With her arms crossed over her chest, she looked up at Brady and practically whispered, “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be at spring training?”
Her eyes lit with fire for the first time, letting Brady know that for once in a few months, she was showing an ounce of emotion. Him being there rattled her, exactly what he wanted.
“Hey Pip-squeak, good to see you too,” Brady played casually.
“Don’t call me that.”
Brady stepped closer, causing Jane to step back, pushing shoulder blades against the white wall. He pretended her reprimand didn’t slay him. “I can call you whatever I want, Pip-squeak.”
“What are you doing here?” Jane repeated, this time growing more irritated.
Brady made another step closer, closing the space between them.
“Helping out my friend, of course. I’m the best man; I wouldn’t miss the cake testing, one of the most intricate parts of planning a wedding.”
“No, it’s not…” Jane pressed her fingers to her forehead, clearly annoyed with Brady.
“What? Didn’t consider the fact that I would be Marc’s best man?” From the look in her eyes, Brady confirmed his suspicion. She’d overlooked that little nugget of information. “I’m surprised, Jane, I would have thought you would have been more thorough. Get caught up in the flowers?”
Why was he goading her? He kept telling himself to take it easy, to not ruin his chances with Patty about pissing Jane off, but he couldn’t help but love the spark he flared in Jane’s eyes when he spoke. He would take anger over no emotion at all.
“It doesn’t matter,” Jane shook her head. “Why aren’t you at spring training? And don’t tell me it’s because of cake testing.”
“You sound like you’re concerned for my well-being,” Brady said, stepping just an inch closer, her hands against the wall now.
“I’m n-not,” she stuttered at his proximity. “I’m just wondering why you’re here.”
“And I told you why.” Brady placed his hands on Jane’s hips, a small gasp escaping her perfectly glossed lips. “I’m the best man. I want to be there for Marc. Did I skip out on spring training? No, I had an early day, flew out here right after practice to get here. I fly back out tonight.” He rubbed her hips with his thumbs, crossing the personal space boundary. “It just so happens to be in my favor that you’re here as well, something I was looking forward to all day while running sprints and lifting in the weight room.”
“Brady, this isn’t appropriate,” Jane said, looking around.
“I think it isn’t appropriate that you haven’t kissed me yet, let alone given me a hug.” His grip on her grew tighter, the need to have her in his arms strong.
“We’re getting a divorce,” Jane reminded him, like a slap to the face, but he refused to show her how her words affected him.
“We’ll see about that,” Brady replied, keeping one hand on her hip and the other hand right above her head, on the wall. He had to lower himself to be closer to her height. “You look good, Jane,” he whispered in her ear.
Her body was as straight as a rod, her breath barely escaping her lips. From his proximity, he could see goose bumps rise across her arms, forming a smile across his face. She could be tough, but he still saw right through her.
Her hands went to his chest to push him away, but when she found the defined muscles under his shirt, she gasped up at him. He had always been defined; he took great care of his body, given his profession, but ever since things went sour between them, he spent hours upon hours in the gym, letting out his frustrations with iron. From the look in her eyes, she noticed.
“Feel something you like?” Brady asked.
“Uh, no,” Jane tore her hands away and shook them, as if trying to rid the feel of his chest from her fingers.
“I’ve had some spare time lately, figured I would put it to good use.” Brady looked around and then bent down so he was right next to Jane’s ear. “You see, I’m trying to win this girl back. A few years ago, she stole my heart in a club, wearing a killer red dress. To this day, I can’t get her out of my mind, and I will be damned if I let her slip through my fingers. She’s mine and I would do anything, and I fucking mean anything, to make sure she doesn’t get away.”
Jane gulped and met his eyes when he pulled away, his cheek brushing hers. He kept a bit of scruff on his jaw, just the way Jane liked it.
Their noses were millimeters apart, their breath heavy, and Brady’s grip on her hip strong and unyielding. Taking a chance, Brady leaned forward and brushed a kiss on the corner of her mouth, barely touching her lips. Call him crazy, but he swore he felt her press into his side when his lips connected with hers.
Not wanting to push his luck, he pulled away and let go of her. Her breathing was labored, her eyes in shock, and her body as stiff as a board. Brady touched her chin with his thumb and forefinger and gently squeezed. “Better get in there, don’t want them thinking we’re up to no good.”
Without turning back around, Brady walked away from Jane with a giant smile on his face, knowing full well he’d surprised her.
He walked back into the cake testing room to see Marc casually sitting next to Patty, his arm draped over the back of her chair and Susan pointing at cakes in a photo album. Marc glanced up at Brady with a raised eyebrow. Brady winked back just as Jane joined them, looking slightly frazzled.
Brady knew Jane very well, and she was, if anything, a professional. She would never cause a problem when it came to planning someone else’s wedding, so she would put on a good face for Patty and act like Brady’s presence didn’t bother her, an attribute of Jane’s that Brady was counting on.
“Sorry about the delay,” Brady spoke, grabbing Jane’s hand, surprising her once again. “The wife missed me and needed a little alone time. We are now here for you.”
“Aw, I just love you two as a couple,” Susan gushed.
Brady wasn’t surprised. His marriage with Jane was a high profile relationship, thanks to his role with the Atlanta Braves and the crazy way their relationship started. He wasn’t ashamed to say he was going to lean on the popularity of their relationship when in public since their “divorce” wasn’t known by many. Jane would want to put on a good face, and Brady was ready to milk that for all it was worth.
“Thank you. Couldn’t imagine being with anyone else. She is my life,” Brady said. He glanced over at Marc, who gave him a rakish raise of his eyebrow. Brady hid the smile that wanted to plaster itself across his face.
“Shall we get started?” Susan asked, gesturing to the two seats left for Jane and Brady.
“Of course,” Brady said, leading Jane over to the seats and pulling her chair out for her. Once seated, he draped his arm across her chair and snuggled her close. He ignored the stiffening of her body and enjoyed the flowery perfume coming off her hair.
“Marc and Patty are interested in a four tier cake, square, with cascading sugar flowers. I believe we decided on peonies, right?”
“Yes,” Patty confirmed. “Grey, white, and light pink will be the colors, so peonies will be perfect.”
“Oh, Patty, that will be so pretty,” Jane offered with excitement. “It will be a beautiful spring wedding.”
“I agree,” Susan confirmed. “May is a beautiful time to have a wedding in Atlanta. Patty informed me the wedding will be at Summerour Studio.”
“Where’s that?” Brady asked, slightly irritated the venue was already picked. He wanted to be included in as many decisions as possible, because he needed multiple chances to be near Jane.
“Bishop Street. It’s a refurbished warehouse with exposed beams in the ceiling and large glass windows. Absolutely stunning. I’ve done a few weddings there.”
“Sounds nice,” Brady smiled at Patty, and then glared at Marc. He shrugged his shoulders.
“Patty has had her heart set on the venue ever since she planned a wedding there last year,” Marc defended.
Brady would let that one sl
ip by, since Patty already had it picked out.
“It’s going to be gorgeous,” Jane chimed in.
Susan stood from her chair and clapped her hands together. “Are we ready for some cake testing?”
“I sure as hell am,” Brady said, rubbing his stomach.
“It’s why I’m here,” Marc chimed in, receiving a light tap to the belly from Patty.
“Alright, I’ll be right back. Water or champagne?”
“Champagne all around,” Brady answered for everyone, motioning with his finger. “This is cause for celebration, don’t you think, Jane?” Brady squeezed her shoulder and she nodded, not saying a word.
Once Susan left, tension filled the air at the obviously awkward situation from the strain of Brady and Jane’s relationship. Marc tapped his fingers on the table, Patty sifted through pictures, Jane stared at her lap, and Brady kept pulling Jane into his chest, not letting up one bit.
Marc coughed, gaining Brady’s attention. He motioned if Brady wanted them to leave, and Brady nodded, thankful for his best friend.
“Ahh!” Marc said, standing up, grabbing everyone’s attention.
Patty’s face contorted in concern and wonder as to why her fiancé was dancing around in front of her. “Marc, what is going on?”
“I think I have something in my pants. Can you help me?”
Brady refrained from laughing at the idiotic reason to give him and Jane some time.
“If this is some ploy to show me your boner, I’m not falling for it,” Patty scoffed and went back to looking at pictures.
Jane was so preoccupied with a piece of lint on her lap that she didn’t see the obvious exchange of looks between Brady, Patty, and Marc. Quickly picking up on what Marc was trying to say, Patty stood up to help Marc with his “pants problem.”
“Uh, sure. I will help you,” Patty said in a robotic voice. Not very sly.
“Be right back,” Marc called out, leading Patty out of the room.
Once they were gone, Brady turned to Jane. “Meet me outside after cake tasting. I want to talk to you.”
Jane leaned back from him, trying to gain a little bit of space. “Brady, I’m going to be polite and kind around Marc and Patty because I don’t want to ruin this moment for them, but I am not going to keep having this conversation with you. We’re done; I’m not going to hash it out after cake tasting.”
The bitter tone in her voice was a knife to Brady’s gut. They were so not fucking done, and she was in for a very rude awakening about that little idea of hers; Brady would make damn sure of it.
“Not everything is about you, Jane,” Brady snapped. “I want to talk about the wedding and would prefer not to do it in front of them.”
“Oh,” Jane said, looking a little embarrassed.
“But glad to know where you stand.” Brady leaned back away from her, irritated with the situation he was in, not able to dig deep enough for courage to let her words roll off him.
“Brady,” Jane breathed out heavily. “I’m sorry, but what was I supposed to think with the act you’re putting on right now?”
“Act?” Brady asked, sitting up and getting in Jane’s face. “You think this is an act? Sorry, sweetheart, but there is no acting when it comes to you. If I want to touch you, talk to you, kiss you…that is my fucking right because you’re mine. No matter how much you want to deny it. The minute you vowed to be with me through sickness and health is the day you handed over your mind, body, and soul to me. Deal with it.”
Marc, Patty, and Susan all came into the room, carrying cake and champagne glasses. Putting on a happy face, Brady grabbed Jane’s hand and held on tight while grabbing a champagne glass and handing it to her. They all held up their glasses while Brady gave a quick toast.
“To love, finding the person you’re meant to be with, and spending the rest of your life making them happy.”
“Hear, hear!” Susan cheered, happy as could be.
“Here’s to love,” Marc winked at Patty.
They all took a sip from their champagne flutes and then set them on the table. Brady looked over at the cake plates and said, “Now, where is the chocolate cake? I know a little Pip-squeak who would love to try a bite. Isn’t that right, babe?” Brady shoved Jane’s shoulder lightly with his, causing a small smile to peek past her lips.
“That’s right. Show me the chocolate cake.”
**Jane**
Two plates of cake later, four glasses of champagne, and with a rapidly beating heart, Jane sat on the front couch of the bakery, tipsy and heavily confused.
When she accepted Patty’s invite to pick out the cake today, the thought of Brady being there never crossed her mind, but the moment she saw him she knew she was in trouble. Last time she saw him, he was wearing a suit, which covered up his physique, but this go around was different. Thanks to the tight fitting shirt he was wearing, she saw every contour of his well-defined chest. He wasn’t kidding when he said he spent more time in the gym. He was an athletic powerhouse that had her yearning to get to know him again.
But she wasn’t going to go there. She couldn’t. So much had happened between them, so much Jane could never get back for him, and Brady deserved more, he deserved better. He deserved a whole woman, not half.
“Thank you so much, Susan, we had a great time and we can’t wait to see what you create for us,” Patty said to Susan, as she and Marc walked toward the door, hand in hand.
Brady was in the bathroom and Jane was trying not to slide off the couch She wasn’t by any means wasted, but given that fact that she rarely ate food and then shoved cake down her throat for the last hour put her in a strange kind of sugary, champagne comatose.
“You ready?” Brady asked, walking up to the group.
“We are. You’re going to drive Jane’s car, right?”
What?!
Jane looked up to see the conspiratory look on Marc’s face. Damn him! Jane should have known better…this was all construed by Marc and Brady. No matter what happened, Marc would always be Brady’s best friend; therefore, he would do what he could to make sure his friend was happy, even if it meant using his own wedding to get them together.
Well played, Jane thought.
“That’s not necessary,” Jane stood up, wobbling slightly as she tried to catch her balance. “I can take care of my car.”
“Not going to happen, babe,” Brady grabbed ahold of her waist and pulled her in tightly.
Reluctantly, Jane settled into his side, taking in the clean smell of his soap and the strong muscles running down the side of his body. No matter how much she pushed him away, begging for him to move on, she would still crave him.
“Thanks for the help,” Patty said, pulling Jane into a hug, temporarily removing her from Brady’s grasp, but then she was quickly plastered against him again once Patty let go.
“You’re welcome,” Jane replied, wondering if the look in Patty’s eyes reflected a light twinge of regret for what she put her through today. If there was any regret, it was minor, because before Jane could confirm it, Patty was all smiles as she looked up at her fiancé.
“Let’s get out of here, Pip-squeak,” Brady whispered into her ear, his warm breath against her ear, sending chills down her arm.
“I want to just go home,” Jane said, walking out to her car with Brady at her side. “I don’t want to go anywhere else. I don’t know what you have planned.”
“Don’t worry; I’m taking you home,” Brady said quietly, opening the door for her.
The car ride was silent. Even though they weren’t in public, Brady still held onto her hand, gripping it for dear life, making it impossible for Jane to get away. If she had to admit it, a little part of her reveled in the feel of his hand linked with hers. She missed him, that was for sure, but not enough to forget.
Darkness overcame her as her sleepy eyes betrayed her and she fell asleep on the way back to Albert’s house, thoughts of Brady swirling in her head. He was putting up one hell of a fight, somethi
ng she wasn’t expecting when she first left him a few months ago.
“Jane, wake up. We’re home.” Brady’s lips caressed her forehead, bringing her from the champagne fog she was in.
When she opened her eyes, she didn’t see Albert’s place; instead, in front of her was the home she and Brady shared together.
“What are we doing here?” Jane asked, panic starting to rise in her chest.
“You told me to bring you home. This is your home, Jane. No matter how much you try to deny it.”
Before she could reply, Brady was out of the car and opening her door, helping her out. Her legs were still wobbly from lack of food and too much alcohol, so Brady picked her up and cradled her to his chest, kicking the car door shut with his foot.
Jane’s stomach flipped inside of her, sending nerves up and down her spine. Her heart beat rapidly in her chest from the closeness of Brady, from the familiarity of his scent, of his bulky arms holding her tightly, as if she was only the weight of a feather down pillow.
Impressed with his ability to open the door while holding her, she allowed him to take her up to their bedroom, not able to fight from being too tired, tired from everything they had been through and tired from the long day of pushing back the need for him.
Gently, he placed her on the bed they once shared. Not one thing had changed since she left, not that she expected him to make any changes, but the thought did cross her mind and she’d wondered if he got rid of any of her possessions. Looking around, she noticed nothing had been moved; it was as if she never left.
Brady looked down at her from a standing position and then moved down to her feet, where he grabbed her heels off her feet and quietly placed them on the floor. Jane watched as he retreated away from her, the muscles in his back flexing with each move he made. He walked over to his dresser, grabbed a T-shirt and brought it back to her, where he rested it on the bed.