No Strings

By Tracey Mayhew

They say you can't help who you fall in love with…

Brooke Kennedy is about to find out just how true that is.

 

Still nursing a broken heart from a recent break-up and the knowledge of her ex's newfound relationship with one of her friends, the last thing Brooke wants is to have their relationship shoved in her face. Becoming a recluse is not an option, however, and, at her best friend's birthday party, she finds comfort in the arms of the one man she cannot have.

 

But, as Brooke tries to deny her growing feelings, she soon succumbs to desire and, despite her determination to keep this new relationship as strictly no strings, things soon become far more complicated than she could ever have imagined.

 

NO STRINGS is a new romantic comedy perfect for fans of Kirsty Greenwood, Sophie Kinsella and Becky Monson, a perfect blend of romance and humour for you to enjoy again and again!

 

Download your copy today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tracey Mayhew
• Release date: Jul 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393316329

Book preview

1

Brooke Kennedy, if you don’t get out of that pit you call a bed in five minutes, I’m coming in!

The threat, worming itself into Brooke’s consciousness and pulling her from her restless sleep, was accompanied by a relentless pounding which matched the throbbing behind her bloodshot eyes. Pulling the pillow over her head, she let out a groan, wishing her friend would just give her up for dead.

Because that’s how she felt: she was dying.

Maybe having that… how many shots had she downed last night? She’d lost count after the fifth and that was before she had started on the wine. How Lexi had managed to get her home was anyone’s guess; she was a lightweight at the best of times but, lately, it didn’t take much before she was crying into her glass and swearing vengeance on the man who had broken her heart.

Jake Adams…

Just his name was enough to make her blood boil.

Right, you’ve had your five minute warning! Lexi declared, her arrival at Brooke’s door punctuated by a final thump. You’d better be decent because I’m coming in!

The door burst open as Lexi Sinclair marched in, a whirling dervish in the midst of Brooke’s hangover from hell.

Lex… what the-? she groaned weakly, rolling over as sunlight flooded the room.

Lexi turned away from the window, not even trying to keep the frown from her face as she surveyed the room. It’s a mess in here, she stated flatly.

You sound like my mother, Brooke murmured, her voice muffled under the duvet.

Well, maybe she has a point, Lexi muttered. Honestly, how can you live like this?

"It’s not that bad! Brooke protested, throwing the duvet off, watching as Lexi began picking up the clothes she had left on the floor the night before. Lex, stop it."

Lexi glanced at her, barely pausing to look at Brooke. Well, someone has to clean this pit you call a room.

Brooke would have rolled her eyes, had it not been for the pounding behind them. Instead, she continued to watch Lexi as she fussed about the room. Her room wasn’t that bad; yes, a few clothes littered the floor and an empty wine glass stood next to an, equally, empty wine bottle on her bedside table but, apart from that…

The desk that stood in front of the window was clear of mess; her bookcases, lining one side of the room, filled to the brim with a combination of veterinary science and fiction books was clearly organized in two halves. She really didn’t know what Lexi’s problem was.

Finally satisfied, Lexi turned to Brooke, glaring down at her in a way no one had since she was fourteen years old when her mother had been forced to drag her out of bed in time for school. It’s gone ten, she pointed out, hands on hips.

So? Brooke groaned. What did Lexi want from her? It was Saturday, for crying out loud, and it wasn’t as if she was on-call.

A sharp smack on Brooke’s leg earned Lexi a pounding with the pillow, which she caught easily and tore out of Brooke’s hands.

Leave me alone, Brooke pleaded, curling up into a ball under her duvet, a duvet that was promptly snatched away.

Get up, Lexi ordered in her strict, no-nonsense voice.

Brooke shook her head, suddenly feeling sorry for the children in her friend’s class. No, she retorted stubbornly, glancing at Lexi whose face softened at the, no doubt, pathetic look on her face.

Move over, Lexi sighed, nudging Brooke’s legs.

Brooke did as requested, making room for Lexi, fighting the urge to throw up as the bed dipped under her friend’s weight. Is this where you lecture me? she asked, wishing her head wasn’t pounding like a jackhammer. Because, if it is, you could have at least brought me some painkillers.

Maybe this is my way of teaching you a lesson, Lexi replied quietly, her tone of voice telling Brooke she was serious this time. You can’t keep doing this, Brooke. With no response from her friend, she reached out and nudged her. Did you hear me?

Yes, I heard you! Brooke snapped, fully aware her friend spoke sense. She knew the path she was on was a dark one, one that would do her no favours in the long run. Trying to shut out her dark thoughts with booze was never a good idea; she had read enough self-help books over the years to know that. But, right now, she didn’t see any other way to solve her problem; whenever she was sober she was miserable and, as much as it shamed her to admit it, the only thing that made the pain go away was booze.

So? Lexi demanded, bringing Brooke’s train of thought back to the present. What are you going to do about it?

Brooke opened one eye, squinting up at her friend. What do you mean?

What do you mean ‘what do I mean’? she demanded. Brooke, look at you; it’s been, what… six weeks now and you’re still no closer to getting over him.

Well, do you blame me? Brooke shot back. He broke my heart and then, to top it all, he started seeing one of my best friends!

Lexi sighed and rubbed her shoulder. I know… it sucks.

Do you? Brooke snapped. Because from where I’m sitting, you’ve got a pretty great guy who would do anything for you and I’ve… She paused, trying to control her emotions but failing miserably. I’ve got nothing, she finished quietly, a well-timed tear escaping. Reaching up, she swiped it away, ashamed she was still crying over it, over them.

Lexi was right: it had been six weeks; six weeks since Jake had broken up with her and, though that had hurt at the time, it wasn’t what had affected her so badly. No, what really infuriated her was the fact that, only three weeks later, he had got together with Mel Campbell, one of her best friends, and they were now well and truly in the grip of their new-found love. Honestly, it made her sick.

Lexi repositioned herself on the bed, lying down beside her best friend. "You don’t have nothing, she protested. You have me. And Darren, of course."

Brooke slowly turned to face her. Is that supposed to make me feel better?

Narrowing her gaze, Lexi shoved her. "Okay, now I’m offended!" she teased.

Brooke laughed, ignoring the nauseous feeling now beginning to take hold. Falling silent once more, she conceded, You’re right, Lex; I know I should be over it but-

Hey, Lexi interrupted, her voice firm. Sitting up, she gazed down at Brooke. "I never said you should be over it. I know how you felt about Jake and… I know how badly you’ve been hurt by them. She held Brooke’s gaze. But you can’t keep letting it rule your life; you have to, at least, try to move on. Getting drunk every night isn’t the answer; you’ve more than proved that already."

"And, that coming from my drinking buddy," Brooke said, eager to point out the irony of Lexi’s statement.

Yeah, well…

Brooke closed her eyes and sighed, throwing an arm over her face; she hated this. She hated waking up feeling like she’d been run over by a truck. She hated not being able to focus on anything, not being able to enjoy life anymore. She hated feeling miserable all the time.

Brooke. Lexi’s voice cut into her thoughts. They’re not worth this. I mean… you’re letting yourself go and for what?

Brooke frowned. "I’m not letting myself go," she protested, quick to defend herself. Yes, she felt, and looked, awful but still…

Okay, then: when did you last shave your legs? Lexi challenged.

Brooke scrambled into a sitting position, hastily pushing her pyjama trousers down to hide her calves. I… I shave my legs, she insisted weakly; even to her, her protests sounded lame.

Lexi glared at her. Well, that rainforest begs to differ.

Brooke brought her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms tightly around them. What’s your point?

My point is, Lexi began smugly, how can any self-respecting woman feel good about themselves, if they don’t take the time to take care of their own needs?

Brooke frowned. I think you’re being very over dramatic about a couple of days’ growth.

And the rest, she scoffed. Brooke, you promised you’d come shopping with me, she whined, her intentions now crystal clear. How can you do that if you’re holed up here feeling sorry for yourself?

Brooke nodded knowingly. Oh, I get it; you don’t want me to get over this for any other reason than you’d have someone to go shopping with! Seeing the look on Lexi’s face, she gasped and sat bolt up. That’s it, isn’t it?

Lexi shook her head, laughing now. No; you clearly said-

When? Brooke challenged. When did I agree to this torture?

When we were at The Fox and Hound the other night, Lexi retorted smugly.

At these words, Brooke’s frowned, as she searched her memory… and then… she remembered. That’s not fair; you got me to agree to that when I was drunk! My defenses were down!

Lexi shook her head. No way; I’m not letting you off on a technicality! she cried. You’re getting out of this bed, Missy, putting on some half-decent clothes and coming with me to find a dress for next week.

Next week? Brooke asked blankly, her mind working overtime. What was happening next week?

Lexi smacked her thigh. "My birthday! Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten!"

Of course I haven’t, Brooke insisted, fully aware she didn’t sound at all convincing.

Lexi sighed. "Next week is my birthday and you, as my best friend, have to be there and I’m not having you there looking like something the cat dragged in, she declared as she got to her feet. So, I’m giving you half an hour. If you’re not downstairs by then, I will seriously reconsider the foundation of our friendship."

And with that, she left, leaving Brooke alone. Had she really agreed to a day of dress shopping? How could she have been so stupid? Surely no amount of alcohol would have allowed her to do that? She groaned, running her hand along her lower leg; Lexi had been right: she was letting herself go. She had never been the type of girl to take an abnormal amount of pride in her appearance but she wasn’t a slob either.

Clock’s ticking, Brooke!

Brooke rolled her eyes at Lexi’s reminder as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed, allowing her head a moment to catch up with the sudden movement. Standing up, she tentatively made her way to the bathroom.

It was time to face the world again.

2

Brooke had never felt more bored in her life.

She had forgotten that, when Lexi had told her they were going shopping, it wouldn’t just be just a five-minute jaunt into town, especially not when it involved buying a new outfit for her birthday. And this was never going to be a trip that would help her hangover; in fact, every second she spent here made her crave coffee more.

So far, Lexi had been in this shop for, at least, forty-five minutes looking at the same rack of dresses and, as far as Brooke could see, she was still no closer to finalizing her choice.

She turned her attention away, in a bid to hide her frustration, watching the Saturday shoppers pass by the window. Their village of Ashton-on-the-Weald was small, consisting of one main road that boasted a couple of specialist clothes boutiques, a bookshop-cum-tearooms, the usual local stores and pub and, beyond that, views of the Kentish weald; Brooke had grown up here and loved its slow pace of life and the community feel, despite the gossip mill that usually ran into overdrive over the smallest little thing.

Can’t we just go and get a coffee? she pleaded impatiently. We can take a break, regroup, and come back -

Lexi snorted, barely sparing her a glance as her eyes took in the black dress she was studying. "Yeah, like I’d trust you to come back, she muttered. You’d get two steps away from here and I wouldn’t see you for dust."

Brooke glared at her. Ow, that really hurts, Lex; I made a promise and I intend to keep it, even if I hate every second of it.

Lexi grinned, adding the black dress to the armful of dresses she was already carrying. Oh, I know you will. Right, let’s go try these on, she announced, making a beeline for the changing rooms.

"What? All of them?" Brooke demanded, reluctantly trailing behind her.

Lexi sighed exasperatedly. "Yes, all of them; how else will I know if I’ve found the right one? I need a selection to choose from."

Brooke shrugged. Or you could just pick the last one, she offered hopefully. I like black on you, it brings out your… eyes.

Lexi scowled at her. You sound ridiculous. She paused, causing Brooke to almost run into her. You know, it wouldn’t hurt you to do a little dress shopping, she pointed out. I mean, how many boots and jeans can a girl wear?

"OK, first of all: I have two pairs of boots, she retorted defensively. And second of all: boots and jeans are practical, especially for a vet; I mean, I can hardly be on my feet all day in a dress and heels, can I? And what about when I get called to a farm?"

"But what about when you’re not working? Like, say, when your best friend has a party coming up and thinks you should wear a dress?"

Brooke smirked. "Then, in that instance, my best friend should be happy I’m there at all."

Lexi threw her hands in the air and continued walking towards the fitting rooms, Brooke falling into step behind her. Honestly, I give up sometimes!

Anyway, I already own a dress, Brooke reminded her as Lexi pulled the curtain across the cubicle.

The dress you wore to your parents’ anniversary doesn’t count, Lexi protested distractedly, clearly rummaging through the clothes she was about to try on.

Why not?

Because it’s five years old for a start, Lexi pointed out.

Brooke glared at the red velvet curtain. So? It still fits.

That’s not the point.

Why isn’t it the point? Brooke demanded, determined to see this through to the bitter end. I’d say that’s exactly the point of a dress: for it to fit.

Lexi stuck her head out of the curtain, the move doing nothing for her long dark hair that now looked like she’d been dragged through a hedge. "At least look for a dress… for me," she added for good measure.

The two friends stared at each other for a moment; it was bad enough that Brooke was wasting her Saturday hung-over and dress shopping for her friend but the last thing she wanted was to waste anymore of it shopping for herself. So, she played the only card she had left in her arsenal…

"OK, fine; I’ll look for a dress… She paused as Lexi smiled victoriously, but only if you’ll take back Jake and Mel’s invitations to your party. Brooke smirked as Lexi’s face fell; she never liked to lose and, now, thanks to her timely offer, it didn’t look like she would. What do you say?"

Lexi disappeared into the cubicle again. You know full well I can’t do that.

In truth, Brooke hadn’t expected anything less but it had been worth a shot and, to her credit, Lexi did sound apologetic. She sighed, scuffing the floor with her boot. I know, I know.

Lexi stuck her head out again. You know I would, if I could, but… she’s my cousin and he’s her -

Brooke held her hand up, silencing her friend; she really didn’t need to hear anymore. Lex, it’s fine; I get it.

Lexi pulled the curtain aside and turned, offering her back to Brooke. Do me up. Brooke automatically obliged, distracted now by thoughts of Jake and Mel. She had always known they would be coming to this party but that didn’t make it any easier to bear; they’d probably be fawning all over each other, laughing at each other’s jokes and generally rubbing her face in their new-found, happy, relationship…

Brooke!

Lexi’s sharp voice brought her back to the moment.

What?

Lexi smirked. You didn’t hear me at all, did you? Brooke smiled apologetically. I said: what do you think? She turned to look at herself in the mirror. "I think the