A Light in the Dark_Survival of the Fittest Read online

  “A nice lady named Rosa works for me and she does some of the cooking and cleaning. And, I have a trainer who I work with on occasion, but that’s about it.”

  Brie grinned and kissed his chest, then slid down and placed a trail of kisses down his torso until she stopped to hover over the crevice between his hip bone and his dick. “Your trainer has earned every penny.”

  As she continued down, his stomach tightened, her mouth teasing him until he couldn’t keep still. His trainer was getting a raise.

  Chapter 22

  Brie jogged away from the bus stop as she hurried to meet up with Jessica. The winter wind was brutal against her cheeks stinging enough to make her eyes water, but not enough to dim her mood. Over the last week, when she wasn’t working tirelessly to finish the mural at The Splash Pad, she’d been in bed with Bailey. She’d never been in a relationship where she hadn’t craved her own space after a few days and it was exhilarating.

  A squeal pierced the air.

  “It’s about time.” Jessica ran toward her, snatched her up into a hug, and spun around. “It feels like it’s been forever, which is either because I missed your face or because I was trapped inside the house with my bloody family.”

  “Gee thanks.”

  When she finally released her, they hurried toward the abandoned factory building looming before them and Jess looped her arm through Brie’s.

  “I’m kidding. You know I love you.” She pulled back and narrowed her eyes.

  “What?” Brie ran a hand over her hair. Between the wind and her scarf there was no telling what she looked like. “What is it?”

  “You look different.” Jessica broke out into a grin and pointed a finger donning no less than three rings at her. “You slut. I know exactly what’s going on here. You’ve been getting laid on the regular.”

  Brie’s face burned despite the temperature.

  “I knew it.” Jessica squealed again and jumped up and down a few times.

  “Okay, okay. Calm down.” Brie glanced around the street, but no one was paying them any attention. One guy passed on the opposite side of the street, but like everyone else, he had his face buried behind a scarf. “In all seriousness, you look happy.”

  Brie grinned. “I am.”

  They embraced in the middle of the sidewalk. Jessica understood what it meant for her to have found someone. She’d held her head in her lap and listened to her tears more than a few times. They released each other, but remained shivering near a large brick wall, white graffiti the only thing to distinguish it from all the other brick buildings in the Art District in downtown London.

  “Have you gotten to see Cohen yet?”

  “No, but as soon as we get back I’m going to hunt him down.”

  When Jessica made a low growl in her throat, Brie shook her head. “How romantic.”

  “Screw romance. I need to get some serious action. I’m talking toe-curling, headboard banging action.”

  Brie nodded once. “Thank you for that spectacularly vivid picture.”

  “You bet. Now, let’s get in there and marvel at how fabulous this art show is going to be.”

  They started for the large barn-style door and paused to gawk at the sheer size of it. “Can you believe this place? It’s completely mental.”

  Brie bumped her hip into Jessica’s. “And, you’re going to show here.”

  Her flatmate pulled to an abrupt stop. “Oh my God, don’t say it out loud. I might chunder.”

  “You’ll be great.” Brie nudged her along with her shoulder. “Now, come on. It’s bloody freezing out here.”

  The space was as impressive on the inside as it seemed from the outside. The ceiling was over thirty feet high, the walls composed of exposed brick, and metal beams crisscrossed over their heads completing the industrial feel of the place. Half-walls were constructed and scattered throughout to transform the space from a factory into a gallery.

  “Hey, I need to run talk to the lady at the desk and find out exactly where my stuff is going to be and all that. Are you okay to look around for a bit?”

  Brie nodded and then strode off in the direction of some black and white photographs mounted to the outer walls, her footsteps echoing off the concrete floor as she moved. She recognized the building in the first image. It was the warehouse, but based on the photo quality and upon further scrutiny, the surrounding streets shown, it was the building when it was new.

  The second picture was also of the factory, but it was clearer and the streets surrounding it were congested. When she reached the end of the row, she read the plaque explaining the history of the place and then froze when her own history sounded from behind her.

  At the familiar whistle she stiffened from her shoulders to her knees. It was a sound she would know anywhere. Her core turned to ice at the same time fury welled in her chest. She spun around on her heel.

  “Theo.”

  He clucked his tongue at her, but stopped a good distance away. “Isn’t this an interesting surprise?”

  “I’d say it’s more of an unfortunate coincidence.” She had no intention of spending any more time on Theo and started to head off in the direction of the desk to find Jessica. Theo stepped into her path, blocking her. “Move, Theo,” her voice was low, but strong. He didn’t have power over her anymore.

  He leaned in close to her ear, the smell of cigarettes and paint she’d once found exciting, now threatening to turn her stomach. “I’m glad we ran into each other. I wanted you to know that your boyfriend paid well for you.”

  She inhaled through her nose and raised her hand to slap his face, but he grabbed her arm.

  “Ah, ah, ah. I wouldn’t if I was you.”

  Fuming, she yanked her hand out of his grip.

  “Your boy can only help you to a point, but if you hit me . . . he grimaced, it wouldn’t end well for you with or without your boy to pay your way. Assault is a very serious crime.”

  “I hate you.” She shook her head. “No, that’s not true because hating you would mean I spend time worrying about you and what you think and I don’t. If anything, I pity you.”

  Theo laughed loud and full. “Come now, Brie don’t say that. We both know I’m the best you ever had.”

  She bit back a harsh laugh of her own. He was the dullest of lovers compared to Bailey who always made sure to please her. He knew her mind as well as her body which was something she never would’ve said about Theo.

  “Why are you here, Theo?”

  “It’s the art, love. I go where it takes me. But, one thing’s for sure, I’m thoroughly enjoying spending your new man’s money. You turned out to be a pretty good investment after all.”

  “Piss off, Theo.”

  He pulled a crushed pack of cigarettes out of his back pocket and tapped it on the palm of his hand as he circled her. “Tell me something, Brie. How long do you think you’ll be able to hold onto ol’ Richie Rich? Because, let’s be honest, you’re not overly pretty, and in bed? Well, I got bored and I don’t have nearly the same amount of pussy buffet to choose from as a guy like that.”

  When her cheeks burned with the fire of a thousand suns, he laughed.

  She closed her eyes for a half second and ground her teeth. She didn’t have to put up with his abuse anymore and she wouldn’t.

  “You know what, Theo? Someday you’re going to run out of money and someday your looks are going to fade, a day not too far off it would seem, and you know what? You’re going to be left with nothing. And, no one. So, you can act high and mighty if you’d like, but the truth of the matter is you’re nothing.”

  The smirk slid off his face.

  “What no witty comeback? No more threats to make?”

  At the sound of footsteps, Theo tucked his cigarette behind his ear and strode off
, but this time he wasn’t whistling as he went.

  “Brie,” Jessica appeared at her side, “what happened? You look terrible.” When Brie didn’t turn, Jessica craned her neck to try to follow her gaze. “Who did you see?”

  “Theo.”

  Jessica started in the direction he’d gone. “That son of bitch. He’s not supposed to be anywhere near you.”

  Brie touched her friend’s shoulder. “No, don’t. Let him go.”

  Jess turned back around, scanned her face, and then seeming to be pleased enough by her appearance, nodded. “Okay, but know I’d rather let him go off the side of a cliff.”

  As they started for the door, leaving Theo behind, Brie couldn’t shake his words. She should she knew, sticks and stones and all, but he’d known the exact way to dig at her that would inflict the most damage. And, though it would’ve been wrong to hit him, she couldn’t help but think for a few moments it would’ve been worth it.

  “Ugh, I wonder why he was even here. The upcoming showcase is for students.”

  “Who knows?” Brie shrugged. “Theo’s always been good at showing up where he’s not wanted.”

  They slid the large door back into place behind them and set off to find a cab. As they walked, Brie’s mind whirled as fast as the wind tugging at their scarves.

  “How did I ever end up with someone like Theo? I mean, how did I not see him for who he truly is?”

  Jessica blew out a breath and looped her arm through Brie’s. “I don’t know. You were young, out in the world on your own for the first time, and let’s not forget he’s a con artist. Plain and simple. And, at least you have some sort of excuse. What about the rest of us? It isn’t like you’re the only one who’s ever dated a loser. We’ve all been there. Do you remember that one guy, Linus?”

  “Was he the one with the hairless cat?”

  “No, that was Blake. Linus was the one with the clown porn stash.”

  Despite the whirlwind of emotions she was struggling to sort through, she couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled up inside her. “God, I’d forgotten about him.”

  Jessica gave off an over exaggerated shudder, shaking their linked arms. “That’s one I’ll never forget.”

  They laughed the rest of the way down the street until they stumbled across a waiting cab. She’d never been more thankful for the woman beside her or her ability to make her get out of her own head. All she needed now was to feel Bailey’s arms around her.

  ~ ~ ~

  The traffic remained congested around the entirety of London-Heathrow until their little group was able to split off to the private sector. As they passed through a gate, Bailey stared out the window of the first of the two dark SUVs shuttling them to the airport. Several large and a handful of smaller jets sat idle waiting for their intended passengers.

  The cars glided to a stop near one of the larger planes and the stairs folded down. While they gathered to say their goodbyes, the drivers unloaded their bags and handed them off to the waiting crewmembers.

  “Let us know when you get ready to head back our way and we’ll be ready for you.” Lexie leaned in and hugged Bailey tight. “You know we miss you, but we’re glad you’re happy.”

  “I miss you guys, too. Thanks for making the trip over.”

  Leo was next, his hideous Christmas sweater featuring zombie elves scratching his face as he pulled him into a headlock. “Bailey, come back soon. There’s some serious wave action needing your attention.”

  He shoved Leo away and punched him in the arm. “Definitely.”

  “Alright, man. Take it easy.” David gave him a half hug and then jogged up the steps and disappeared inside the plane.

  The others followed with one more kiss on the cheek from Lexie and an ass slap from Leo—which he hadn’t been fast enough to block—leaving only he and his brother.

  “You know Lexie’ll probably cry half the flight.” Oliver tucked his hands in his back pockets and dug the tip of his boot into the ground. “She misses you.”

  “I’m sure you can think of a way to keep her busy.”

  Oliver’s eyes twinkled while a sly grin spread across his face. “I’m sure I can.”

  “Okay then. You’d better get going.” Bailey hugged him and then pulled back. “Thanks for making the trip.”

  “Yeah man. It was no problem.” They stood and watched a member of the ground crew run around underneath the plane and unhook a couple of different hoses each prolonging the inevitable.

  “Hey, B,” Oliver kept his eyes on the guy in the orange jumpsuit, but his tone was serious. “I know when you first mentioned that you wanted to do this that I wasn’t exactly . . . you know, bursting with excitement at the idea.”

  “You were just being cautious,” Bailey offered to try to ease some of the guilt he could sense in his brother. He’d had lots of questions when they’d talked and had made clear he was worried about him being so far away from his regular doctors.

  “Yeah, maybe, but at that point I knew you were fine. Thank, Christ for that, by the way.”

  Bailey grinned. “You aren’t kidding.”

  Oliver smiled back and turned toward him. “I think some of it was that I didn’t know what to do with myself. It’d been a long time since you hadn’t needed me and I don’t know, I think a part of me was unsure about what to do without you around.”

  Bailey shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “I’m sorry, bro. I didn’t realize—”

  Oliver raised a hand and waved it. “No, no, no. It wasn’t your job to stick around just so I could feel useful, but with you setting out and the band taking a break, and I know I have Lexie,” he glanced toward the plane where she was waiting inside, “but even she has a job. I guess I was a little lost.”

  He shook his head, “Anyway, I say all that because I want you to know I think what you’re doing over here is pretty great. You’ve always been meant for more and you’re happier than I’ve seen you in ages. And, between you and me, Brie’s pretty great, too.”

  Bailey reached out and pulled his brother into a bear hug. “Thanks, man.” They slapped each other on the back and cleared their throats.

  “Okay, that’s enough of that touchy-feely crap.” Oliver did a little shake to ward off any welling emotion. “Get your ass back to your place and go study or something. We can’t have you failing out of here.” Oliver jogged toward the steps. “It’ll make the band look bad.”

  “Hey, Oliver.”

  His brother turned around when he reached the top step and Bailey threw him a memory stick. Oliver glanced down at the palm of his hand. “Is this what I think it is?”

  “Take a listen and let me know what you think.”

  Oliver nodded to him, a huge grin on his face. “Play on, brother.”

  “Play on.” Bailey broke out into a wide smile. It’d been a long time since his brother had said that to him. It was what he said anytime he sensed a change on the horizon. He’d said it the first time he’d invited the other guys to hear Bailey play and they’d offered him a place in the band, and again when they’d signed with a label for the first time. Maybe he sensed something in the air for Bailey now, too.

  Chapter 23

  Brie bounced on her toes for warmth while she waited for Bailey to open the door. Today was a day for celebrating and she couldn’t think of a better way than a little alone time with her favorite American. A puff of white escaped her mouth a moment before she tucked her chin down further into her scarf. She wouldn’t have braved the cold, but Cohen and Jess were at her place making up for lost time or working out their mutual stress or whatever.

  Brie put the door to her back and stared out over the yard and beyond. The fresh snow on the ground was pure white, untouched from foot traffic and yet to be turned into slush on the roads. It was beauti
ful and reminded her of being a kid again. Caught somewhere between nostalgia and a giddy sense of accomplishment, she bounded off the steps and into the fluff.

  “Hey there.” Bailey jumped to the side as she sent a snowball in his direction. “Oh, so it’s going to be like that, is it?” He leaped over the steps and into the snow with bare arms and his shoes unlaced at his feet.

  “Do California boys actually know how to throw snowballs?” She launched another one at his back and beamed with pleasure when it hit its target.

  He turned and sent a wad of snow flying with surprising speed. She squealed and took off running, packing more snow together as she went. He chased her around the side of the townhouse, his steps crunching against the snow.

  “I know you’re back here,” he taunted in a singsong voice. “Come out come out wherever you are.”

  She giggled and then pressed a hand over her mouth.

  “Got ya.” He grabbed her around the middle and crushed a snowball onto her head and though her toboggan was protecting her, it didn’t stop some of the snow from slipping between her neck and shirt.

  She laughed and wriggled against him as the snow melted down her back.

  “Are you ready to surrender?”

  “Yes,” she managed through her laughter, “You win. You win.”

  He took her hand and led her inside. “God, it’s freezing. I’m not sure I’m ever getting used to this.”

  She unwound her scarf and slid out of her jacket. “Yuck, my back is wet.”

  Bailey pressed up against her and hooked a finger under her chin. “Let me see if I can help you with that.” He kissed her mouth and then tugged her shirt over her head, before letting his hands slide up and down her back.

  “Ahh, your hands are so cold,” she cried against his mouth.