  “Okay, well, let us know if you need help.”

  When he said us, Brie’s eyes cut to Vaughn who was smiling smugly, watching her. With her eyes narrowing, she asked, “Why are you smiling at me?”

  His grin grew. “I’m waiting for my apology.”

  She glared. “Oh, you’ll be waiting a long time because there isn’t one for you.”

  “Why does he get one?”

  “Because he’s not a douche.”

  “Neither am I.”

  “Um, yes, you are. One hundred percent sure on that,” she said, turning to walk off.

  Though, she didn’t get far before he called to her. “You know nothing, Brie Soledad.”

  Looking over her shoulder, she scowled at him. “I will not applaud you on that Game of Thrones reference because you probably don’t even know you made it. You probably have SportsCenter on repeat.”

  He scoffed. “Oh, baby, I just so Ygritte-ed you.”

  She glared, though she was impressed. “You’re not cool.”

  “I’m so cool, I’m ice.” Jensen and Mekena both snorted with laughter, but Brie’s eyes stayed glued to Vaughn as his eyes burned into hers. Her body was hot, and her hands were shaking so badly that she tucked them into her sweatshirt as she held his heated gaze. She didn’t understand this stupid pull he had on her, but man, he was sexy. She loved the way his hair fell in his eyes and how his face was covered in a seemingly permanent five-o’clock shadow that should be illegal. No one should be able to be that gorgeous all rough-looking, but Vaughn did it with ease, and that annoyed the fuck out of her.

  Something insane.

  “You wish you were even an ounce as cool as me.”

  Lord, he was a cocky mother! Turning to face him, she held his gaze as her eyes were in such slits she was surprised she could see. “Obviously, I’m cooler because you made me Jon Snow. So, really, who’s the coolest?”

  “I think you’re both losers,” Jensen decided between his laughter.

  “Touché, Ms. Soledad.”

  His eyes darkened, and something about the way he said her name swirled desire deep in her gut. Her eyes were still narrowed, and she didn’t like that he loved the same show she did. Though, she was pretty sure the whole world loved the popular masterpiece. But one thing was for sure, she didn’t like Vaughn, not even a little bit.

  Not even kind of.

  Because of that, she made sure to be ready to interview him. She had spent most of the night and morning watching tapes and coming up with two questions that she was sure would stun him. After talking to most of the team, asking them about the game the following day and how they were ready to bounce back from the loss the night before, she was ready. It was an easy day for the most part because media day was mainly for the rest of the reporters, who asked more in-depth questions, while the interviews Brie was doing were for sound bites for the Assassins’ preshow the next day. She had two questions for each of the players, and while everyone else was nice and loved talking to her, she knew it was going to be complete hell with Vaughn. Yeah, they may have had that moment upstairs, but when he came through the doors, his brows were pressed together and he looked annoyed.

  But she was ready.