Breaking Elle

  Breaking Elle

  Copyright © 2013 by Antoinette Candela

  Cover by Wicked by Design (https://www.facebook.com/WickedByDesignRobinHarper)

  Photo Provided by Jovan Charlton (http://www.jovanimages.com)

  Edited by Katie Mac

  Interior Design by Angela McLaurin, Fictional Formats

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the author.

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and the punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  Breaking Elle is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Chapter 1—Elle

  Chapter 2—Reed

  Chapter 3—Elle

  Chapter 4—Elle

  Chapter 5—Reed

  Chapter 6—Elle

  Chapter 7—Reed

  Chapter 8—Elle

  Chapter 9—Elle

  Chapter 10—Reed

  Chapter 11—Elle

  Chapter 12—Elle

  Chapter 13—Elle

  Chapter 14—Reed

  Chapter 15—Elle

  Chapter 16—Reed

  Chapter 17—Elle

  Chapter 18—Reed

  Chapter 19—Elle

  Chapter 20—Elle

  Chapter 21—Elle

  Chapter 22—Elle

  Chapter 23—Reed

  Chapter 24—Elle

  Chapter 25—Elle

  Chapter 26—Elle

  Chapter 27—Reed

  Chapter 28—Reed

  Chapter 29—Elle

  Chapter 30—Reed

  Chapter 31—Reed

  Chapter 32—Elle

  Chapter 33—Reed

  Chapter 34—Elle

  Chapter 35—Elle

  Chapter 36—Reed

  Chapter 37—Elle

  Chapter 38—Elle

  Chapter 39—Reed

  Chapter 40—Elle

  Chapter 41—Reed

  Chapter 42—Elle

  Chapter 43—Reed

  Chapter 44—Elle

  Chapter 45—Reed

  Chapter 46—Elle

  Chapter 47—Reed

  Chapter 48—Elle

  Chapter 49—Reed

  Chapter 50—Elle

  Chapter 51—Reed

  Acknowledgements

  It’s going to be a long night. Evelyn has already ditched me for some random dude at the other end of the bar. I laugh to myself as I watch her. She’s full of energy, and stunning at five feet five, with sculpted legs from ballet, dark brown hair that falls to the middle of her back, and dark brown eyes. She has no problem attracting men, which may be one of the reasons her boyfriend broke up with her. I don’t think she shed a single tear over the demise of her relationship. If she did, she wiped it away as fast as the shot she took from her new boy toy. It looks as though she’s rebounding.

  I’ve been with my boyfriend Cane for two years and don’t usually do the bar scene, but Evelyn wanted to come to the Gypsy Bar for a girls’ night out. Most college students and twenty somethings like to frequent this place in Boston because of its reputation for the best DJ’s, music, and crowds. In Evelyn’s words, it’s the best of everything. Her main motivation for coming is because you can find the best-looking men.

  Seeing that Evelyn is in good hands, I turn to the bar that takes up the entire far wall. The shelves climb eight rows high, displaying every kind of liquor imaginable. Neon signs, interesting artwork, and framed photos of the owner with celebrities and famous athletes who’ve patronized the bar cover the other walls.

  The music is pleasantly deafening with the DJ playing a mix of Rihanna’s “We Found Love” that has my body swaying to the rhythm. The dance floor swarms with a confusing, hot mass of bodies. I could loosen up just a bit, but I’ve never been out with Evelyn. I don’t know how much drama she’s capable of, and I’m not quite sure if I want to find out.

  “What’s your pleasure?” The tall blonde, blue-eyed guy wiping the bar asks.

  “Heineken.” I smile, imagining the cold beer running down my throat. He puts a napkin down, grabs a beer, and slides it over.

  “Alone tonight?” He grins, throwing the towel over his shoulder. This gorgeous guy could have his pick of any girl in this place. His eyes are the purest shade of blue, and sparkle when he smiles. I notice his body beneath his t-shirt, and can tell he likes to work out and take care of himself.

  “You could say that,” I reply, nodding my head towards Evelyn who is now working on her second shot. “My friend wanted to take her mind off her ex, so she dragged me here.” I glance back in Evelyn’s direction, and the bartender follows my gaze and chuckles.

  “Looks like she’s a real mess,” he smirks, leaning his elbows on the bar top.

  “I guess some people deal with loss and pain in different ways.” I smile softly, twirling the beer bottle. I’d hate to deal with any of that now or ever, and I can’t say whether I’d find myself in a place like this while trying to figure things out.

  “Yeah.” The left side of his mouth lifts into a grin. “I think some people go into a relationship with baggage that can really mess things up. I’ve seen my friends go through it.”

  “I can see that.” I nod in agreement, pushing my hair off my shoulders. I hope he doesn’t think that’s my reason for being here just because I’m drinking alone.

  “Hazel, right?” He asks, leaning over the bar.

  “Did I miss something?” I smile softly, confused by his question.

  “The color of your eyes, they’re hazel?” He smiles, full of charm and his blue eyes, vivid and mesmerizing.

  “Oh, yes,” I respond, acutely aware that this guy is flirting with me. The look in his eyes tells me that he’s up for more than just talking at the bar, but hooking up tonight is not on the agenda for me and never will be.

  “Very attractive.” He straightens up, his eyes never leaving my face.

  “Thank you.” I feel the heat rush to my cheeks, and it’s not because of the temperature in the room.

  “Elle!” I spin around at the sound of Tyler’s voice and smile till it hurts when I see my best friend walking towards me. I can’t help but notice the females around the bar watching him lasciviously. I don’t blame them. He’s six feet of pure lean muscle, wearing a black T-shirt and matching back jeans. His perfectly tousled brown hair falls over his smiling, brown eyes and he has the beginnings of a five o’clock shadow.

  “I’m here to save your hot ass.” Tyler regards me approvingly. “Hanging with Evelyn is like playing Russian roulette. I don’t want you making any rash decisions without consulting me.” He chuckles, kissing me on the cheek.

  “How did you know I was here?” I say, spinning around on my stool to give him a hug.

  “Our buddy over there from work,” He motions with his chin towards Evelyn, “has a big mouth, if you didn’t already know.”

  “Uh huh.” I smile. “Are you sure you’re not stalking me?” I say, twisting my hair playfully.

  “I don’t stalk. I observe.” He winks, turning to the bartender. “Can I have what she’s having?”

  “Sure.” The bartender grins at me before he turns away,
grabs a beer, and slides it to Tyler.

  “By the way, the white skirt you’re wearing? Hot,” he says lowering his eyes to my legs. “And the red, strapless thingy? Sexy. I’m happy that you’re sitting down because I don’t need a bunch of jackasses seeing how amazing you look.” He smiles approvingly.

  I took a little more time getting ready for tonight. I usually don’t wear a lot of makeup, but I’d felt adventurous and tried this smoky eyed look that I saw in a magazine. The red lipstick matches my top, and my very short skirt reveals most of my legs. Cane considers them my best assets. They are a direct result of all of the running that I do. I left my thick, wavy, brown hair down for once instead of pulling it back in my usual ponytail. Cane wasn’t thrilled with me looking so tempting, but he has no reason not to trust me.

  “Thanks, Dad.” I playfully punch his bulging forearm with my tiny fist. “But seriously, you like?” I ask, smoothing out my top.

  “Seriously, you have to ask?” He smiles wickedly, stepping closer to me. “Cane should thank me for being here to fend off all the creeps tonight.” His lips tug down in a small frown as he scans the crowded dance floor.

  “Not including you, right?” I pipe sarcastically.

  “You know better than that.” He grins before he takes a swig of his beer, placing his hand protectively on the back of my chair.

  “So, who are you here with?” I ask scanning the nearby crowd for familiar faces.

  “Just a couple of guys from the team. We decided to come out one last time before they head back home for the summer.”

  “So, is the season over?” I ask, turning back to him, eager to hear about my best friend’s budding baseball career.

  “Pretty much. Coach wants to get in one more practice next week, and that’s it.” He smiles. “We’re getting some good high school players next year to beef up the lineup. Hopefully, we’ll have a winning season next year.”

  Tyler, a baseball god, lives and breathes the sport since he started playing little league. He’s so damn good at it that he received a full baseball scholarship to play for Boston College, made the All-Star team as shortstop the last two years, and just made team Captain for his final year. He’s on top of the world right now, and I couldn’t be happier for him.

  “So, I guess you’ll need me at all your home games?”

  “You’re my lucky charm, remember?” He grins adoringly, making me all fuzzy inside.

  “You know I wouldn’t miss a game. I’m always there to cheer on my best friend, the future shortstop for the New York Yankees.” I chuckle as I playfully nudge him with my elbow.

  “Whatever. Still don’t get the whole Yankees Fan thing when you live in Boston,” he replies shaking his head.

  “Are we going there again?” I laugh. “You should know by now that I like living on the edge.” I say, tilting my head.

  “Definitely living on the edge with that decision. Red Sox fans are brutal.” He smirks and turns to observe the crowd on the dance floor.

  “I’ve survived twenty-two years with no bruises or scratches.” I laugh, taking a sip of beer.

  I hear Evelyn before I see her. She glides her way through a cluster of people and finally gets to me. I wish she’d stay where she is, but I can’t ditch her like that, especially in her time of need. I laugh at the thought of her suffering. Evelyn doesn’t look like she needs my help to end her misery as she scans the crowd for her next victim.

  “Hey guys!” she chirps, swinging her hair off her shoulders.

  “Where did your Prince Charming go?” I ask with a smile, slipping off my barstool and craning my neck to look over the crowd. How am I going to get through the wall of people to find the bathroom?

  “He had other options,” she says, waving her hand dismissively. “I’m fine with that. He wasn’t my type anyway.”

  “I never knew you were so picky.” Tyler smiles crookedly as he takes a long pull of beer.

  “Funny.” She retorts, her response dripping with sarcasm. “You guys are a couple of fuckin’ comedians. Are you sure you’re not boyfriend and girlfriend?” She cocks her head to the side, rolls her eyes at Tyler, and winks at me.

  Tyler gazes over at me and gives me that damn smile that I’ve seen every day for the past fourteen years of my life. “I wish,” he says, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “But I’m not good enough for this one.” He gives me his best pouty face.

  “Puh-lease,” I look up and smile, wrapping my arm around his waist. “You know the deal.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Tyler replies as he sips his beer and smiles down at me.

  Tyler has been my best friend since we were kids. He’s like a brother to me. We’ve shared too much about our lives for me to feel comfortable with him as anything other than my best friend. Tyler’s not-so-secret crush on me has complicated things before. He is my lifeline, so I keep myself closed off from the possibility of him being more than a friend. I can’t risk losing him. I need our friendship more than a flash in the pan relationship.

  I turn to Evelyn and smirk. “It’s not a foreign concept to have a guy for a best friend.”

  “I agree, but the way you guys carry on, you’d think you were a couple or something. Just saying.” She turns, cozies up to the bar, and makes eyes at my bartender friend before ordering a drink. It doesn’t take her long to hook her claws into him. Bartender is now Chad. Evelyn is quick with the draw; she doesn’t do a lot of talking. She’s all action.

  “I need to go to the little girl’s room. Are you gonna be okay with this one?” I giggle at Tyler, and nod in Evelyn’s direction.

  “I can handle her.” Tyler squints, surveying the crowd again. “Do you need an escort?”

  “I love that you feel the need to be my bodyguard, but I’m a big girl.” I say, as I adjust my skirt.

  “Positive? Looks like a jungle out there. I don’t want anything happening to you.” He says as he scrutinizes the expanding crowd.

  “You need to relax.” I say, laughing as I playfully push my hand against his hard chest. “If I don’t make it back in ten minutes, send out a search party!” I grab my purse off the bar and turn, fighting my way through the swarm of bodies.

  “Fine, ten minutes!” I hear him yell as the mob swallows me.

  The lights swirl, pulsate, and splash the room with a kaleidoscope of colors as I make my way across the dance floor heading back to the bar. No one can hear me yelling ‘excuse me’ over the loud music as I trip over my own two feet. I try to avoid crashing into the person in front of me. He hurriedly wraps his strong arms around my waist, preventing my collision with the dance floor.

  His fingers caress the small of my back, and then his hand sweeps across my arm, leaving a trail of heat. His chest is hard and rippled beneath my hands and his scent is spicy and intoxicating. My body reacts so strongly to his touch and the desire is almost more than I can fight. I feel his warm breath on my cheek when he says, “I’m sorry,” in a smooth voice with an accent I can’t quite place.

  Nothing registers in my mind and no words fall from my lips. My eyes take in his perfectly chiseled face framed by dark brown tousled hair and deep blue eyes that lock with mine. I finally respond breathlessly by saying, “It’s okay,” and slowly turn away, feeling the heat rising from my toes to my cheeks.

  I carefully slip through the crowd with legs limp underneath me, recalling the feel of his skin on mine. Unable to fight the urge, I look over my shoulder and see that he’s still watching me. The corner of his mouth lifts into a swoon-worthy smile that makes me blush. I turn away, fighting my body and its reaction to this man. I cannot deny that I felt something fantastic when he touched me, and I definitely cannot go back.

  We’ve been here almost two hours. The dance floor is still overflowing, and the music continues to blast out of the speakers. I’m anxious to leave as I shoulder my way off the dance floor, and snatch a stool at the bar. I plan to spend the night at Cane’s. His roommates are gone for the weekend, so we have the whole pl
ace to ourselves. I pull out my cell to text Cane I’m on my way.

  Elle: Leaving now. ;)

  Cane: Sooner the better.

  Elle: B there in 15.

  Cane: Get here already ;)

  Elle: Love U

  “Hey, looks like you can use some water,” Chad says as he slides a tall glass of water in front of me.

  “Thank you.” I turn to the bar, dropping my phone in my purse. I take a sip and watch Chad from the corner of my eye.

  “Long night, huh?” A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.

  “Yes. I’m beat,” I reply, watching as he wipes the bar again. I laugh to myself and find myself wondering if the constant wiping motion is the reason for those bulging muscles of his.

  “Penny for your thoughts?” He grins.

  I shake my head and smile into my glass. “I need some fresh air.” I look over to find him smiling at me.

  “Ugh, my feet are killing me.” I turn to the sound of Evelyn’s voice as she trips to the bar. Grimacing, she rests her elbow on the surface, slips off her heels, and hops on the stool to rest her feet.

  “Are you ready to head out?” I ask, glancing toward the exit and then back at her.

  “Hold on, sheesh! Give me a minute to rest my poor feet,” she retorts, wiggling her manicured toes. “Aren’t we a little eager to get out of here?”

  “It’s been a wild night,” I reply. I slide off my stool, watching as people are already leaving. Chad waves from behind the bar. I’m not one to be rude, so I wave back. It doesn’t escape my notice when his eyes trail the length of my body. I take it as a compliment.

  “OK... OK.” She huffs. “Just give me a sec.” She slips her heels back on and slides off the stool. “What’s the rush? You got a hot date tonight?” She smiles as she tries to catch up to me as I walk towards the exit.

  “Yes, I do actually. You can drop me off at Cane’s apartment.” I smile over my shoulder. “What about you? No luck tonight?”

  “Hmm, not so much,” she answers softly as she falls in stride with me. I wonder if this is all an act, and she actually is hurting from the breakup with her boyfriend.