Beautiful Mess(11)

“This plan better not involve another group of testosterone fueled, touchy-feely guys. Because if it does, you’re on your own.” Bri exited the car.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Bri,” Carly chided. “You worry too much. It’s going to give you wrinkles. No, this plan doesn’t involve anyone but me, Cole, and Dalton.”

“Dalton?”

“He’s my boyfriend. You’ve listened to me talk about him, and to him, this whole week!”

Bri hadn’t heard Carly talk about any Dalton at all. Bri was pretty certain this Dalton didn’t exist.

“Why would a plan to get Cole involve a fake boyfriend?” Bri was confused.

“Ugh, Bri, you don’t get anything! And Dalton is not fake! Guys like Cole are only interested in what they can’t have. When he finds out that I have a boyfriend, that someone else wants me, he’ll want me, too. The whole forbidden love thing will kick in and will be too much for him to resist. He’ll be all over me!”

This was the worst plan Bri had heard.

“Don’t you think Cole is too smart to fall for something this obvious and stupid?”

“Please,” Carly scoffed. “Guys like Cole aren’t known for their brains. And his brains aren’t what I’m after anyway.”

“Carly,” she made one last ditch effort. “The only thing all your plans and schemes have proven is that your theories about boys are completely insane! Are you sure you want to put yourself through this again? Why don’t you just get over it and move on?”

“This coming from the girl who’s barely dated and never had a boyfriend in her life,” Carly replied snidely. “Watch and learn. Who knows, if you follow my advice, you just might lose your virgin lip status before you graduate.”

Again, none of those things were true. Again, Carly was not the kind of person you wanted knowing the intimate details of your life. So, once again, Bri let the comment pass.

“Now,” Carly said as they spotted Cole. “Just follow my lead, and don’t screw this up!” She walked up to him, her demeanor completely changing. “Hi Cole!” she smiled sweetly at him.

Cole looked a little taken aback and worried, but he quickly covered it with a smile.

“Hi Psy...uh, Carly,” he caught himself. Bri had to stifle a laugh. Apparently Carly’s nickname was a keeper. “Hello, Bri,” he winked at her.

“So Cole, today I kind of need a favor, and was hoping you could help me out?” Carly pleaded with a pathetic smile.

“Okay...” he replied hesitantly. He looked more than worried. He looked down right scared.

“You see,” Carly began, “I was talking to my boyfriend Dalton last night...”

“Boyfriend?” he interrupted, looking confused.

“Yes, my boyfriend back in Phoenix. Anyway, I told him about that beautiful drawing you did of me and Bri, and he said he’d like one too. So, I need you to do another drawing, of just me this time, that I can take back to Dalton.”

“Um, okay, I guess.”

“Great! Dalton will be so excited!”

“Sure he will,” Bri muttered under her breath.

“Oh, and Bri, since you’re not needed here, you should go shopping. Or go find a nice spot to read,” Carly sneered. She pulled Bri in close and whispered in her ear. “I don’t really care what you do, just don’t be here!”

“Or,” Cole interrupted, “you could hang out here if you want?” His eyes pleaded with Bri not to leave him alone with Carly.

The glare Carly gave Bri made her decision.

“Okay, I’ll stay. If you really want me to,” she smiled at Cole.

“Sure I do,” he smiled back, relieved.

“Fine, whatever,” Carly grunted and stomped over to the bench. “Let’s just get this over with.”

Cole grabbed his supplies and sat down. It didn’t take nearly as long for this portrait as it had the last. He was done in just over five minutes.

“Well, here you go,” he handed Carly the drawing.

“Wow Cole, I think this is even better than the other one you did! Dalton will be thrilled! Do you mind if I call him real fast to tell him?”

“Nope, go right ahead.” Cole took the drawing, rolled it up, and tied it with his signature black ribbon.

“I’ll be just a second,” Carly smiled as she pulled out her phone and stepped away.

“Hey,” Cole said to Bri as soon as Carly was immersed in her conversation. A conversation Bri was ninety percent sure was fake. “Thanks for not leaving me alone with Psycho over there. I really appreciate it!”

“No problem! I just thought you might’ve wanted to talk to her, though. Put her out of her misery?”